The Feast of St. Valentine, commonly known as Valentine’s Day, is the second most commonly celebrated holiday next to New Year’s Day around the globe. Observed on February 14th every year, it is surrounded in romance, flowers, candy, jewelry, gourmet dinners, weddings, anniversaries, vacations and other extravagant gifts. Included in those expressions of endearment are the famed Valentine’s cards.
However, Valentine’s Day did not begin with such pomp, romance and open celebration. An early Christian Saint, Valentinus or Valentine, was imprisoned for performing forbidden weddings for soldiers as well as ministering to Christians during the Roman Empire. Legend has it that Valentinus healed his jailer’s daughter, Asterius and before his execution he wrote a farewell letter to her signing it “From your Valentine.” Due to the Christian reputation of Valentine, by the Middle Ages, he became one of the most popular saints of all time in France and England.
When Did Romance Blossom into Valentine’s Day?
By the 15h century, the day was associated with romantic love in the tradition of couples expressing undying love with flowers, candy and Valentine cards.
Hand-made valentines were commonly exchanged until around the early 1800s when the first mass-produced cards were created by Esther A. Howland. Howland soon became known as the “Mother of the Valentine” and made the intricate cards with lace, ribbons, and scrap materials.
Today it is reported that over one billion cards are sent or given annually. Second only to Christmas, Valentine’s Day is one of the largest card-sending days of the year with over 80% of the cards purchased by women.
Modern Technology Redefines Valentine’s Day Cards
The rise of the Internet over the past fifteen years has created new traditions and methods of delivering Valentine’s Day greetings. With digital media there are myriad options for designing and sending e-cards, videos, and other professions of love. Many online companies have established online stores or websites making it very easy for someone to choose a preset card or design a unique one. Many of the cards are free or nominally priced. With the simple click of the “send” button, the Valentine’s Day card can be on the laptop, smart phone or tablet within seconds brightening the loved one’s day. No more excuses for not sending a Valentine’s Day card. Quick, simple, inexpensive yet meaningful.
Communication is Key
As with any effort in life, effective communication is the key to success. Whether it is a heart-felt hand-written Valentine’s Day card or a multi-page business document, proper writing skills and talents are a major component for any successful endeavor.
Augustus Collection recognizes and supports the importance writing plays in online business and communication. Through our full service writing division, our writers are skilled in all disciplines of writing including articles, web content, business documents, blogs, press releases and other professional projects.
Our Social A+ program offers a wide range of writing services in addition to a full menu of social media packages. Visit Augustus Collection for complete information on all services available.
About Augustus Collection
Founded in 2011, The Augustus Collection is a travel industry B2B Sales and Marketing consultancy, generating revenue of £2.3 million in 2012 to a dynamic client portfolio of independent hoteliers, travel technology firm BookingCore, the world’s largest hotel services organization Magnuson Worldwide, and global leader performance marketing company AffiliRed. In 2013 Augustus Collection increased it’s service portfolio with international partnerships providing content writing service as part of it’s SocialA+ program, and to provide European event planners a full destination management service (DMC) to Las Vegas and Key USA cities as part of its Event Planner program.
Augustus Couture, an Augustus Collection brand dedicated to fashion featuring “Style Me” personal shopping services in London, an online fashion store “The Look”, and online fashion blog “Couture Novus”.
For more information about Augustus Collection, visit its website at http://www.augustuscollection.com
