The Cost of Love
Ashley Neff
Issue date: 12/21/08 Section: Impact Staff Blogs
FEB. 11 - Just in case you've forgotten, Valentine's Day is this Saturday.
It is the season for romance, love and friendship. There's always that rush for getting a table at your favorite restaurant, buying your loved one flowers, candy and cards, all the mushy stuff expected this time of year.
This holiday never ceases to pull at the heart strings, (and wallets) of those in love. According to About.com, in 2007 the average expected to spend on Valentine's Day was $92.30. With the price of Hallmark cards these days, I'm not too surprised. I can't imagine what the average expected to spend on V-Day will be this year.
If you are looking to impress someone you like, between a card, some chocolate and flowers, you're looking at $20-$30 and up. That's not even including dinner. It's almost ridiculous how much we spend in one day! Whoever created Hallmark must be basking in glory around this time of year.
I think Valentine's Day was created just as an excuse for consumerism. As if Americans don't spend enough money the rest of the year, they had to add a holiday where people are spending tons on stuff that is most likely going to be thrown away anyway. Money is not growing off trees yet, and with the economy the way it is, I can't see people spending as much this year. Many people have lost their jobs recently, so that extra $20 in their pocket won't be going toward stuff it usually would.
In 2006, Americans spent $13.7 billion on Valentine's Day. Just some other random V-Day statistics I thought were interesting: 85 percent of Valentine cards are bought by women, so men get out there and buy your woman a nice card this year!
The stats say 73 percent of flower sales are by men, and 27 percent are by women, which didn't shock me too much.
Lastly, my favorite - chocolate and candy sales reach around $1,011 billion during this lovely season. We all know America's obesity rate is through the roof, so of course chocolate is at the top of the V-Day list. It's our excuse to be fat for a couple of days!
It is the season for romance, love and friendship. There's always that rush for getting a table at your favorite restaurant, buying your loved one flowers, candy and cards, all the mushy stuff expected this time of year.
This holiday never ceases to pull at the heart strings, (and wallets) of those in love. According to About.com, in 2007 the average expected to spend on Valentine's Day was $92.30. With the price of Hallmark cards these days, I'm not too surprised. I can't imagine what the average expected to spend on V-Day will be this year.
If you are looking to impress someone you like, between a card, some chocolate and flowers, you're looking at $20-$30 and up. That's not even including dinner. It's almost ridiculous how much we spend in one day! Whoever created Hallmark must be basking in glory around this time of year.
I think Valentine's Day was created just as an excuse for consumerism. As if Americans don't spend enough money the rest of the year, they had to add a holiday where people are spending tons on stuff that is most likely going to be thrown away anyway. Money is not growing off trees yet, and with the economy the way it is, I can't see people spending as much this year. Many people have lost their jobs recently, so that extra $20 in their pocket won't be going toward stuff it usually would.
In 2006, Americans spent $13.7 billion on Valentine's Day. Just some other random V-Day statistics I thought were interesting: 85 percent of Valentine cards are bought by women, so men get out there and buy your woman a nice card this year!
The stats say 73 percent of flower sales are by men, and 27 percent are by women, which didn't shock me too much.
Lastly, my favorite - chocolate and candy sales reach around $1,011 billion during this lovely season. We all know America's obesity rate is through the roof, so of course chocolate is at the top of the V-Day list. It's our excuse to be fat for a couple of days!
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