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The do's and dont's to Valentine celebrating in Italy Tanti Baci
[Maddalena Delli]
February 14th is the most romantic day of the year, when all sweethearts in the western world swear everlasting love to each other. In fact until not long ago, in some parts of Italy Valentine's Day was a favourite date to announce couple's engagements.The fashion of Valentine card writing is thought to have been started in 1415 by the young French Duke of Orleans when he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. He wrote countless love poems to his wife, and about sixty of them are still preserved in the British Museum. However, Valentine card writing in Italy has never become very popular: Italians send out very few cards throughout the year, even for birthdays or at Christmas time.
On St. Valentine's Day they mostly give flowers, while restaurants are full of couples treating themselves to a romantic candlelit meal. Some give presents as well, especially chocolate, and for a while before the day you will notice that confectionery shops and bar windows will be displaying all sorts of bon-bons.
Although nothing can compare the heavenly pleasure of a box of handmade pralines from a master chocolatier, a fine choice - less expensive and certainly very Italian - is giving your sweetheaart a box of Baci Perugina chocolates. Baci means kisses in Italian, and the name is quite enough to explain why this brand of chocolates is so popular for Valentine presents as well as on other occasions such as Mother's day. Baci also have the added appeal of coming individually wrapped with a slip of paper containing a famous love quote in four languages, which all things considered can be thought of as a decent substitute for Valentine cards!
In short, if you wish to do it Italian-style, on February 14th treat your significant other to a special wine tasting and dinner, give them flowers (red rosebuds being an obvious favourite), a box of chocolates, and maybe a small personal gift like perfume or a silver jewel.
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