An iconic holiday in the United States, Valentine’s Day is everywhere from the beginning of January. It is a true American tradition celebrated with family, among friends, at school, and of course between couples. However, be careful: Valentine’s Day in the United States is the celebration of love in a broad sense, not only “between lovers” as it is often understood in France. Here, people also offer cards, chocolates, and other small gestures to their friends and family.

Valentine’s Day in American schools

Since our arrival in the United States, we have experienced Valentine’s Day in schools through our children. First in Preschool and now in Primary School. On that day, schools organize either a Valentine’s Day party or themed workshops. In fact, this year I am volunteering in my son’s class for one of the activities. In parallel, the children exchange cards and small packages, whether homemade or store-bought. For collecting them, the children also bring a box, either bought in a store or made by hand. A few days before Valentine’s Day, the teachers send parents the number of students in the class and their names, except in Kindergarten where the children are still too young to read all the names. Children may or may not write the names of their classmates, and of course participation is not mandatory.

Here is what the children prepared for their friends this year

A few photos from our son’s first Valentine’s Day in 2017 when he was in Preschool

The popular candies of Valentine’s Day in the USA are Sweethearts. Each little sugar heart is printed with a sweet message.

Valentine’s Day in the USA for adults

Adults also take part in this celebration by giving cards, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, flowers, and other symbolic gifts. But what is especially striking is how visible the holiday becomes in stores such as Target and Walmart. Entire aisles turn pink and red, filled with candy, balloons, mugs, decorations, and every imaginable Valentine-themed product.

This very visible merchandising is one more example of how American holidays take over everyday life and store culture. It is also what makes these celebrations so interesting to observe as an expatriate: they are not confined to one day, but begin much earlier and become a part of the seasonal rhythm.

Valentine’s Day in the USA is therefore not only a romantic celebration. It is also a family, school, and everyday event, which gives it a much broader and more social meaning than many people initially expect.

Valentine’s Day in the USA is one of those holidays that best illustrates how visible, collective, and commercial American celebrations can be.