valentines day

Love notes, cards, sweets and flowers have been exchanged on this day for hundreds of years and the tradition is still celebrated around the world in honour of Saint Valentine.

So the story goes, Valentines Day is named in honour of a Roman Priest named Valentine who disobeyed Emperor Claudius by performing illegal marriages for young lovers.

Marriage was forbidden by Claudius but Valentine felt sorry for young lovers and married them secretly.  He was eventually jailed and there he fell in love with his jailer’s daughter.  His final note to her, before his execution on February 14, was signed 'from your Valentine'.

In years to follow, for his duty to love, the good priest Valentine was remembered as a Saint and in Italy, France and England the custom of celebrating a day for lovers each year on February 14 began.

gift ideas

Gifts made by hand are always especially well received on Valentine’s Day so here are a few for you to try.  They’re really easy to do and can be made in minutes: