The Valentine's Card

by Kimberly Keagan
February 14, 2024

Valentine's Day, celebrated on February 14th, is a day dedicated to expressing love and affection. One of the most cherished traditions associated with this day is the exchange of Valentine's Day cards. But have you ever wondered how this tradition began?
 
The tradition of sending messages of love and affection on Valentine's Day has ancient roots. Some historians trace it back to the Roman festivals in which young men would draw names of women from a jar, and they would be paired together for the duration of the festival, which often lead to marriage.
 
In the 18th century, printed Valentine's Day cards emerged. The first commercially produced Valentine's Day cards were created in England in the late 1700s. These cards were intricately designed with lace, ribbons, and colorful illustrations, and were often accompanied by sentimental verses.

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Valentine's Card circa 1890

The Victorian era saw the mass production of Valentine's Day cards, thanks to advancements in printing technology and improvements in postal services. From the February 14, 1888, edition of The Grand Island Daily Independent, Grand Island, Nebraska:

Though today’s Valentines may arrive by text message or email, the heart of the tradition remains unchanged. Whether lavish or simple, handwritten or printed, Valentine’s cards continue to serve the same purpose they have for centuries: a tangible reminder that someone, somewhere, is thinking of you.