All over the world people celebrate Valentine's Day by expressing love to sweethearts, spouses and special ones. However, customs and traditions of celebrating the festival vary in different countries due to social and cultural differences.

Traditional flowers and chocolates may be our go-to Valentine’s Day gifts in Canada, but some countries go all out with fiestas, traditional dishes and lavish gifts. Read on to find out how the day of love is celebrated all around the world.

Italy

Known for their appreciation of fine chocolates, Italians often give their loved ones a box of hazelnut chocolates on Valentine’s Day. Italy is also one of the few European countries that have long celebrated Valentine’s Day. Back in its first days, single women were told the first man they would see on Valentine’s Day would be their husband (or would at least look like their future husband). And the girls could expect to be married within the same year. So every year, the single women of the country would wake up bright and early and stare out their window, waiting for the loves of their lives to stroll by.

South Korea

In South Korea, Valentine’s Day is also celebrated on Feb. 14, but it doesn’t end there. On Valentine’s Day, women must present the men in their lives with chocolate. On March 14, one month later, the men must repay the women who gave them chocolate by giving them candy instead. This is called White Day. Then on April 14, Black Day is celebrated. This is a day when singles must take the time to mourn their single lives. (While a single’s day is a nice idea, we’re not too sure mourning it is the way to go.)
In addition to having separate similar holidays throughout the year, South Koreans give their loved ones several boxes of chocolate, rather one box alone. Very often, the chocolates are even homemade. Whether made by hand or store-bought, lovers always supply their beloved with enough chocolate to last for weeks. Now there’s a concept we can get behind.

Great Britain

In the U.K., Valentine’s Day isn’t just a day for lovers. It’s a day celebrated by children across the country, as well. The children sing special songs devoted to the occasion. The youngsters sometimes go from door to door, carolling. In exchange for their singing, they are usually given very generous treats, like hot cross buns, plums and other sweets.

Scotland

On Feb. 14, the Scottish throw huge festivals all around the country. While couples are off on romantic excursions, singles place their names into a jar at their local party. A member of the opposite sex chooses a name and those two become one another’s Valentines. The men present the women with gifts and the women wear the name tag of their new Valentine on their sleeves or just above their hearts. In Scottish history, many couples were known to marry the very same night.

Denmark

In this country, the day of love is taken very seriously, with some people even taking the day off work to celebrate it. (Maybe we should adopt the same appreciation for it in Canada?) Often, lavish parties are thrown to celebrate the holiday. Danish men also write funny Valentine’s Day cards, called Gaekkebrev, and sign them anonymously. If the recipient is able to figure out who the secret note came from, she will be given an Easter egg in the spring. And while Danish people now exchange bunches of red roses, the original tradition in Denmark was to exchange white flowers, called snowdrops.

France

In France, a custom known as "drawing for" once occurred. Unmarried individuals, both young and not so young, would go into houses facing each other and begin calling out across from one window to another, pairing-off with the chosen partner. If the young man failed to be particularly enthralled with his valentine, he would desert her. As a result, a bonfire would be lit later where the ladies could burn images of the ungrateful sweetheart and verbally abuse him in a loud tone as the effigy burned. This ritual was eventually abandoned since it left much room for nastiness, ridicule or even outright malice and the French government finally handed-down a decree officially banning the custom. Elegant French greetings cards known as cartes d'amities, which contained tender messages, were given not totally as a Valentine but chiefly as a result of a fashion which was popular in England at the time.

China

Although China has adopted Valentine's Day on Feb. 14, the Chinese also have a special day called Qi Qiao Jie, which will be celebrated on Aug. 6 this year. This day is also referred to as the "Begging Festival" or the "Daughter's Festival," which is an important day for girls. In the evening girls would prepare melons, fruits and worship, praying that their wishes of finding true love and a good marriage will become true.

Australia

All over the world people celebrate Valentine's Day by expressing love to sweethearts, spouses and special ones. However, customs and traditions of celebrating the festival vary in different countries due to social and cultural differences.

