Valentine’s Day Trivia & Giveaway Back to Blog

Our WINNERS according to Random.org are:

1) The copy of Cynthia’s new release: DEADLY HEAT: #3, Theresa N.

2) The Dead Guy sticky notes: #8, Viki

Congratulations and thanks for playing everyone!

Hi, everyone! I am very excited to have debut Kensington Brava author Joan Swan as my guest today. Her upcoming Phoenix Rising series promises to be a perfect blend of the two genres I love the most: dark romantic suspense and sexy paranormal romance. Can’t wait to read them! Joan, thanks for blogging with me today!

***

“I don’t understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine’s Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon.” ~Unknown

That quote is for Cynthia in relation to the tweet she posted yesterday about her son.  You’ll have to check your tweets if you don’t know what I’m talking about.  <VBG>

What do you think of when you hear Deadly Valentine? Cynthia’s topic had me envisioning complex posts of serial killers, stalkers or Valentine’s Day murders. Anyone else have that reaction?

As you can see…that didn’t quite work out. After searching and searching for an angle, I just couldn’t find any new, cool information to share with you in any unique way. And worse, the more I searched, the more I saw how Valentine’s Day was linked to Domestic Abuse. It seems to be the holiday of choice to gain followers in their fight against domestic and/or teen violence.

Don’t get me wrong — those are both issues worthy of exposure. My daughter experienced the darker side of a high school relationship that ended in a restraining order against the young man. Horrible, stressful, fearful situation for her and for us as a family.  But, I just haven’t been in the mood to get all dark and intimate with the serial killer psyche lately. Go figure.

So, this post is much lighter, yet still interesting–at least I hope you’ll find it so. You might even get a chuckle or two.

I’ve left out many, many tidbits of Valentine’s Day trivia.  Everyone who can add a trivia tidbit in the comments (hint–Google or something you already know) will be entered to win one of these two gifts:

1) A copy of Cynthia’s new release: DEADLY HEAT (either print or eReader)

2) The ceeeeutest little note pad I’ve ever seen: Dead Man Sticky Notes.

Valentine’s Day Trivia

  • The condom company Durex reports that condom sales are 20-30% higher around Valentine’s Day
  • On Valentine’s Day 2010, 39,897 people in Mexico City broke the record for the world’s largest group kiss.
  • There is no one accepted explanation for the connection between St. Valentine and love.
  • According to Welsh tradition, a child born on Valentine’s Day would have many lovers.
  • The saying “wearing your heart on your sleeve” is from the Middle Ages. Boys at this time would draw names of girls to see who would be their “Valentine” and then wear the name pinned on their sleeve for a week.
  • A kiss on Valentine’s Day is considered to bring good luck all year.
  • Studies have shown that people are twice as likely to tilt their head to the right while kissing.
  • Famous couples married on February 14th:  Elton John-Renate Blauel, Meg Ryan-Dennis Quaid, Pamela Anderson-Tommy Lee and Sharon Stone-Phil Bronstein.
  • Forty percent of the world’s almonds and 20% of the world’s peanuts are used by chocolate manufacturers for Valentine’s Day Candy.
  • Men claim to prefer to received chocolates as a Valentine’s gift; women prefer dinner.
  • Since the Aztec empire, chocolate has been considered an aphrodisiac used in the pursuit of love.
  • Casanova, who enjoyed the title of “The World’s Greatest Lover,” ate chocolate to make him virile.
  • There are towns in Texas & Nebraska called Valentine.
  • There is a Love Valley, North Carolina, a Romeoville, Illinois & Loveland, Colorado.
  • Each year 300,000 letters go through Loveland, Colorado, to get a special heart stamp cancellation for Valentine’s Day.
  • In the United States, 64 percent of men do not make plans in advance for a romantic Valentine’s Day with their sweethearts.
  • Venus is the Roman god of love and beauty.
  • The red rose was the flower of Venus.
  • Cupid is associated with Valentine’s Day because he is believed to be the son of Venus.
  • Cupid is the Roman god of love. In Greek lore, Cupid is known as Eros.
  • NECCO has been making heart-shaped valentine candies, with sweet sayings printed on them, since 1902.
  • About eight billion candy hearts are made for Valentine’s Day each year.
  • Nearly 10 new candy “conversation heart” sayings are introduced each year.
  • Valentine candy “conversation hearts” have a shelf life of five years.
  • In flower speak: Red means love, yellow means friendship, pink means friendship or sweetheart and lavender means love at first sight and enchantment.
  • Red carnations mean admiration, white carnations mean pure love, red chrysanthemums mean love, forget-me-nots mean true love, primrose means young love, and larkspur means an open heart.

Share your Valentine’s Day trivia and WIN!!

