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Valentine’s Day, the mid-February holiday oft discussed in the media from an American perspective, is equally celebrated in Canada, but not in the way that you might be familiar with.

In Hollywood movies and TV shows, this time of year is dedicated to lovers: those who no longer mingle among single Pringles, for their heart already belongs to another–their significant other (see significant other post). As such, a seed of resentment has been planted in society by the unromantically involved, establishing in their germination a series of counter-holidays, such as Anti-Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, Palentine’s Day, and more.

Examples of Anti-Valentine’s Day celebrations in the USA.

Popular Anti-Valentine’s Day songs in the USA.

Examples of Galentine’s Day celebrations in the USA.

Interestingly, however, this is very much an American sentiment, for the Canadian counterpart lends itself beyond the spoken for to all individuals, as Valentine’s Day in the Great White North is generally more about celebrating all forms of love in one’s life: romantic, platonic, familial, brotherly, sisterly, etc. It is less a day for singular romance, and more a day for sharing your general appreciation for all the close relationships in your life.*

As such, it is common in elementary school (ages 5-13) for students to create Valentine’s Day mailboxes out of colourful pieces of paper and glitter and glue that they use as a drop-off site for the delivery of Valentine’s Day cards and candy addressed to their friends, classmates, peers, and even teachers. Of course, such is also done for one’s crush, if one is so brave to do so, but they are not the sole recipient of these Valentine’s Day gifts.

Beyond elementary school, into high school, college/university, and general family life, it is common for people to celebrate this day by preparing a special meal for their loved ones. Oftentimes, this meal is limited to the colours of the holiday: red, pink, purple, and white; as well as the season’s shapes: hearts, cupids, monograms of “love,” etc. The meal can consist of any variety of food representing the colour scheme and its symbols: heart-shaped pizza, red velvet pancakes with icing sugar or cream cheese icing, strawberries, raspberries, pink pasta with tomato sauce and mozzarella or ricotta; as for beverages, some consume milk, pink lemonade, red wine, champagne, rosé, etc.

In addition to this meal, or in lieu of it, many Canadians will exchange small gifts with their family members, including a famous Valentine’s Day card, a variety of sweets, including candy and baking, flowers, and sometimes small toys.

Personally, in my family, on this holiday, we would visit my grandparents on my father’s side, getting together with my cousins, aunts and uncles to have brunch or supper. We would all gift my grandmother with a collection of roses and cards, while cousins would give each other similar cards and candy. Parents would give their children the like, sometimes including flowers and chocolate, while aunts and uncles gave their nieces and nephews baking, like Valentine’s-Day-themed cookies, cupcakes or cakes. If brunch was the meal of choice that year, then later in the evening couples would leave the children, as they ventured out on their respective dates. Valentine’s Day was always a fun time, filled with love and laughter, and close connection with family and friends.

Now, as I am a married man with no children, I celebrate the holiday by giving out Valentine’s Day gifts to my grandparents, parents and close friends, as well as my wife. If the holiday lies on a weekend, my wife and I will visit our family members in the afternoon to show our appreciation for them, and then we will spend the evening alone together, in celebration of our romantic love.

Do you have Valentine’s Day where you live? How do you celebrate it? Is it similar to the American holiday or the Canadian one? Maybe it is completely different from both. Let me know in the comments below.

To learn about more Canadian holidays, including vocabulary related to these holidays, check out the Holidays link in the Tags section of our blog.

*This is a general statement. Of course, there are exceptions, as Canada is a diverse nation. Notably, these exceptions may extend to more Americanized regions, such as Toronto and Vancouver, and their subsequent suburbs, as well as Quebec, as its culture is distinct from Anglo-Canada.