With Valentine’s Day here once again, Americans are opting for classic gifts to show their love. According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts this year are candy, greeting cards, flowers, tickets for an evening out, jewelry, clothing, and gift cards.
Candy retains its #1 spot for the sixth year in a row, with 57% of respondents planning to give a sweet treat to their significant other. Candy has consistently been a top gift choice due to its affordability and ability to satisfy a sweet tooth. Popular candy gifts include heart-shaped boxes of assorted chocolates, conversation hearts, and red licorice.
Greeting cards follow closely behind at 40%, allowing gift-givers to add a personal, heartfelt message. Fresh flowers come in third at 39%, especially red roses which remain a classic romantic gesture. An evening out rounds out the top gifts, with 32% planning date activities like dinner at a nice restaurant.
While gift cards and jewelry remain fairly popular at 19% and 22% respectively, clothing drops to just 21% this year. This may indicate gift-givers are moving away from practical items and more toward gifts that create experiences and emotional connections.
Overall, Valentine’s Day favorites remain sweet foods, thoughtful cards and beautiful flowers. The top gift choices show that Americans continue to value classic romantic gestures, even as new gift ideas emerge. Candy and cards have withstood the test of time, continuing to top gift lists and connect sweethearts each Valentine’s Day.
