Put down the box of gourmet chocolates. And that bouquet of roses. And no, you don’t need that sappy card, either.
Your little snookums isn’t looking for any of that stuff on Valentine’s Day this year, according to a survey conducted by search engine Yahoo! The company quizzed almost 1,750 adults last month and found that people actually prefer sweet nothings to extravagant gifts. A whopping 95 percent of respondents said they’re much more impressed by loving thoughts than lavish presents — and 67 percent said gift-giving isn’t at all important.
A handwrittten letter is still one of the most romantic ways to wish your beloved a Happy Valentine’s Day, 82 percent of survey respondents said. But digital messages are increasingly fashionable — and appreciated. A lovey-dovey text message is great, 21 percent or respondents said; as are voicemail (32 percent); electronic cards (31 percent); e-mail (26 percent); a special blog entry (25 percent); webcam greetings (25 percent) and instant messages (18 percent).
Electronic greetings are also relatively cheap compared to the dough people who think gifts are essential will dish out this year. The average person will spend almost $186 for Valentine’s Day, according to the survey. Men expect to spend more than $200 on average, and people between the ages of 18-34 plan to spend more than $235.
Looking for further insight into what’s hot, hot, hot for Valentine’s Day 2008? Yahoo editor Heather Cabot analyzed search trends this year and compared them to what the lovestruck were looking for online last year. She concluded that this year’s valentines want to express their affection through love songs rather than love poems. Also among her findings, based on popular search terms:
In for V-Day 2008: songs, sayings and letters; cards; games; love horoscopes; software tools to help people determine love compatability; and references providing the “definition of love.”
Out this year: love poems and notes, crafts, love calculators, love spells, short love stories and references explaining “how to kiss.”