Traditional flowers and chocolates may be our go-to Valentine’s Day gifts in Canada, but some countries go all out with fiestas, traditional dishes and lavish gifts. Read on to find out how the day of love is celebrated all around the world.

Italy

Known for their appreciation of fine chocolates, Italians often give their loved ones a box of hazelnut chocolates on Valentine’s Day. Italy is also one of the few European countries that have long celebrated Valentine’s Day. Back in its first days, single women were told the first man they would see on Valentine’s Day would be their husband (or would at least look like their future husband). And the girls could expect to be married within the same year. So every year, the single women of the country would wake up bright and early and stare out their window, waiting for the loves of their lives to stroll by.

South Korea

In South Korea, Valentine’s Day is also celebrated on Feb. 14, but it doesn’t end there. On Valentine’s Day, women must present the men in their lives with chocolate. On March 14, one month later, the men must repay the women who gave them chocolate by giving them candy instead. This is called White Day. Then on April 14, Black Day is celebrated. This is a day when singles must take the time to mourn their single lives. (While a single’s day is a nice idea, we’re not too sure mourning it is the way to go.)
In addition to having separate similar holidays throughout the year, South Koreans give their loved ones several boxes of chocolate, rather one box alone. Very often, the chocolates are even homemade. Whether made by hand or store-bought, lovers always supply their beloved with enough chocolate to last for weeks. Now there’s a concept we can get behind.

Great Britain

In the U.K., Valentine’s Day isn’t just a day for lovers. It’s a day celebrated by children across the country, as well. The children sing special songs devoted to the occasion. The youngsters sometimes go from door to door, carolling. In exchange for their singing, they are usually given very generous treats, like hot cross buns, plums and other sweets.

Scotland

On Feb. 14, the Scottish throw huge festivals all around the country. While couples are off on romantic excursions, singles place their names into a jar at their local party. A member of the opposite sex chooses a name and those two become one another’s Valentines. The men present the women with gifts and the women wear the name tag of their new Valentine on their sleeves or just above their hearts. In Scottish history, many couples were known to marry the very same night.

Denmark

In this country, the day of love is taken very seriously, with some people even taking the day off work to celebrate it. (Maybe we should adopt the same appreciation for it in Canada?) Often, lavish parties are thrown to celebrate the holiday. Danish men also write funny Valentine’s Day cards, called Gaekkebrev, and sign them anonymously. If the recipient is able to figure out who the secret note came from, she will be given an Easter egg in the spring. And while Danish people now exchange bunches of red roses, the original tradition in Denmark was to exchange white flowers, called snowdrops.

France

In France, a custom known as "drawing for" once occurred. Unmarried individuals, both young and not so young, would go into houses facing each other and begin calling out across from one window to another, pairing-off with the chosen partner. If the young man failed to be particularly enthralled with his valentine, he would desert her. As a result, a bonfire would be lit later where the ladies could burn images of the ungrateful sweetheart and verbally abuse him in a loud tone as the effigy burned. This ritual was eventually abandoned since it left much room for nastiness, ridicule or even outright malice and the French government finally handed-down a decree officially banning the custom. Elegant French greetings cards known as cartes d'amities, which contained tender messages, were given not totally as a Valentine but chiefly as a result of a fashion which was popular in England at the time.

China

Although China has adopted Valentine's Day on Feb. 14, the Chinese also have a special day called Qi Qiao Jie, which will be celebrated on Aug. 6 this year. This day is also referred to as the "Begging Festival" or the "Daughter's Festival," which is an important day for girls. In the evening girls would prepare melons, fruits and worship, praying that their wishes of finding true love and a good marriage will become true.

Australia

Australia celebrate Valentine’s Day by presenting cards and flowers to loved ones. While exchanging paper cards is a common way of greeting Valentine’s Day these days more and more people are using text messaging and e-mail medium to express their love for loved ones. Surveys reveal that men in Australia are more romantic and open about expressing their love as compared to Australian women. Men in Australia buy more cards than women do.

