Beech Tree News Network

Valentine’s Day gifts for my children and grandchildren have been on my mind. I like to surprise them, but my gifts tend to be more predictable than I like. Like many others, my imagination and my budget are limiting factors.

I read an article, “Valentine’s Day Spending Statistics, Trends, and Fun Facts (US & UK)” (https://muchneeded.com/valentines-day-statistics/), on the Much Needed website that provided the following statistics: 

-28% of American adults purchased fresh flowers or plants as Valentine’s gifts, with red roses accounting for 69% of the total purchase, according to the Society of American Florists.

-In the US, people spend $1.8 billion on candy, $3.5 billion on an evening out, $2.1 billion on clothing for this holiday, according to the National Retail Federation.

-Americans also spend around $3.9 billion on jewelry for Valentine’s Day, while gifts of experience are “wanted by 40 percent and planned to be given by 25 percent,” according to the same study.

-In the US, people mostly spend on a gift for a girlfriend ($126.31), a wife ($122.43), a husband ($56.09), and a boyfriend ($50.65) but also on other family members ($41.35), a friend ($28.62), and a pet dog ($17.37), according to the same source.

Thinking about the gifts people choose for Valentine’s Day, I asked friends and family, “What is your favorite Valentine’s Day gift to give or receive?” Their responses are below:

-Chocolate.

-To give – cute card with money and/or candy for the Grands.

-I love chocolate covered strawberries!

-I like funny and meaningful cards. Chocolate covered strawberries are also a favorite!

-Chocolate covered strawberries.

-DQ ice cream cake!

-Candy.

-Something special. I am not the box of chocolate, roses, or teddy bear kind. One year I was given an Apple watch, and last year I got an edible bouquet made of fruits! But truly just a card is plenty for me. I don’t expect big gifts.

-The vaccine.

-Chocolate covered strawberries! My husband bought them for me when he asked me to marry him.

-I used to enjoy having a nice meal out with my husband and getting a card he had picked out for me. Over the years, I have decided gifts are not needed. I like time with my kids and grandkids, with maybe pizza and a DQ cake!

-I like cards, and I definitely like DQ ice cream cake.

-Time with the one or ones I love. Sharing time – no more, no less.

-It being over….

-My favorite to give or receive is a date night – preferably one that involves a lobster tail and a movie theater.

-My favorite thing to give is chocolate, and my favorite to get is chocolate covered strawberries. Since I don’t have a Valentine this year, I ordered some for myself.

-Caramel chocolate.

-Candy!

Within the group’s responses, several liked chocolate covered strawberries and DQ ice cream cakes. I had not thought of those, but I like them, too. I also like date night with a movie.

Charles Schulz said, “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/valentines-day-quotes). I don’t spend a great amount of money on my Valentine’s Day gifts, but I agree with Schulz – a little chocolate doesn’t hurt. I plan to enjoy a little chocolate, too.