Sipili registers slight increase in Valentine’s Day activities

By Bob Aston and Philip Mwamrizi 

Saint Valentine's Day, also known as Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is observed on February 14 each year. The day received a low key recognition in Sipili, Laikipia County as most of the residents continued with their normal day to day activities.

One or two people could be spotted at the shopping centre wearing red dresses, shirts or skirts. Some of the residents said that they are concentrating on their farms hence do not have time to dedicate to their loved ones on that particular day. Those who were aware of Valentine’s Day said that interest has increased with regards to Valentine’s Day.

Valentine gifts displayed at Emmanuel Connections

Martin Ngari a businessman running Merit photo Studio said that this year has seen an increase in Valentine purchases. Valentine cards and flowers were already over by midday during Valentine’s Day. Martin said that most of the people who came to purchase valentine gifts want to impress their loved ones while others are purchasing for yet to be girlfriends or people they have a crush on.

“Sipili is changing fast. More and more people are becoming aware of Valentine’s Day. I had a huge quantity of Valentine’s stock, which I brought to scoop on the day but it was over before the end of the day,” said Martin.

St. Valentine's Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus. It dates back to the 5^th century, but has origins in the Roman holiday Lupercalia.

Caroline Wangui from Smartek Bookshop said that the sale of Valentine’s Day gifts was affected by the closure of the Bookshop on Thursday. She said that most of the shoppers buy cards or flowers for their loved ones to indicate appreciation, affection and gratefulness to the person they are taking the gift too.

“Most of my customers who buy this valentine gifts are youths, some are students from the local high schools. I have also had several adults coming in to buy them,” said Caroline.

Some valentine gifts displayed at Smartek Bookshop

Smartek Bookshop had stocked synthetic flowers in the form of red roses, small teddy bears with “I love you” quotes on their belly, transparent cylindrical like bottles filled with small white bearings and red pieces of papers with one written two or three lines of sentimental words expressing love, deep love.

Caroline said that as a person she is passionate about the day and she could not resist wearing red on that particular day.

“I can advise those who have not brought Valentine’s gift for their loved ones to buy for them because it shows that they love them,” said Caroline.

Valentine’s Day is normally marked with people giving out cards, letters, candy, gifts or flowers to their spouse or partner. Others arrange a romantic meal in a restaurant or recreational centres.

The most common Valentine's Day symbols are the heart, particularly in reds and pinks, and pictures or models of Cupid. People who have fallen in love are sometimes said to be 'struck by Cupid's arrow. Other symbols of Valentine's Day are couples in loving embraces and the gifts of flowers, chocolate, red roses and lingerie that couples often give each other.