Saint Valentine's Day is Coming Soon!

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Next Tuesday is Valentine’s Day! All across Japan, ladies will be giving obligatory gifts [gifts they feel they should give] to all their male friends – family members, classmates, teachers, co-workers, and so on. I was given my first Valentine's Day gift last Tuesday. It was a box of cookies. The box was hand-decorated by the student, who is only 4 years old...

How cute!

In Western countries, the custom is almost completely opposite. Traditionally, men give a romantic gift – flowers, jewelry, lingerie, perfume, or chocolate – to their special girlfriend. Recently, couples often exchange gifts over a romantic dinner. In many ways, Saint Valentine’s Day in the West is a lot like Christmas Eve in Japan.

Saint Valentine’s Day was first promoted in Japan by chocolate companies. After many unsuccessful attempts to motivate men to buy chocolates for their lady friends, the chocolate companies targeted the ladies instead, creating a unique [special/one of a kind], Japan-only version of the popular international holiday.

“White Day” is a Japanese creation, celebrated nowhere else in the world.

Enjoy your Saint Valentine’s Day – but be careful not to eat too many chocolates!

Who is Saint Valentine? Click on the following links to find out more!

The Origin of Saint Valentine's Day (Beginner Level)
バレンタインって誰？（初級用翻訳）

The Origin of Saint Valentine's Day (Intermediate Level)
バレンタインズデーの始まりは？（中級用翻訳）

And don't forget that eating chocolate is good for your health!

But not if you eat too much, so...

(An important message from Mayumi, the teacher’s wife!)

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