The meaning behind Valentine's Day
Are you a Valentine Grinch? Perhaps being romantic is simply not a natural part of your disposition and you scoff and sigh when your social pages cascades with diamonds, perfumes and red roses.
Regardless of how you feel about Valentine’s Day, it’s here to stay and before you cancel the entire event on your calendar, let’s take a moment to understand its origins in order to appreciate its symbolism and its significance.The Saint Valentine of Valentine’s Day was one or more Christians that were martyred on February 14th 269, for preaching the good word in Rome. Though this has no connection to the tradition of gift-giving and romantic card swapping witnessed today. That was all Geoffrey Chaucer’s doing.
Chaucer, known as the “father of English literature”, created a connection between Saint Valentine and love celebrations. The first written connection between love and Valentine’s Day appears in his poem, Parlement of Foules written in the late 14 th century. He appears to have simply invented the correlation and chalked it up to poetic license.Shortly after Chaucer mentioned love on Valentine’s Day, lovers began to send each other love poems every February 14 th and have continued to do so for over 500 years. It has become a legacy of love, even though it is unrelated to the martyrs in Rome.
Valentine’s Day is the one day of the year where the most gallant of gestures and expressions of love and admiration are welcomed and forgiven. In fact, the bigger a fool you make of yourself, the better. However, for the rest of us who shy away from romantic overtures, a considered gift is the next best option. Being shy, however, doesn’t mean being unoriginal. You can still make an impact and retain your dignity.
Cut flowers, are only beautiful while they last and the same can be said for chocolates in the middle of February. This year, make your Valentine’s Day gift a living one that will grow along with your love.
We have an endless variety of indoor plants to choose from. Why not go with an easy-care, Heart Leaf Philodendron and pair it with one of our ceramic pots or hanging baskets? Valentine Hoyas or Love Heart Hoyas are a slow-growing plant with vines that flourish up to three metres or more. There’s the dainty, Chain of Hearts that always looks at home high on a bookshelf or in a hanging pot, or take a look at our Heart Leaf Ferns for a classic, low maintenance, indoor plant with its lush, dark, green foliage.
If it’s colour that you’re after, you can’t go past a stunning orchid. Vibrant and fragrant, our Phalaenopsis orchids will reward you for months under the right, growing conditions.
Plan a romantic picnic on one of our Saarde, Jakar, Beach Blankets. These are double sized and come in four colours. Made from 100% Turkish cotton and featuring a vintage, geometric print, these unique blankets may be used as a couple’s beach towel or throw.
Take the guess work out of Valentine’s Day with an Urban Oasis Gift Pack. Featuring a vegan-friendly, Urban Oasis candle, hand poured in Byron Bay with 100% soy wax. Choose from four fragrance blends in our collection and lose yourselves with 50 hours of burn time.
Your bad hair days will be a thing of the past when you wake refreshed every morning with our 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase. These are gentle on your skin and naturally hypoallergenic. Available in a range of stylish colours to suit your existing bedroom décor.
If it's an experience your after to share some quality time together, check our Bottomless High Tea for 2, or an antipasto board with 2 complimentary glasses of bubbles at The Gardens Restaurant.
Now there’s no excuse to be a Valentine Grinch with an abundance of romantic gift ideas to consider.
*Offers available from 12.01.24 - 18.02.24 or until stocks lasts. Some stock may vary by store.
