Valentine's Day Celebration in Asia

Valentine's Day is not an official celebration in Indonesia. But it's getting more and more popular these days. Especially for teenagers and youngsters.
Most of Indonesian are Moslem and they believe that Valentine's Day is against their faith. What's wrong with celebrating love anyway? But, well I used to honor their opinion and it's fine.

For Indonesian who'd love to celebrate Valentine's day, many Malls, Department stores, Restaurants, Hotels, Flower shops are ready for them. From the expensive packages (up to USD 80,000 or USD 88,888 precisely, just check the Kempinski Indonesian Hotel- Jakarta) to the economic ones. We used to share chocolates, flowers, and exchange cards with friends, family, and the love one.

Indonesian single men usually buy gifts and flowers for their girlfriend or for the special girl he'd like to confess his feeling to. And it's not just for the single one, married couples, children, are also exchange cards or chocolates with their couple, friends, family, and etc.

My daughter's class is going to celebrate Valentine's Day too next Monday (Feb 14), they will exchange gift with their friends. The Valentine's theme is A gift for my friend. And I think it's going to be fun. Imagine kindergarten kids are exchanging present and love with each other. They will receive chocolates from their teachers, just fun.

Valentine's Day is also a great day for Indonesian praline makers. Many homemade praline sellers, online or offline, are exciting about this day.

Singapore is one of the closest neighbor country of Indonesia. Valentine's Day in Singapore is truly a grand affair. Shopping malls, hotels, spa resorts, and restaurants also make this day more attractive. They offer many interesting packages for young couples who'd like to celebrate that day.

There will be a music carnival, fashion shows and many more. Many young people in Singapore look forward to tie the knot in this day. Including celebrity, there are many celebrity wedding on Valentine's Day. There will be also boat racing and art exhibitions too.

In Japan, they have two days for Valentine's Day. One is on February 14th, where the Japanese women tend to give chocolate to people she cared about. Like parents, big brothers, younger brothers, boyfriend, friends, etc. But the chocolate should not be the same. Because each chocolate has its own meaning.

Chocolate for family members, friends, or co workers is called Giri choco meaning "duty". Plain chocolate with low price and has no special meaning. So no wonder if many Japanese men get chocolates from his lady-friends.

Chocolate for her ideal man is called Hon Mei Choco. The price is more expensive and has special meaning.

For the girl who already has a lover, usually the Hon Mei Choco is given along with other gifts like tie, Japanese wine, or wine. For the girls who are targeting her dream man, this is a good time to express her feeling. They used to give the Hon Mei choco while saying : watashi wa aishiteru or I love you to that man. The man doesn't have to answer it right away.

They can answer the girl's feeling on March 14, or the White Day. It's the day when Japanese men will give their answer by giving candy to the girl whom he loves. Wow...many Japanese women will be so nervous at that day I bet.

Almost similar with Japanese. Korean also celebrate Valentine's Day on Feb 14, and March 14. Exchange chocolates, gifts, etc and the Korean men will answer on March 14.

The difference is, for young people who had no girlfriend or boyfriend, they will celebrate the Black Day.
Black Day is on April 14, on that day, they will have Jajang myeon or Jajang noodles with their friends who are in the same situation. It's kind of fun and hilarious I think.

The color of Jajang myeon is black (from jajang paste or Korean black bean paste), so that is why they call it Black Day.

You will find a delicious Jajangmyeon recipe here.

Taiwanese celebrate Valentine's Day on Feb 14. The tradition and celebration are similar. The men usually give flowers bouquet for the girl, etc

But there is also a Chinese Valentine's Day on 7th day of the 7th month in Lunar Calender or Qi xi. This year Qixi will be hold on August 6, 2011.

Acording to Wikipedia, on the Qixi Festival, Young girls traditionally demonstrate their domestic arts, especially melon carving, on this day and make wishes for a good husband.
Also known as the Double Seventh Festival. The topic of the Double Seventh Festival is a myth of love story happened between the Cowherd and Weaver Maid, which has been passed down from generation to generation.

Beside all the celebrations, I think it's great too if we share the love with orphanage kids, and kids in the street (there are many in my country), they need the spirit of love too.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone.