Last reviewed: October 2026
Valentine’s Day gets a bad rap for being commercial, but its story is far more interesting than heart-shaped everything. Here is a quick history of Valentine’s Day, from early Christian martyrs and a Roman festival to medieval love poems and printed cards, so you can celebrate it with a little more intention.
The short version: Valentine’s Day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs called Valentine. It was later blended with mid-February Roman traditions and, centuries after that, with courtly love, handwritten notes and printed cards. Much of the early story is legend, so we have noted below where historians are not sure.
Who was St. Valentine?
The Catholic Church recognizes several early martyrs named Valentine (or Valentinus), who died under the Roman Empire. Their stories blended together over time, and historians can’t say for certain which Valentine the day was first meant to honour.
The most famous version is that of a priest in third-century Rome. According to legend, Emperor Claudius II banned young men from marrying because he believed single men made better soldiers. Valentine is said to have married young couples in secret, and when the emperor found out, he was sentenced to death. It is a moving “love against all odds” story, but it is tradition rather than proven history.
Why is Valentine’s Day on February 14?
Long before chocolate boxes and rose bouquets, the Romans held a mid-February festival called Lupercalia, a fertility festival linked to agriculture and new life. It was traditionally described as including rituals, animal sacrifices and a matchmaking lottery, although historians debate how much of that last detail is accurate.
Many historians believe the Church set February 14 as a feast day for St. Valentine in the late fifth century, under Pope Gelasius I, and some argue this was meant to replace Lupercalia with a Christian celebration. That link is a popular theory rather than a settled fact.
When did Valentine’s Day become romantic?
For several centuries, St. Valentine’s Day was simply a feast day. The earliest well-known link between the day and romantic love is generally credited to the English poet Geoffrey Chaucer, who wrote about birds choosing their mates on St. Valentine’s Day in the 1380s, although some scholars debate exactly which feast day he meant.
A few decades later, in 1415, Charles, Duke of Orléans, was held prisoner in the Tower of London after the Battle of Agincourt. He wrote verses to his wife, addressing her as his “Valentine.” His poem is often described as the earliest surviving valentine, and it is one of the most romantic letters in history.
From love letters to printed cards
By the 1700s in Britain and Europe, it was common to send handmade valentines and handwritten notes on Valentine’s Day. These notes let people say tender, sentimental things they might never say out loud the rest of the year.
Then came cheaper printing and postage. In Britain, the Penny Post of 1840 made it easy to send cards, printers began producing them in volume, and the custom soon spread to North America. Today, cards, flowers, chocolates and thoughtful gift baskets are all part of how people mark the day.
What Valentine’s Day really celebrates
Put all of that together, and Valentine’s Day comes down to a few big ideas:
- Love that persists against the odds, inspired by the legend of St. Valentine marrying couples in secret.
- Commitment, marriage and family, a thread running through old festivals and courtship traditions.
- Saying the quiet part out loud, through notes, cards and the gifts and gestures we might not offer on any other day.
In other words, Valentine’s Day is not just about red roses and prix fixe menus. At its best, it is a yearly reminder to pause, be a little vulnerable and show the people you love how much they mean to you.
Say “I love you” your way
So who in your life deserves a Valentine this year? Maybe it is your partner. Maybe it is a best friend, your parents, a colleague who is always in your corner, or even yourself (we are big fans of self-gifting).
If you want something thoughtful but low-effort, our Vancouver gift baskets are made with treats from Granville Island and local makers, and are packed to feel personal. Here are a few ways to choose:
- For the foodie who always knows the best restaurants, try the Deluxe Charcuterie and Cheese box.
- For anyone who deserves a break, browse the full gift collection for calming, cozy and wellness-inspired treats.
- For a last-minute gesture, send a gift card and let them choose.
You pick the vibe, and we handle the rest: beautiful packaging, local makers and delivery to their door. Shelf-stable boxes ship across Canada, while our fresh boxes are delivered locally, so check the product page for current delivery details.
Valentine’s Day FAQs
Who was St. Valentine?
St. Valentine refers to one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine who died in Rome. The popular story of a priest who married couples in secret against an emperor’s orders is a legend, and historians are not sure which Valentine the holiday was first named for.
Why is Valentine’s Day on February 14?
February 14 was set as a feast day for St. Valentine, most likely in the late fifth century. Some historians think it was chosen to replace the Roman festival of Lupercalia, which took place in mid-February, but that link is debated.
When did Valentine’s Day become about romance?
The link between the day and romantic love appears in medieval poetry, with Geoffrey Chaucer’s verses from the 1380s often cited as the earliest example. By the 1700s, people were exchanging handwritten notes, and printed cards followed in the 1800s.
What is a good local Valentine’s Day gift in Vancouver?
Local food and drink, flowers, chocolate and handmade items all make thoughtful gifts. A gift basket that brings several local products together is an easy way to give a taste of the city, and you can browse ours on the gifts page.
Valentine’s Day only comes once a year. With a heartfelt note and a carefully chosen gift, it is a perfect excuse to say what we don’t say often enough: I’m grateful for you. I love you. You matter to me. That is a tradition we are very happy to keep.