25 Valentine's Day Fun Facts and Average Spending

On February 14, 1415, inside the Tower of London, Charles, Duke of Orleans, wrote a poem to his wife from his prison cell, marking the earliest known Valentine's message.[1]

Ancient Rome, Around 496 B.C.

Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 as St. Valentine's Day in the late fifth century, replacing the Roman festival of Lupercalia.[2] Lupercalia took place on February 15 and focused on fertility.[2] No records show a lottery system during the event that paired people for relations.[1] St. Valentine of Rome, a priest, ignored Emperor Claudius II's order against soldiers' marriages and wed couples in hiding.[2] One tradition holds that the holiday grew from these Lupercalia roots.[2]

Mid-Second Century

St. Valentine faced execution for his actions, and a note he sent to his jailer's daughter ended with the sign-off "from your Valentine."[3]

"From your Valentine."

— St. Valentine of Rome[3]

Early 1400s

Charles, Duke of Orleans, composed his Valentine poem after capture at the Battle of Agincourt.[9] He addressed his wife while held in the Tower.[2]

"The oldest surviving Valentine poem dates from 1415, and was written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife, while the duke was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt."

— Charles, Duke of Orleans, 1415-02-14[9]

"The first valentine was sent from prison. The Duke of Orleans wrote the first valentine in the early 15th century while he was imprisoned."

— Duke of Orleans, 1415-01-01[2]

1700s to 1800s

Cupid drew from the Greek figure Eros, shown as a strong youth who stirred love.[2] Romans reshaped him into a child with a bow and arrows.[3] Doctors once recommended chocolate for those with heartbreak or longing for a past love.[1]

Early 1900s

Factory production of conversation hearts began, with billions made yearly now at eight billion.[1] These small candies carry short messages for the occasion.

February 13, 2010

On NBC's Parks and Recreation, Amy Poehler played Leslie Knope, who brought in Galentine's Day for women to mark the holiday without men.[2] The idea appeared in season two.[3]

"Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus, frittatas."

— Leslie Knope, 2010-02-13[3]

2020

Americans marked the holiday with average spending per person at $196.31, a high point then from National Retail Federation data.[5] Total outlays pushed past earlier marks as consumers bought cards, candy and dinners.

2023

Spending climbed to almost $26 billion nationwide, with each person averaging $193, based on National Retail Federation figures.[6] Gifts flowed to partners, friends and family amid post-pandemic recovery.

2024

Men averaged $203 on gifts, while women averaged $192, from LendingTree numbers shared by Fortunly.[4] Differences showed in choices like jewelry for her and experiences for him.

February 2025

Total spending reached $27.5 billion, above past totals, with per-person average at $188.81 per National Retail Federation.[1] Pet gifts accounted for $1.7 billion, more than before.[1] Roses numbered nearly 250 million grown yearly for the day, mostly from Ecuador, Kenya and Colombia.[2]

2025 Overall

Outlays hit $14.2 billion last year in one measure, up 5 percent from 2023, per Drive Research.[2] The figure captured a slice of the broader economy around romance.

2026

Spending rose to $29.1 billion from $27.5 billion the year before, with average per person at $199.78, from National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.[1] Pet gifts took $2.1 billion, up from prior, and flowers $3.1 billion, also higher.[1] These numbers reflected steady growth in holiday commerce.

Valentine's Day traces a path from Roman rites to modern commerce. St. Valentine's defiance set an early tone of secret bonds.[2] The Duke's poem from captivity added a personal layer.[1] Lupercalia's fertility focus lingers in the date's choice, though without direct proof of pairing games.[1] Cupid's image shifted from adult to childlike over centuries.[2] Chocolate entered as a remedy for emotional pain.[1] Conversation hearts scaled to mass production.[1] Galentine's Day arrived via television in 2010, expanding the celebration.[2]

Spending patterns show escalation. In 2020, the $196.31 average per person marked a peak amid rising costs.[5] By 2023, totals neared $26 billion with $193 averages.[6] Gender gaps appeared in 2024, men at $203 and women at $192.[4] The 2025 figure of $27.5 billion included $1.7 billion for pets.[1] Roses from South America and Africa supported the floral side.[2] Drive Research pegged 2025 at $14.2 billion, a 5 percent jump.[2] Then 2026 brought $29.1 billion total and $199.78 per person, with pets at $2.1 billion and flowers at $3.1 billion.[1]

