Rice Krispie Squares, America's Favorite Family Treats

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched......but are felt in the heart!"

Regular Rice Krispie Squares Recipe

Valentine Rice Krispie Hearts On A Stick

The History Of St. Valentines Day

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself exactly how St.Valentines Day came to be? If you're anything like me I ask myself the same thing every year when February comes around. The true origin of Valentines Day is shrouded in mystery due to many different versions over time.

Both Roman and Christian traditions have a part in proclaiming this day after the man known as Saint Valentine. One version of the story is that Valentine was a priest who was commissioned during the 3rd century of Rome. In believing that single men were better suited for Roman soldiers, Emperor Claudius II decided that it would be unlawful for young men to be wed.

In Claudius rightfully thinking he was protecting his stockade of young soldiers, the priest Valentine viewed this as an injustice against young lovers. Defying the law, Valentine continued to wed secretive lovers. When these actions were disclosed to Claudius, he ordered that Valentine shall be put to death for his crimes.

Another version of this story is that Valentine was executed by the Romans for helping Christians escape from the dungeons where many were being tortured to death. While Valentine was in prison awaiting execution, it is said that he fell in love with a beautiful young woman who was believed to be the prison guards daughter. In trying to reach out to her before his looming death, he wrote a love letter to her which in closing read, "From your Valentine", an expression which is still used to this day!

We do however know that in fact Valentines Day was introduced in the month of February. While most people believe that Valentine's Day is observed in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of St.Valentine's death, which is believed to have been around 270 A.D; others believe the Christian church may have chosen to celebrate Valentine's Day in the middle of February in an attempt to "Christianize" celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festivities.

In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be honored around the 17th century. By the middle of the 18th century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social circles to exchange small gifts of affection or love letters. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace personally written letters due to advanced improvements in printing methods. Ready-made cards were an option for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one's true feelings was frowned upon.

Low cost postage rates also helped to increase the popularity of sending Valentine's Day greeting cards. It's thought that Americans began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland, commonly referred to as the Mother of the Valentine, began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America. These were highly crafted and very sought after creations, most featured fancy lace, satin ribbons and beautiful pictures.

According to recent statistics, approximately 141 million valentine cards are sent every year, this makes Valentines Day the second most popular holiday for sending greeting cards. Christmas more than doubles this figure with 2.6 billion cards sent. The oldest known hand-written Valentine card dating back to the 1400's is on display at British Museum.

On some other notes, 85 percent of all valentines purchased each year are by women. In addition to the Valentines Day holiday observed in the United States, Mexico, Australia, France, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Denmark and Italy also join in the festivities.

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