Japan

In Japan, Valentine's Day is celebrated on two different dates...February 14 and March 14. On the first date, the female gives a gift to the male and on the second date...known as White Day and supposedly introduced by a marshmallow company in the 1960s...the male has to return the gift he received on February 14. Thus, strictly speaking, a Japanese female has the luxury of actually choosing her own gift. Chocolate is the most popular gift in Japan. However, since most Japanese females believe that store-bought chocolate is not a gift of true love, they tend to make the confection with their own hands.

Brazil

Brazil does not celebrate Valentines day on 14th February, mainly as it is too close in date to carnival time which is usually between the end of January to Mid-February. Instead they celebrate 'Lovers Day' on June 12th which is the day before St.Anthony's day, the marriage saint. Single women perform popular rituals through song or dance to find a husband or boyfriend, whilst couples exchange gifts, flowers and cards as we do on Valentines day.

Slovenia

Although Valentine’s Day is a popular day to get married in Slovenia, it isn’t just a day for lovers. This is also the day that ‘St Valentine brings the keys of roots’, where farmers believe that flowers and plants have a growth spurt. A potted plant makes the perfect gift that keeps on giving, especially something like a herb or chilli plant.

Canada

In Canada, Valentine’s Day celebrations gained awareness during the middle of the 19th century. Initially, the day was used by manufacturers to promote their products, but with time, it has turned into a day for people to express their love.

When Valentine’s Day started out, it was common for couples to exchange paintings and hand written love notes. However, this is now a forgotten ritual, with cards and e-cards dominating the scene. Balls and parties are organized throughout the country, and couples reaffirm their love or express their feelings to one another. Flowers, candles, chocolates and other trinkets are gifted to spouses and partners. The day is seen as a joyous day, where even children exchange gifts with their friends. Some schools encourage children to put their Valentines in boxes, which are then distributed by the class teacher. Schools may also put on performances and plays.

Egypt

In Egypt, Egyptians celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14, and the indigenous Eid el-Hob el-Masri (Egyptian Love Day) on November 4, to buy gifts and flowers for their lovers.

Japan

In Japan, Valentine's Day is celebrated on two different dates...February 14 and March 14. On the first date, the female gives a gift to the male and on the second date...known as White Day and supposedly introduced by a marshmallow company in the 1960s...the male has to return the gift he received on February 14. Thus, strictly speaking, a Japanese female has the luxury of actually choosing her own gift. Chocolate is the most popular gift in Japan. However, since most Japanese females believe that store-bought chocolate is not a gift of true love, they tend to make the confection with their own hands.

Brazil

Brazil does not celebrate Valentines day on 14th February, mainly as it is too close in date to carnival time which is usually between the end of January to Mid-February. Instead they celebrate 'Lovers Day' on June 12th which is the day before St.Anthony's day, the marriage saint. Single women perform popular rituals through song or dance to find a husband or boyfriend, whilst couples exchange gifts, flowers and cards as we do on Valentines day.

Slovenia

Although Valentine’s Day is a popular day to get married in Slovenia, it isn’t just a day for lovers. This is also the day that ‘St Valentine brings the keys of roots’, where farmers believe that flowers and plants have a growth spurt. A potted plant makes the perfect gift that keeps on giving, especially something like a herb or chilli plant.

Canada

In Canada, Valentine’s Day celebrations gained awareness during the middle of the 19th century. Initially, the day was used by manufacturers to promote their products, but with time, it has turned into a day for people to express their love.

When Valentine’s Day started out, it was common for couples to exchange paintings and hand written love notes. However, this is now a forgotten ritual, with cards and e-cards dominating the scene. Balls and parties are organized throughout the country, and couples reaffirm their love or express their feelings to one another. Flowers, candles, chocolates and other trinkets are gifted to spouses and partners. The day is seen as a joyous day, where even children exchange gifts with their friends. Some schools encourage children to put their Valentines in boxes, which are then distributed by the class teacher. Schools may also put on performances and plays.

Egypt

In Egypt, Egyptians celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14, and the indigenous Eid el-Hob el-Masri (Egyptian Love Day) on November 4, to buy gifts and flowers for their lovers.