February 14th, has become the date for exchanging love message and a celebration of St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers. The date is marked by sending poams and simple gift, such as flowers and chocolates to loved ones and secret loves.
Traditions
Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on Valentine's Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was:
Good morning to you, valentine;
Curl your locks as I do mine ---
Two before and three behind.
Good morning to you, valentine.
- In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"
- In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.
- In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him.
- Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.
- A love seat is a wide chair. It was first made to seat one woman and her wide dress. Later, the love seat or courting seat had two sections, often in an S-shape. In this way, a couple could sit together -- but not too closely!
- Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.
- Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.
- If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.
Gifts
There are so many gift ideas on the market to give your loved one that you can be spoilt for choice. I launched a new treatment a few weeks ago, Chocolate Indulgence Pedicure, which combines a wonderful mixture of chocolate aromas, a real chocoholic feast. Not only does the treatment involve a wonderful relaxing luxurious pedicure, you also get to indulge in a yummy hot chocolate and brownie whilst enjoying being pampered.
This sumptuous pedicure begins with a warm milk soak, cuticle work, file and reshape, plus hard skin removal. Followed by an invigorating Peppermint & Chocolate Sugar Scrub, which will norish your skin as pure cane sugar sloughs away dead cells to reveal your softer, more radiant skin.
This is then followed by a warm and blissfull Chocolate & Cocoa Butter Mask, for super hydration, which is painted on whilst you relax and feel your worries slip away while absorbing the heavenley "feel good" aromas.
Finally legs and feet are massaged with an irresisitable Chocolate Souffle, to sooth and relax your muscle tensions and moisturise dry skin, finishing with a polish of your choice.
All served up with a cup of creamy Hot Cocoa and a yummy Chocolate Brownie...mmm!
(Please bring sandals to wear home or allow 1 extra hour for drying time)
Approx 1 1/2 hours
