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Be My Valentine - But Not After the Five Year Mark

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

It is estimated that we collectively spend an astonishing £1.3 billion on Valentine’s gifts and treats each year across the UK. With an average increase of 1-million-pound year on year, we can only expect this to expand to gargantuan proportions in 2017.  

 Research by Onbuy.com has found that the most prosperous time in a relationship is at the beginning – the time when we seek to impress by splashing out on items like designer watches, jewellery and romantic weekends away. Fittingly, the sweet spot for expense happens to be within the first year when the relationship is new but serious enough to warrant a gift with substance. 

Not surprisingly it is men that spend almost double the amount women do and, as a nation, we show no sign of putting a peg in our spending anytime soon.

Yet, whilst we begin our relationships with bright-eyed and bushy tailed abandon, lavishing our partners with all manner of treats, it doesn’t last forever.

Onbuy.com
Photo Credit: Onbuy.com

In fact,Onbuyfoundthat even after the 18-month mark of a relationship the glossy appeal starts to lose its sheen and the overall spend by men on Valentine’s Day for their partner’s falls from £100 to £60, and plummets further each year. In contrast, spend by UK women reduces from £80 to £40 at a push.

The research also found that men reduce spend from an impressive £100 in the first year to a miserly £35 within five years. Women on the other hand reduce spend from £85 in the first year to just below £20. By this stage couples simply have other – more important – dates to contend with, such as big anniversaries, children’s birthdays and other milestone occasions.

Gift Purchasing Manager for OnBuy.com, Cas Paton comments: “Valentine’s Day can definitely divide opinion, and can cause many couples – old and new - a lot of gift-related (or lack of) stress! My advice would be not to panic-buy, plan in advance and keep alert for any secret hints your partner may be throwing your way over the next few weeks!”

Valentine's gender spend difference over five years. 

Tamir

Freelance writer and researcher specialising in fashion, beauty, lifestyle and current affair news. ...(Read More)

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