Valentine’s Day is named after Saint Valentine, an early Christian churchman who helped young lovers. Valentine was killed for his Christian beliefs on February 14 more than 1,700 years ago, but the day that has his name is even earlier than that.

More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient Romans celebrated a holiday for lovers. As part of the celebration, girls wrote their names on pieces of paper and put them in a large container. Boys reached into the container and pulled one out. The girl whose name was written on the paper became his lover or sweetheart for a year. Today, lovers still put their names on pieces of paper and they send each other Valentine’s Day cards that tell of their love. Sometimes they also send gifts, like flowers or chocolate candy. Americans usually send these gifts and cards through the mail system. But some used another way to send this message. They have it printed in a newspaper. The cost is usually a few dollars. Some of the messages are simple and short, “Jane, I love you very much.” Others say more. This one, for example, “Roses are red. Violets are blue. I hope you love me as much as I love you. Forever, Mary.”

Most of the newspapers that print such messages are local, but USA Today is sold throughout the United States and 90 other countries as well. This means someone can send a Valentine message to a lover in a far-away city or town almost anywhere in the world. These messages cost 80 dollars and more. An employee of USA Today says readers can have a small heart or rose printed along with their messages this year. Will this kind of Valentine’s Day message reach the one you love? Well, just make sure he or she reads the newspaper.

Celebrated annually in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November, the holiday of Thanksgiving was first observed in 1621 and continues to be an American tradition today.【小题1】But for most people, the holiday of Thanksgiving is a day with festive meals, parades, football, family and friends, and, of course, turkey. The Thanksgiving holiday is a reminder to give thanks for the good things, people and providential events in our lives.

The traditional menu of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, several types of vegetables(for example, sweet corn, sweet potatoes and so on), cranberry sauce, different sorts of pies, and bread is fairly standard for most families and groups of celebrators.

Some things can be done prior to the day, such as baking cookies and pumpkin pie, while other things need to be made fresh on the day, such as roasting the turkey.

【小题3】If not, lay out the items somewhere readily accessible for quick arrangement on the day. Make a Thanksgiving flower arrangement. This can be placed on the table.【小题4】

Thanksgiving is a chance for many families to spend time together after being apart for much of the year.【小题5】 And you can also share your thoughts about what you feel grateful for. Think of your family's own ways to express your gratitude on this day and in the year to follow.