Valentine's Day - 2026: history, traditions, how to congratulate a soulmate

Every year on February 14, the world celebrates Valentine's Day, a holiday that is associated with romance and caring. Lovers give each other Valentine's cards, flowers and symbolic gifts, and many use this day to finally confess their feelings. In 2026, it will fall on a Saturday. Read about the history of this date, the traditions of celebration and ideas on how to congratulate a soulmate in the Izvestia article.

Valentine's Day — 2026: the history of the holiday

The origins of the holiday go back to the early Christian veneration of the martyr Valentine, who lived in the II–III centuries. The surviving information about his life is few and contradictory, but it was around his image that a romantic legend developed, which formed the basis of the modern Valentine's Day.

According to one of the most common versions, Valentine was a Roman priest under Emperor Claudius II. The ruler believed that family ties prevented men from serving in the army, married men were worse able to endure long campaigns, and they sought to return to their wives and children as soon as possible.

The ruler issued a decree that essentially deprived the soldiers of the right to a family, and they were no longer allowed to marry. Valentine, according to legend, could not accept this and began to secretly marry couples — lovers came to him who wanted to receive a church blessing, despite the emperor's ban.

When they found out about the underground rituals in Rome, the priest was arrested and accused of disobeying the authorities and violating discipline. He was imprisoned and sentenced to death. While awaiting execution, Valentin continued to support the prisoners, tried to comfort and encourage them. It is believed that the execution took place on February 14.

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Over time, this day became fixed in the church calendar as the memory of the saint, and then gained wider significance — it began to be perceived as a date associated with love and fidelity.

Already in the Middle Ages in Europe, references to "valentine's day" appeared in literature, when knights dedicated poems to the ladies of the heart and presented symbolic gifts. Later, in Modern times, it became a tradition in English-speaking countries to give sweets, flowers, small souvenirs and exchange gifts on this day. Over time, it spread to Europe and North America.

The holiday in a modern format came to Russia at the end of the 20th century along with Western popular culture. Now Valentine's Day is an occasion for some to arrange a romantic evening, for others it is an opportunity to thank a loved one once again, and for some it is a chance to finally admit their sympathy and start a relationship.

Traditions of celebrating Valentine's Day

The most recognizable tradition is the exchange of Valentine cards. They are given not only to soulmates, but also to friends, relatives, and colleagues, putting inside short congratulations, compliments, and words of support. Bouquets of flowers, heart-shaped sweets, soft toys, small souvenirs with romantic symbols, as well as jewelry and accessories are often added to valentines.

In large cities, restaurants and cafes offer special menus and set dinners for two, cinemas include melodramas and romantic comedies, cultural venues organize concerts and themed programs.

Many people use February 14 to pay attention to friends and family, send messages of gratitude, give small souvenirs to colleagues, arrange friendly meetings without romantic overtones.

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In recent years, the "holiday for yourself" format has been gaining popularity. Someone goes to the gym, someone organizes a self-development day or, conversely, a "lazy marathon" of their favorite movies. The only point is to remind yourself that caring and love are important not only for your partner, but also for yourself.

Who and how to congratulate on February 14 — gift ideas for the soulmate

For some, Valentine's Day is just a pleasant date on the calendar, but for others it is a reason to change their attitude towards their partner and the way they build their life together. You can choose any format, the main purpose of the holiday is to remind you that love takes time, participation and willingness to talk about your feelings. A valentine's card and a couple of warm words may be enough for this. But if you want the holiday to be remembered, it makes sense to come up with an original gift. Izvestia has prepared several gift ideas and scenarios for how to spend February 14th that can be brought to life.

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas:

• An individual gift is an engraving on a piece of jewelry, a notebook with initials, a case with a shared photo or a short phrase that only two people can understand.;
• A "sweet" set with a story is a set of partner's favorite desserts with notes for each sweet, for which you appreciate him or her.;
• A small piece of jewelry or accessory — a ring, pendant, bracelet, or watch, not necessarily expensive, but with a meaning that you understand.;
• a care gift is a set for a home spa, a certificate for a salon, a massage or a hammam;
• an impression instead of a thing is tickets to a concert, a play, a planetarium, hockey or football, depending on the partner's interests.;
• joint tasting — if a loved one appreciates coffee, chocolate, tea or something else, you can give a set of tasting samples or a tasting certificate. Such a gift will be a great occasion for a joint evening.;
• mini-photo shoot — you can choose a beautiful place in the city or at home, prepare the decor, ask a photographer you know to take pictures or use a timer.

Ideas on how to spend Valentine's Day together:

• home restaurant instead of crowded cafes — you can arrange a romantic dinner at home, think over the menu, serving and musical accompaniment. If desired, you can set a dress code.;
• "Little notes day" — you can hide a few short messages at home or in your partner's bag — from funny to very personal. Let him get little "reminders" of your love all day long.;
• joint master class — cooking course, pottery workshop, drawing or dancing lesson. This format will allow you not only to spend time together, but also to gain new experience.;
• A romantic apartment quest consists of several funny hints, each of which leads to a small gift, and in the end — the main greeting or dinner.
• A spa for two is an option for those who are tired of working days. It can be a professional spa complex, or a home scenario with a bath with salt and essential oils, massage, masks, and a complete abandonment of gadgets for a couple of hours.;
• A cultural day is a joint trip to a museum, an exhibition hall, or a lecture. It is important to choose a topic in advance that is interesting to both: from classical art to modern photography or science.
• an evening of memories — you can prepare a small presentation or print out some shared photos by year, and at dinner you can remember how the relationship began, which was the most unexpected and funny thing.
• A romantic walk is similar to the previous, very emotional scenario. You can walk along the path where you met or took the first important step in a relationship: your favorite park, the embankment, the cafe where the first date took place.;
• "subscription to care" is to make yourself a symbolic mini—book with certificates (for example, for "breakfast in bed", "day off without household chores", "only you choose the movie") and perform the "services" specified in them for a month;
• personal letter "for the future" — write a letter to your partner, which he will read in a year or two (you can arrange to open it on the next Valentine's Day). Describe your feelings now and your hopes for the future.

Earlier, SOKOLOV's category director Taisiya Iznova told Izvestia about popular Valentine's Day gifts.