Americans are going old school for Valentine’s Day this year: 61% say a romantic dinner is their ideal gift.
That’s according to a recent CouponFollow survey of 1,005 Americans in relationships. Another 57% say their ideal gift is an experience like a trip or a concert, and 46% say they’d like a handwritten card or letter.
Whatever direction they end up going in, couples have set a very specific Valentine’s Day budget: On average, Americans plan to spend $87 on their partner.
To some, that might seem like a lot, says Douglas Boneparth, president of wealth management firm Bone Fide Wealth. To others, that might seem like very little. Ultimately, spending is relative to household income and how much people can spare, he says.
Either way, the figure is a drop from what people planned to spend on each other in 2025, according to CouponFollow. Last year, they budgeted $155 for gifts altogether.
