Valentine’s Day Is Almost Here, and These Under-$70 Gifts Can Be Sent Last Minute (2024)

FAQs

Is cash a good Valentine's Day gift? ›

One of the biggest benefits of sending money as a Valentine's gift is that it gives the recipient the freedom to choose what they want to spend it on. This can be especially appealing if your loved one is difficult to shop for or if they have a very specific taste.

For a day meant to celebrate romance and the depths of feeling we have for loved ones, a large portion of Valentine's shopping is done at the last minute. In each of the past two years, nearly half of U.S. spending on Valentine's Day flowers, candy and cards occurred between Feb. 11 and Feb.

Another survey from Trustpilot shared that the V-Day activities will cost you about $157.52 for relationships two years or older. The average planned spending on family members sits at around $131 according to 2023 survey findings from Nasdaq.

In Summary:

Life is too short to worry about whether or not to give somebody a gift. If you see something she might like, or want to pursue the relationship further, absolutely get her a Valentine's Day gift she will love.

The top gifts include candy (57%), greeting cards (40%), flowers (39%), an evening out (32%), jewelry (22%), clothing (21%) and gift cards (19%). New spending records are expected for jewelry ($6.4 billion), flowers ($2.6 billion), clothing ($3 billion) and an evening out ($4.9 billion).

In fact, giving your loved one a gift before Valentine's Day can add a special touch to the holiday and make it even more meaningful. It's ok to give gifts before Valentines day. It's ok to give gifts on Valentines day, and it's ok to give gifts after Valentines day.

Recent research from Hinge revealed that 47% of their users think you need to wait until after the second or third date to suggest celebrating Valentine's together. But really, there are no hard and fast rules on when you should or shouldn't ask someone out for the big romantic day.

A report from the market research firm Numerator found that nearly half of all Valetine's Day shopping is done between Feb. 11th and Feb. 14th. Retailers like Walmart, Target, and Walgreens say roughly 50% of candy and cards are sold on Feb.

So who's paying for the Valentine's Day date and beyond? It depends on whom you ask. Most Americans (72%) agree that in a heterosexual couple, the man should pay on the first date. Interestingly, men are more likely to say this than women (78% vs.

Who pays on Valentine's Day? ›

Who do you think should pay? Over 70% of Americans believe the man should pay on the first date. 68% of women expect their male dates to pay, while 78% of men feel responsible for the cost. The person who extends the invitation for a date should pay the tab and tip.

“Valentine's Day is a one-day opportunity. So sellers almost need a higher markup on the candy items to justify stocking the specially-packaged products,” Talbott said. At the same time, plenty of shoppers will likely not even be thinking about the price as Feb. 14 rolls around.

Not getting a gift hurts, but try not to let it ruin your whole day. Treat yourself to a V-Day present, or try to pretend it isn't Valentine's Day at all. Ask yourself if you and your partner are on the same page about Valentine's Day. If you didn't say you wanted to celebrate, your expectations may be mismatched.

Some guys may be yearning for a high-quality turntable; others may want nothing more than a reliable chef's knife. Some want a trip to the spa and fancy skin care. (And, of course, there are the guys who truly just want a nice dinner and chocolate.)

There's really no excuse for not doing something special for your comrades, whether you've found yourself in a great relationship this Valentine's Day or are still super single.

Key Takeaway: Cash is a great gift that allows recipients 100% freedom in how they spend it. But it's not appropriate for every recipient on every gift giving occasion. You must consider several factors about the occasion and recipient to determine what type of gift will be most appreciated.

Cash has no expiration date

And while it's nice to support small businesses, you may be more likely to run into this problem if you buy someone you know a gift card for a local shop. Cash, on the other hand, never expires. Your loved ones could stick that money in the bank and use it whenever they please.

At least 70 percent of men and women thought romantic partners of either gender should give cards for the holiday, and they're dutifully buying them (65 percent of men and 70 percent of women plan to get them).

So who's paying for the Valentine's Day date and beyond? It depends on whom you ask. Most Americans (72%) agree that in a heterosexual couple, the man should pay on the first date. Interestingly, men are more likely to say this than women (78% vs.