--- title: "Associations Spread the Love on Valentine’s Day" id: "21703" type: "post" slug: "associations-spread-the-love-on-valentines-day" published_at: "2014-02-13T21:13:49+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T03:38:30+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/02/13/associations-spread-the-love-on-valentines-day/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/02/13/associations-spread-the-love-on-valentines-day.md" excerpt: "Greeting cards, flowers, and chocolates are in the spotlight on Valentine’s Day—and the associations that represent those industries are happy to help America’s lovebirds enjoy the holiday. But they aren’t the only groups trying to get your attention this time..." taxonomy_category: - "Marketing / Communications" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "holidays" - "Marketing" - "Valentine's Day" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Associations Spread the Love on Valentine’s Day Hey, fellas, and ladies: If you haven’t looked at your calendars recently, let this be your reminder that Valentine’s Day is Friday, and time is running out to get that special someone the perfect gift. And don’t forget to check on that dinner reservation. If you are in a pinch, a few associations have some tips and tricks to help you successfully navigate February 14th. ### Dazzle Your Date Fewer people plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, according to the **National Retail Federation**, but spending on the holiday continues to increase. In the most recent [Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions survey (opens in a new tab)](https://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=News&op=viewlive&sp_id=1759) , NRF found that the average American plans to shell out just under $134, up from $131 last year. So where’s all that dough going? People go big with greeting cards on Valentine’s Day—it’s the second-biggest holiday for cards behind Christmas, [according to the Greeting Card Association (opens in a new tab)](http://www.greetingcard.org/AbouttheIndustry/tabid/58/Default.aspx) . About 145 million cards will be purchased for sweethearts (not counting the classroom valentines) this year. One in four American adults purchased flowers for their valentine in 2013, [according to a survey by the Society of American Florists (opens in a new tab)](http://www.aboutflowers.com/flower-holidays-occasions-a-parties/flowers-for-valentines/valentines-day-statistics.html) . While the red rose was the runaway favorite (purchased by 63 percent), the survey found that mixed bouquets (41 percent) and roses of other colors (27 percent) were also popular. Chocolates may be the preferred gift for your valentine, though. A [National Confectioners Association survey (opens in a new tab)](http://www.candyusa.com/Resources/PRdetail.cfm?ItemNumber=9509&navItemNumber=4571) of 1,300 adult consumers found that Americans picked chocolate over flowers 69 percent of the time. That number jumps to 83 percent for men. ### Dinner for Two Valentine’s Day continues to be a popular holiday to dine out, second only to Mother’s Day, [according to the National Restaurant Association (opens in a new tab)](https://www.restaurant.org/News-Research/News/Valentine-s-Day-remains-big-dining-out-holiday) . About one-quarter of Americans will make a reservation for this Friday, and one-third said they’d like to receive a restaurant gift card. For those who dine out, the **Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics** offers tips for people with food allergies. “Since dating so often revolves around eating, it’s important that people with food allergies take a proactive approach,” Tonya Winders, president and CEO of AANMA, [said in a statement (opens in a new tab)](http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dating-tips-for-people-with-food-allergies-244036701.html) . Being open about food allergies can help you have a safe and enjoyable date, she said. If you’d rather try your hand in the kitchen, the **American Diabetes Association** has some [tips and simple recipes (opens in a new tab)](http://www.diabetes.org/mfa-recipes/meal-plans/2013-02-Vday-MP.html) for healthy, homemade Valentine’s Day meals. ### Heart Health Valentine’s Day is all about the heart, but all those chocolates and fine dinners can take their toll on heart health. The **American Heart Association** has a list of heart-healthy tips for Valentine’s Day. One idea: “Rather than tempting your beloved with chocolates, consider a gift that has more permanence,” AHA [said in a statement (opens in a new tab)](http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyDietGoals/Heart-Healthy-Valentines-Day-Tips_UCM_322023_Article.jsp) . “Search for a poem that describes your feelings and write it on beautiful paper for a handmade valentine.” The **American Psychological Association** has advice to help couples and singles enjoy the day. In [a Q&A on the APA website (opens in a new tab)](http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2011/02/valentine-tips.aspx) , Diana Kirschner, Ph.D., talks about how social media has affected relationships, what couples can do to keep the fire burning, and how unattached folks can make the most of the day. How does your association spread the Valentine’s Day spirit? Share your story in the comments. (Purestock/Thinkstock) [Rob Stott](https://associationsnow.com/author/rob-stott/) Rob Stott is a contributing editor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/rob-stott/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#holidays](https://associationsnow.com/tag/holidays/) [#Marketing](https://associationsnow.com/tag/marketing/) [#Valentine's Day](https://associationsnow.com/tag/valentines-day/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoRecap from the 2025 ASAE MMC+Tech ConferenceMay 19, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/05/19/recap-from-the-2025-asae-mmctech-conference/) - [VideoSneak Peek: Highlights from Day 2 of the 2025 ASAE MMC+Tech ConferenceMay 14, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/05/14/sneak-peek-highlights-from-day-2-of-the-2025-asae-mmctech-conference/) - [VideoDaily Recap: Day 1 from the 2025 ASAE MMC+Tech ConferenceMay 13, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/05/13/daily-recap-day-1-from-the-2025-asae-mmctech-conference/) - [VideoSneak Peek: Highlights from Day 1 of the 2025 ASAE MMC+Tech ConferenceMay 13, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/05/13/sneak-peek-highlights-from-day-1-of-the-2025-asae-mmctech-conference/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2014%2F02%2F13%2Fassociations-spread-the-love-on-valentines-day%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !