Valentine’s Day 2012 Spending, By the Numbers

Melissa Deakin Photography / Getty Images
Melissa Deakin Photography / Getty Images

According to one estimate, 60% of all Valentine’s spending occurs in the five days leading up to and including the holiday. That means we’re in the prime Valentine’s spending period right now. Here are some more factoids related to February 14—a big day for Cupid, and for quite a few businesses.

4 Million Number of Americans that expect to propose or be proposed to over Valentine’s Day, according to an American Express survey. (The press release announcing the survey results also notes that just 2 million weddings took place all of last year in the U.S.)

6.1 Expected percentage rise in restaurant spending this Valentine’s Day, a bigger increase than spending in other sectors, including travel, candy, and flowers.

$147 Average amount that New York couples going out to eat expect to pay for dinner on Valentine’s Day. That’s over $100 more than the average cost of dining out, according to Zagat.

(MORE: 7 Romantic Valentine’s Day Gifts That Are Actually Useful)

11 Percentage of people in that Zagat survey who plan on splitting the check on Valentine’s Day.

8 Billion Number of Sweethearts candies (the ones with the cheeky/flirty phrases on them) produced by Necco annually.

60 Percentage of Valentine’s gifts purchased in the five days leading up to and including February 14, according to NextJump.

12 Number of free Krispy Kreme donuts awarded in a special Valentine’s offer (buy one dozen, get a dozen free) available through February 14.

(LIST: A Cheapskate’s Guide to Valentine’s Day)

$80, $60 Typical price of a dozen red roses, respectively, around Valentine’s Day and at any other time of year.

$207 Cost of a Deluxe Valentine Dog/Owner gift basket, which includes “I Woof You” cookies and salmon, lobster, and sweet potato treats for the pooch (and a few things for the owner too).

$17.6 Billion Total amount expected to be spent on Valentine’s Day, per a National Retail Federation estimate. The average person celebrating Valentine’s will spend $126.03, up 8.5% from last year ($116.21).

$25 to $50 Dollar range that most celebrants will actually wind up spending on Valentine’s gifts, according to another survey.

$0 Amount you’d spend on Valentine’s if you take the advice of one blogger and break up with your significant other before the holiday takes place. “At the risk of being denounced as cold-hearted or even cheap,” the post reads, “severing strained relationships before Valentine’s Day is at minimum, a savvy move for your wallet.”

(MORE: Best Ever Valentine’s Day Gifts That Don’t Cost a Fortune)

Thousands What you could make by using Valentine’s Day as a moment to get back at an ex and sell a watch, engagement ring, or wedding dress at NeverLikedItAnyway.com, an online marketplace “where once loved gifts from once loved partners get a second chance.”

Brad Tuttle is a reporter at TIME. Find him on Twitter at @bradrtuttle. You can also continue the discussion on TIME’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIME.

Related Topics: American Express, chocolate, Couples, dogs, engagement ring, flowers, holidays, marriage, National Retail Federation, New York City, pets, relationships, restaurants, Sex, Valentine's Day, weddings, Zagat, Decision Making, Odd Spending, Planning, Saving & Spending, Smart Spending
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