What Men and Women Really Want for Valentine’s Day

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This post comes from Krystal Steinmetz.

Sex or gifts this Valentine’s Day?

According to a recent survey released by coupon website RetailMeNot, men and women are not on the same page when it comes to selecting a perfect gift for Valentine’s Day.

The survey also revealed some surprises about how much money people plan to spend this lovers’ holiday.

  • Love(making) or money? Sex is gift enough this Valentine’s Day, at least for the majority of men in relationships. While 66 percent of males surveyed said they would prefer sex over a gift, women revealed just the opposite. Seventy percent of women in a relationship said they would choose a nice gift over sex. So take heed, gentlemen: It may pay off to buy your lady a present.
  • Frugal romance. Not everyone will be lavished with gifts this Valentine’s Day. Eighteen percent of those who responded to the survey said they won’t spend a dime on their significant other! For those willing to open their wallets this Valentine’s Day, men will outspend their female counterparts. Three in 4 women surveyed said they plan on spending less than $50 on their significant other, while nearly half of men said they would spend $100 or more. Unmarried men plan to shell out the most money this Valentine’s Day.
  • Gift favorites. Dinner, flowers, diamonds or chocolate? While it can be difficult to find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, the men and women surveyed agreed that dinner is a great way to spend Cupid’s holiday, with a meal listed as the No. 1 Valentine’s gift.

A spending survey by the National Retail Federation estimates that in 2014, Valentine’s Day will contribute nearly $17.3 billion to the economy, which is lower than the estimate for last year, and lower still than the $17.6 billion spent in 2012. The decrease can be contributed to fewer American adults planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year.

Are you celebrating Valentine’s Day with a loved one? How much do you plan to spend on Valentine’s Day gifts? Tell us in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

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