Valentine Trivia

Like it or not, Valentine's Day is tomorrow. Here are some interesting Valentine trivia:

• England's King Henry VIII declared February 14th an official holiday in 1537 for the first time.
• In Wales, love spoons of wood were carved and given as gifts on Valentine's Day. Hearts, keys and keyholes formed the favorite theme of spoon decorations, which together symbolized- "You unlock my heart!"
• In the middle Ages, people believed that the 1st unmarried person of the opposite sex you met on the morning of St. Valentine's Day would become your spouse.
• Valentine cards were 1st handed out in the 17th century.
• ~ 1 billion Valentine's cards are sent each year! (Christmas is highest with 2.6 billion cards sent)
• 110 million roses, the majority red, are sold within the Valentine 3-day time period.
• ~ 85% of all valentines are purchased by women
• oldest known Valentine card is on display at the British Museum
• 1st commercial Valentine's Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland who is known as the Mother of the Valentine She made elaborate creations with "scrap" of real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures.
• In 1866, candy manufacturer NECCO made the first "Conversation Hearts" — then called "Motto Hearts." NECCO says they sell 8 billion "Conversation Hearts" between January 1st and February 14th.