Take a break from trying to find the perfect Valentine's gift and let us tell you about the history of Valentine’s Day gifts and what a certain chosen gift could signify to your loved one.
Let’s start right back at the beginning...
A short history of Valentine's Day
Before you start writing your Valentine’s Day card, it’s interesting to know where the tradition comes from. The story of Valentine’s Day blends history, legend, and a touch of romance.
when and how did Valentine’s Day start?
The date itself, February 14th, goes back to ancient Rome. Around this time, the Romans celebrated a festival called Lupercalia, which honoured fertility and the arrival of spring. Later, in the 3rd century AD, the Christian Church linked the date with St. Valentine, a priest who was executed for defying Emperor Claudius II. According to legend, Valentine secretly married couples in love, though the emperor banned marriages for young soldiers.
Over the centuries, Valentine was a symbol of devotion and loyalty, and February 14th was marked in his memory. By the Middle Ages, especially in England and France, the day had begun to take on a more romantic meaning. People believed that birds started to choose their mates in mid-February, adding to the idea that this was the season of love.
the tradition of Valentine's Day cards
The tradition of expressing affection through writing grew during the 15th century. The oldest surviving Valentine’s message dates back to 1415, written by Charles, Duke of Orléans, to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London.
It wasn’t until the 1700s that sending Valentine’s cards became more common. Interestingly, the sentiment of secret love messages and the showering of gifts came well before traditional cards.
By the Victorian era, exchanging ornate Valentine’s cards had become a popular custom, with handwritten notes giving way to the first mass-produced cards.
modern-day Valentine's Day
Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide as a chance to share love, affection, and appreciation. This might be through a heartfelt card, a romantic gesture, or even a simple message. The meaning may have evolved, but the heart of the celebration remains the same: showing someone special how much they mean to you.
Why are flowers and chocolates a popular Valentine’s gift?
Flowers and a box of chocolates have a long history as Valentine's gifts. They have been the most traditional selection since the 1900s. In Victorian times, different types of flowers communicated different meanings. There was a widely accepted ‘language of flowers’. Therefore, your choice of flowers could add an extra layer of romance, depending on the selection.
The red rose means ‘deep love’. Unsurprisingly, therefore, it is still the most popular flower of choice for Valentine’s Day - with 250 million produced each year. The red rose was also the favourite flower of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, according to Greek mythology.
chocolate gifts for Valentine's Day
As for Valentine's chocolate gifts, in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day, nearly £300 million is spent on chocolate each year worldwide. However, boxes of chocolates have only been widely available for just over 150 years. Chocolate was a luxury item for a long time following its discovery, and was both expensive and exclusive.
Chocolate beans were first imported to Spain from South America in 1528 and ‘enjoyed’ as a bitter hot drink. It wasn’t commercially available until over 200 years later, when the first chocolate bar was introduced by the Fry Company in 1847.
Richard Cadbury (yes, THE Cadbury) created the first box of chocolates, with the first heart-shaped box in the 1860s. They were most sought after, not only for the contents but also because the beautiful boxes were precious keepsakes.
Why does Valentine’s Day gift-giving remain so popular?
Gift-giving has always been tied to human connection, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. At its heart, giving a gift is a way to express emotions that words alone sometimes can’t capture. Whether it’s flowers, chocolates, or something more personal, a gift acts as a tangible symbol of love and thoughtfulness.
Valentine’s Day in particular carries a strong tradition of exchanging tokens of affection. This dates back centuries, when lovers would swap handmade notes or small keepsakes. Over time, commercial gifts like roses and confectionery became popular because they were seen as universal symbols of romance.
But beyond tradition, gift-giving persists because it creates shared experiences. The giver feels joy in planning a surprise, and the receiver feels valued and appreciated. In today’s busy world, where many of us are short on time, even a small gift can serve as a meaningful gesture that says, “I thought of you.”
Our Valentine's Day hampers & gift baskets
Looking for a gift that feels thoughtful, luxurious, and perfectly suited to your Valentine? Hampers.com’s Valentine’s range combines gourmet treats, indulgent comforts, and stunning presentation, everything wrapped in a beautiful wicker hamper that says, “I care.”
Prosecco Indulgence Hamper
For couples who love to toast together, this hamper brings the sparkle. It features a bottle of Tenuta Sconta Prosecco, accompanied by gourmet treats and a tin of fine English tea arranged on a reusable willow tray.
The idea is simple: pop the prosecco, relax together, and enjoy something delicious side by side. It’s the kind of hamper that turns a quiet evening at home into a shared experience.
Luxury Cream Tea Gift Hamper
Perfect for someone who loves a classic British tea moment, this gift brings the cream tea experience to their door. It includes scones, Cornish clotted cream, strawberry preserve, traditional English tea, plus a mix of traybakes and biscuits.
It’s ideal for Valentine’s Day afternoon indulgence; a treat that’s sweet, comforting, and personalised in presentation.
The Classic Chocolate Hamper
When in doubt, chocolate never fails. The Classic Chocolate Hamper is a go-to for lovers of cocoa - think bars, fudge, chocolate shots, and more.
At hampers.com, we pride ourselves on only sourcing chocolates from the best, sustainable and ethical chocolatiers. The love that we put into curating this classical chocolate hamper is what makes it such a Valentine’s staple for chocolate lovers.
This hamper says “I indulged in the best just for you,” which is meaningful when the receiver is a true chocolate fan.
Chocolate Indulgence Hamper
If you want to step up the chocolate offering, this is it. Artisanal, varied, and abundant, the Chocolate Indulgence Hamper includes white, dark, and milk chocolates; biscuits; bars; and extras like hot chocolate blends or coffee laced with chocolate notes.
It’s a sugar-lover's dream, perfect for someone who enjoys exploring different chocolate experiences rather than sticking to a single bar.
For when it matters this Valentine's, make it hampers.com
Ultimately, Valentine’s Day gift-giving isn’t about the size or cost of the gift; it’s about reinforcing bonds, showing appreciation, and making loved ones feel special. That’s why, even as trends change, the custom continues to thrive year after year.
We work hard to curate thoughtful, meaningful and personalised hampers.com that the special someone in your life is sure to love. Whether it's chocolates, sweet treats, salty snacks or craft beers, you're sure to find the perfect gift that says a thousand words in our Valentine's Day gift range.
Explore our Valentine's Hampers
