What are you planning to get your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day?  Will it be chocolate, flowers, a simple card, or maybe a gift of jewelry?  Whatever you decide, you really shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to express your love for that special person in your life.

Valentine’s Day first became associated with romantic love in the late 1300s, when Geoffrey Chaucer (1342-1400) wrote a poem to honor King Richard II’s engagement.  The poem, which linked the Feast of St. Valentine to birds choosing their mates, was called the “Parliament of Foules (Fowls).”

But St. Valentine’s Day was celebrated long before the middle ages.  It used to be a liturgical celebration.  There were several saints named Valentinus (Latin for worthy, strong, or powerful). While it’s no longer celebrated by the church, Valentine’s Day has become a more and more popular secular holiday.  Many countries celebrate Valentine’s Day.  It became very big in 18th century England as an occasion to express love.  And when Hallmark began producing Valentine’s Day cards in the early 1900s, its success was sealed.  All of those saints named Valentine have to be happy about the wide-reaching celebration and the meaningful sentiments expressed on their name-day!

How do you plan to say, “I love you?”  If you’re on a budget, don’t give up on a gift of jewelry.  Dearborn Jewelers has gifts in all price ranges, starting at $25. We have sterling silver heart pendants on chains for around $70.  A bouquet of roses or a box of fine chocolates can cost that much!  So go for the gift that doesn’t wilt and won’t add calories.  Jewelry lasts forever–just like your love.