Fun Facts For Your Valentine's Day!

• Nearly 250 million roses are grown in preparation for Valentine's Day each year.
  • There's a methodology to guaranteeing an ample supply of fresh roses for February 14th. In order to meet the demand for these flowers on the holiday, nations like Ecuador, Kenya, or Columbia export roses to the U.S., as they don't thrive in the colder temperatures typical of February here.

• The color of flower given on Valentine's Day holds meaning.
  • Though red roses have historically represented love, alternative hues such as deep pink, purple, or white - symbolizing happiness, royalty, and sympathy respectively - may also be exchanged on the holiday.

• Today, Americans spend a lot on love.
  • As per the National Retail Federation, in 2023, Americans splurged nearly $26 billion on Valentine's Day gifts, with an anticipated average expenditure of around $193 per person for the occasion.

• Americans send 145 million Valentine's Day cards each year.
  • Hallmark reports that an astounding 145 million Valentine's Day cards are traded every February 14th, not even counting the cards exchanged among children in classrooms. This places Valentine's Day as the second-largest occasion for exchanging greeting cards, following Christmas. Interestingly enough, teachers receive the highest number of Valentine's Day cards each year, followed by children, mothers, and wives. It's remarkable to consider how far we've come since 1913, when Hallmark Cards introduced their inaugural Valentine's card.

• And they also spend millions of dollars on gifts for their pets.
  • Indeed, our beloved furry companions deserve affection as well! In 2020, approximately 27.6 million American households showered Valentine's Day gifts upon their pet dogs, while over 17.1 million households purchased presents for their cats. In total, Americans households splurged an estimated $751.3 million on gifts for their pets on Valentine's Day.

• The first heart-shaped box of chocolates was introduced in 1861.
  • Crafted by Richard Cadbury, son of Cadbury founder, John Cadbury, the tradition began with the idea of boosting chocolate sales by presenting them in elegant boxes. In 1861, Richard unveiled the inaugural heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine's Day. Fast forward to the present, over 36 million heart-shaped boxes are sold annually, amounting to a staggering 58 million pounds of chocolate!

• Words of encouragement were added to Sweethearts in 2022.
  • 2 years ago, Spangler Candy made a decision to refresh the well-known Sweethearts with new expressions. These iconic candies now showcase phrases such as "WAY 2 GO," "CRUSH IT," and "HIGH FIVE," adding an extra touch of charm for sharing with friends or loved ones.

• It's one of the most popular days for proposals.
  • Could there be a day more fitting for a marriage proposal? While Christmas and New Year's Day witness a surge in proposals, Valentine's Day remains a significant contender. Moreover, a survey revealed that many individuals would have cherished the idea of getting engaged on Valentine's Day.

• Galentine's Day has risen in popularity.
  • Introduced by Amy Poehler's character, Leslie Knope, on the television show Parks and Recreation in 2010, Galentine's Day falls on February 13th. Knope describes Galentine's Day as a day for "Ladies celebrating ladies. It's like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus, frittatas."

• "XOXO" didn't always mean hugs and kisses.
  • During this time of year, "XOXO" is a frequently used signature. However, its origins trace back to the Middle Ages. According to The Washington Post, in that era, the "X" represented the Christian cross, and letters concluded with the sign of the cross followed by a kiss, symbolizing an oath. As this gesture gained popularity in literature, correspondence, and legal documents, it evolved to signify that something has been "sealed with a kiss."

• There is an official Valentine's Day alternative for singles.
  • International Quirkyalone Day falls on the same date and is a holiday for single individuals. It isn't an opposition to Valentine's Day but rather an occasion to commemorate self-love and platonic relationships. Since 2003, people around the world have been celebrating International Quirkyalone Day.

• Four states have a city named Valentine.
  • Cities with the name Valentine are found in Arizona, Nebraska, Texas, and Virginia each have cities with the name, although Virginia adds an "s" on the end. Apparently, in Virginia and Texas, you can obtain special holiday postmarks at the post office. How adorable is that?
• Lovebirds are actual birds.
  • Although "lovebirds" has become a common figure of speech, it's also the official name for Agapornis birds. These birds, which are a type of parrot, are native to Africa and are primarily found in the eastern and southern regions of the continent. Lovebirds are often seen traveling in pairs, which is why the term is also used to describe affectionate couples.

Happy Valentine's Day from our Cutting Edge, Realtors family to yours! Please contact us today if you'd like to FALL IN LOVE with a new home!