By Jasmine Pascual, Staff writer
All those cheap Valentine’s Day cards from the dollar store, bouquets of roses from the gas station and the on-sale boxes of chocolates from Walmart really do add up.
Americans spent about $18.2 billion on the holiday in 2017, hoping their significant other would like the gift or at least admire the fact that they got anything at all.
If you think you’re the only one to buy your significant other a box of chocolates with a phrase on the top and a greeting card from the CVS aisle, then you’d be wrong.
According to a USA Today survey, candy is the most popular gift, with 50 percent of respondents saying it was the gift of choice; 47 percent said greeting cards; and 37 percent replied an evening out. So if your object of affection likes chocolate, you’re in luck.
Flowers are another popular gift. Instinctively, the most popular flowers bought for the special occasion are roses. Specifically about 63 percent of people who buy flowers will buy red roses. Why red roses? According to a 2016 blog post on Prolong Flowers, “Nothing says ‘I love you’ like red roses. Red symbolizes beauty, respect, romantic love, and even congratulations.”
So before you send out roses to your partner, maybe take a look into what message the color of your roses are giving. It could be embarrassing if someone meant to say “we’re friends” but accidentally said “I’m falling for you.”
There are always cheap alternatives that make thoughtful gifts. Teens have even admitted to making their own presents. They say there’s nothing wrong with finding a great deal on a gift or even crafting one. It’s the thought that truly counts. Also, teens generally don’t have the money to spend to go out to a fancy night on the town. Going out to Taco Bell and sharing the nachos together may be just as romantic. Sure it’s not the rom-com fantasy, but again, it’s the thought that counts.
Here at Indian Trail High School & Academy, teens say they typically spend $20 to $50 on Valentine’s Day.
“I keep within a reasonable $30 range because I prefer a chill Valentine’s Day over an extravagant one,” said Adelina Gonzalez, an IT Communications Academy senior.
“I usually spend about $30 at Walmart,” said Gabriella Simmons, an IT Communications senior.
The pressures of finding the perfect gift that fits with your significant other could be tough, especially if you’re on a budget.
“It’s very important for me to find the perfect present. My boyfriend, Max, deserves the best,” said Haley Sellers, an IT Communications senior.
Another student had a different approach on the subject.
“It’s not that important to find a perfect gift to me because that just doesn’t exist,” said Jamal Johnson, an IT Communications junior.
“Usually I try to keep Valentine’s Day gifts personal. If we have inside jokes, I throw them all in the gift,” said Gonzalez.
Mike Walbran, an IT Communications junior, also tries to include humor with his gifts.
“I would normally try to give a gift that she would relate to like an inside joke that we have together,” he said. “It could be something really stupid and weird and make other people think, ‘Wow he really hates his girlfriend.’ But in reality it’s something thoughtful and funny.”
From the students’ perspectives, the best gifts are the most personal and thought out gifts. Putting originality into gifts is what makes the gift special.
A thoughtful idea might be taking his girlfriend out for a nice dinner or just building a fort at home and watching some movies, Johnson said.
Valentine’s Day can be a tricky holiday to celebrate if teens haven’t dated for long. So how early in the relationship can a couple celebrate Valentine’s Day together?
“I mean, unless you just started dating on Valentine’s Day, I don’t think it’s ever too early, as long as there isn’t too much pressure on that day. Like if you’ve been going out for a month or two, do something chill, it doesn’t have to be a big ordeal, unless you want it to be,” said Gonzalez.
“I don’t think there’s really a rule for that,” Simmons said. “Really though, what it comes down to is that you’re spending it with someone you love.”