It’s raining! The weather is grey and depressing and so far February is turning out to be no cheerier than January. So, for our blog this week we thought we’d look at something more light-hearted than bin cleaning.
Valentine’s Day! How did it come about? Where in the world is it celebrated and by how many people?
Firstly, it’s celebrated to remember at least one St Valentine, (there appear to have been several). In the beginning, it was to celebrate their martyrdom, but somehow became a romantic festival in 18th century England.
Surprisingly, it’s celebrated in many parts of the world, but not necessarily on the 14th of February. For example, Colombia celebrates Día del Amor y la Amistad on the third Saturday in September instead. In China, it is called the ‘the lovers’ festival’ and is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month.
Apparently, Singaporeans are among the biggest spenders on Valentine’s Day, with 60% of Singaporeans saying that they would spend between $100 and $500 on Valentine’s gifts, cards, and outings. Maybe we should consider a move!
In the United States, about 190 million Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making it a major revenue generator, with over $18 billion being spent in 2017 alone.
So, what do you think about St Valentine’s? Do you send your loved one a card? Go out for a romantic meal? Or ignore it altogether? Is it just a money-making exercise? Or just for teenagers?
Here at Freshbinz Ltd, we think there’s nothing wrong with a little romance, even if it’s just a good excuse to go out for a nice meal.
But if you’re one of the lucky ones who receives so many flowers that they fill up your garden bin, maybe you’d like to book a one-off clean.
Happy Valentine’s everyone.