In the United States, Valentine’s Day is and pretty much always has been all about celebrating romantic love. When Feb. 14 rolls around, we find ourselves running to the closest flower and candy shops, making reservations for the fanciest place in town or scouring the internet for original and exciting gifts for our loved ones.
Outside the states, February 14th can mean something totally different.
Here are are five of our favorite Valentine’s celebrations from around the world:
SEE ALSO: 7 Ways To Find Traditional Valentine's Day Gifts At Great Prices
Philippines: Mass Marriages
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Throughout Valentine’s week, thousands of Filipinos celebrate the season of love by getting married. Many, if not most of these weddings, are “mass weddings” and involve hundreds of couples making their vows at the same time and in the same place.
Just last year in the Municipality of Rosario, over 700 couples participated in mass weddings. According to Manila Bulletin, “traditional mass weddings in Rosario and other municipalities and cities are rendered free for needy and unwed couples who are bona fide residents of the areas.” So, the venues, food, gifts, photos and other amenities, including the marriage licenses, are provided by the local government. Pretty sweet deal (pun intended).
Japan: Chocolates and White Day
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Ladies take note: On Valentine’s Day in Japan, Western traditions are flipped as the women are the ones expected to do the big spending. As Feb. 14 approaches, women flock to chocolate stores to get gifts for their male dates, friends, coworkers and bosses, spending upwards of 10,000 yen on chocolates alone (Business Insider).
This one-way gift giving is remedied, but women have to wait a whole month for it. On what is known as White Day, men are expected to reciprocate the women’s gestures with a white gift, which comes in the form of everything from a cookies to lingerie.
Denmark: Snowdrops & Gaekkebrev
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The Danish have put their own twist on the American celebration of love. Instead of giving their loved ones roses, the people of Denmark give friends and admirers pressed white flowers called snowdrops, along with traditional Valentine’s cards.
Danish men also give their sweethearts gaekkebrev. These anonymous letters written on an intricately cut piece of paper feature a funny poem or rhyme. According to tradition, if the woman who receives the note can guess the sender, she is guaranteed an Easter egg that year. Not sure the connection there, but we support it.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider