Are you being cheap on Valentine's Day?

Updated
Are You Being Cheap on Valentine's Day?
Are You Being Cheap on Valentine's Day?


No pressure ... but we know who's planning to spend how much, and on whom, this Valentine's Day.

Let's start with a look at how much men versus women typically spend. This year, men plan to spend, on average, $113 on their significant other. Women will shell out $57. (That's based on a survey of those who plan to celebrate by the National Retail Federation.)

Should you buy a greeting card?

Americans will spend over a billion dollars on greeting cards this year, but only about half of people celebrating the holiday plan to buy physical cards. Younger people in particular are abandoning the ritual. Only 39 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds plan to buy cards. (We don't know how many people are sending e-cards instead.) More than half of those over 64 years old –- 59 percent -- say they plan to buy Valentine's cards.

How much do most people spend on their significant other on Valentine's Day?

It depends on your age. Young lovers plan to spend the most money. The average 18-24-yera-old celebrating plans to spend about $93. For 25-34-year-olds, that rises to $107. That number falls for older age groups; the average 55-65-year-old plans to spend around $59.

What do most people buy for their spouse or significant other?

About half buy their sweetheart candy. Equal percentages buy flowers or treat their special someone to a night out. Nineteen percent buy jewelry, with 18-24-year-olds being the most likely to buy bling: 30 percent say they're planning to. The average amount they spend on jewelry is $162, but if you're between the ages of 35 and 44, that number jumps to $210. Finally, 16 percent of people are shopping for clothing, like lingerie.

So, should you buy something for your co-workers?

This could get awkward, but about 12 percent of people who celebrate Valentine's Day buy something for a colleague or colleagues. The amount they spend is on the rise –- from $20 on average in 2007 to $54 this year.

Should fido be expecting something?

One in five people who plan to celebrate include their pet in their plans, spending an average of $28.

... But do you really need to participate in Valentine's Day?

In 2007, 63 percemt of those surveyed said they planned to celebrate. But in 2014, that number went down to just 54 percent.

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