Last updated on March 7th, 2024 at 04:10 pm
Valentine’s Day, or El Día del Amor y la Amistad, is celebrated in Mexico on February 14th. If you speak Spanish, you’ll notice that this does not translate directly to Valentine’s Day but to the day of love and friendship.
There are many unique ways to celebrate and show your love to everyone. In this Remitly guide, we’ll explore the celebration of Valentine’s Day in Mexico to get you ready for the holiday.
What is El Dia del Amor?
Also called Día de San Valentín, El Dia del Amor is the name for Valentine’s Day in Mexico. Some people also refer to it as El Dia del Amor y la Amistad to signify that friendship is a part of how Mexicans celebrate Valentine’s Day.
In Mexico, Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14, just as it is in the U.S., Canada, and many other countries.
Gifts for your partner and friends on El Dia del Amor
A holiday celebrating both friends and lovers, Valentine’s Day is one of Mexico’s favored festivities, and many people will surprise someone special with a gift in honor of the holiday. Let’s look at some of the most popular gifts people give romantic partners, family members, and friends as they celebrate Valentine’s Day in Mexico.
Festive balloons
Something that makes Mexican Valentine’s Day unique is the importance of balloons. Heart-shaped balloons are a staple in the most vibrant shades of red and pink. Most of them have sweet, love-filled messages that will put a smile on your recipient’s face.
They are a great way to express romantic feelings or to let a friend know how much you care about them. Many people release their balloons into the sky as a way to celebrate. Whether you are in a bustling city like Mexico City or a smaller town, expect to see colorful balloons filling the sky throughout the day.
Flowers
Red roses are another way of displaying your affection to someone. Of course, flowers are beautiful, and they are also specifically associated with Valentine’s Day. They are the perfect gift for their significance and their accessibility.
Roses are sold all year in Mexico. In fact, there is an abundance of flower vendors, so they will not be difficult to find if this is the gift that you have in mind. There is even a 24-hour flower market in Mexico City.
Flowers are classic, simple, yet elegant, so it’s no wonder they’re one of the most traditional gift ideas.
Chocolates
Like many countries celebrating Valentine’s Day, chocolates are a traditional gift item in Mexico. Gourmet varieties are especially popular. Some top chocolatiers to consider to surprise your valentine as you celebrate include:
- Frucao
- Kakaw
- Ki’ Xocolatl
- La Broma de Teo
- La Rifa
- Que Bo!
- Tout Chocolat
- Yé-la
Cards
Even with the advent of the Internet, greeting cards remain an important part of celebrating Valentine’s Day in Mexico. Many people spend time carefully reading many cards to find the one with words that capture how they feel about the special people in their lives. Valentine’s cards are available with romantic messages as well as greetings that are more suitable for friends and family.
Other gift ideas
Like in other Western countries, many people also give out other small gifts to express their love to their friends, family, and romantic love interests. Perfume, jewelry, and other personal items are popular things to give to show appreciation for loved ones.
What to do on Valentine’s Day
Although this holiday is not deep-rooted in cultural tradition, there are many fun and festive ways to celebrate with your significant other and friends.
Here is how to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a way that is uniquely Mexican.
Treat someone to dinner and music
Why not take someone out to eat? In Mexico, taking romantic partners or close friends out to dinner on this special occasion is a common practice. Mexicans take El Día del Amor y la Amistad very seriously.
Restaurants decorate and create an exciting atmosphere by adorning their walls with hearts and the colors red and pink. But make sure that you make a reservation—restaurants will fill up very quickly, and you don’t want to miss out on a seat.
Another great way to celebrate is having a Mariachi band serenade your loved one right at the dinner table. Mariachi music is solely a part of Mexican culture and is mainly composed of string instruments.
Mariachi bands traditionally play at weddings, so they are usually associated with romance in Mexico. It is a unique addition to a romantic dinner to display your love and gratitude.
Have an office party
In Mexico, Valentine’s Day isn’t just for loved ones. Basically, any event in the country that calls for a celebration prompts many offices in Mexico to throw parties.
Coworkers may hang decorations like paper hearts and banners to celebrate the occasion. Businesses may choose to bring in a catered lunch or have every employee bring in a tasty dish to share.
Celebrate in schools
Schools also make sure children are involved and having fun on El Día del Amor y la Amistad. Teachers and students decorate their classrooms with red and pink hearts to embrace the warm and cheery atmosphere. They also have a gift exchange of cards and sweets.
Poetry is another staple in classrooms across Mexico. Children will write poems and host a contest to see who had the best one. They attach their poems to balloons that they have already decorated, and when they are ready, they release them into the sky.
Woo your love interest
One of the best and most effective ways to garner the attention of a romantic partner or love interest is to sing to them. This traditional way of celebrating is typically associated with men.
As tradition goes, a man will stand outside their crush’s window and serenade them with the help of a Mariachi Band. This is one of the few traditions that run deep into Mexican culture in relation to Valentine’s Day.
Singing to your beloved, requited or not, is a common and embraced way of showing your feelings and saying te amo, or I love you. It involves passion and emotion in the hopes of winning over your lady.
Steal a quick kiss
If you and your romantic partner get swept up in the events of Valentine’s Day, don’t be afraid to share in a smooch when the mood strikes you. Public displays of affection during daily life aren’t looked down on in Mexico the way they are in other parts of the world. You’ll often see couples kissing on the street on Valentine’s Day in Mexico.
Embracing friendship
As mentioned, Mexico celebrates friendship and romantic love on Valentine’s Day.
In the country, the holiday is all about inclusion. The purpose is not to single out those who aren’t married or in a relationship. This differs from how many other Western countries celebrate this day of love.
On the contrary, El Día del Amor y la Amistad allows everyone to show their affection and appreciation, whether it is passionate or platonic. Friends will walk the streets together and enjoy the festivities around them. They will sing, dance, eat, play games, and overall enjoy the atmosphere of the day into the night.
Other Mexican holidays
There are many interesting cultural holidays and traditions to become familiar with.
Check out these Mexican holidays:
- Christmas and New Years
- Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos
- Mexican Independence Day
- Three Kings Day
Send money to loved ones in time for February 14th
No matter where you are in the world, you can let the most important people in your life know how much you love them this Valentine’s Day. Sending money to a friend, family member, or long-distance love interest can be a great way to show you care.
Remitly makes sending money to Mexico simple, safe, and affordable. Download the app today to send your Valentine’s Day gift in time for February 14.