VALENTINE’S Day is the perfect chance to show a loved one just how much you care about them. With its popularity increasing each year, more and more people are taking the time to show their significant other they care. About 90 per cent of the people in the age group of 18-24 and 45 per cent of people above 50 are said to celebrate the day. People in Australia not only share the day with their partner, they also use Valentine’s Day to strengthen bonds of love with family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Valentine’s Day has a history of extravagant celebrations in Australia. It is said that during the Australian gold rush period miners became extremely rich due to the new wealth found from the Ballarat Mines.
These miners ordered extravagant Valentines amounting to thousands of pounds at a time. Some of the most lavish Valentines were made of a satin cushion and were perfumed and ornately decorated with flowers and colour shells – something that is echoed in the gilded gift boxes and lavish chocolate selections
available at this time of year. Just as in several other countries, people in 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 SMS and e-mail medium to express their love for loved ones.
Another popular option is a night out. Both men and women love time away from the house sharing a good meal and a wine or two. Recent surveys have revealed that men in Australia are more romantic and open about expressing their love than Australian women. Men in Australia buy more cards than women do – so this Valentine’s, it’s time for local ladies to up the ante.
While many may comment on the commercialism of Valentine’s Day – most see the day as the chance to take a moment or two to show a loved one they care.
