Valentine's Day 2026: 12 Affordable Gifts That Look Expensive—Arrive Before Feb 14

Love is in the air—and so is record consumer spending. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2026 Valentine’s Day survey, Americans will pour an unprecedented $29.1 billion into the holiday, up nearly $1.6 billion from last year and the highest total ever recorded. Shoppers say they’ll shell out an average of $199.78 on gifts and experiences, a jump of 6 percent year-over-year and proof that inflation hasn’t dimmed the romance. What people are buying • Candy remains king, with 56 percent planning to pick up chocolates or sweets. • Flowers and greeting cards tie at 41 percent, while 39 percent will spring for an evening out. • Jewelry commands the biggest slice of wallets—$7 billion—followed by dinner dates at $6.3 billion and apparel at $3.5 billion. Who’s celebrating Fifty-five percent of U.S. adults intend to mark Valentine’s Day 2026, but today’s “love economy” extends far beyond couples. One-third will buy presents for friends, 27 percent for children’s classmates and teachers, and a record 35 percent will pamper pets with toys or treats. Gen Z and Millennials are especially likely to gift across multiple relationships, helping to push total spending higher. Where they’re shopping E-commerce leads the way—38 percent will click “add to cart” for fast delivery of perfumes, tech accessories, custom mugs and other trending gift ideas. Department stores capture 35 percent of traffic, discount chains 30 percent, and specialty boutiques 21 percent, signaling opportunities for local florists, jewelers and chocolatiers to capitalize on last-minute buyers searching phrases like “same-day Valentine’s flowers near me” and “best last-minute gifts.” Experiences trump things In a continuation of the post-pandemic “experience economy,” more couples are booking wine tastings, couples’ spa packages and weekend getaways. Google search interest for “romantic date ideas” and “Valentine’s Day dinner reservations” began spiking in early January, indicating that restaurants and travel providers should optimize menus, landing pages and PPC campaigns now. Budget-friendly trends Despite the record totals, 37 percent of consumers plan to keep spending under $50, leaning on DIY crafts, home-cooked meals and streaming-movie nights. Content that highlights “Valentine’s Day on a budget,” printable cards and affordable gift bundles is primed to rank well in organic search over the next two weeks. SEO takeaway Publishers and retailers targeting high-intent keywords such as “Valentine’s Day 2026 spending statistics,” “top Valentine’s gifts for him,” “flower delivery deals,” and “pet Valentine ideas” can ride the wave of rising search volume. Incorporating localized long-tails—think “Atlanta Valentine’s events 2026” or “Chicago chocolate tasting for couples”—will help capture ready-to-buy audiences in the final sprint to February 14.