*****

Joan Swan is a triple RWA® Golden Heart finalist, and a double Kiss of Death Daphne Du Maurier finalist. She writes sexy romantic suspense with a paranormal twist, and her first novel with Kensington Brava debuts April, 2012. Currently, she works as a sonographer at a one of the top ten medical facilities in the nation, and lives in magnificent wine country on the central coast of California with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not writing or working, Joan haunts the Twitterverse, runs her youngest daughter to the ranch to ride her horse, or texts her oldest daughter off at college.

You can find Joan here:
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47 responses to “Valentine’s Day Trivia & Giveaway”

  1. Jillian says:

    Love all of this trivia. Learned some new things today and I’m all about learning! Thanks for all the work you must have done to amass all those facts.

    • Joan Swan says:

      Thanks for posting, Jillian.

      It took me far longer to hem and haw over the perfect topic. Once I decided on trivia, it was a matter of searching, culling and posting.

      Some of those gave me a good laugh.

      Joan

  2. Stacie says:

    Via Wikepedia: In 1797, a British publisher issued The Young Man’s Valentine Writer, which contained scores of suggested sentimental verses for the young lover unable to compose his own.

    Awesome list of trivia. There were many things I knew and some that I didn’t. Fun post!

    GeishasMom73 on twitter

    • Joan Swan says:

      Hi Geishasmom,

      Good to see you here & thanks for coming by.

      That’s a cool little fact. Reminds me a little of that movie…can’t remember the title…with Steve Martin and Darryl Hannah where he is the fire chief and creates beautiful things to say for anthoter firefighter to woe Darryl Hannah even though he, himself is in love with her.

      So cute.

  3. Theresa N says:

    The first Valentine’s Day was 500 AD established by Pope Gelasius I, the first time it was used as a romantic day was 1382 by author Geoffrey Chaucer. Good to know that about the candy hearts shelve life, I want panic so much when the kids find an old one and eat it.

    • Joan Swan says:

      LOL, I figured those little hearts could last a while…although I imagine they’d be little rocks that would take out your molars. But 5 years? Egads!

      And, ah, Chaucer. Good man!

      Thanks for coming by Theresa.

  4. Cynthia Eden says:

    Hi, Joan!!! Thanks so much for blogging with me! You are the best! My trivia…I read that 15% of women send themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day. If the guys aren’t going to take care of us, we need to take care of ourselves!

    • Joan Swan says:

      Totally! When I read that I thought, really? Then thought, how cool! Smart ladies! I should do that more often.

      Thanks for having me! I’m such a dork. Got the post done but didn’t add much about anything else. Will have to go back and add in my contact info. It was late…that’s my excuse. 🙂

  5. Taylor Z says:

    “The Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentine cards are sent world-wide each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas.”

    Those are some interesting trivia! Thanks a bunch!
    –Taylor Zaborney
    Lovemusicgirlx94@aol.com

  6. Jean says:

    “Only the U.S., Canada, Mexico, France, Australia and the U.K. celebrate Valentine’s Day.”

    Enjoyed reading all the Valentine’s Day trivia.

    • Joan Swan says:

      A fact which surprised me!

      But then, I’m rather America-centric. In actuality, I only know for sure tha Mexico exists outside the US…never been anywhere else. For all I know it’s a big conspiracy. (snort)

      Thanks for stopping by Jean!

  7. Edie Ramer says:

    I thought I replied, so hope it doesn’t come up twice. I really enjoyed the Valentine’s Day trivia. My brother was a Valentine’s Day baby. I emailed him the Welsh saying. I’m sure both he and his wife will get a few laughs out of it.

    • Joan Swan says:

      Hi Edie!

      Thanks for stopping by. The site was down for a little bit, so that’s probably why you didn’t see your post.

      How cute…Valentine’s Day baby. 🙂 Yes, lots of lovers…hmmmm…

  8. Pamk says:

    It wasn’t until 1537 that St. Valentine’s Day was declared an official holiday. England’s King Henry VIII declared February 14th a holiday
    One I though was interesting was Hallmark has over 1330 different cards specifically for Valentine’s Day. No wonder folks have such a hard time picking out a card and this is only one company lol

  9. Viki says:

    Love all the trivia.

    Here’s a yummy one – PEEPS makes a chocolate covered Peep heart that is wonderful. Here’s a link: http://www.marshmallowpeeps.com/products/valentines-day

    I love your note pad ;).

  10. Maureen says:

    Alexander Graham Bell applied for his patent on the telephone, an “Improvement in Telegraphy”, on Valentine’s Day, 1876

  11. Jane says:

    I love trivia. Had no idea there are about eight billion candy hearts being made for Valentine’s Day.

    • Joan Swan says:

      Hi Jane,

      I had no idea of about 90% of these — the condoms-ha! And the candy shelf life – makes me think twice about eating it…then I eat it anyway. 🙂

  12. Colleen says:

    About 3% of pet owners will give Valentine’s Day gifts to their pets.

