Valentines Day Gifts for Him

By D Greene

Listen up lovers. It’s that special time of year again. If you are into a loving relationship that you want to keep healthy you probably could use some help with Valentine’s day gifts ideas. On the other hand if you want to end a relationship an easy way to do it is to just forget about a Valentines Day gift for that important partner.

You may rightfully wonder, how did the world get so hooked on this old tradition? Why has Valentines Day become so important in maintaining close relationships?

Saint Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. Who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite of giving gifts to loved ones? The exact origin of Valentines Day is not clear. We do know that the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend states that Valentine was a priest who served in Rome during the third century. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men performed as soldiers better than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men, his source of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing that the decree was unjust, defied Claudius and continued to perform secret marriages for young lovers. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be imprisoned and then put to death.

Other stories say that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured and put to death.

One popular legend proposes that Valentine actually sent the first “Valentine” greeting. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl, who was probably his jailer’s daughter, who often visited him during his prison confinement. It is believed that he wrote her a love letter, which he signed ‘From your Valentine,’ an expression that is still in common use today.

Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It’s no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France. From that popular tradition it was easy for merchants to seize upon the “a Valentine for lovers” theme and suggest that giving gifts, if only a card, was the right thing to do. Before long there was even a special day, February 14, set aside for the custom.

The tradition has become so popular that to forget to give a card or gift to your close friend or lover on Valentines Day is almost like saying “I don’t love you anymore”. So if you value your present number one and only relationship you had best not forget to present a Valentines Day gift to your lover. A nice card may do but to be sure a Valentines Day gift is much safer.

Looking for some great Valentines Day gift ideas for men and women? Here are some thoughtful ideas that are sure to please that special Valentine. Valentines Day Gift Ideas

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