With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, it seems necessary to address the added stressors that come along with purchasing the perfect gift, planning the perfect date, and making that day special for your loved one.
There continues to be an ongoing debate about whether or not to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and it seems more and more couples do not really want to.
While the exchange of flowers, chocolate, stuffed animals, and perfume seem desirable, the expectations for a perfect Valentine’s Day also quite seem nerve-wracking.
In a 2019 article by Business Insider, the National Retail Federation predicted that Americans would spend 3.9 billion dollars on jewelry and 3.5 billion dollars on an evening out.
The National Retail Federation published predictions for 2022, and they predict spending will reach up to $23.9 billion, increasing by $2.1 billion from 2021, according to the NRF.
Their recent polls also suggest that 53% of people plan to celebrate the holiday this year, but 27% of those not celebrating still “plan to mark the occasion.”
According to their graphs, the amount of Americans celebrating Valentine’s Day seems to be declining. However, the average amount Americans spent on the holiday generally increased.
Although it seems more Americans are not in favor of celebrating Valentine’s Day, spending is still rising.
Maybe the temptation to exceed expectations is influencing couples, showing that Valentine’s Day might be a marketing ploy after all.
If you plan to celebrate this year, enjoy the time with your special someone and try not to stress about the expectations for a perfect gift and day.