Valentine’s Day on 14 February is a festival celebrating romance, where people profess their love to their beloved ones. And as everyone knows, chocolate is one of the must-have items for this special occasion. There are diverging theories regarding where the custom of having chocolates on Valentine's Day started. The most prominent one suggests that it originated in Japan, which ultimately grew into the present-day culture where chocolate symbolises love and romance.

It is said that the practice of gifting chocolates on Valentine's Day started in Japan. It began in February 1959, when a Japanese chocolate firm had less-than-stellar sales during its Valentine’s promotion. The following year, the firm decided to launch heart-themed chocolate products with the accompanying caption “a gift to my Prince Charming," which unexpectedly resonated with the public and skyrocketed in popularity. This turn of events marked the beginning of the modern-day Valentine's Day culture.

Nowadays, the ways and types of gifts used to celebrate Valentine's Day have evolved into various shapes and forms to better suit the diverse cultures worldwide. For instance, the Dutch view a pair of exquisitely crafted traditional wooden shoes as the ideal Valentine's Day gift. On the other hand, in Japan, women traditionally gift chocolate to men, differentiating between Giri choco or "obligatory chocolate" given to male friends and colleagues, and Honmei choco or "true love chocolate" given to their love interests or husbands. Meanwhile, in Denmark, people hand-write letters to their loved ones, expressing their affection through words and poetry. In Hong Kong, with a deep-rooted influence from western culture, most couples will not only spend the day together and enjoy a romantic dinner, but also select chocolates, flowers, or other fashion items as presents for their significant other.

At Lee Gardens, restaurants serving cuisines from across the world are offering special set menus and gift promotions. Furthermore, from today until 13 February, new members can enjoy hy! Valentine’s exclusive online offer by entering【NEW50】during registration to receive a HK$50 welcome discount. Pick the perfect gift from our exquisite selection for your loved one, and make this Valentine's extra special!