Each year, millions of people around the world celebrate Valentine’s Day. The most common Valentine’s Day tradition is the exchange of cards and gifts with loved ones. However, despite the romance that surrounds this centuries-old holiday, its history remains unclear.The most common story involves a third century Roman priest named St. Valentine, who was sent to prison and eventually sentenced to death. Legend has it that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in mid-February to mark the anniversary of his death or burial.Others believe that Valentine’s Day celebrations are tied to the Catholic Church, which tried to Christianize nonbelievers who participated in the Lupercalia Festival, a fertility festival intended to mark the start of spring.No matter the history of Valentine’s Day, every year Feb. 14 has become a highly commercialized holiday. According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)Although a card is a nice, simple gift; this month’s Streetwise question was “what is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift to give or receive? Four romantics (who are hoping their own Valentine’s are reading this) shared their answers.
| Jo Perez FalconI think I would like an overnight stay at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. |  |
 | Mindy Harrington Black ForestI always like a massage and a nice dinner out. Oh, and chocolate should be involved. |
| Maggie Ginnetti FalconThe perfect gift is something thoughtful and just something that resembles what they are. If that person loves to read books, then buy them a book. If they love taking pictures, then maybe a picture frame. If they really like painting their nails, then finger polish. Just the little things. Just something they love. |  |
 | Rhonda Curtis PeytonI called and asked my son this question and he said there is no perfect valentine gift because you have to know the person so deeply and give them something that is perfect for them. |
