These 5 Countries Do It Differently On Valentine's Day

February 12, 2018

With Valentine's Day just about here, the market is flooded with valentine gifts, including flowers, greetings, chocolates, stuffed animals, etc. But not every country in the world celebrates Valentine's Day in the same manner. There are different V-Day customs in different countries of the world. Countries across the world declare their love in ways that are unique and exclusive to them, and it is fun to see people celebrate V-Day in their own way.

Here are some fun customs from 5 different countries for the "Day of Love" that will hopefully give you some inspiration to make your V-Day special '

1. Japan

In Japan, girls give the traditional 'Giri Choco' (chocolates that are obligatory to be given on that day, but have no romantic association) to their male friends, colleagues, or even bosses. If a girl wants to show affection, she will include a handmade gift and the 'Honmei Choco'. Â And a month later, on March 14^th,^Âalso called the 'White Day', men have to give return gifts.

2. Argentina

The Argentinians celebrate Valentine's with great pomp and show for a week. In addition to February 14^th, seven days in July, from the 13th to the 20th are named as the 'sweetness week' and lovers and friends exchange candies and kisses. This week typically ends with 'Friendship Day'.

3. Germany

In Germany, lovers not only exchange the usual valentine gifts such as chocolates, flowers, and heart shaped gifts, but something really different as well ' a pig! According to them, pigs represent luck and lust, and it can be given in picture form, as a statue, or in any other form one wants to. Besides this, Germans prepare big heart shaped ginger cookies, which contain romantic phrases and messages like 'Ich liebe dich' (I love you).

4. Italy

Couples in Italy get together, to enjoy music, poetry, and exchange gifts on Valentine's Day. One gift that is specifically exchanged on V-Day is 'baci perugina,' a box of small hazelnut-filled chocolates (baci means "kiss" in Italian). The box is given with a romantic quote printed in four languages. Another amusing old tradition in the Italy says that the first man a girl sees on V-Day will become her husband and they would be married within a year.

5. Wales

One customary romantic Welsh gift is a love spoon. Dating back to the 17th century, Welsh men carved intricate wooden spoons as a token of affection for their women. Beautiful patterns and symbols were carved into these love spoons, signifying different meanings.

The month of romance, February is here. And obviously Valentine's Day is close. V-Day is a day of love that couples celebrate with great pomp and show. From spending the day together to exchanging Valentine giftsÂ and going on dates, there are a lot of things that you can do to make the day big and special. Happy Valentine's Day!