Valentine’s Day, which is also fondly referred to as Saint Valentine’s Day in many places, has, nowadays, become synonymous with the expression of romantic love between couples. The day is celebrated globally on the 14th of February every year making it one of the most commercially hyped and celebrated occasions in the world. Although not a part of Indian tradition, the culture of celebrating the day in India started gaining prominence post economic liberalisation in the 90s when the idea of men and women openly expressing their love for each other was systematically infused among India’s youth by multi-national conglomerates through continuous commercial campaigning. And the taboo associated with the subject in the then Indian society made sure that this economically viable concept gained increasing popularity among the youth.
30 years on, Valentine’s Day in India has become a big business, turning into a full-fledged festival of love and friendship, especially, among teens and young adults. Most young couples in the cities and towns celebrate the day privately and shopping malls, movie theatres, hotels and restaurants take home the major chunk of this business.
But before we delve deep into the subject, let us first discuss what Valentine ’s Day is all about. This article talks about the history, origin and tradition of Valentine’s Day, and discusses five unique ideas from an Indian perspective to help you celebrate the occasion with your sweetheart as passionately as possible. The article also shares with you 5 super-exclusive and romantic Valentine’s Day gift ideas for adults. So, what are you waiting for? Go through the article and plan your next 14th Feb accordingly.
What is Valentine’s Day? The history, origin and tradition
There are many stories, folklore and legends associated with the origin of Valentine’s Day. The earliest reference to this festival dates back to the 2nd or 3rd century (around 270AD) when it was observed as a day of Christian feast in honour of a Christian Roman saint named Saint Valentine who was martyred for his faith in Christianity. The martyrdom story associated with this day later went on to branch out to several versions each varying elementarily from the other. While some versions connected Saint Valentine of Rome to the emperor Claudius II who imprisoned the former for secretly solemnising marriages of Roman soldiers who were prohibited by the law to marry during his rule, other versions linked him to the spread of Christianity that led to his persecution and subsequent imprisonment during the rule of the Roman Empire which practiced paganism by faith. Legends associated with these versions also glorify the saint for restoring the eyesight of the jailer’s blind daughter during his days in prison. The love angle to this version was a much later addition to the legend, most probably arising in the 18th century when the story of the saint writing a farewell letter to the jailer’s daughter and finishing it with “your Valentine” before his execution started doing the rounds. All the earlier versions of the legend like the one recorded by Gelasian Sacramentary in the 8th century described Saint Valentine from two angles – Christianity and persecution. It was only after the 14th or 15th century that the legend of Saint Valentine started to be associated with concepts like “courtly love,” and his name was mentioned in connection with words like “lovebirds” and “cupid” that directly referred to the relationship between a man and a woman. However, the pattern that is observed in today’s Valentine’s Day celebrations, can largely be attributed to the commercialisation of the festival across the globe by large conglomerates like big entertainment companies, hotels and multiplexes and local businesses like florists, giftshops and restaurants. For them, Valentine’s Day is just another occasion to make some extra money by tickling people’s sentiments.
But since celebrating love is much better than spreading hatred, spending a day of togetherness in the name of love and affection is something that has to be appreciated. So, instead of pondering over why and when, let’s focus on how the event can be best celebrated and what gifts can be purchased for the love of your life.
5 super-exclusive and romantic Valentine’s Day gift ideas for adults
1. Romance Books
The evergreen Valentine’s Day gift for couples – a book is to romance what lemon and salt are to tequila. It spices up the romance and enhances its palatability. Be it a classic like ‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen or a contemporary steamy novel like ‘The Notebook’ by Nicholas Sparks, ‘Love at First’ by Kate Clayborn or ‘Maggie Finds Her Muse’ by Dee Ernst – the impact a romance novel has on a relationship is immeasurable. It not only grows intimacy between couples, but also puts them on the same page, which is the bare essential for a healthy relationship. So, gift your loved one an ‘Untold Love Stories from India’ or a more recent ‘Wish I Could Tell You,’ this Valentine’s Day and see your romance blossom.
2. DIY Greetings Cards
Anybody can buy a Valentine’s Day Greetings card for Rs. 100/-, but only a few have the love and dedication to make a card with their own hands for their beau or spouse. Do you want to be an exceptional lover this Valentine’s Day by gifting your love something unique that he or she would remember for a long time? Do you want to be the lover who conveys his emotions through creativity? Then buy some canvas paper and paint, and pour your heart out on the square piece of paper. Make sure the words you write on the card express your feelings for him or her as clearly as possible.
3. Plants
We, humans, have a special relationship with trees and plants. They are our saviours, our greatest friends on Earth. So, why not gift your sweetheart something as unique as a beautiful plant and register the day of love in his or her memory forever? This thoughtful and environment-friendly gesture would not only surprise your man or woman but would also make him remember you every time he or she waters the plant. So, instead of gifting a rose or a flower bouquet to your love that withers the very next day, gift him or her a beautiful flowering plant this Valentine’s Day and earn a special place in his or her heart.
4. Heart-shaped collage
If you two are in a relationship for quite a long time or both of you are married, then this gift idea might sound very very special to you. Gather all the intimate photographs of you two that remind you of all the special moments you have spent together as a couple and pin them or glue them up on a large piece of paper in the shape of a heart. The photographs could be from a romantic trip that you two had made a few years back or from a New Year party where you both had danced passionately. If the photographs are in digital format, get them printed. Once the heart shape is formed on the piece of paper, frame the whole item and gift it to your beau or spouse. Place the item on a wall in the living room, and this heart-shaped collage of photographs would bring back those sweet memories in your mind every time you both look at them.
