The first man an unmarried woman saw on 14th February would be her future husband;
If the names of all a girl's suitors were written on paper and wrapped in clay and the clay put into water, the piece that rose to the surface first would contain the name of her husband-to-be.
If a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine’s Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a rich person.
The most popular belief about St Valentine is that he was a priest from Rome in the third century AD. Emperor Claudius II had banned marriage because he thought married men were bad soldiers. Valentine thought this was unfair, so he broke the rules and arranged marriages in secret.
When Claudius found out, Valentine was sentenced to death and thrown in jail. There, he fell in love with the jailor's daughter when he was taken to be killed on 14 February 270AD he sent her a love letter signed
"From your Valentine"
Do you fancy someone at school and want to let them know - or do you want to make your mum or dad a special gift that doesn't cost loads? Maybe you fancy somebody at school and want to ask them out! If so, drop one of these hearts into their bag and see if romance blossoms.
Dough Ingredients Equipment
500g (1lb) plain white flour Mixing bowl Measuring jug Rolling pin
Extra flour for dusting the worktop Heart shaped pastry cutters Baking tray
250g (8oz) salt Cooling rack Red acrylic paint Red glitter
25g (8 fl oz) cold water PVA glue Clear varnish, Small paint brush
Old newspaper,
Method
1. Make your salt dough. Place the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl and mix together. Stir half the water into the dry mixture and mix with your fingers. Draw the dough together and keep adding a little more water until the dough is soft enough to knead. If the mixture is too crumbly continue adding the water drop by drop. The dough is ready when it's firm enough not to stick to your fingers, but not so dry that it is crumbly.
2. Lightly dust a smooth surface and turn the dough out onto it. Knead it for at least 10 minutes. You know it's ready when it’s smooth and gently warm from the heat of your hands.
3. Roll out the dough mixture until it is about 0.5cm thick. Using the pastry cutters, cut out heart shapes from the dough and put them onto a baking tray.
4. With an adults help - carefully put the baking tray into the oven. This should be a low heat. 100C or gas mark 3 will be enough. Cook for around 1½ to 2 hours or until the dough is dry.
5. One the hearts are dry, carefully take them out of the oven and place on a baking try to cool.
Decorating the hearts (Be Prepared, this bit might be messy!)
1. Paint the front and edges of the hearts with red paint and then leave them to dry.
2. Once dry, paint it with a coat of clear varnish to give it a nice shiny finish. Again, leave them to dry.
3. When dry, carefully paint on it with the PVA glue in the places you want the glitter to act as a decoration.
So, have a happy Valentine's Day but remember: don't feel left out if you don't get a card - it's the giving that counts!
