Gifts and grand gestures might improve your relationship status, but they can have the opposite effect on your finances? Read on to learn how to navigate Valentine’s Day spending successfully
Whether you’re happily coupled up or in the early stages of dating with someone special, Valentine’s Day can be an expensive time of year.
In the UK, £2.1 billion was spent on the celebration in 2024 with £85 million spent on confectionary alone. Four million bouquets of flowers were sold and over 25 million cards sent.
But is celebrating Valentine’s Day worth going into debt?
Grand Gestures and Gifts
Most Valentine’s Day spending goes towards gifts and grand gestures. With social media making Insta-worthy romantic moments even more sought-after, it’s easy to feel under pressure to splash out on expensive presents, tables at high-end restaurants, or weekends away.
While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to treat the people you love most, it’s important to remember that there’s nothing romantic about getting into debt. If your budget doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room and you’re forced to rely on credit cards to make Valentine’s Day purchases, your spontaneous gesture could leave you facing long-term consequences.
Unhealthy Dynamics
It’s not just your credit score that could suffer because of Valentine’s Day spending. Money is one of the biggest sources of conflict in romantic relationships, whether that’s because you and your partner have different spending habits, you’re struggling with your debt and its impact your mental health, or you have different incomes and there’s a lack of financial equality in your relationship.
You might think it’s a kind thing to do to spoil a partner who earns less than you, but it can create an unhealthy dynamic where they may feel inadequate, in your debt, or embarrassed that they can’t match your spending.
How to Avoid Valentine’s Day Debt
No matter whether you’re looking to surprise a loved one at Valentine’s Day or any other time of year, it’s important to remember that gifts and gestures aren’t the only way to show them you care. It’s a cliché but it’s true, it really is the thought that counts.
If you’re tempted to overspend and risk ending up in debt, consider the fact that a small gift that is perfectly aligned with their interests or a homemade card that you’ve spent time and effort on is often more meaningful than a present with a high price tag.
On the other hand, if you’ve made it a relationship tradition to go out for a nice dinner on Valentine’s Day or organise a night away in a luxury hotel, make sure you plan for this in your budget. Start getting prepared for 2026 today by putting money in a dedicated savings account each month or organise your annual budget so that you have more funds available in February.
If you’re in a new relationship, don’t be afraid to talk about Valentine’s Day expectations. Being honest about your financial situation can be scary, especially when you want to impress your new partner, but you can put measures in place to make the day easier to manage financially without taking them through your whole credit report! Instead, float the idea of setting a spending budget, plan a date night together filled with low-cost activities that you both love, or decide to celebrate together a few weeks after the big day so you both have time to save up.