5. Personalised kurti or T-shirt
Modern Valentine’s Day is all about showing your sweetheart how much you love or care about him or her. And what better way to do that than to gift him or her a personalised kurti or a T-shirt? Buy a colourful kurti or T-shirt that you know would look good on your beau. Then customise it with interesting quotes or floral fabric prints as per his or her tastes and preferences. A personalised gift always creates a long-lasting impression on the mind of a receiver. So, this 14th of February, gift your special someone a gorgeous tailor-made personalised kurti or a specially-designed customised T-shirt.
5 Valentine’s Day party ideas for adults
Valentine’s Day is incomplete without a party or celebration. The celebration doesn’t necessarily have to be extravagant. You can enjoy the festival of love on a small budget too. Here are 5 fantastic ideas for adults to enjoy the day as intimately as possible.
1. Book a Farmhouse
If you are a couple from Delhi NCR, booking a farmhouse on Valentine’s Day would be a pretty good idea for you to spend a cozy time with your love together. There are plenty of farmhouses in North-West Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida. Choose a small one with a luxury villa and a good customer review for the day. You can either book an entire farmhouse for an intensely romantic private stay or book one deluxe double bedroom like a hotel. Most farmhouses offer special packages for the occasion of Valentine’s Day for couples. Spending a passionate day together in each other’s arms amid a serene natural setting is going to be no less than a boon for your relationship.
2. Visit a nightclub to celebrate the Valentine’s Day party
Party places like nightclubs bustle with energy on occasions like Valentine’s Day. They are the favourite go-to places for couples who love to party hard amid chaos, cocktail and crowd. Don’t expect privacy or a romantic vibe here, as chilling out and spending a crazy time with your beau is the only option you have. There are many such nightclubs and party places in Gurgaon that organise special Valentine’s Day parties for couples at their premises with live music, DJ and a grand buffet. So, visit any one of them this Valentine’s Day if you are in a serious mood to party.
3. Book your table at a romantic restaurant for a special Valentine’s Day dinner
A romantic dinner is an irreplaceable part of Valentine’s Day celebrations. You can go to a party, watch a movie or even spend hours together in a private place, but nothing can beat the charm of a romantic dinner in the perfect romantic setting of a gorgeous restaurant. There are quite a few romantic restaurants in Delhi including the specialty restaurants at 5-star hotels that arrange grand dinner buffets on Valentine’s Day and offer special discounts on a-la-carte. Usually, there is a heavy rush at these places on Valentine’s Day. So, book your table at least one week before the 14th, to enjoy a lovey-dovey dinner with your special someone.
4. Go for a private party
Valentine’s Day celebration doesn’t necessarily have to be between you and the love of your life. It can be celebrated with other like-minded couples as well. Find the couples within your friend circle who are willing to enjoy the day together. Then book a villa or a house for an all-couple private party. If you are in Delhi NCR, choose a private party venue in Gurgaon or Noida and enjoy the day together with food, fun and your own share of private time with your beau. Most villas offer in-house food and drinks. So, arrange a rocking private party this Valentine’s Day and feel the bliss.
5. Visit romantic places
Visiting romantic places with your special someone on the occasion of Valentine’s Day is an idea that never gets old or backdated. No matter how expensive a gift you buy for your valentine, walking together in a quiet place holding each other’s hands or discussing silly nothings for hours sitting beside each other on a park bench while the whole world passes by, has its own timeless appeal and charm. Like every city or town Delhi too has many such romantic places where time stands still and the soul romances with nature. Places like Lodhi Garden, Garden of 5 senses, Deer Park, Buddha Garden, Parthasarathy Rocks, Ridge Road and Qutub Minar have a special romantic vibe that can instantly lift your mood even on the dullest of days. As a couple, you can spend hours of cosy time together here on Valentine’s Day looking at each other’s eyes in true filmy style. Most of these places either charge a nominal entry fee or nothing at all. And if you don’t mind walking down the road with your lover in a busy marketplace and love to munch on some itsy-bitsy snacks while enjoying each other’s company, then take a stroll along the Delhi Haat or Connaught Place that would sure be an experience to cherish.
Conclusion
Valentine’s Day is not an Indian festival. Nor there is any information based on historical evidence that talks about its actual origin. The idea of Celebrating the day with your loved one is a pure marketing strategy of the multinationals and the real purpose of it is strictly commercial. Therefore, ceremonies and rituals are not part of this festival. Commonly, men and women in India celebrate the day either by spending time intimately at private party venues in each other’s company or by enjoying themselves with other couples at an entertainment zone, pub or nightclub. Enjoying a special dinner at a romantic restaurant with a beau or spouse and giving each other precious gifts are also fairly common practices among couples in India on Valentine’s Day. This article is an attempt to trace the history and origin of the Valentine’s Day celebration and to find the link, if any, that associates it with the kind of modern celebration that we see today. It also provides couples with unique Valentine’s Day gift ideas as well as discusses interesting ways to celebrate the occasion with a special someone.
Book a restaurant through Sloshout for a private Valentine’s Day party
Private Valentine’s Day parties are a great way to celebrate the day of love together with other like-minded couples or with close friends who are also in romantic relationships. But booking a private party venue like a restaurant, villa or house sometimes becomes a hectic task. That’s where India’s number one online venue-booking portal, Sloshout, comes in handy. Sloshout allows you to search and choose your favourite restaurant from an exhaustive list of the best restaurants in your city and book restaurant for party celebrations online from the comfort of your home. And the best part is that this hassle-free venue-booking service is provided absolutely free of cost to the users. So, simply log on to www.sloshout.com and book your favourite venue for a rocking Valentine’s Day celebration this year.
