1. Argentina – Valentine’s Day all Week Long
People in Argentina don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day in February. They rather celebrate a week in July known as “the week of sweetness.” On this week, lovers give kisses to each other. They also exchange sweets such as chocolate.
2. Ghana – National Chocolate Day
Valentine’s Day In Ghana is not necessarily a time of spending time with your boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse. It is, however, a day of celebrating chocolate. Ghana is one of the biggest chocolate-producing countries ever. The celebration is targeted towards boosting the domestic consumption of Chocolate and other products made from Cocoa. Music events and restaurants on February 14 have special themed menus dedicated to National Chocolate Day.
3. Finland – Friendship Day
Friendship Day, otherwise known as “Ystävänpäivä” in Finland, is a holiday for giving small presents and mementos rather than the traditional showy gestures of love and affection.
4. South Korea – White Day and Black Day
On Valentine’s Day in South Korea, women give their men chocolate. The next month on March 14, men respond to their women on White Day by giving their women gifts. There is also a day for singles on April 14 known as Black Day; on this day, single people spread their status by eating a bowl of noodles with black bean sauce.
5. Germany – Pig-shaped gifts
Rather than heart-shaped cards and gifts, people in Germany exchange gifts in the shape of a pig. The pig, apparently, is a symbol of not only love, but it is also a symbol of lust and luck. So it’s not really unusual to give pig stuffed animals, pig statues, etc. on Valentine’s Day.
6. Wales – Carving spoons
Valentine’s Day takes place on the 25th of January in Wales. It is been a long-standing tradition for men in Wales to carve complex-looking spoons for their women as a token of their love.
7. Denmark – Anonymous Cards
Men in Denmark make anonymous cards, or “joking letters” known as gaekkebrev, put them on a paper snowflake, and give to whom they like in secret. The woman has to guess who the sender is. If she guesses correctly, she receives an Easter Egg on Easter Day. If she guesses incorrectly, she has to give the sender an Easter Egg on Easter Day.
Works Cited
B Zito, B., & Lemire, S. (2024, January 9). 14 Valentine’s Day traditions from around the world. Today. Retrieved January 31, 2024, from https://www.today.com/life/holidays/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world-rcna64522
Chocolate Day (Ghana) Facts for Kids. (2023, October 27). Kiddle Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 7, 2024, from https://kids.kiddle.co/Chocolate_Day_(Ghana)
Koyfman, S. (2023, February 6). 14 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Valentine’s Day Traditions Around The World. Babbel Magazine. Retrieved January 31, 2024, from https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world
Sen, S. (n.d.-b). 18 Valentine’s Day Traditions Around The World In 2024 To Make The Day Of Love Special! Travel Triangle. Retrieved January 31, 2024, from https://traveltriangle.com/blog/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world/
The Feed. (2023, March 14). White Day 2023: Check significance, history and how to celebrate the Korean festival. The Economic Times. Retrieved February 7, 2024, from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/white-day-2023-check-significance-history-and-how-to-celebrate-the-korean-festival/articleshow/98638234.cms?from=mdr