Saint Valentine is one of the saints who martyred by emperor Claudius II in the third century in ancient Rome. The Roman Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saint Valentine on February 14 every year, while the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates it on July 30. The Catholic Encyclopedia says that St. Valentine is probably one of the three men named Valentinus who were martyred by Claudius.

The Legenda Aurea that was compiled around 1260 has elaborate details about the martyrdom of the saint. According to the book, the emperor Claudius II wanted to grow a big and strong army. So, he passed a decree that prohibited the marriage of young men as he believed that married men lacked enough physical strength to become good soldiers. The law was vehemently opposed by saint Valentine who secretly good married many young men. When Claudius came to know about it, he put the saint in jail and ordered his execution. The first Valentine’s Day gift was sent by the saint himself to the daughter of his jailer, with whom he had fallen in love. The saint is believed to have restored the eyesight of the jailer's daughter before he was beheaded by the soldiers of Claudius.

To honour the mission of Saint Valentine, most lovers and youngsters celebrate Valentine Day on February 14 every year. The lovers freely express their feelings to one another on this day. Many of them also propose to their sweet heart on the day. Most youngsters send free gifts to their loved ones on the occasion. Married couples also exchange Valentine Day gifts to each other. The Valentine gifts could include bouquet of flowers, love letters or jewelry. Some lovers take their partners to an outside dinner to celebrate the festival.

Many lovers make arrangements to send a free gift to the residence of their beloved ones on Valentine Day. People of different age group exchange different types of free gifts on the festival. While most youngsters prefer a love letter, flower or a greeting card, married couples usually prefer some jewelry or costume. A figure of winged Cupid enclosed in a heart shaped outline is among the popular Valentine Day gifts. One may also gift a painting, a personalised champagne bottle or a coffee mug containing the photographs of the two lovers as a Valentine Day gift to her or his beloved one. A cute teddy bear wearing a T-shirt that has a heart felt romantic poem imprinted on it could also be gifted to someone one really loves and cares for.