Like it or not, Valentine’s Day is one of the biggest celebrations of love worldwide. Specifically, to find out how people feel about this special day, DoULike conducted a study and interviewed 2020 people in January. It explores the practices, feelings, how much is spent on Valentine’s Day, and activities associated with this day of love. It provides a socially rich understanding of how people celebrate or don’t and what they want or don’t in relationships on this special day. These range from giving scented gifts to turning a blind eye to Valentine’s Day at all, and everything in between is captured by the findings.
Top 5 Interesting Statistics About Valentine’s Day for 2025
- 69.8% plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
- 39.1% choose home as the ideal place to spend time on this holiday.
- 35.63% of Single respondents will not celebrate at all.
- 24% consider dinner the best gift
- 57.92% of those considering breaking up prefer it before the holiday.
Are You Planning to Celebrate Valentine’s Day?
69.8% of respondents stated they plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, while 30.2% reported they will not be participating in the holiday.
Valentine’s Day celebrations vary across generations, with 73.1% of Gen Z and 75.0% of Millennials planning to celebrate, compared to 64.6% of Gen X and 61.9% of Boomers. While Millennials and Gen Z show similar enthusiasm, there’s a notable drop in participation among older generations.
How Would You Spend Valentine’s Day If You Were Single?
When it comes to spending Valentine’s Day solo:
Spend time with single friends – 27.23%
Not celebrate at all – 35.64%
Buy yourself flowers – 5.45%
Dine at your favorite restaurant or bar – 12.38%
Treat yourself to a gift – 15.35%
Have a good cry – 2.97%
Travel somewhere special – 0.99%
The graph summarizes how different generations would spend Valentine’s Day if single. The most common choice across all generations is “Not celebrate at all,” with Gen X leading at 40.01%, followed by Boomers at 38.10%, by Millennials at 34,38%, by Gen Z at 30,77%
Spending time with single friends is the second most popular choice, particularly among Gen Z (25.02%) and Millennials (21.57%).
What Is Your Ideal Place to Spend Valentine’s Day?
Ideal place to spend Valentine’s Day :
Vineyard or winery — 2.49%
At home — 39.13%
Romantic boat cruise — 2.96%
Cozy mountain cabin — 13.35%
Historical inn or castle — 3.48%
Elegant spa retreat — 1.99%
Beachfront resort — 9.92%
Exotic getaway — 3.95%
International destination — 1.98%
Romantic city restaurant — 15.81%
Quaint small town — 4.97%
How Would You Most Like to Spend Valentine’s Day?
Ideal way of spending Valentine’s Day:
Relaxing at home — 35.64%
Cooking together — 9.41%
Watching a movie or show — 9.90%
Dining out — 18.81%
Doing something adventurous — 4.95%
Traveling — 5.94%
Enjoying a spa or self-care day — 2.97%
Receiving a surprise from my partner — 12.38%
The graph shows that “Relaxing at home” is the most popular way to spend Valentine’s Day across all generations, with Millennials leading at 39.06%, followed by Boomers at 38.10%, Gen X at 33.85%, and Gen Z at 32.69%. Dining out is another favored option, especially among Boomers (23.81%) and Millennials (18.75%).
What Would You Like to Receive as a Valentine’s Gift?
Gifts that people prefer for Valentine’s Day:
Jewelry — 16,10%
Candy — 10,43%
Dinner — 24,08%
Flowers — 10,53%
Cards — 6,75%
Drinks and/or food — 16,47%
Perfume — 3,12%
A romantic holiday — 12,52%
The chart highlights preferences for Valentine’s gifts across four generational groups. Gen Z prefers flowers the most (25.58%), followed by dinner (20.93%). For Millennials, a romantic holiday (22.45%) and dinner (26.53%) are the most desired. Gen X strongly prefers dinner (34.11%) and Jewelry (20,03%). Meanwhile, boomers also favor dinner (47.37%) and jewelry (31.48%).
What Do You Think About a Valentine’s Day Proposal?
