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Archive for the 'Valentine's Day' Category
Contents
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Let Us Know about Gifts Given for Special Occasions in Your Culture!
Wednesday, February 11th, 2009I’ve been asked… “about gift customs around the world like the one of the temari balls in Japan. Which gifts do people around the world traditionally give for special events such as marriages, births, etc.?”
FYI Temari balls are fancy balls with colorful, intricate patterns on them. They originally come from China, but are also found in Japan. They were traditionally made out of silk, often from old kimonos. Now they’re made with embroidery covering the balls.
They’re thought to bring good luck to whoever owns them. They’re given for births, birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. They’re also given by parents to kids on New Years Day.
Mama Lisa
I asked Ayako in Japan about the Temari balls. Here’s what she wrote:
“Hi Lisa,
Temari balls are beautiful. Their embroidery is fancy. We don’t play with them now. We just enjoy looking at them.
By the way, one of the traditional gifts is “Otoshidama”. It is special money given to children from their parents or relatives on New Year. It may sound dry to give money, but it is traditional heart-warming gift.
On Valentine’s day, women give chocolates to the men whom they love in Japan. It is called “true heart chocolate”. Sometimes working women give chocolates to their male coworkers. It is called “obligation chocolate”. Recently, it’s also common to give chocolate to one’s friend. That’s called “friendly chocolate”.
Usually men give gifts to the women in return on the 14th of March.
Ayako
Please join the discussion and let us know about any special gifts given for special events in your culture by commenting below…
Valentine’s Day Around the World
Thursday, February 7th, 2008GUEST BLOGGER
Lisa Smith of Regionz Kidz has graciously shared this interesting post about international Valentine’s Day traditions.February 14th has come to mean red and pink hearts, flowers, chocolates and Hallmark cards here in the US. But, how did Valentine’s Day become a day that we celebrate with our loved ones? Valentine’s Day began as a saint’s day commemorating Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr. The day became associated with romantic love in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.
The day is most closely associated with the exchange of love notes in the form of “valentines.” Modern Valentine symbols include the winged Cupid and the heart. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards. The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas.
We are all familiar with the US version of the Valentine’s Celebration – but how do other cultures celebrate the Holiday?
In the UK a character called ‘Jack’ Valentine knocks on the rear door of houses leaving sweets and presents for children.
In Wales many people celebrate St Dwynwen’s Day on 25 January instead of, or as well as, St Valentine’s Day. The day commemorates St Dwynwen, the patron saint of Welsh lovers.
In Finland, Valentine’s Day is called Ystävänpäivä which translates into “Friend’s day”. As the name says, this day is more about remembering your friends than your loved ones.
In Slovenia, a proverb says that “St Valentine brings the keys of roots,” so on February 14, plants and flowers start to grow. Another proverb says “Valentin – prvi spomladin” (”Valentine – first saint of spring”), as in some places, Saint Valentine marks the beginning of spring.
In Chinese culture, there is a counterpart to Valentine’s Day, called “The Night of Sevens”; according to legend the Cowherd and the Weaver Maid meet in Heaven on the 7th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar.
To put a unique spin on Valentine’s Day try incorporating some of the other special traditions practiced by cultures around the world.
1. Leave a present for your child on the doorstep from Jack Valentine
2. Spend time with your friends and encourage your children to do the same. Focus on fellowship more than the feelings of love.
3. Plant flowers, trees or bushes in celebration of the coming of Spring
4. Read the story of the Night of Sevens and discuss it with your children.
Please take a minute and consider that Valentine’s can be a fun and memorable day for children, families, parents and singles alike if we look at the Holiday through a different pair of eyes.
Lisa Smith has a BA in psychology, & is the Owner of Regionz Kidz a multi-cultural infant and toddler clothing line with ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on the Regionz Kidz website that features articles about cultural diversity and children & she is a guest blogger on several other websites and blogs relating to parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine. You can contact Lisa directly at: lisa@regionzkidz.com
Does Anyone Know the Lyrics to the Valentine Day Song by Edward G Espejo
Thursday, February 15th, 2007Cheryl wrote…
Hi mamalisa,
I was wondering if you know or have the lyrics to the Valentine day song by Edward G Espejo.
The only verse I can find is:
Good morning to you, Valentine Curl your locks as I do mine
Two before and three behind.
Good morning to you Valentine.This would be so very helpful
Thank you for your time.
Cheryl
If anyone can help out with the lyrics to this song, please comment below.
Thanks!
Lisa
Marshmallow Day in Japan
Sunday, February 19th, 2006Visit Head, Shoulders, Knees and all that and read about Valentine traditions in Japan.
On Valentine’s Day, February 14th, women in Japan give chocolate to the men. The men give candy to the women on White Day, March 14th.
White Day was originally conceived of by a candy maker who hoped to promote the sales of marshmallows! (In fact, it was originally called Marshmallow Day.)
The Old Practice in England of Picking Valentines by Lot
Monday, February 13th, 2006Everyone who grows up speaking English knows Roses Are Red. But you may not be familiar with all the versions there are. Of course, there’s the one that’s most well known and that basically sounds like a cliché…
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Sugar is sweet,
And so are you!Then there’s the following one, which refers to the old practice in England of picking Valentines by lot. Whoever you picked was your Valentine for the whole year…
Valentine
The rose is red,
The violet’s blue,
The honey’s sweet,
And so are you.Thou art my love
And I am thine,
I drew thee to
My Valentine.The lot was east
And then I drew,
And fortune said
It should be you.There was another tradition that whoever you saw first on Valentine’s Day, not including your family of course, would become your lover. So be careful who’s the first you see on St. Valentine’s Day!
Lisa
St. Valentine’s Day
Sunday, February 12th, 2006How did February 14th become associated with romance?
It started with a pretty little story that on the eve of St. Valentine’s Day the birds begin to sing. On Valentine’s Day itself, so the legend went, they mate. This idea of birdly courtship hopped over to humans and developed into the custom of celebrating love and finding a mate.
Tales of birds mating on St. Valentine’s Day go back to the time of Chaucer (1342 – 1400). It’s first seen in print in his “The Parliament of Foules (Fowls)”.
Here’s a sample.
In Middle English (spoken at the time of Chaucer)…
For this was on Seynt Valentynes day Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.
In more Modern English…
For this was on St. Valentine’s Day when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.
Chaucer goes on to mention the birds singing, the end of winter, and the coming of summer.
In Middle English…
Now welcom somer, with thy sonne softe,
That hast this wintres weders over-shake,
And driven awey the longe nightes blake!Saynt Valentyn, that art ful hy on-lofte;
Thus singen smale foules for thy sake
Now welcom somer, with thy sonne softe,
That hast this wintres weders over-shake.Loosely in Modern English…
Now welcome summer, with thy soft sun,
That has this winter’s storms shaken off,
And driven away the the long black nights!Saint Valentine, who is high aloft;
Thus sings small birds for thy sake,
Now welcome summer, with thy soft sun,
That has this winter’s storms shaken off.I hope you all find love on Valentine’s Day!
Lisa
________
Copyright ©2009 by Lisa Yannucci. All rights reserved.
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