Love is a powerful, unfiltered emotion that quietly shapes many moments of our lives. It has been a constant presence across cultures and time, woven into the acts of kindness we perform daily. Just as we mark another year on our birthdays, we set aside a day to celebrate love: Valentine’s Day. While St. Valentine could hardly have imagined an entire week devoted to roses, hugs, chocolates and soft toys, the modern observance has grown into a large commercial event that expands year after year.
In the second post of our three-part Valentine’s series, #MattersOfHeartAndWallet, we examine how India shops and spends during Valentine’s week.
Love may not be something to buy, but money and romance increasingly overlap on February 14. In India, Valentine’s Day has triggered a notable rise in gifting, dining out, short trips and other celebratory spending—whether for partners, friends or even oneself. Below are key trends and numbers that show how affection translates into consumer behavior across the country.
Indians Love Valentine Gifting
Indians enjoy pampering each other on Valentine’s Day, and spending patterns reveal some clear tendencies:
A CashKaro.com survey found that about three-quarters of couples purchased gifts for their partners to mark the occasion, and 80% considered gift-giving an essential part of Valentine’s Day. Younger couples led the trend: the age group most likely to buy gifts for their partners was 16–24 years. With around 70% of India’s population under 35, this gifting culture is expected to grow. The survey also noted that 77% of men felt obliged to pay on dates, reflecting persistent social expectations.
The Heart & Wallet Go Hand in Hand
Valentine’s Day ranks high in seasonal gift orders—after Diwali and Raksha Bandhan—demonstrating a strong link between love and spending on February 14. Across India, thousands of crores are spent on presents and outings. Highlights include:
- As early as 2014, reported spending around Valentine’s Day reached roughly INR 16,000 crore, growing to about INR 22,000 crore the following year.
- Most people spent between INR 1,500 and INR 3,000 on items such as flowers, sweets and chocolates.
- Corporate professionals and those aged 30+ tended to buy pricier gifts, with spending that ranged from INR 1,000 up to INR 50,000. Younger buyers generally spent between INR 500 and INR 10,000.
- Changing gender dynamics are visible in spending habits: women aged 25–35 were found to spend about 35% more on Valentine’s purchases than men in the same age bracket.
V-Day Preferences
When it comes to pleasing loved ones, many people don’t strictly watch the budget. Valentine’s Week begins with Rose Day—when roses and orchids are popular—followed by Chocolate Day, Teddy Day and other themed days leading up to Valentine’s Day itself. Beyond gifts, people opt for romantic dinners, short getaways and adventure experiences. Current trends include:
- Candlelight dinners are becoming less dominant as the top gift choices now include jewellery, bouquets, chocolate hampers and teddy bears.
- Gifts are not always for romantic partners: about 43% of gift orders were for loved ones other than a buyer’s partner, reflecting broader expressions of affection.
- Many people prefer experiences over traditional presents—adventure activities like bungee jumping and surfing, and holidays to offbeat destinations, are growing in popularity.
- Solo travel spikes around Valentine’s Day as singles increasingly choose to treat themselves; the number of solo trips abroad tends to rise during this period.
Manage Romance Without Financial Stress
Indians are passionate about celebrating love and often go all out to create memorable moments. Yet these splurges can sometimes strain monthly budgets, especially for salaried workers. It’s possible to enjoy Valentine’s festivities while keeping finances under control by planning spending, choosing thoughtful but affordable gifts, and considering repayment options if extra funds are needed. The goal is to celebrate warmly and responsibly—so you can express affection without long-term financial worry.
Whether you’re planning a romantic surprise, a fun day with friends, or a solo getaway, thoughtful choices and a sensible budget make Valentine’s Day both memorable and manageable.