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Show Valentines' Day then and now By JUDY JENSEN Valentine's Day is Saturday and preparations for it have left the kitchens of hundreds of mothers looking like disaster areas. Heart shaped cookie cutters and the not-so-perfect heart-shaped cookies that weren't suitable for the PTA, are strewn over dozens of kitchen tables today. Most of the sugar-filled candy is inside the sugar-filled children who have been sent "bouncing" back to school and rejected Valentines that didn't have just the right message mes-sage lay in a pile on the floor. As they painstakingly wipe the last of the pink frosting off the wall, it may seem to these mothers that Valentine's Day has lost some of its romance. i- Over the years the custom of VJrioosing a Valentine has changed dramatically. Today every school child hands out dozens of Valentines. Valen-tines. During the 1400's, choosing a Valentine was the same as choosing choos-ing a spouse, and each person had only one "Valentine." In France it was the custom that the first young man to be seen by a girl on Valentine's Day became her "Valentine," or her boyfriend for the year and usually the friendship ended in marriage. Of course this custom could be manipulated. One young woman wrote, "Last Friday was Valentine's Day. Mr. Blossom was my man. I lay abed and shut my eyes all the morning till he came to our house; for I would not have seen another man before him for all the world." One curious custom formerly observed was that of dividing the eligible young people into two groups, each going into houses which faced one another on a narrow nar-row street. Names of boy and girl Valentines were called across the street and in this way would be paired. Afterwards the couples, if they were satisfied with each other, would finish the evening at a public dance. But if a young man did not care for the Valentine chosen for him he would desert her. The poor girl would stay alone for eight days until un-til Sunday, when large bonfires would be burned in the middle of the village and effigies of those who had spurned their chosen Valentine Valen-tine would be burnt, while abusive things would be shouted out about them. For those of you who aren't real happy about your Valentine remembrance, re-membrance, you may want to check into the feasibility of this for next Sunday, but be sure to get your fire permit. With the introduction of the uniform uni-form Penny Post sending Valentines Valen-tines through the mail became possible pos-sible for not only the very wealthy but for everyone. The Valentine written on paper began to replace the Valentine as a person. For the timid male who didn't have the ability to compose his own verse there were little books published The observance of Valentines' Day has changed somewhat over the years but it has always been associated with romance, hearts, cupids and gifts. We have reproduced on this page, Valentines' Day articles and advertisements that have appeared in the Davis County Clipper over the years. We hope youll enjoy this look back in time. - - ' :"-' r p-' "' ' r' I' :y x'::::i!k Ski'; ':' ' ' ? V - J i ' .., r -Tp' X ' I ' ' I . w - iiYfirr ri'iiiiT lnniVinnnnirTnFrrrTi iTi rf r r r i ii ffmiiwrr ..r.i (Photo by Jim Haskett) called "Valentine Writers" to help him. These books catered to every taste from the heavy sentimental down to the comic. One such example ex-ample follows: "CK IViiowtr to a widow sues, and Hopes His suit sHe'U not refuse. Tou Have a child and so Have I, they may cement affection's tie. Our fortunes 1 believe are equal, let's join to make a pleasant sequel. se-quel. 3l least sued is my fond design, if you'll consent dear Valentine." If the widow wanted to refuse the following was suggested: "'Resolved no more to be a wife but e'en to lead a widow's life; I must tfie amorous suit decline, which you have made, my Valentine . I pray you do not take offense, I own you have both wortH ana sense; Mid second wedbefc been my plan, fo you alone would be tfie man." If the widow wanted to give a favorable replay the following alternate answer was suggested: "Cjood sir, I like the plan you sent and thank you for tfie compliment; In harmony we will combine to cherish both your child and mine. If others should our marriage bless, it may increase our happiness. I shall aped you sir at four, tHat we may talk this matter oe'r. CKnaon our wedding day agree, as we regale on toast and tea." These little "Valentine Writers" would be valuable today, but the verses would need to be updated. The following could be used: CK swinging bachelor wants to settle down with a foxy lady like you around. 1 know you think my kids are orals, but we'll make if work in spite of that. Our fortunes are about in line so you keep yours and I'll keep mine. If you agree with the terms of this Valentine, just sign below on the dotted line. A little less flowery perhaps, but it is direct and to the point. Like the exchange of Valentine cards, the exchange of Valentine gifts has gone on through the ages. Some of the earliest records of this practice shows that a pair of gloves was a popular Valentine gift. One Valentine verse read, "Love to thee I send these gloves. If you love me leave out the G, and make a pair of loves." Merchants today are not offering sales on the traditional pair of gloves for Valentine gifts, but the variety of merchandise offered that is decorated with a Valentine motif is endless. This year all over the country, Valentines will be drinking drink-ing from their heart-shaped mugs, while they eat their heart-shaped candy, and watch T.V. in their heart-covered pajamas. Yes, hearts do cover everything imaginable at this time of year, but don't despair if you get underwear with hearts emblazoned on them they are a much better gift than that offered by one parts store. They suggested you get your Valentine . new spark plugs. Now that's romantic. ro-mantic. 1896 |