Continuing my contributions to my workplace newsletter I did a little research on Victoria Day.

Victoria Day is a Canadian statutory holiday (although technically not a stat holiday for Nova Scotian’s but we are lucky enough to work for an employer who recognizes it) celebrated on the Monday preceding May 25th in every province and territory. It honors Queen Victoria's birthday which was May 24th 1819.

Below are some fun facts on Victoria Day

- In Quebec it’s called "National Patriotes Day" (In French- Journée nationale des patriotes or Fête des Patriotes).

- Victoria Day is also known as "May 2-4 weekend" or the "May long weekend" and it marks the unofficial start of the summer festivities.

- Victoria Day is Canada's oldest non-religious holiday.

- Today, Canada is the only country who still has a holiday on the day… Though ironically she never actually visited Canada during her reign.

- Queen Victoria was the ruler of the UK & British Empire from June 20th 1837 until her death in 1901.

- Victoria reigned for 63 years and seven months, a record for a British monarch that was only beaten in September 2015 by one of my favorite humans Queen Elizabeth II.

For my group of friends this definitely marks the start of summer festivities and it is spent camping (there may be beer involved)…(yes it’s freezing).

For my parents, it’s the weekend they de-winterize the pool so again an unofficial start to summer.

Unlike the other holidays in Canada which have very focused in tradition in ceremony Victoria Day leaves a little more to the imagination of an individual.

Leave your favorite May long weekend traditions in the comments below!

Sources:

https://www.statutoryholidays.com/victoriaday.php

https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/canada/victoria-day

Photo of Queen Victoria from Wikepedia

I’m excited to announce that my work has started a newsletter! Instead of just sharing insurance information (boring) I’ll be using my past life as a pastry chef to share recipes and holiday traditions.

Everything I share with my coworkers in our monthly newsletter will also be shared to the blog going forward (because why not right?)

Starting off in mid January I decided to do a little research on Valentines day so below is a brief origin story on the holiday.

Valentines Day Traditions

Valentine’s Day around the world is celebrated in the name of Saint Valentine, but who is this mysterious saint? And why is this holiday celebrated with such gusto!?

Although the truth behind the holiday is murky at best, there are a couple of stories circulating worth sharing.

It’s said that St. Valentine was a priest who served during the 3rd century in Rome. When the emperor Claudius II announced that single men made better soldiers than those with families and wives, he outlawed marriage for young soldiers. Valentine went against this injustice and started performing secret marriages for young lovers. When the emperor found out about Valentine’s actions, he ordered that the saint be put to death.

The other story suggests that the saint may have been killed while helping the Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were tortured. Gradually, Saint Valentine has become so popular that couples all across the world started celebrating Valentine’s Day as the day of love.

It is believed that the first-ever Valentine’s Day card was originated in France, when Charles, the Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his wife from the prison in 1415.

10 Low and Non-Material Valentine’s Day Traditions to try:

(Couples, family and single friendly.)

- Exchange homemade and handwritten cards;

- Compose a poem for your loved one(s);

- Share a meal or a movie night together;

- Attend a Valentine’s Day Dance in your area;

- Exchange dried flowers;

- Perform a random act of kindness;

- Visit or acknowledge a departed loved one;

- Have a Valentine’s Day photo shoot;

- Have spa day (either at home or at a spa); or

- Volunteer somewhere in need (like a shelter or soup kitchen).

Information gathered from:

https://traveltriangle.com/blog/valentines-day-traditions-around-the-world/

https://www.countryliving.com/life/g4075/old-valentines-day-traditions/

https://sugarspiceandglitter.com/10-family-traditions-valentines-day/

https://cafemom.com/parenting/217513-valentines-day-traditions-to-start-with-kids/278938-great_valentine_bakeoff

https://www.creatingwithnicole.com/blog/10-ways-to-celebrate-valentines-day-single

Saint Valentine Photo: https://www.history.com/news/6-surprising-facts-about-st-valentine

Blog