As February fast approaches we decided to investigate where the romantic tradition of Valentines originated from.

The history of the valentines day is shrouded in mystery.

A popular story is that Valentine actually sent the first ‘valentine’ card himself, while in prison.
It is believed that he fell in love with a young girl who visited him during his confinement and before his death wrote her a letter, signed ‘From your Valentine,’ an expression that we still use today.

February was long associated as a month for romance in the Christian and Roman calenders but it was Pope Gelasius that declared February 14 St. Valentine’s Day around 498 A.D. The Catholic church recognises 3 different saints named Valentine, so the origins are unclear but it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season, which increased the idea that the middle of February — Valentine’s Day — should be a day for romance.

In the seventeenth century Valentine’s Day began to be broadly celebrated in the UK, through letters and tokens of love. This then evolved into printed and ready-made cards, which was an easier way for people to express their emotions when the direct expression of feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also increased the popularity of sending Valentine’s Day cards and today, according to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)

Interesting facts:

• Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women.
• In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.
• The oldest known valentine in existence is a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
• In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America using lace, ribbons and colourful pictures - thus cementing her place as the ‘mother of the valentine.

We know inspiration can be difficult at times, especially when you run out of time, so we’ve added a link that shows a list of useful Wedding Anniversary Quotations that can be used to Toast a happy couple, or show how much you love your partner.
Here are a few examples:

• Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end.
  ~ Author Unknown
• Love one another and you will be happy. It’s as simple and as difficult as that.
  ~ Michael Leunig
• An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow.
  ~ Author Unknown
• The highest happiness on earth is marriage.
  ~ William Lyon Phelps

Please click on Wedding Anniversary Quotations to access the page.

We were absolutely chuffed to receive a 4 star rating from top UK internet magazine - Web User this week (Issue 178 - out 03.01.08).

“This smart, new online shop aims to help people find creative anniversary gifts for deserving or demanding couples.”

As 2008 begins, we are aiming to increase our range and offer a wider selection of products so that you can find even more inspiration at The Anniversary Present for your next special celebration.

We relocated premises between Christmas and the New Year and are now situated in the Spa town of Buxton in the heart of the Peak District National Park!

It’s a beautiful town, the highest in England and alongside the famous mineral water, it boasts an Opera house and stunning architectural buildings - all set within fantastic moorland.
For more information Click on Visit Buxton.

We wish you all a Happy New Year and thank our customers of 2007 as we look forward to celebrating many more Anniversary’s in 2008!