Roman Times

The origins of Valentine's Day come from a number of sources, one of which is Cupid the Roman God of Love, symbolised by the popular image of a young boy with bow and arrow.

February 14th was also a Roman holiday in honour of a Goddess. It was customary for young men to choose randomly the name of a girl to escort to the holiday festivities. From the origins of this developed the modern custom of choosing a sweetheart on this date.

Christian Times

300 years after the death of Christ, Valentine, a holy priest in Rome, was imprisoned and, on the 14th February, beheaded not only for his Christian teachings but also for his alleged miracles. During his imprisonment he purportedly cured the jailer's daughter of blindness. Legend says that the night before his execution he wrote a letter to the jailer's daughter signing it 'From Your Valentine'. He also received notes in his cell from all who loved him.

Celtic Times

On 14th February, St. Valentine's Day and also the Eve of St. Valentine's Day it was custom for unmarried young men to draw a known female name from a ballot to find out whom they may marry or handfast with. Valentine slips containing a girls name to be courted would be worn by a boy on his sleeve. Eventually this custom was replaced by the sending of Valentine cards.

In Scotland the St. Valentine's Day ballot was popular. A gift and card would be sent to the girl whose name was drawn. It was the belief that the first person met on this day of the opposite sex, excepting members of the family, would become a partner.

Modern Times

From the many origins of St. Valentine's Day it has now become a universal custom to send anonymous cards and gifts to a wished potential lover. Red Roses, the flower of love, are sent with Valentine messages.

To celebrate your Valentine's Day we have the following gift selection for you to choose 'From Your Valentine'. Remember we will include that personal message from you and deliver direct to your love. All orders of £25.00 will include a FREE handcrafted greetings card of your choice.

So many of our creations make perfect choices for Valentine's Day. It is impossible for us to list all of them so we have selected just a few of our customer's favourite items.

The Double Love knot has been designed for St. Valentine's Day.

The Eternity knot symbolises all that is eternal as in everlasting life or eternal love/relationship. A very popular choice to say 'yours forever'.

	We also have this design available with the word Eternity hand painted in gold beneath the Eternity knot. This is shown left. Our Trinity Heart design, with the Trinity Knot encircled by hearts, is shown right.
	We have a selection of stylish pocket and bracelet watches which make perfect Valentine gifts.

In addition to our Eternity knot glassware we now have a stunning range of jewellery available from Sea Gems. Sea Gems have created a range of items including bookmarks, compact mirrors, jewellery including brooches, pendants, bracelets and earrings, pill boxes, key rings and pens that evoke the elegance and mystery of the heritage of Celtic nations around the world.

To view our complete range of Heart designs visit our Love & Marriage section where you will find many Valentine gift ideas, including pendants, earrings, perfume atomisers, torcs, goblets and other glass ware. We also have a range of matching gift bags for your present.

For the ladies who love the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh we have a range of compacts and pen sets in the Mackintosh style which make ideal gifts.

For the gents we have a range of pewter gifts from St. Justin, one of the leading silver and pewter makers in the UK. We have clocks, flasks, paperknives and pens.

The Mackintosh style Rose design symbolises the passion of Lovers. In this design we have the candle holder, champagne flutes and wine glasses on special offer.

The Claddagh is a traditional Irish symbol. The heart expresses love, the hands friendship and the crown loyalty. It represents a token of love and became traditional during the 17th century to wear the Claddagh ring when engaged or married.

Winged Heart design and create handpainted stained glass gifts in the Scottish borders. They are the leading company in the UK for handpainted stained glass gifts. Their range of creations make perfect unique gifts for Valentine's Day. Choose from their range of greetings cards, mirror jewellery boxes, photoframes, t light holders, Swarovski crystal window pendants and window roundels and panels.

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Celtic Glass Designs offer a range of stunning hand painted glassware and matching embroidered table linen for all occasions - Birthdays, Corporate and Special Events, Anniversaries, Weddings, Burns Night, Valentine's Day, St Davids Day, St Patricks Day, Mother's Day, Easter Sunday, May Day, Father's Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hogmanay.