These elements build the holiday's story. Ancient festivals gave way to Christian saints.[2] Imprisoned writers created lasting forms.[1] Gods like Eros became Cupid.[3] Remedies turned to sweets like chocolate.[1] Factories churned out eight billion hearts yearly.[1] TV characters like Leslie Knope added Galentine's.[3] Commerce grew, from 2020's records to 2026's highs.[5]

St. Valentine's secret weddings defied bans.[2] Lupercalia on February 15 influenced the timing.[2] The 1415 poem survived as the oldest.[9] Poehler's Knope line captured Galentine's spirit.[3] Pet spending hit $1.7 billion in 2025.[1] Flowers reached $3.1 billion in 2026.[1] Averages rose from $188.81 in 2025 to $199.78 in 2026.[1]

More details fill out the picture. No Lupercalia lottery evidence exists.[1] Charles wrote from Agincourt aftermath.[2] Conversation hearts hit eight billion annually.[1] Roses: 250 million prepared each year.[2] Chocolate for broken hearts in history.[1] Cupid from Eros, handsome to cherub.[2] St. Valentine signed "your Valentine."[3] Galentine's from 2010 episode.[2]

Spending trends continue upward. 2020: $196.31 average.[5] 2023: $26 billion total, $193 per.[6] 2024: Men $203, women $192.[4] 2025: $27.5 billion, $188.81 average, $1.7 billion pets.[1] Another 2025 view: $14.2 billion.[2] 2026: $29.1 billion, $199.78 average, $2.1 billion pets, $3.1 billion flowers.[1]

The holiday blends old customs with new habits. From Roman February 15 to today's billions in sales, it evolves.[2] Quotes like the Duke's poem or Knope's frittata line add color.[9] Facts stack up: no ancient lotteries, secret marriages, prison valentines, chocolate cures, mass hearts, rose farms, god transformations, TV inventions.[1] Spending logs the economic side, year by year.

DateEvent
2020Average Valentine’s Day spending per person reached a record $196.31 according to the National Retail Federation.[5]
2023Americans spent nearly $26 billion on Valentine’s Day gifts, with an average spend of approximately $193 per person, per the National Retail Foundation.[6]
2024Men spent an average of $203 on Valentine’s Day gifts while women spent $192, according to Lending Tree data cited by Fortunly.[4]
2025Valentine’s Day spending hit a record $27.5 billion, surpassing prior years, with average spending at $188.81 per the National Retail Federation.[1]
2025Spending on Valentine’s Day gifts for pets totaled $1.7 billion, up from previous years.[1]
2025-02Last year’s Valentine’s Day spending reached a record high of $14.2 billion, a 5% increase from 2023, according to Drive Research.[2]
2026Valentine’s Day spending amounted to a record $29.1 billion, up from $27.5 billion in 2025, with average per-person spending at $199.78 per the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.[1]
2026Consumers spent $2.1 billion on Valentine’s Day gifts for pets and $3.1 billion on flowers, marking increases from 2025.[1]

What we couldn't confirm

Last year, Valentine’s Day spending hit a record high at $14.2 billion dollars.[3] This claim appears in reports but lacks backing from primary data sources.

As another February 14 approaches, spending forecasts point to further records, with questions on how pet gifts and flowers will factor in next year.

Sources

  1. [1] Verified Valentine's Day Fun Facts - Census Bureau — census.gov
  2. [2] 50 Valentine's Day Fun Facts To Fill Your Heart and Mind — weareteachers.com
  3. [3] 30 Fun facts About Valentine's Day You Should Know — goodhousekeeping.com
  4. [4] 20+ Sweet Valentine's Day Statistics & Facts for 2025 - Drive Research — driveresearch.com
  5. [5] Valentine's Day Spending Expected to Reach New Records - NRF — nrf.com
  6. [6] The Price of Romance: Sweet Statistics About Valentine's Day — financebuzz.com
  7. [7] 15+ Valentine's Day Spending Statistics for 2026 | Fortunly — fortunly.com
  8. [8] Valentine's Day Spending Statistics - Consumer Decisions — consumerdecisions.org
  9. [9] Valentine's Day Fun Facts - Renewal by Andersen's — enewsletter.renewalbyandersen.com

Frequently asked questions

When did Charles, Duke of Orleans, write the earliest known Valentine's message?

Charles, Duke of Orleans, wrote the earliest known Valentine's message on February 14, 1415.

Where was Charles, Duke of Orleans, when he wrote the Valentine's message?

Charles, Duke of Orleans, was inside the Tower of London when he wrote the Valentine's message.

Why did Pope Gelasius I declare February 14 as St. Valentine's Day?

Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 as St. Valentine's Day in order to replace the Roman festival of Lupercalia.