NEW YORK — While a segment of adults in the United States view Valentine’s Day as somewhat outdated, a considerable number express enthusiasm for the holiday, valuing the romance and enjoyment that comes with it. Many are eager to spend meaningful time with their partners, friends, and family this Valentine’s Day.
According to a recent survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, approximately 75% of Americans are planning to observe the holiday in one form or another this year. Most respondents indicated they will celebrate with a romantic partner, while 40% aim to spend it with family. Celebration with friends is expected by about 20% of those surveyed, and 15% will mark the occasion in various other ways. However, about 25% of Americans have no plans to celebrate. Those in relationships are significantly more inclined to partake in festivities compared to single individuals.
Joseph Brubaker, a 38-year-old high school teacher from Raeford, North Carolina, acknowledges both the positives and negatives of Valentine’s Day. He is flying to Ohio to celebrate it with his new girlfriend after two months of long-distance dating. “Typically, it’s a greeting card holiday,” he reflects, appreciating the emphasis on the emotional bond but criticizing the commercialization that inflates costs for simple gifts. “Those flowers usually cost a lot less,” he added.
Ian Ellis, a 74-year-old retired science teacher from Louisville, Kentucky, has never been married and doesn’t place much stock in the traditional observance of Valentine’s Day. He plans to meet up with a friend after the holiday for a buffet, noting, “I’m pretty low profile as far as Valentine’s Day goes. I won’t be sending any card.”
The survey indicates that many Americans do view Valentine’s Day as a festive occasion filled with romance. About 40% of adults in the U.S. feel the holiday is “extremely” or “very” romantic, with a similar number regarding it as “fun.” William Betts, a 67-year-old from Oklahoma City, falls into the romantic category, humorously stating, “I’m actually the romantic one in the family.” This year, he plans to cover 300 miles to volunteer at a food pantry and will also prepare a dinner for his wife while picking up some flowers along the way. He recognizes, however, that not everyone shares his enthusiasm. His daughter, who is single, finds the day particularly challenging.
Around 20% of adults think of Valentine’s Day as “outdated,” with about 30% feeling the same way to a lesser extent. Only 10% find the day “stressful,” while 30% indicate it is “somewhat” stressful. Janis Thompson, a 76-year-old divorced woman from Durham, North Carolina, maintains a positive view of the day, believing the increased love in the world is beneficial. Her family is honoring her sister-in-law, Nona, who turns 95 on Valentine’s Day, with a special collection of 95 things they love about her. Thompson reminisces, “She became my sister-in-law when I was 3. I always viewed her as my second mother.”
The poll also reveals shared sentiments about the elements that contribute to successful romantic relationships. An impressive 80% of American adults believe that the capacity to communicate emotions, along with aligned values and strong friendship, are crucial elements. Interestingly, women show a higher tendency than men to prioritize emotional communication in a thriving relationship, though both genders largely agree that shared values and friendship are also vital.
Valentine’s Day holds unique significance for 36-year-old Dylann Deeds of Newport, Oregon. It marks their accidental wedding anniversary. Sixteen years ago, she and her now-husband, Nick, had intended to marry on Friday the 13th but didn’t realize the necessity for a 24-hour waiting period after obtaining their marriage license. “Hello Valentine’s Day!” she laughs. “We love it. We both laugh about it. We’re not huge on Valentine’s chocolates and flowers, but we always celebrate.”
The AP-NORC survey involved 1,112 adults and was conducted from February 6 to 10, utilizing a sampling method aimed at representing the U.S. population. The margin of error for the overall adult sample is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.
