Stikii, be mine!

I am sure all of you Stikii fans are aware that next week, February 14, is Valentine’s Day. I know many people simply believe this is a Hallmark holiday but it is still an excuse to celebrate, have parties, and do special things that you normally wouldn’t do on an average day.  It is a day to exchange candy, flowers, gifts and sentimental anecdotes with loved ones, in the name of Saint Valentine. However, though millions of people celebrate this romantic holiday, not many are aware of its origination or the importance of St. Valentine.

There are many stories about this patron saint and there were even a few saints named Valentine, so the story can still be considered somewhat of a mystery.  One legend states that in third century Rome, Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men because he thought single men made better soldiers. Valentine realized the injustice of this law, defied the emperor and performed many secret marriage ceremonies. He was sentenced to death when his actions were discovered.

Other accounts suggest that Valentine may have been killed for helping Christians escape Roman prisons.  Another tells of a time in which Valentine was imprisoned and sent the first “valentine” greeting to a young girl he had fallen in love with who visited him in jail. The story even claims that he wrote one letter signed “From your Valentine”, a phrase we now use so often on February 14.

 

Some believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in mid-February to honor the anniversary of Valentine’s death while others claim that the Christian church placed the Valentine celebration in this month to attempt to “Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. This holiday consisted of animal sacrifices, and a drawing of young women’s names in which the city’s bachelors would each choose one to become paired with for the year….these matches often led to marriage.

Eventually Lupercalia was outlawed and Valentine’s Day was named official holiday. After sometime, the day became associated with love and as far back as the Middle Ages, Valentine greetings have been exchanged.

Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia. Americans most likely began exchanging handmade greetings in the early 1700s and in the mid-1800s; the first mass-produced valentines were introduced.  It is estimated that today, over 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year making it the second largest card sending holiday (behind Christmas) of the year.

It is also now a tradition for children to bring in valentines and Valentine’s Day treats for their classmates. Many teachers ask that the student design their own “valentine box” for which to collect their valentines. There are various different creative ways to construct a valentine box.  One easy way to build a valentine box is to wrap a shoe box in gift wrap or construction paper and then cut a slit in the top for the cards. Others choose to decorate baskets or bags. Making these boxes personal is a fun and creative activity for children. Check out these websites for some exciting and crafty valentine box ideas:

http://www.familycorner.com/family/kids/crafts/valentine_mailbox.shtml

http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2012/01/valentine-box-ideas.html

http://childparenting.about.com/od/funcelebrations/tp/valentinebox.htm

 

Children also love to pick out valentines to send to their classmates. Some come with stickers, candy, or even washable tattoos! Another great addition to valentines would be to include a Stik-em accessory.  At just 99 cents each, Stik-ems are an affordable valentine gift, not to mention fun! We assure you that every child would love to receive a Stik-em in their valentine boxes this year. For more information on Stik-ems, please visit our website at www.stikii.com.

Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to tell someone that you love and care about them. So Stikii fans, we wanted to tell you again how much we love and appreciate you! Will you be our valentine?