[For Seniors] February Trivia: Useful Knowledge
According to the traditional calendar, it’s “Risshun,” the start of spring.
February is considered the beginning of spring, but in reality it’s still quite cold—a time when we can’t do without down jackets and heaters.
In some regions, it may even be snowing.
In this article, we’ve gathered various trivia related to February.
We introduce handy tips to keep warm through the cold winter, trivia about February events, and fun facts tied to various “Days of ○○.”
If you’re looking for February trivia to spark conversation, or quiz material about February that can be used for activities in senior care facilities, we hope you find this useful!
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[For Seniors] February Trivia: Useful Knowledge (11–20)
In Germany on Valentine’s Day, people give pig figurines or sweets as symbols of good luck.
In Japan, Valentine’s Day typically involves women giving chocolate, but it seems to be different in Germany.
In Germany, men often give women bouquets of roses, and items featuring pigs—considered symbols of good luck there—are also popular.
Moreover, in Germany, Valentine’s Day doesn’t carry the nuance of a confession of love, and there’s no culture of obligatory chocolates.
It’s fun just to look into how Valentine’s Day is celebrated in different countries, isn’t it?
Giving cookies on Valentine’s Day means “let’s stay friends.”
Giving cookies on Valentine’s Day is said to carry meanings like “let’s stay friends,” “let’s keep things as they are,” or a casual kind of affection, partly because of their light, crispy texture.
They’re a good gift for people to whom you want to express light gratitude—friends, coworkers, and business associates.
If the person you truly like knows this meaning, they might misunderstand your intention, so it may be better to avoid giving cookies to them.
Other sweets also have hidden meanings, so it could be worth looking them up.
Giving gummies on Valentine’s Day means “I don’t like you.”
If you’re thinking of giving gummy candies for Valentine’s Day, you might want to reconsider.
Apparently, gummies can carry the meaning that you don’t like the person.
This is said to come from their “cheap” image or the idea that your feelings aren’t solidified.
If the recipient finds that the present they got is just gummies, it could be quite a shock.
By the way, marshmallows are said to have a similar connotation, so they’re also items to watch out for.
There’s no need to go out of your way to hurt someone’s feelings, right?
Giving a Baumkuchen on Valentine’s Day carries the meaning “May happiness keep layering up.”
Giving baumkuchen for Valentine’s Day might not be the first option that comes to mind, but it’s said to carry a hidden meaning.
Because of its many layers, it symbolizes happiness building up layer by layer and lasting a long time.
It’s a lovely wish, isn’t it? It’s also recommended for people who don’t like chocolate, for older recipients, or for friends.
On the other hand, it’s considered better to avoid giving it as a hospital gift, as it could suggest misfortune continuing.
Why not try giving baumkuchen at least once?
Giving macarons on Valentine’s Day means “You are someone special.”
When it comes to Valentine’s Day, many people give chocolate, but I’ve heard that giving macarons is said to mean “you’re someone special.” It’s apparently because they feel luxurious and take effort to make.
Be careful though—the sense of specialness can change depending on the color and flavor.
For example, pink represents eternal love, yellow stands for friendship, and brown signifies comfort and compassion.
Whether or not the recipient knows these meanings, it’s still fun to entrust those feelings to macarons, isn’t it?
Giving marshmallows on Valentine’s Day means “I want to forget you quickly.”
Did you know that giving marshmallows on Valentine’s Day has quite a negative image? Because they melt away quickly in your mouth, they can be taken to mean “I want this to end soon” or “I’m turning you down.” It would be a shock to open a small gift and find that it’s marshmallows, wouldn’t it? By the way, chocolate-covered marshmallows are said to carry a positive meaning—like being wrapped in love—so if the person likes marshmallows, choosing chocolate-covered ones might be a good idea.
For Seniors: February Trivia. Useful Knowledge (21–30)
Only in Japan do women give chocolates to men to express their feelings.
Overseas, Valentine’s Day is said to be a day of love, and it’s often the case that men give gifts to or treat women.
In Japan, the custom of women giving gifts to men took root around the 1950s when chocolate manufacturers ran campaigns.
In Japan, it doesn’t just carry the meaning of a romantic confession; it can also mean giving a gift to men to whom you’re grateful.
By the way, it seems there isn’t a “reciprocal gift” custom like White Day overseas.
It’s fair to say that Japan’s Valentine’s Day is a culture unique to Japan.