Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day

In short: Valentine’s Day on 14 February is the day of lovers, Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May honours mothers. Both festivals today are shaped mainly by flowers and gift-giving.

In more detail: Valentine’s Day goes back to a Christian martyr but only spread as a day of love in the 20th century.

In detail

• Valentine’s Day: Roses, cards and small gestures for a partner.
• Origin: Named after Bishop Valentine of Terni, customs reached Germany via the USA.
• Mother’s Day: In Germany since the 1920s, different dates internationally.
• Customs: Flowers, cards, a shared meal or homemade gifts.
• Criticism: Both days are also criticised as commercialised.
• Alternative: Show attention without spending much money (nachhaltig-einkaufen-und-konsumieren).
• Not a holiday: Shops stay open, it is not a statutory holiday (feiertage-in-deutschland).