Valentine’s Day, Feb 14, when you shower your loved one with expensive dinners, jewelry, flowers, chocolates and other romantic presents. Last year, over $14 billion dollars was spent on Valentine’s Day-related purchases, according to BIGresearch for the National Retail Federation. What does 2010 hold? We met up with Irene Lacota, president of It’s Just Lunch, a specialized dating service for busy professionals, for some helpful tips and advice for what is conceivably the most heralded day of the year for romance.
It’s Just Lunch polled over 2,500 respondents, not surprisingly, spending will be down this year. Three years ago, largest percentage of men polled 35% said they would spend over $100. Today, that number drops to 31%. But money does not say it all. Romance is alive and well with the percentage of those who will spend the evening at a romantic dinner uncreasing from 9% in 2006 to 14% in 2009. And true to form, when gifts are given flowers and a card are the winner from both the men and women’s perspectives.
1. How will you spend Valentine’s Day this year?
Like any other night – 62%
Romantic Dinner date with significant other - 14%
Night on the town with single friends- 16%
Invite a friend over to watch a movie – 6%
2. How long after you have been dating do you expect to receive a gift?
2 weeks – 6%
1 month – 19%
3 months – 23%
6 months- 8%
Only when in a committed relationship – 43%
3. What is the perfect Valentine’s Day Date?
Dinner at a nice restaurant – 48%
Preparing dinner together at home – 41%
An evening at a trendy bar/lounge -6%
Not celebrating at all – 5%
4. (Women only) What Valentine’s Day gift would you like to receive from your significant other?
A box of chocolate - 4%
Spa Package - 26%
Flowers and a card - 42%
A nice piece of jewelry - 22%
Sexy lingerie - 6%
5. (Men only) What Valentine’s Day gift would you like to receive from your significant other?
A massage package - 8%
Tickets to a special event - 21%
A nice wristwatch - 6%
A box of chocolate - 3%
A romantic dinner at home - 61%
6. (Women only) How much money do you expect to spend on Valentine’s Day?
Under $20 – 5%
$20-$50 – 23%
$50-$100 – 27%
Over $100- 12%
7. (Men only) How much money do you expect to spend on Valentine’s Day?
Under $20 – 3%
$20-$50 – 16%
$50-$100 – 29%
Over $100 -31%
“Overall we are seeing a shift in spending habits as well as the way people will spend the day with a significant other, yet the importance of the day has by no means lost its significance” said Irene LaCota, president of It’s Just Lunch, International, LLC. “People have a very real desire to connect with others especially now. We anticipate this Valentine’s Day that men and women will say how much they care for their significant other in creative ways.”
GIFT TIPS |
1. There are no hard and fast rules to the amount to spend on your loved one. More importantly, the stage of your relationship should dictate the type of gift. The value of the gifts doesn’t buy love. But your gift sends a strong signal of your investment in the relationship.
2. Take the gift as what it is a gift, not a crystal ball to your future. Some men smoothly sail thru the gift buying process and buy very appropriate, thoughtful gifts. Other men struggle-that doesn’t make them bad dates. The first Valentine’s Day when I was dating my husband, he bought me a vegetable peeler. At first I was a bit confused and disappointed but then when I asked him why he bought it he told me that he know I loved to cook and he heard my complaining about my older peeler. So, he thought he would make me happy by buying me a new one. We have been married for over 15 years now and the only Valentine’s gift I remember is that vegetable peeler (yes, I still have it).
3. If you are dating less than three months - Go for casual, but sincere. You’re still getting to know each other. Now is NOT the time to splurge on something grand and expensive. The other person would be in an awkward position if they didn’t get you something similar. You want to come across as thoughtful, not over-compensating.
4. Thoughtful and creative gifts are the most appreciated. There is nothing more romantic than sharing a passion with someone.
Irene Lacota studied Personnel and Industrial Relations and received her MBA from University of Northern Texas. Lacota joined ‘It’s Just Lunch’ in 2003 and became a part of the rapidly growing business that has now grown to service over 200 cities worldwide.
~ Charmed Magazine
