Each year as February 14 draws closer, consumers begin searching for just the right way to tell someone “I love you;” and although greeting cards remain eternally popular, many people choose other ways to demonstrate their affection for that special someone.
Greeting Cards for Valentine’s Day Gifts
According to American Greetings, cards remain the favorite gift for Valentine’s Day, accounting for 62.8 percent of all sales of holiday-related merchandise, followed by candy at 48.4 percent, and flowers at 36.7 percent.
Of course, in this, the Technological Age, many people now send e-cards. In fact, in 2008, over 10 million cards were e-cards, and that number has most assuredly grown with the proliferation of websites that offer e-cards, for example, Virtual Florist and 123Greetings. Even major card companies like Hallmark and American Greetings now offer a vast selection of e-cards..
Flowers and Candy for Valentine’s Day Gifts
Not only cards are popular on the holiday, but also flowers and candy, especially candy packaged in red heart-shaped boxes. According to statistics released in 2008 by American Greetings, the gifts most often given were these:
- Flowers: Roses remained the most popular, with more than 189 million roses produced and sold especially for the holiday.
- Conversation Hearts: Nearly eight billion conversation hearts were sold to people wanting to find the perfect way to say, “I love you.”
- Chocolate: More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate were sold to consumers.
Most Popular Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
According to the U. S. Census Bureau’s 2006 report, Americans celebrate the holiday in various ways, and many Americans select more than one way to mark the occasion:
- Greeting Cards: 65 percent
- Plush Toys: 21 percent
- Romantic Dinner: 44 percent
- Perfume/Cologne 12 percent
- Candy: 38 percent
- Jewelry: 11 percent
- Flowers: 32 percent
- Gift Cards: 29 percent
- Other Gifts: 17 percent
What Consumers Spend for Cards and Gifts on Valentine’s Day
Although spending might very well decrease this year, in light of the current economic climate, according to American Greetings, the following statistics are typical:
- Men spend more than women, averaging 158 dollars.
- Women spend an average of 85 dollars on their loved ones.
- The main consumers of Valentine's Day merchandise are between 25 and 34, with each spending an average of 164 dollars.
- Second in line are consumers between 18 and 24, with each averaging 143 dollars.
- Last are consumers between 45 and 54, with each spending approximately 108 dollars on holiday related purchases.
As for consumers over 54, no statistics were available, but they, too, most assuredly spent their fair share on tokens of affection for loved ones on Valentine’s Day.
In summary, although most people tell loved ones how much they care about them on other days besides February 14 (or at least they should), Valentine’s Day has been set aside as a holiday when people, both young and old, celebrate that feeling called “love” with a card or gift for that special someone whom they call their “Valentine.”
Readers who enjoyed this article might also enjoy "Valentine's Day Myths and Facts."
Sources:
- American Greetings (2008) “The Business of Valentine’s Day.” Americangreetings.com
- U.S. Census Bureau (2006) “Facts for Features: Valentine’s Day.” Census.gov
Carol Rzadkiewicz - Carol Rzadkiewicz has taught college English for over 14 years and is the author of three published novels and numerous short stories.
