Red and green move aside, it's officially the season of pink (and red and white). Nowadays, stores go from Christmas lights to shades of pink and hearts galore practically overnight—but we aren't complaining! After all, what's not to love about a box of chocolate hearts? Speaking of chocolate, one of the best parts about the holiday is all the Valentine's Day desserts. And if you thought you wouldn't be able to celebrate because you don't have a special someone, think again. Galentine's Day is the true holiday of love, and it's the best time to celebrate your platonic soulmates with a romantic movie marathon and some sweet Galentine's gifts!
Then there are all the sweet things to do on Valentine's Day with your partner, like making DIY Valentine's Day cards, taking them out to dinner, or cooking a romantic dinner right at home! Of course, you should make sure your person knows how much you love them every day—Valentine's Day is simply there as an extra special reminder. And who doesn't appreciate cards, chocolate, or even just a heartfelt text? It all sounds so, well, lovely! Yet as much as Valentine's Day is known for date nights and sweet treats, it's also notorious for hard-to-book dinner reservations and back-ordered gifts. That's why you should definitely plan ahead. If you, your friends, or your partner are prone to ask, 'Wait, when is Valentine's Day again?' you're in the right place. Here's when we celebrate and why.
When is Valentine's Day in 2024?
As a quick refresher for all you hopeless romantics out there: Valentine's Day is on February 14 this year and every year. That's because Pope Gelasius declared February 14 Saint Valentine's Day at the end of the 5th century, and the date stuck. Valentine's Day 2024 falls on a Wednesday, so be sure to plan accordingly!
Who is Saint Valentine?
The man, the myth, the legend: Saint Valentine. All those years of flowers, chocolates, and sweet love can be attributed to Mr. Valentine himself. But, speaking of legends, what exactly is his story? Saint Valentine was a Roman priest and physician who was martyred on February 14, 269 A.D. Legend has it that Saint Valentine, having befriended and healed his jailer's daughter from blindness, signed a letter to her prior to his passing with the words "from your Valentine." The letter is marked in history as the very first Valentine’s Day card! A few centuries later, Pope Gelasius declared the fallen priest's death date as Saint Valentine’s Day.
Why is Valentine's Day celebrated?
Like a lot of other long-running holidays, the history of Valentine's Day is complicated. It's believed to have originated in ancient Roman times, when there was a holiday in mid-February called Lupercalia. According to History.com, Lupercalia was a Roman fertility celebration that began with a ritual that paired off the city's young men and women. Some historians believe that this led to Valentine's Day being associated with love. The Roman holiday was outlawed at the end of the 5th century, right around the time Pope Gelasius declared February 14 Saint Valentine's Day in honor of the martyred Roman priest.
So, Saint Valentine and Lupercalia set the groundwork, but the whole "holiday of romance" thing didn't really take hold until the Middle Ages. Medieval author Geoffrey Chaucer penned a poem that is the first known work referencing St. Valentine's Day as a day of romantic celebration. By the mid-18th century, it had become commonplace for friends and lovers to exchange small tokens and notes, and by the 19th century, printed cards were the hot new thing. There you have it, lovebirds. Now that you know when and why we celebrate, go forth and make this Valentine's Day your best one yet!
Micaela Bahn is a freelance editorial assistant and recent graduate from Carleton College, where she majored in English literature. She loves running, photography, and cooking the best new recipes.
Nitya Rao is the editorial assistant at The Pioneer Woman, covering stories ranging from food, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, news, and more.
