Day of Love From Shoebox Mailboxes to Spirit Days, Reimagining Valentines on Campus
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From Courtly Love to Handwritten Lace; Revisiting the Centuries Old Rituals of Romance
Tatiana Lee Freshman
“I think schools could do more for Valentines Day, because in elementary school we had parties with candy and treats. Valentine’s Day is about self love and love for another person. Social media in my opinion doesn’t make it stressful. I feel some people feel forced to be in a relationship for Valentines Day.”
How to Solve:
Today’s traditions have classic romantic gestures. Exchanging cards, chocolates and red or pink roses with a modern twist like personalized gifts. Couples plan experiences like cooking classes, pottery workshops, museum visits, stargazing or recreating their first date. Even celebrating friendships or self love. Couples will sometimes make a Valentine’s basket that is filled with their significant others’ favorite stuff. Paper and pipe cleaner flowers are becoming a trend to make for Valentine’s. Ladies like to get dressed up in pink and red outfits for Valentine’s Day. They get all dolled up with makeup and In Ancient Rome a pagan festival was held in the middle of February that involved animal sacrifices, fertility rituals and men whipping women with animal hides believed to promote fertility. During the medieval period the day became associated with romantic love as courtly love traditions flourished. It was commonly believed that birds chose their mates in the middle of February, reinforcing the day’s romantic significance. Young people would draw names from a bowl to be paired as “valentines” and wear the chosen name on their sleeves for the day or week. In the 18th and 19th Centuries in England and America, people exchanged small gifts and handwritten
heels to complete the outfit. Many ladies will go out and buy a new dress for this day. Restaurants become very busy on this day with reservations. Booking now would be a good idea. Elementary schools will do a Valentine’s Day parties. The kids will decorate a box with a hole inside for the treats. The students will also buy some cards and treats to pass out to the whole class. Teachers and parents will sometimes provide some other things like cookies and cupcakes for the kids to eat during the party. Valentine’s crafts and games go on as well. Decorating a cookie or making a heart out of paper. notes expressing affection. Elaborate decorative cards featuring lace, ribbons and pictures known as “scrap” became popular especially after Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass produced Valentine’s cards in the U.S. in the 1840s earning her the title “Mother of the Valentine.” Both insulting and humorous cards were also common. In Wales, carved wooden love spoons were given as romantic symbols. With advances in printing technology and cheaper postage in the early 20th Century, mass produced Valentine’s cards became widespread. It established Valentine’s Day as a major card sending holiday, second only to Christmas.
Despite common confusion, the rules of Sudoku are rather simple. To solve the puzzle, you must fill all empty boxes with numbers 1-9 without allowing numbers to repeat in boxes, columns and rows. So, one box must contain numbers 1-9 without repeat, one column must contain numbers 1-9 without repeat, and one row must contain numbers 1-9 without repeat.
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Spencer Green “Schools should not make Valentine’s Day a big deal. People can celebrate it on their own time. It’s likely better to spend the day with a significant other if you want Sophomore
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that relationship to last. It should probably be about romance, because that’s the whole point. More people in the hallways showing PDA and more serious relationships.”
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Chloie Taylor “There should be more affordable options for
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New Rituals, Same Heart; Date nights, Roses and Cards
Valentine’s Day. Spending time with loved ones is the most important aspect of the day. There is pressure to create the perfect gift. Valentine’s Day is about love in all its forms. Past traditions included sharing cards and candies, while in high school involve more casual interactions.”
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Josiah Counts “Schools should acknowledge Valentine’s Day, but allow most celebrations to occur Senior
at home. I plan to spend the day with my girlfriend. Social media can turn the holiday into a competition, emphasizing spending rather than genuine affection. It has become more intimate due to social norms and contests.”
Photos by Kayleigh Gerdes
18 | Winter Sports Written and designed by Kayden Taylor 18 | Valentines Day Written and designed by Kayleigh Gerdes
Written and designed by Lydia Landes Sudoku | 19
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