    My sister is part of that number! 😀

  13. Danielle Gorman says:

    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 goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.

    Loved your list. My mom and her husband are one of those who celebrate their anniversary on Valentine’s Day.

    • Joan Swan says:

      Hi Danielle,

      I like the whole Valentine’s Day wedding idea…if I was to do it over again (which I’m not — happily married for 20 years!) I’d probably choose Feb 14th. Sweet.

  14. infinitieh says:

    NECCO moved their factory from Cambridge, MA to Revere within the last ten years. 🙁 I used to love to smell the air when they were making anything chocolate mint. Aaahhhh… This was one of my best memories during school.

    • Joan Swan says:

      OMG, you’re making me hungry!

      I picked up candy hearts yesterday and ate them today — as soon as I put one in my mouth, I said, “Ew…these aren’t right!”

      Sure enough, checked the bag, NOT NECCO. WTH? I think NECCO should have the monopoly on candy hearts. No one else should be able to make them!

  15. Diane Sadler says:

    Here’s a little trivia: In Mexico,it is also common to see people do “acts of appreciation” for their friends.
    Isn’t love also for friends?

  16. JoAnna says:

    Great trivia! Here’s my trivia!

    Teachers will receive the most Valentine’s Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, and then, sweethearts. Children ages 6 to 10 exchange more than 650 million Valentine’s cards with teachers, classmates, and family members.

    • Joan Swan says:

      Hi JoAnna,

      I think that has always been my favorite part of Valentine’s Day–giving out cards and candy to my classmates as a kid — then picking the cards and candy for my kids’ classmates.

      Alas, they are 14 and 18 now. No more classmate valentines. I ogled the candy rings in the store yesterday…wishing I had a little girl to send to school with them for the other kids.

      *sniffle*

  17. Donna S says:

    Shakespeare made a reference to Valentine’s Day in his play ‘Hamlet’, (Act 4, Scene 5)

    Fun post! Thanks!!

    • Joan Swan says:

      Thanks Donna. I know nothing about Shakespeare – nada, zip. In college when I had to read and write on his work, I always, always, always worked off the cliff notes. Never read a one. 🙁

      Good trivia!

  18. Mary Preston says:

    I LOVE THIS!!! — In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.

  19. Joan Swan says:

    Our WINNERS according to Random.org are:

    1) The copy of Cynthia’s new release: DEADLY HEAT: #3, Theresa N.

    2) The Dead Guy sticky notes: #8, Viki

    Congratulations and thanks for playing everyone!
    Theresa and Viki, I will email you!

    Joan

  20. Viki says:

    Thank you very much :).

  21. Valerie says:

    Valentine’s Day is getting quite popular here in Germany.

    Some shops here give out roses or chocolates to the female shoppers.

    I must not miss giving my hubby a kiss on Valentine’s Day….shouldn’t be a problem, he gets a kiss or three everyday!!! Hehe!!!

    Thanks for the interesting trivia.

    Valerie
    in Germany
    valb0302@yahoo.com

  22. Ilona says:

    Most of the roses sold on Valentine’s Day are grown in South America, even though California grows 60 percent of American roses. Over 100 million red roses are sold and delivered within three days of February 14th.And I can’t get even one becaue it sets of my allergies. Thank goodness for wooden roses 😀 (http://www.floraldreams.co.uk/)

    In Victorian times it was considered bad luck to sign a Valentine’s Day card. Hence the tradition of leaving it blank so that the receiver doesn’t know his/her secret Valentine

  23. sexarena says:

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  24. JOYE says:

    Interesting trivia. I live in Arizona and here is the way I remember when it became a state. It was a territory until Valentine’s Day in 1912. We celebrate Statehood day on Feb 14. I believe New Mexico was admitted to the union on the same day.
    If you get married on Valentine’s Day in AZ you don’t need to pay for the license. It is free.
    Anyway, this is the month when I eat as much chocolate as I can. That lasts until Easter when I eat lots of jelly beans.

  25. Leagh Christensen says:

    1989: The first of 24 satellites of the Global Positioning System are placed into orbit.

    Crazy what they can do these days!!!

    Great blog 🙂

  26. Leanna Morris says:

    Consumers are expected to purchase more than $345 million in chocolate candy during Valentine’s week
    (Now that’s a lot of money!)

    Trivia…that’s a great idea!

  27. Diane says:

    61 percent of all men say they would like to receive flowers for Valentine’s Day from a woman.

  28. JackieW says:

    Arizona was admitted to the Union on Valentine’s Day in 1912.

  29. June M says:

    The Taj Mahal at Agra, India is perhaps the most splendid gift of love. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beautiful wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Work on the Taj began in 1634 and continued for almost 22 years. It took the labor of 20,000 workers from all over India and Central Asia.

    http://www.everythingvalentinesday.com/valentines-trivia.html