I'm not aware of any customs like this in the area I live in the US
("Mid Atlantic" region - Virginia specifically). What *is* traditional
is for children to make (the "old days") or buy valentines to share with
all their classmates and friends. Sadly, I think that some schools now
have stopped this activity in the interest of cultural sensitivity. But
after-school programs and church programs still carry on the tradition.
Clay
On 2/1/2011 9:31 AM, Jean Eke wrote:
♥ In the 1950s when our Northern Lancashire family moved to Norwich in
East Anglia, my Mother announced that in these new 'foreign parts'
Valentine gifts were given to children and both my Brother and Myself
benefitted, much to our delight.
However I do not know where the idea had come from and our family custom lapsed
and I have never heard it from others.
So I was really excited to see the custom recorded in Parson
Woodeforde's Diary for February 14th 1777
……….."to 36 children being Valentine's day and what is customary for them to go
about in these parts this day gave 0. 3. 0 ( 3 shillings )
being one penny apiece to each of them"…………..
Parson Woodforde had been appointed as Rector of the Anglican parish of Weston
Longeville just outside Norwich and had moved from Oxford
and his family home, of Ansford in Somerset.
I have been re-reading the diary as part of my study of the late 18th century
for our Regency booklets.
Do any of you know if this custom survived anywhere else? Often customs like
this were taken to America and survived longer there.
Just a thought to warm a rather grey day ………..Spring, in the Northern
Hemisphere is just around the corner. ♥
Jean
http://www.jeanmaryeke.com and click on the valentine
link
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