Valentine’s Day causes a short, busy period for shops and delivery systems. Gifts like roses, chocolates and dinner reservations need careful planning and fast transport so they arrive on time.
Americans spent $27.5 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2025 and projections show about $27.7 billion for 2026. The average household may spend close to $188. More than half of shoppers buy candy and about 40% buy flowers. Nearly one-third of spending is for friends, family and pets, not just romantic partners.
Companies start planning months before February and begin shipping in December so stores have products by mid-January. Many flowers come from Colombia and Ecuador, and some growers work in California and the Netherlands.
Difficult words
- reservation — plan to save a place or timereservations
- projection — a future estimate of numbers or moneyprojections
- household — people who live together in one home
- shopper — a person who buys things in a storeshoppers
- grower — a person or company that grows plantsgrowers
- ship — to send goods by boat or truckshipping
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you prefer to buy gifts early or at the last minute? Why?
- Which gifts from the article would you choose for friends or family?
- Why do you think companies start planning months before February?
