I Found 40 Last-Minute Valentine's Day Gifts for Every Budget—Starting at $14 (2024)

FAQs

What tips do you have for celebrating Valentine's Day on a budget? ›

Opt for Affordable Experiences: Consider celebrating Valentine's Day with affordable experiences rather than costly activities. Take a scenic nature walk, plan a picnic in the park, or have a cozy movie night at home.

Driver's data finds those who are in one to two-year relationships are the most susceptible to high prices. They will be dropping $247 on average, whereas those together for less than a year will be spending $186. Those who've been at each other's sides for over ten years will spend about $189.

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).

About one-third (32%) of consumers plan to go out on Valentine's Day for dinner and other activities for a total spend of $4.9 billion, which would be up 2% year over year. Consumers will likely see higher menu prices at restaurants compared with 2023.

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).

On average, those with a significant other plan to spend $208, up from $144 in 2021 and $142 in 2020. Spending for Valentine's Day peaks among couples who have been together for one to two years ($247), then creeps back down.

Not only that, Valentine's Day tends to be the most popular day to get engaged. Spending differs by gender and age. Men spend more on Valentine's Day ($200+), while women usually spend less. Millennials are the biggest spenders, with those in that age group planning to spend around $300 on the holiday.

According to new research from Empower, 67% of Americans prioritize love over money, though 37% of those in a relationship say finances are the biggest stressor.

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.

35% of consumers will shop online for their gifts

This is followed by department stores (34%) and discount stores (31%).

Is it OK to give cash as a Valentine 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. Did you hear them whisper about a pottery class?

It turns out men tend to expect their partner to spend around $211 on them for Valentines' Day, while the average man will plan to shell out $339 for their partner. And what about the ladies? Women expect to be treated to about $154 worth of V-Day treats, but only end up spending around $64 for their SO.

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.

The National Confectioners Association tells the Chamber that 92% of Americans plan to purchase candy for Valentine's Day this year, including 58 million pounds of chocolate — one of the holiday's most popular candies. Overall, the Valentine's Day season represents about $4 billion in confectionery sales each year.

Celebrating Valentine's Day in the United States comes with multiple go-to practices. Offering a bouquet of red roses to your beloved. Purchasing a card with a heartfelt message. Sharing a candlelit meal with your partner.

According to the National Retail Foundation, consumers will spend an average of $185 on the holiday this year, $8 more than the average Valentine's Day spending over the last five years. With products still in high demand, Zelmer has some advice for any procrastinator out there.

Americans celebrate Valentine's Day each year on February 14th by sending cards or letters, giving gifts such as chocolate or flowers, and having meals in restaurants. Many adults see Valentine's Day as an occasion to offer expensive gifts such as jewelry to their sweetheart.