Every February we celebrate Valentine's Day by giving flowers, candies and cards to those we love. We do this in honor of Saint Valentine.

The holiday is full of the heartfelt expressions of love exchanged on that day between sweethearts, good friends, acquaintances.

Yellow roses are also popular on that day as a sign of friendship.

People of all ages love to send and receive valentines and to hear and sing the thousands of new and traditional love songs.

Before Valentine's Day, school children usually make valentines for their teachers and classmates and put them in a large decorated mailbox.

They create handmade valentines out of colored paper, bits of ribbon, glitter, yarn, stickers and lace.

Who is St. Valentine? There are many legends. According to one this day is connected with an ancient Roman Festival called Lupercalia. This was on February, 15 to honor the patron of husbandry.According to one this day is connected with an ancient Roman Festival called Lupercalia. This was on February, 15 to honor the patron of husbandry. The next story tells us that St. Valentine was a priest who would marry young couples secretly when the Roman Emperor Claudius 2 forbade marriages. He believed that single men were better soldiers.The next story tells us that St. Valentine was a priest who would marry young couples secretly when the Roman Emperor Claudius 2 forbade marriages. He believed that single men were better soldiers.

Another story tells us about St. Valentine who was a good friend to children. He was against the Roman Gods and that is why he was put in prison. When he was imprisoned the children brought him loving letters. It was on February, 14.Another story tells us about St. Valentine who was a good friend to children. He was against the Roman Gods and that is why he was put in prison. When he was imprisoned the children brought him loving letters. It was on February, 14. Some people think that is why we give friendly and loving messages to each other on this day. Written valentines began in the 15th century. Paper valentines were especially popular in England. For a long time valentines were made by hand, but at the beginning of the 19th century factories began to make valentines. They were black and white pictures. Some of them were painted by workers in the factory. But most people bought pictures and did their own paintings.Some people think that is why we give friendly and loving messages to each other on this day. Written valentines began in the 15th century. Paper valentines were especially popular in England. For a long time valentines were made by hand, but at the beginning of the 19th century factories began to make valentines. They were black and white pictures. Some of them were painted by workers in the factory. But most people bought pictures and did their own paintings.

Heart - is a symbol of love; Red Rose - was the favourite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Red is a colour that stands for strong feelings. That is why the red rose is a flower of love; Cupid – the son of Venus, goddess of love;

Rings - in some countries men and women exchange rings when they became engaged or marry. Two or three hundred years ago Valentine’s Day was a popular day for giving an engagement ring; Ribbons - go back to the days when ladies gave ribbons to their favourite knights when they went to war;

Lace – is a Latin word, it means- “to catch”. Lace was supposed to catch the heart of a loved one. Hundreds of years ago women carried lace handkerchiefs and gave them to their men; Doves - were thought to be favourite birds of Venus. They remain with the same mates all their lives. The males and females both care for their babies. As these birds are symbols of loyalty and love they are also symbols of Valentine’s Day.

Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on Valentine's Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was: Good morning to you, Valentine; Curl your locks as I do mine - Two before and three behind. Good morning to you, Valentine.

In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gift on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"

Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy.

If she saw a goldfish, she would marry a millionaire.

Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.

Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry. As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off. If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.

QUIZ. 1.What is a symbol of friendship? A yellow rose. 2.Where do school children put their valentines? In a mail box.

3. What do people send to their friends and sweethearts? Valentines. 4. What would happen, if a woman saw a robin? She would marry a sailor.

5. What would happen, if a woman saw a sparrow? She would marry a poor man and be very happy. 6. What would happen, if a woman saw a goldfish? She would marry a millionaire.

7. What will you find out, if you count the seeds of a dandelion? The number of children. 8. What presents did people give to their sweethearts many years ago in Wales? Wooden spoons.

9. People celebrate Valentine's Day in honor of …. Saint Valentine’s. 10. St. Valentine's Day is a day for …. sweethearts.

11. St. Valentines is celebrated …. on the 14 th of February.