TheChocolateLifeLIVE – Valentine’s Day Retcon

Retroactive continuity, retcon for short, is, according to Wikipedia, “a literary device in which facts in the world of a fictional work which have been established through the narrative itself are adjusted, ignored, supplemented, or contradicted by a subsequently published work which recontextualizes or breaks continuity with the former.”

While retconning is perhaps most closely associated with sci-fi / fantasy / YA novels and films and American politics, the modern-day Valentine’s Day is a Hallmark holiday reboot/retcon. If there were ever a more successful retcon machine than is Hallmark, as evidenced by the relentless torrent of cards and movies it spews, I am unaware if it.

And all of that output has a single goal: to tug at the heartstrings with enough force to persuade millions to part with billions in hard-earned (for some of us; for others, ill-gotten) valuta.

Too cynical? That’s part of what I’ll be covering in this episode of TheChocolateLifeLIVE: the actual origins of the holiday, how Victorians viewed it, its mid-20th reboot, and the incentive to rampant consumerism – some it chocolate, much of that chocolate seriously awful – that it has become today.


Resources

Valentine’s Day - Wikipedia
What’s the story behind Valentine’s Day? Less about love and more of a bloodbath
While Valentine’s Day might be associated with romantic love, the real story behind its namesake St. Valentine is full of bloodshed and heartbreak.
What’s your state’s favorite Valentine’s Day treat? Google shares popular searches
How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day? Google shared a list with USA TODAY of uniquely searched Valentine’s Day sweets by state.
Gifting Chocolate for Valentine’s Day
Updated for 2022! Whatever you decide to do, make it fun. If it involves chocolate and you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong.
The Heart of the Matter: A History of Valentine Cards - Google Arts & Culture
From the Collections of The Strong National Museum of Play | Rochester, New York
Be My Valentine | Smithsonian Institution
No matter how you choose to express your affection, find inspiration in our collections. From vintage valentines to love songs, our collections have heart. ... Learn more
🍫
Victorian-Era 'Vinegar' Valentines Could Be Mean and Hostile
Rather than expressing love and affection, these cards were designed to offend.

History Channel
🍫
The History Channel tried to write about the history of chocolate on Valentine’s Day ... and faceplanted. Cadbury did not perfect extracting cocoa butter and it is the Fry family that first added this butter into their chocolate recipes. The Smithsonian also credits Cadbury for perfecting the extraction of cocoa butter and ignoring the contributions of Van Houten and Fry families. 
Valentine’s Day | Hallmark Corporate Information
Approximately 114 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged making it the second-largest card holiday. See what’s new for Valentine’s Day from Hallmark.
Hallmark began producing its own Valentine’s Day cards in 1916 (during the 1st World War.)
Average Cost Of Valentine’s Day: 2023 Statistics | Bankrate
Chocolates, flowers and restaurant bills can add up. Bankrate has the latest data on how much people really plan on spending this Valentine’s Day.
More detailed spending statistics than the original source.

Watch/Participate on YouTube, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

Visit TheChocolateWire Channel on YouTube

My LinkedIn profile
TheChocolateLife page on Facebook (live event)


Hashtags

#valentines #valentinesday #bemyvalentine
#chocolate #cacao #cocoa #cacau
#TheChocolateLife #LaVidaCocoa


💡
Have thoughts to share or questions to ask?

Leave them in the comments.