Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14th when people express affection and appreciation for those they care about. The day is named after Saint Valentine, a Christian priest who lived in Rome about 1,800 years ago and became associated with love and devotion.

Today, people celebrate Valentine's Day by exchanging cards called valentines, giving gifts like flowers or chocolates, and showing extra kindness to friends, family members, and romantic partners. In elementary school, kids often make or exchange valentines with their classmates, and teachers might organize parties with heart-shaped decorations and treats.

The holiday's symbols include hearts, the color red, and Cupid (a winged figure from Roman mythology who supposedly made people fall in love by shooting them with magical arrows). While Valentine's Day often focuses on romantic love, many people use it as a chance to celebrate all kinds of affection: friendships, family bonds, and appreciation for people who make their lives better.

The commercialization of Valentine's Day means stores fill with cards, candy, and gifts weeks before February 14th. Some people love the holiday's focus on expressing feelings that might otherwise go unsaid. Others find it overly commercial or prefer to show appreciation year-round rather than on one designated day.