On the eve of Valentine’s Day, women in ENGLAND used to place five bay leaves on their pillows — one at each corner and one in the center — to bring dreams of their future husbands. 🙈Alternatively, they would wet bay leaves with rosewater and place them across their pillows.

Maybe the rose water was an after-thought when the girls realized they smelled like a pot roast or a bowl of soup.  Not sure I want to wake up with a bay leaf stuck to the side of my face…that with the bedhead is seriously not a good look on anyone!

In Norfolk England, Jack Valentine acts as a sort of Santa for Valentine’s Day. Children anxiously wait to hear Jack Valentine knock at their doors, and although they don’t catch a glimpse of Old Father Valentine, children enjoy the candies and small gifts left on their porches. He’s kind of an interesting character…you can read about him HERE

Valentine’s Day celebrations in the PHILIPPINES are similar to celebrations we have here with flowers and chocolates, but there is one unique tradition that has swept the country and led to thousands of couples sharing a wedding day on February 14th. Mass wedding ceremonies have gained popularity in the Philippines in recent years. Hundreds of couples gather at public places and malls around the country to get married or renew their vows en masse. 

Not a bad idea…have a quick I DO then hit the sales rack at Saks maybe even return the dress for a refund!

When we think of FRANCE we think of nothing more than romance! Rumour has it that Charles, Duke of Orleans sent love letters in the very first Valentine’s Day card to his poor wife who was imprisoned in the Tower Of London in 1415. (eesh, times were harsh!)

Another traditional Valentine’s Day event was called loterie d’amour– drawing for love. Men and women would fill houses that faced each other. They would take turns calling out to one another and pairing off. Yoo hoo…..Men who were not satisfied with their match could simply leave one woman for another. All the women that didn’t make the cut gathered around a bonfire later that day. The woman then burned pics of the men who wronged them and swore insults at them!!! OMG….lol…I wonder if wine was involved! Apparently, this whole event became so uncontrollable that the French government (obviously men!) banned the tradition altogether!! LOL

On Valentine’s Day in ESTONIA/FINLAND, they celebrate friendship day known as Sobrapaev. This amazing festival is all-inclusive, from couples to singles. So everyone, from family members to friends exchanges gifts and celebrates love.

No Black Day eating black-bean paste, no being whipped with animal hides! Just a fun filled day of love!!

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I don’t know about y’all….but I am still laughing about the gals in France!

I’d love to read your comments below on how you plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Will you be a woman scorned hurling insults like the French? Will you be sending Baci chocolates to your crush as in Italy? Or like me, and everyone in Estonia…will you be calling your friends, children and grandchildren just to say I love you.