Valentine's Day Cards

If you thought that Valentine cards were a fairly recent affectation, think again. These greetings were done even in the middle ages;...

..it is believed that lovers actually sang their greetings of love and devotion to one another. The British museum has the oldest Valentine's Day card believed to be in existence and it dates from the 1400's.

In Europe the tradition of giving paper valentines got its start. They were used instead of buying actual gifts. Mass production of the Valentine’s Day card did not begin until the 1800's. They were made in factories and most were in black and white. The cards became popular in the United States around the turn of the century, when a noted artist, Ester Howland, began to sell them. The Valentine’s Day card holds the distinction of being the most exchanged card in America, that’s right, it comes in second place right after Christmas.

Valentine's Day Cards By Ester Howland

Although known as the holiday for lovers, Valentine’s Day actually gets its name from a mysterious saint. The holiday has elements of the pagan religions and of Christianity. This is not surprising since most of the known holidays also have both elements. As you can see not only have valentines been around a long time the tradition is also steeped in religion as well.

The numbers are extraordinary as there is an estimated billion or more cards sent every year. Would you believe that 85% of these are purchased by females? Valentines Day cards and the holiday are prevalent in America, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and France; it is a very popular holiday in each country.

The oldest Valentine's Day Cards

The middle of February is the first holiday of the year that card makers will clean up in sales. Even in the city of Verona, the home of the character Juliet, from Shakespeare’s play, the valentine day cards are a hit. It is said that the post office there process over 1000 of these cards addressed to her.

It is coming soon and you can feel the anticipation in the air. Young lovers are giving out hints to one another about the day. Girls as well as women are giddy with the expectation of this year’s addition to their ever growing stash of Valentines Day cards. If you have kids this is also a time that could actually give you a headache.

When choosing a valentine card for your child to give at school it is essential that you choose something appropriate to their age level. You can find Valentines Day cards with some of the hottest cartoon and Disney characters on earth. This makes it easy to get a card that your child will not be embarrassed to give.

You also have to know two things one is the size of the class and the boy to girl ratio. If the class has an aide you should also include her/him in your count. Principles bus drivers and crossing guards should round out your card list.

For husbands and wives picking a card can also be a bit difficult. Each year people change and so does their tastes. It is not always easy to find a Valentine’s Day card that expresses how you feel. This is a task that is best to not leave until the last minute that is if you truly want to make an impact. Taking the time to read through a lot of cards until you find the perfect one shows how much you really care.

Valentines Day cards are not limited to the person that you are emotionally involved with. A valentine is used to show people in all areas of your life that you care for them and are glad that they are in your life. Friends, co-workers, relatives and kids will enjoy getting a Valentine’s Day card and the smiles and feelings of joy are well worth the price.

For the lovers it is a great idea to begin the celebration with a unique and personalized Valentine’s Day card. This will set the tone for the rest of the day. A card and flowers in the morning and dinner and a gift makes the day even more special for that someone you care so deeply for.