Love without borders: Celebrate Valentine's Day with Sendvalu Title

The most widespread story about the origin of Saint Valentine tells us about a Christian priest named Valentine. In the 3rd century AD, under the rule of Emperor Claudius II, it was believed that single soldiers were better in battle than those with family and emotional ties, so marriages for young people were prohibited. Defying these orders, Valentine began secretly celebrating marriages for young couples in love, becoming a symbol of love and resistance. When his actions were discovered, he was imprisoned and subsequently executed on February 14. As time went by, he was canonized and began to be considered the patron saint of lovers.

In addition to Christian narratives, Valentine's Day also has roots in the ancient Roman holiday of Lupercalia. Celebrated from February 13 to 15, Lupercalia was a fertility festival that included rituals to ensure fertility, purify the city, and ward off evil spirits. Priests of Lupercus, the god of fertility, sacrificed goats and dogs, and then used their skins to gently beat women, an act believed to increase their fertility.

As time passed and Christianity spread, many of the pagan traditions were replaced or reinterpreted with Christian meanings. Lupercalia was one of these holidays, transformed and adopted by the Catholic Church as Valentine's Day, in an effort to Christianize popular celebrations.

Over the centuries, Valentine's Day has evolved from its dark and varied origins into a global celebration of love and friendship. In the Middle Ages, the idea that February 14 marked the beginning of the mating season for birds became popular in England and France, adding a romantic note to the holiday. This led to the association of the day with love and fertility, and the first forms of Valentine's cards, known as "valentinas", poems and songs dedicated to love, began to emerge.

Today, Valentine's Day is celebrated in numerous countries, each bringing their own cultural touch to the holiday. From romantic dinners to exchanges of symbolic gifts such as flowers, chocolates and jewelry, the day offers an opportunity to express love and appreciation. Furthermore, the holiday has transcended the purely romantic sphere to include gestures of friendship and recognition towards friends, family and colleagues, reflecting a broader vision of love in its multiple forms.

This rich mosaic of stories, traditions and meanings makes Valentine's Day a truly unique celebration, a time when we can pause to reflect on the value of love in our lives and the many ways we can express it. Whether through a grand gesture or a simple act of kindness, Valentine's Day reminds us of the importance of connecting with others and sharing our deepest feelings.

 Valentine's Day Curiosities

Valentine's Day is a holiday that is celebrated globally, but it is not experienced in the same way everywhere. Traditions vary greatly from country to country, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of our global society. Here we present some of the most fascinating curiosities surrounding the celebration of Valentine's Day in different corners of the world.

1. Wales: Spoons of love. In Wales, it is not unusual for people to give carved wooden "love spoons" to their loved ones on January 25, the day of St. Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. This tradition dates back to the 17th century and spoons are decorated with symbols that have specific meanings, such as hearts for love, bells for marriage, and keys for the key to someone's heart.

2. Philippines: Mass wedding ceremonies. Valentine's Day has become a popular date for mass weddings in the Philippines, where hundreds of couples unite in marriage in one place, turning Valentine's Day into a collective celebration of love and commitment. These events are often sponsored by government or charitable organizations as a way to make marriage procedures easier for couples.

3. Finland and Estonia: Celebration of friendship. While in most countries Valentine's Day is associated with romantic love, in Finland and Estonia February 14 is celebrated more as a day of friendship, known as "Ystävänpäivä" in Finland and "Sõbrapäev" in Estonia. People exchange cards and gifts with friends in a gesture of appreciation and affection, expanding the scope of the holiday beyond the love of a couple.

4. Italy: A spring festival. In the past, Valentine's Day in Italy was celebrated as a spring festival, where young couples would gather outdoors to enjoy music and poetry before strolling through the gardens in pairs. Although this tradition has evolved, in some parts of Italy, lovers still exchange gifts such as "baci perugina", a chocolate known to contain messages of love inside.

5. South Korea: A quarterly celebration of love. In South Korea, the celebration of love occurs on several days throughout the year, not just February 14. On March 14, known as "White Day," men return the favor to women who gave them chocolates on Valentine's Day with gifts of their own choosing. Then, on April 14, known as "Black Day," those who received nothing on the previous two holidays gather to eat black noodles and "lament" their singleness.

6. Denmark: White flowers and joke cards. In Denmark, the tradition is to send "gaekkebrev", which are joke letters that men send to women anonymously. These letters usually contain a funny or romantic verse and are not signed with the sender's name, but with dots, one for each letter of the name. If the recipient correctly guesses who sent the letter, she receives an Easter egg later that year. Additionally, it is common for Danes to give "sneboller" or "snowballs," which are bouquets of white flowers.

These curiosities about Valentine's Day show how a holiday can be interpreted and celebrated in such diverse ways. From acts of romantic love to the celebration of friendship, and from ancient rituals to modern adaptations, Valentine's Day remains a special day on the global calendar, filled with love, laughter and, above all, unexpected surprises.

Sendvalu special promotion for Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day, Sendvalu wants to make expressing your love and appreciation easier and more accessible than ever. We understand that distances can be a challenge, but we firmly believe that love and care can transcend any barrier. That's why we're thrilled to announce our special Valentine's Day offer, designed to help you connect with your loved ones, no matter where they are in the world.

Special offer: "Send love, save more"

With the promotional code 'LOVE24', we offer you a €2 discount on any money transfer of €30 or more. This promotion is valid until February 28, giving you the flexibility to surprise your partner, family or friends throughout the month of love.

How can it benefit you?

Affordability: This discount makes sending love and support more affordable. Whether it's a Valentine's Day gift, supporting a loved one in their goals, or simply showing you care, this promotion helps you do more with less.

Flexibility: You can send money almost anywhere in the world, taking advantage of our competitive exchange rates and low fees. Your loved one can receive the money conveniently, either in their bank account, in cash or as a mobile top-up, depending on what best suits their needs.

Personalization: Use this discount to personalize your Valentine's gift. Instead of a traditional gift, you can send the financial equivalent so your loved one can pamper themselves in the way they prefer.

How to use the offer?

Register or log in to your Sendvalu account.

Choose the destination and the amount you want to send.

Enter the code 'LOVE24' in the promotions section at checkout.

Complete your submission and that's it! You've shared some love and joy, plus taken advantage of some big savings.

Call to action: Don't miss this opportunity!

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to show that love knows no boundaries. With Sendvalu, your gesture of love and affection can reach any corner of the world, easily and quickly. Don't miss out on this special Valentine's Day offer. Use the code 'LOVE24' and make your Valentine's gift even more memorable. Whether it's a romantic gift, a gesture of friendship or timely support, Sendvalu is here to help you connect with your loved ones in the most meaningful way.