Valentine’s Day around the world: even more untraditional traditions for your global sweetheart

South Africa

South Africans celebrate Valentine’s Day in similar ways to other countries, but they do have a few additional traditions that are unique to them.

Romantic dates still make up a significant part of the day. And much like in other countries, South Africans often give their kêrel (boyfriend) or meisie (girlfriend) a thoughtful gift. One that can be purchased easily with a fast money transfer back home.

Long festivals are also common around Valentine’s Day, sometimes beginning before the holiday. Women will occasionally wear their lover’s name attached to their sleeve. Or if your partner is really going the extra mile, they’ll make you a traditional dessert like hertzoggies, peppermint crisp tarts, or malva puddings.

Denmark

Valentine’s Day is a relatively young holiday in Denmark, having first been established in the ‘90s by the supermarket, Netto. Netto kicked things off by selling romance-themed gifts like heart-shaped pasta. (To make sure your lover gets their fill of dishes like this, make sure you send a transfer back home.)

Although Valentine’s Day has only been recently introduced to the Danes, they’ve embraced it with enthusiasm – especially the younger generation. In lieu of the classic chocolate and roses, Danes  handmade cards with pressed snowdrop flowers. These are also called “lovers cards”.

Romania

Romania’s answer to Valentine’s Day is “Dragobete”, which is celebrated on the 24th of February. In traditional Romanian mythology, Dragobete was the patron saint of love and cheerfulness, who is often associated with Roman mythology’s Cupid and Greek mythology’s Eros.

In celebration of Dragobete’s birthday, parties and even marriages are organised. Magic surrounds the traditional customs for this unique day. Historically, local boys and girls would wear special clothes and meet in front of the town’s church. From there, their quest would begin.

They would wander into the forest in search of spring flowers. Boys who found strawberry flowers were considered to be the luckiest, as these were considered to have magical powers. The boys would then make bouquets and place them in the water used by the girls to wash their hair, while reciting a magical poem.

At noon, the girls would run back to the village. If a boy liked the girl, he would chase after her and catch her. If the girl liked him back, they would kiss in order to make their love public.

Unlike Valentine’s Day, Dragobete focuses less on the material things but on treating your significant other right. According to tradition, you’re not allowed to complain or cry on this day or you’ll be a victim of bad luck! Another similar tradition says men shouldn’t annoy women on this day or their love will fall apart.

But whether you’re celebrating Dragobete, Valentine’s Day or both, there’s a lot of love to go around – and hopefully a money transfer or two, too!

Estonia and Finland

The 14th of February isn’t just for lovers in Estonia and Finland – it’s Friendship Day. In Estonia, it’s called Sobrapaev, while in Finnish it’s known as Ystävän Päivä. These festivals are inclusive of singles as well as couples. Shared meals are common as well as sporting activities like skating or sledding. Ystävän Päivä is the second most popular card-giving day in Finland, with around 3 million cards sent in 2015.

In Estonia, Friendship Day is growing in popularity, so traditional romantic gestures and decorations have their place, but romance is not centre stage. However, there are still some opportunities to find love in Estonia. People can ride on “love buses” which are designed for singles to meet their match.

South Korea

South Koreans must love love so much that they are willing to celebrate it on the 14th of every month! Their Valentine’s Day traditions are similar to the ways that Japan celebrates, which you can read about in our previous blog post.

Traditionally, women would give men chocolate as a sign of affection. Then, much like in Japan, “White Day” in March is the day that men have to return the favour with interest. 14th of April is known as “Black Day”, when all the singles who did not receive a gift on either day get together and eat jajangmyeon, or black noodles.

Beyond that, the love days in South Korea just keep coming, including “Rose Day”, “Hug Day”, and “Movie Day”. Each one comes with its own costs, so if your loved one is celebrating these days then it might be prudent to send them a bit of money to show your affection.

Czech Republic

While Valentine’s Day has made its way to the Czech Republic in recent years, like many other countries, they also have their own unique traditions. The 1st of May in the Czech Republic is simply called “Love Day”.

In Prague, it’s common for couples to meet and kiss under the statue of the famous poet, Karel Hynek. Another tradition requires couples to meet and kiss under a cherry tree. This tradition can have dire consequences for women, who are said to die in 12 months if they don’t get kissed!

The tradition for men is that they should cut down a cherry tree and put up a maypole, which men in other villages will try to steal in the middle of the night.

Norway

In Norway, Valentine’s Day has two names – Valentinsdagen and also Alle Hjerters Dag, which means “All Hearts Day.” This day traces back to the Roman celebration of the goddess, Juno.

Norwegians often send each other postcards on Valentinsdagen, despite the fact that the day does not have the same commercial fanfare that it does in other countries.

But that doesn’t mean that your Norwegian sweetheart won’t appreciate a fast money transfer just in time for them to celebrate!

Brazil

Brazil is another country that has their own unique day dedicated to love. It’s called Dia dos Namorados, which is translated as “Lovers’ Day”, “Day of the Enamored”, or “Boyfriends’/Girlfriends’ Day”.

Although it has similar traditions to the North American and European version, this day is not dedicated to Saint Valentine. Instead, the day celebrates Saint Anthony, who was thought to bless young couples with a prosperous marriage. Another reason that Valentine’s Day is not celebrated in Brazil is because it falls on their usual carnival season.

For couples, all the usual gestures are appropriate, such as chocolate, flowers and romantic dinners. Each one can be made more attainable by a money transfer home to Brazil. Singletons can get in on the fun as well by attending special events at nightclubs and bars.

England

England follows most of the same traditions as other Western countries, but certain towns have their own customs too.

For example, the county of Norfolk has the legend of Jack Valentine. Jack Valentine was a mysterious character who would leave gifts and trinkets on people’s doorsteps for Valentine’s Day. He would knock on their door and run away before they’d answer so all they’d find were the gifts waiting for them. He’s known as being quite mischievous but also kind hearted. Although not much is known about him, what we do know is that he inspired locals to give their own anonymous Valentine’s gifts too.

It’s not just adults who benefitted from the Jack Valentine tradition. Children would also receive a token gift. People from the area sometimes honour the tradition by dressing up as Jack Valentine, leaving gifts or causing a light ruckus.

You could make this tradition one of your own by sending a money transfer and telling your recipient it’s come from Jack Valentine himself!

The Philippines

Valentine’s Day is very popular in the Philippines. Apart from Christmas, it’s one of the most commercialised holidays in the country. Shops, whether big or small, decorate their interiors with hearts and cupid’s arrows, while hotels and restaurants become jam-packed with bookings. Not to mention the skyrocketing price for flowers and chocolates. All this underscores the big difference that a money transfer to this country can make for your loved ones.

However, the most unusual Valentine’s Day tradition is the mass marriages that take place on the day. Every year, hundreds of couples host their wedding ceremony and say “I do” to seal the deal.

These ceremonies are also free of charge and are put on by the government. The festivities include flowers, a wedding cake, the venue and sometimes even the rings. So it turns out to be a great option for couples who don’t want to spend a fortune on their ceremony. That doesn’t mean that a money transfer would go unappreciated! After all, the couple may still have to pay for their honeymoon.

Valentine’s Day means so many things to people around the world. It can be a day of love, a day of friendship, or a day of being glad that you’re still single! No matter what relationship status you’re celebrating, you’ll likely still have loved ones abroad who would welcome the gift of a money transfer.

Still looking for more inspiration? Check out our previous blog on the topic which covers even more Valentine’s Day traditions from around the world. If you’re ready to send now, hop onto the WorldRemit app or visit our homepage to sweeten the deal for your sweetheart.