According to surveys, Australian men are far more romantic than the women when it comes to openly expressing love on Valentine’s Day! And, it is the Cupid-struck men who outnumber the women when it comes to buying cards for the loved one.

Valentine’s Day celebrations in Australia can be traced to the heydays of the Gold Rush. Interestingly, the euphoria of the Gold Rush also fanned the flame of love! Those who had recently become flush with all that new found money from the Ballarat mines gave extravagant valentines to their sweethearts – often running into a thousand pounds at a time!

Men also competed with one another as to who could give the most costly valentine to woo the chosen lady. Some of the most lavish of valentines were made of a satin cushion, exquisitely perfumed, elaborately designed with flowers, and coloured shells. If that wasn’t enough, many even had a taxidermied humming bird or bird of paradise decorating it! This valentine was then packed in a beautifully decorated box which was, needless to add, extremely expensive.

Of course, there is no record of whether the fair recipient of such an ardent gift reciprocated the sentiments or not!