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Read about what's happening on the Sunshine Coast for Valentine's Day 2010.

ON February 14, every year around the world, lovers exchange chocolates, flowers and gifts in what is known as Valentine's Day. But do we know why it's a day of romance? Come with us as we look back through the ages and find out more about Valentine's Day.

February has traditionally been the month of romance, but the origins of Valentine's Day are shrouded in legend and myth. One Roman legend states that Valentine's Day is all thanks to one man by the name of Saint Valentine. It's believed that St Valentine was marrying young men and women secretly, despite Emperor Claudius forbidding young men from tying the knot because they were better soldiers than lovers. St Valentine was put to death when the Emperor found out.

Another legend suggests that Valentine himself sent the first 'valentine' note to young girl he fell in love with while in prison. The letter spoke of his undying love for the young woman and signed off with 'from your Valentine'.

Some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to mark the anniversary of Valentine's death.

It was around the 17th century that Valentine's Day was celebrated on a mass level, and by the middle of the 18th century small tokens and handwritten gifts were being exchanged between lovers and friends.

It was towards the end of the 18th century that Valentine's Day started to take on a commercial feel, when ready made cards began replacing written letters.

These days it the most common form of showing your loved one how you feel. The Greeting Card Association estimates around a billion cards are sent on Valentine's Day each year. Women are the main buyers of Valentine's Day greeting cards, with around 85 per cent purchasing the pre-made cards.

Valentine's Day Trivia

• Around 15 per cent of women in the US send themselves flowers on Valentine's Day.

• 73 per cent of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, while only 27 per cent are women.

• About 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year.

• About 3% of pet owners will give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets.

• Cupid became associated with Valentine's Day because he was the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty. Cupid often appears on Valentine cards holding a bow and arrows because he is believed to use magical arrows to inspire feelings of love.

• Card maker Hallmark produces 1330 different cards for Valentine's Day.

Want to know more?

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Romancing the TV: movies for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day on the Sunshine Coast

Valentine's Day in Toowoomba 2009

For Brisbane valentine's day ideas checkout ourbrisbane.com