Every February 14, people around the world celebrate love, affection, and friendship through cards, flowers, and romantic gestures. It’s known universally as Valentine’s Day, but a common question still lingers for many should it be written with an apostrophe or not? Understanding the correct use of Valentine’s versus Valentines can help you avoid confusion in writing, marketing, and daily conversation. While the holiday’s spirit remains the same regardless of spelling, proper grammar makes a meaningful difference in clarity and correctness, especially when communicating professionally or academically.
Understanding the Origins of Valentine’s Day
The Historical Background
Valentine’s Day is named after Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr from the Roman era. There are several legends surrounding this figure, but one of the most popular stories tells of a priest named Valentine who defied Emperor Claudius II’s ban on marriages. He secretly performed wedding ceremonies for young lovers, which led to his imprisonment and eventual execution. His act of love and defiance is what inspired the modern celebration of love on February 14.
Since the holiday commemorates a specific individual Saint Valentine it naturally carries a possessive quality. That’s where the apostrophe comes into play in the phrase Valentine’s Day. It is literally the day of Valentine, showing possession.
The Role of Apostrophes in English
What Apostrophes Do
In English grammar, apostrophes have two primary uses
- To indicate possession (e.g., Sarah’s book, the teacher’s pen)
- To show contractions (e.g., don’t, can’t, it’s)
When you say Valentine’s Day, you are using the apostrophe to indicate possession the day belongs to Valentine. That is why the most grammatically correct form of the holiday is Valentine’s Day with an apostrophe before the s.
Valentines Without the Apostrophe
You may often see the word Valentines used without an apostrophe, especially in casual writing or on greeting cards. In these cases, Valentines functions as a plural noun. For example
- I received three Valentines today.
- The kids exchanged Valentines at school.
In both examples, Valentines refers to multiple greeting cards or gifts that represent affection, not the holiday itself. Therefore, this form is still grammatically correct, but it means something entirely different. It is not a substitute for Valentine’s Day.
Common Misunderstandings and Mistakes
Mixing Up the Forms
One of the most common errors is writing Happy Valentines Day without the apostrophe. Although the intention is understood, this construction lacks grammatical precision. Since the holiday is about Saint Valentine, the possessive form Valentine’s should be used to honor that association.
Marketing and Design Choices
Sometimes companies or designers intentionally omit the apostrophe for stylistic reasons. This often happens in logos, banners, or advertisements where simplicity or space-saving is prioritized. While this may be acceptable in visual marketing, it’s still important to understand that grammatically, Valentine’s Day is the correct form.
Misuse in Plurals
Another frequent issue is adding an apostrophe to form a plural, such as Valentine’s when referring to multiple cards or gifts. This is incorrect. When you want to refer to more than one valentine (meaning cards or people), the correct plural form is Valentines, not Valentine’s.
Examples in Context
Correct Usage
- I’m looking forward to celebratingValentine’s Daywith my partner.
- She received severalValentinesfrom her classmates.
- Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world.
Incorrect Usage
- Happy Valentines Day! (should be Valentine’s Day)
- I got three Valentine’s from my friends. (should be Valentines)
These examples show how small changes in punctuation can significantly alter the meaning or correctness of a sentence. Especially in professional or academic writing, using the correct form shows attention to detail and respect for language conventions.
When Is It Okay to Leave Out the Apostrophe?
Design and Informal Settings
In informal settings like text messages, social media posts, or handwritten notes, people sometimes skip the apostrophe for convenience. While not grammatically ideal, the meaning is usually still understood. However, in formal writing such as school essays, business communications, or published materials the apostrophe should always be included when writing Valentine’s Day.
Product Names and Branding
Some companies intentionally brand their products or campaigns without using an apostrophe to create a unique look or feel. For example, a store might advertise a Valentines Sale or a candy line called Valentines Chocolates. These are branding choices, not grammar rules. While they may be effective for marketing, they are not models for correct grammar.
Teaching the Correct Usage
Why It Matters in Education
Understanding the difference between Valentine’s and Valentines offers a valuable grammar lesson in punctuation, possession, and pluralization. Teachers can use this seasonal topic to help students practice correct writing, improve editing skills, and understand the importance of grammar in communication.
Activities for Learning
- Ask students to identify correct and incorrect uses in sample sentences.
- Have students create greeting cards, emphasizing correct punctuation.
- Discuss how grammar affects meaning using real-world examples.
The question of whether to use an apostrophe in Valentine’s Day is not just a matter of style it’s a matter of grammar. The correct form, Valentine’s Day, uses the apostrophe to show possession, referring to the day that belongs to Saint Valentine. On the other hand, Valentines without the apostrophe refers to the cards, gifts, or people associated with the holiday. While marketing and casual writing might sometimes bend the rules, understanding the proper usage helps maintain clear and accurate communication. So, when you’re writing that card or sending a message of love, remember the apostrophe it’s a small mark that makes a big difference.