30 Brilliantly Random Valentine’s Day Facts

As Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, we thought it would be fun to put together a few random or at least surprising Valentine’s Day facts. Do you even know who St Valentine was? How is it celebrated abroad? Are men or women better at spoiling their Valentine? Read on to find out 😉

Valentine’s Day Facts – How Much Did You Know?

Have you ever taken a second in the middle of your Valentine’s Day shopping to wonder why we celebrate Valentine’s Day, or where it’s name comes from? Well, you might have heard of Saint Valentine, but did you know the festival started out as a feast in honour of Saint Valentine who lived in the 3rd Century? Read on for more…

1. Valentine’s Day is over 1,500 years old

2. The festival only became popular as a celebration of love in the 14th century, around 600 years ago

3. King Henry VIII of England declared 14th February a holiday in 1537 – and it has stuck ever since

4. Cupid is shown drawing his bow to inspire love, which is why he became an icon of Valentine’s Day

5. Cupid was Venus’ son – the goddess of love in ancient Roman mythology

6. On average, UK pet owners spend around £200 million on Valentine’s gifts for their pets each year

7. Valentine’s Day is named after a Christian martyr, St Valentine

8. Every year, over 25 million Valentine’s cards are sent just in the UK

9. Every Valentine’s Day, one billion cards are sold worldwide, which makes it the second largest card sending occasion of the year

10. London’s lovers spend on average £86.02 on Valentine’s Day

11. Valentine’s Day is the second biggest “event” of the calendar year following Christmas. It has been estimated that the UK spends around £880 million each Valentine’s Day

12. Each year 10% of all marriage proposals happen on the 14th February

13. Condom sales rise 20-30% in February each year

14. Over 1,000 letters are sent each year to “Juliet” in the Italian city of Verona. Oh, you bunch of Romeos…

15. Divorce filings rise by 40% every year around Valentine’s Day

16. Nearly 50% of people now ask their date out by text

17. Only 15% ask their date out face-to-face

18. Eight billion sweets are produced for Valentine’s Day

19. In Seoul, if you are single on 14th February, there’s an unofficial holiday for you: it’s Black Noodle Day! Celebrated on 14th April, heartsick singles wear their darkest clothing and come together to eat tonnes of black bean noodles

20. Valentine’s Day used to be banned in Saudi rabia. The rules were only relaxed in 2018

21. In Japan, it’s tradition for women to give handmade chocolate gifts on Valentine’s Day

22. In Finland, Valentine’s Day is called Ystävänpäivä, which translates into ‘Friendship day’. It’s all about celebrating your friends rather than your partner

23. Men send mostly flowers on Valentine’s Day

24. Women send mostly cards on Valentine’s Day

25. Sarah’s are the top card senders across the UK

26. David’s are the top flower senders

27. Men send 29% of cards whereas women send 71%

28. Women send 19% of flowers whereas men send 81%

29. Men send 26% of alcoholic gifts and women 74%

30. In London – 79% of men send flowers (21% women)

But who is the most romantic among your own friends? Who is most likely to buy what? To compare against your friends or colleagues’ names to prove who truly is the most romantic, check our tool here.