Flying Solo? In a Relationship? Newly Dating? Looking for a Date?
It’s Valentine’s season, and love is in the air, on your computer screens, and on thousands of mobile dating apps.
Whether you’re a planner or a procrastinator, are staying in or venturing out, we’ve got you covered in our annual Cyber-Dating Expert Valentine’s Survival Guide.
This year, Valentine’s Day is on a Monday and the Day following the Super Bowl, so it’s an exciting time, and it’s up to you to decide what Day to celebrate. Since many restaurants are closed on Mondays, the dining options may be limited.
Can You Still Find a Valentine if You’re Single?
Some singles want to hide under the covers, and I say open your mobile app and start swiping and matching because it doesn’t get much busier than this online.
Wallet Hub reports a 33% increase in dating app usage between February 1 – 14th, so you still have time to find a Valentine. Let’s get ready to start Swiping Right.
Valentine’s Day is the Super Bowl of Love
I’ve gone on record comparing Valentine’s Day for women to the Super Bowl for men. There are plenty of men who are hopeful romantics and a lot of women who love football, but the time between the final score of Super Bowl Sunday is just a few hours.
Football fans gear up all season to root for their favorite teams, and Super Bowl is a sacred day for most guys. Super Bowl pools or squares can be set up online with your friends, or at a masked-wearing indoor viewing party. With so much focus on scoring, winning, food, commercials, and the half-time show, Valentine’s Day isn’t on a football fan’s mind.
Quite simply, both men and women put all of their emotional energies into these two bigger-than-life events. Often, a woman doesn’t understand why watching two teams trying to score is so crucial to her guy. He can’t miss this game. It’s the end of the season, and the two best teams are going for the ring.
On the other hand, guys don’t understand that if you’re dating a woman and forget to plan something, just anything, for Valentine’s Day, you probably won’t get a date with on or after February 15th, which ironically is “Singles Awareness Day.”
If you’re playing the field swiping right and left on mobile dating apps, or flirting on Bumble, Tinder and Instagram, if you don’t ask our your digital crush, you lose. Game over.
Our friends at Coffee Meets Bagel found that Valentine’s Day is THE busiest day of the year for new signups on their app. Their stats show signups peak at 63%, compared to the previous 30 days.
Women often wonder if men hate Valentine’s Day and a report by WalletHub says 53% of women say they’d break up with their significant other if they got nothing for Valentine’s Day. And speaking of rings, if you’re in a long-term relationship, chances are your partner would be happy to receive something sparkling for her ring finger, along with the other 9 million couples who expect to get engaged on Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day by the Numbers
Valentine’s Day ranks high on the dating totem pole. Almost 24 billion dollars will be spent on Valentine’s Day with popular candy, flowers, jewelry, cards, and fine dining out.
There’s a lot of pressure with gift-giving, and I’m a fan of sending and receiving chocolate, cupcakes, and in-home dining to cook meals together. The last two years have shown that 76% of fall American’s feel it’s important to celebrate Valentine’s Day due to the current state of the pandemic. However, almost 10 billion dollars will be spent on unwanted gifts.
Valentine’s Gift Giving
The pressure to come up with the perfect date and ideal gift is too much for most singles and couples. Do you need to send flowers? Can you pick up more affordable roses at the grocery store? What about those romantic love coupon books with an IOU for a massage? Can you just cancel Valentine’s Day?
When it comes to gift-giving, it’s best to have a chat with your partner and decide on a budget. I know talking about money isn’t romantic, but Valentine’s Day is about showing your mutual love and admiration for each other. A conversation about spending is actually a good exercise if your relationship is getting serious.
Then ask, how important is Valentine’s Day this year? Perhaps a night in is preferred, as you or your partner might still be paying off the credit card bills from the holidays. You might find that an intimate night in is perfect for the two of you. People are valuing quality time over fancy nights out on the town.
41% of American women say they’d love an experience such as tickets to an event to share, and76% of fall American’s feel it’s important to celebrate Valentine’s Day due to the current state of the pandemic. I think anything personalized to memorialize your relationship is heartfelt. Did someone snap a great couples shot over the holidays? If so, frame it, so your beloved can see you as a happy couple when you’re apart.
But what about those gifts that will send you to the doghouse? Here’s a list of gifts that won’t be received well, but never forget to send a hand-written card.
Single? Can You Find a Date by Valentine’s Day?
If you’re single and hope to find a date for Valentine’s Day, your quest is just a swipe away. Our post, 5 Tips to Land a Date by Valentine’s Day can help speed up your search.
Do singles really want to go on a first date on Valentine’s Day? Is it too much pressure, or will you always remember the day of your first date? A survey from Coffee Meets Bagel says yes, with more than half saying they’d accept a first date on V-Day. Their data shows that Valentine’s Day is a super-busy day for matching, with daters 24% more likely to match this Valentine’s Day, as compared to February 14th.
Plus, having a virtual date can be very romantic if you’re in a long-distance relationship, or aren’t ready to meet just yet. Start by sending flirty gifs and texts, and end the night with a food delivery to dine together from the comfort of your separate homes.
CMB suggests chats between 7am and 10am to accompany your morning cup of coffee. That still gives plenty of time to make a plan if you click just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Don’t Forget Galentine’s Day
Female friendships are the glue that keeps women together, and this newer holiday of Galentine’s Day on February 13th is one of my favorites. Regardless of your relationship status, send your girlfriends Valentine’s cards. Take it a step further and schedule a Galentine’s lunch on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday if you’re not watching the big game, and celebrate the gift of friendship.
Not celebrating at all, or prefer to hang out with a group of friends? If so, you’re not alone. A survey from Dating.com shows that 83% who aren’t celebrating Valentine’s Day will make plans to spend time around the weekend with friends instead.
Wishing you much love and joy on Valentine’s Day, or wherever you may swipe or roam.
Julie Spira is America’s Top Online Dating Expert and Digital Matchmaker. She’s been coaching singles on finding love online for over 25 years. Follow @JulieSpira
Julie Spira is America’s Top Online Dating Expert. She’s an award-winning dating coach who’s been helping singles find love online for 25+ years. Follow @JulieSpira on IG.
Julie Spira
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