Business with love

February 14: Why we celebrate Valentine’s Day

For some, Valentine's Day is an invention of the flower industry and no reason to celebrate. Others look forward to it all year round, prepare small gifts for their partner or celebrate the "day of love" with a romantic candlelit dinner. But why do we actually celebrate Valentine's Day?

It is a day of mutual appreciation and adoration: Valentine's Day on February 14, when people express their affection with a special gift - all over the world.

Until after the Second World War, however, Austria resembled a romantic desert on February 14. According to "florist legend", we owe Valentine's Day to a British occupying soldier. Today, it brings record sales to the sweets, events and florist industry.

When the officer insisted on a little heart to accompany his floral message of love in a flower shop in Graz on this day - it wouldn't be a real Valentine's Day for his sweetheart without one - the florist drew what he wanted on a cardboard box with her lipstick and cut it out.

(Bild: KREATIV)

The commercial potential of this Anglo-Saxon custom was quickly recognized in this country and put to profitable use.

However, the roots of Valentine's Day on February 14 go back to ancient times. In Germany, florists declared Valentine's Day the "Day of Open Hearts" in 1950.

Legend has it that St. Valentine gave flowers to lovers - a tradition that began in Great Britain in the 15th century and later spread to the USA thanks to English emigrants.

Video: Are you celebrating Valentine's Day alone? Ten ideas for a successful singles' time!

Floral trends for Valentine's Day
Flowers are still the number one gift on Valentine's Day. Tulips, grape hyacinths, primroses, daffodils, anemones and ranunculus are now in season and are already grown locally. What's more, once tulips, hyacinths & co. have faded, their bulbs can be replanted to bring joy again next year. The trend colors for 2024 include "Sky Blue", a soft sky blue, and "Bright White", a radiant white.

Equal Pay Day falls on Valentine's Day this year
Perhaps of more interest to some people: this year's Equal Pay Day falls on Valentine's Day. From the beginning of the year until February 14, which is two days shorter than last year, women symbolically have to work for free if you compare their annual salary with that of men.