Valentine's Day
Exactly what is it?
What started it all?
Valentine's Day was originally a holiday that was celebrated all around the world on behalf of one or more Christian Saints named Valentinus. These saints were largely known for the tales of their martyrdom and other acts of valor. It eventually evolved into a day to celebrate and flourish romantic love, and to express your feelings towards loved ones.
A postcard from the late 1800's
Painting of St Valentine baptizing St Lucilla, Jacopo Bassano
Antique Valentine
Where did the flowers come from?
The history of giving flowers on Valentine's Day comes from the practice of sending flowers to express emotions and feelings towards a person. It was common for one to send small bouquets or even a single bloom to those that they cared about. Over the years, each flower and it's color have come to represent a word or such, making it possible for people to have a whole conversation through them. This popular tradition has carried on into today's society.
What is the economic impact on the Floral Industry?
It used to be that Valentine's Day would be an economic boom to the Floral Industry, but recently that has changed. Due to competitive pricing and the increasing cost of supplies, florists barely break even. While the holiday helps the economy, it damages the the industry as a whole.
Who is the average American floral valentine's day client?
The average client on Valentine's Day is just who you would expect it to be. They're nobody special, but they think someone else is and they express these feelings through flowers. The typical client will spend close to $133.91 on Valentine's Day, but that includes dinner, cards, and other gifts. Unlike past years, this year the majority of people who will be buying flowers for their loved ones are 25-34 years old. The estimated percentage of people who will buy flowers instead of jewelry or other gifts is 46.7%. The numbers have dramatically shifted over the past couple of years, slowly altering the holiday.