How much money does Valentine’s Day cost?
Total spending for the holiday is expected to top $18.2 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s an average of $136.57 per person.
As you head out to buy candy, cards or flowers today, here’s a closer look at this year’s Valentine’s Day by the numbers.
Just over half of Americans — 54 percent — are expected to celebrate the holiday this year.
Jewelry is the most popular Valentine’s Day gift: 20 percent of consumers are expected to buy jewelry, spending a total of $4.3 billion.
Loved ones are also expected to spend $2 billion on flowers. The most popular Valentine’s Day flowers are, naturally, roses; 250 million roses are produced for the holiday, the Society of American Florists said.
Don’t forget chocolate and candy — $1.7 billion is spent on candy alone.
But nothing can replace love letters. Couples will exchange 190 million greeting cards during Valentine’s Day. Americans are expected to spend $1 billion on cards, according to the Greeting Card Association.