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Hi guys 
It’s Monday! You’re probably asking yourself why I’m so excited about that. But it’s not a regular Monday: To my joy (and hopefully also to yours) we are officially kicking off Love Week on the O2 Community today! 
And Love Week isn’t just about the upcoming (and sometimes heavily dreaded) Valentine’s Day - Instead we decided to do something special every day of this week, together with the help of some of our amazing members, in order to give you a week full of fun, excitement and - most importantly - LOVE!
Let it begin… with a little travel abroad. Saying little, but actually today I want to talk about how Valentine’s Day is in Japan. And even though we often think that celebratory days like these are universal, there are often a lot of different ways these are interpreted and celebrated.
In Japan for example, it’s customary for women to give a gift, often made of handmade chocolates, to all of the males they know as friends or colleagues as a sign of respect. This gift is called Giri-Choco (義理チョコ) which literally translates to “obligatory chocolate”. This tradition is however getting less and less popular, as it clearly doesn’t make much sense to be pressured into giving a gift in order not to offend someone. 
But what about couples? Still, chocolate (they sure know what they are doing)! But for your significant other it is Honmei-Choco (本命チョコ) which is basically the opposite of the above and means the real thing. These are usually made from more expensive ingredients and thus of much higher quality than Giri-Choco. Of course. Women don’t receive anything from their male counterparts on Valentine’s Day by the way, they instead have to wait until March the 14th, the so called “White Day”, on which men reciprocate the gesture with a gift to their partners.
Do you have similar traditions at home? Do you like to give little gifts to your friends or family to express your love? I really like the idea of giving chocolates on Valentine’s Day that I made myself, but I would rather do it all year round and get (hopefully more) back 
Tell me about your traditions at home and in your friendship circle that you enjoy as much as I enjoy my chocolate!
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A Giri-Choco to you then
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So lovely @gmarkj
I cannot say we have a tradition but as mentioned by @TheresaV chockies are always a happy treat and I like making my own, when possible.
I melt white chocolate over boiling water add cream and chopped nuts any nuts walnuts almonds brazils ..spoon out on to baking paper and cool then in fridge.
Chinese meal is fantastic.
💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝
I cannot say we have a tradition but as mentioned by @TheresaV chockies are always a happy treat and I like making my own, when possible.
I melt white chocolate over boiling water add cream and chopped nuts any nuts walnuts almonds brazils ..spoon out on to baking paper and cool then in fridge.
Chinese meal is fantastic.
💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝
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@gmarkj wrote:
I normally buy one of those little teddies that you see in supermarkets along with a card for my wife.
We normally just have a chinese as a treat on the evening of Valentines.
That sounds lovely @gmarkj! I think there is a lot of pressure behind these days when all you need is a little token of love to those important in your life
@TallTrees that's exactly what I usually make! Just with dark chocolate as I don't like white
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Interesting tradition in Japan. Not sure I'm that keen on the girls giving the chocolates to the men?!
As for our traditions here at home. It's safe to say at our age, we don't really have one nowadays. 
We have been married for a lot longer than most people here (1967) so let's just say, we have done it all.
Been out for meals, bought cards and given flowers and presents.
Now we have decided it's a lot of money to spend every year and isn't needed.
Little things on a daily basis are enough to show appreciation and love
Edited to add, it was enough of a Valentines present for me today, to hear Lewis Hamilton has signed a contract to drive for Mercedes F1 team for another year. 
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Lovely subject for Love/Valentines Week and I`ve learned something about other customs and cultures.
As to chocolate I prefer dark chocolate. Been a long time since a girl bought me chockies 