A Valentine’s Day proposal :
It’s the most romantic idea ever! — 18.32%
I like it, but it feels a bit cliché — 19.80%
It’s sweet, but I’d prefer a different day. — 24.26%
I don’t like it—it’s too predictable. — 21.29%
I have no strong opinion either way. — 16.33%
The table compares generational opinions on Valentine’s Day proposals. Gen Z has the highest percentage (38.46%) for finding it sweet but preferring a different day, while Millennials lead in viewing it as the most romantic idea ever (25.02%). Gen X is more critical, with 29.23% disliking it as too predictable. Boomers are the most neutral, with 33.33% having no strong opinion. This highlights generational differences.
If You Were Considering A Breakup, When Would You Prefer To Do It Around Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is another significant occasion for people in relationships, but it can equally as well be the starting point of their break up. An analysis of the survey data provides some interesting insights into how people manage such change.
Better to break up :
Before Valentine’s Day — 57,92%
After Valentine’s Day — 34,65%
On Valentine’s Day — 7,43%
The graph reveals generational preferences for timing a breakup around Valentine’s Day. Gen X (81.54%) and Boomers (76.19%) strongly prefer breaking up before Valentine’s Day, reflecting a desire to avoid the holiday altogether. Gen Z shows a more balanced approach, with 46.15% opting for before Valentine’s Day and 40.38% for after. Millennials are split, with a majority (57.81%) preferring to end relationships before the holiday, but a significant percentage waiting until after (37.50%). Breaking up on Valentine’s Day is the least popular across all generations.
When Do You Think Is The Best Time To Start Dating Around Valentine’s Day?
The best time to start dating :
Before Valentine’s Day — 31.19%
After Valentine’s Day — 52.97%
On Valentine’s Day — 15.84%
58.46% of Gen X, 57.14% of Boomers, 53.13% of Millennials, and 44.23% of Gen Z choose to start a new relationship “after” Valentine’s Day.
If Your Partner Gave You A Valentine’s Day Gift You Absolutely Disliked, How Would You React?
A Valentine’s Day gift you don’t like, your reaction:
Pretend to love it to avoid hurting their feelings. — 28.71%
Thank them but gently express that it’s not my style. —17.33%
Be honest and suggest exchanging it for something else. — 11.39%
Appreciate the effort and move on—it’s the thought that counts. — 41.58%
Feel disappointed and let them know I was hoping for something different. — 0.99%
Gen Z (34.02% ) is most likely to pretend to love the gift to avoid hurting their partner’s feelings. Millennials (46,88%) , Gen X (44,62%) and Boomers (52,38%) predominantly appreciate the effort and move on. Honesty, such as suggesting exchanging the gift, is the least preferred option, particularly among Boomers (4.76%).
If An Ex Confessed Their Love To You On Valentine’s Day, Would You Consider Giving Them Another Chance?
30,76% of Gen Z, 29,69% of Millennials, 46,15% of Gen X and 28,57%% of Boomers choose unanimously “No, we broke up for a reason.”
The results of these studies were informative about different patterns in relationships. Commonly, many do not speak what they feel or think but keep the peace. Some people want sincerity, but they want it to come without sabotaging their partner’s attempt and desire.
Finally, what comes out of mouth and how they manage all the stress says a lot about them and their relationships and therefore that is why couples should be sympathetic and considerate to each other especially when dealing with such issues.
Methodology
This survey was conducted by DoULike.com to establish people’s perceptions and practices regarding Valentine’s Day. It was an online survey using SurveyMonkey.com with a total sample of 2020 adults. The survey was conducted between 12.01.2025 and 17.01.2025. Some of the questions asked of participants included Valentine’s Day plans, preferences, gifts, and favorite places. These findings describe people’s strategies for this romantic holiday in 2025.
Our Editorial Team at DoULike understands the challenges of today’s dating scene. That’s why we offer guidance on everything from online profiles to in-person chemistry. With our tips, you’ll feel ready to take the next step in finding love.
