Valentine’s Day is more than just a day of romantic gestures, it’s a reflection of how we express love. According to Dr. Gary Chapman’s book The 5 Love Languages, love can be expressed in five ways — Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch.
But how do people really express love on Valentine’s Day? I created a Valentine’s Viz to show spending trends, specifically on gifts, which is one of the five love languages.
Using data from the National Retail Federation (NRF) , I explored consumer spending on Valentine’s gifts. The results were fascinating — in 2025, consumers are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion on Valentine’s Day. The survey reveals they’re also purchasing gifts for family members, friends, co-workers, and even pets.
This significant expenditure on items like jewelry, chocolates, and flowers reaffirms that “Receiving Gifts” remains a dominant love language on this day. However, not all expressions of love require a purchase; experiences such as a romantic dinner or a weekend getaway also indicate Quality Time as a popular love language.
This Valentine’s Day, whether you’re buying a gift, planning a special date, or simply saying “I love you”, understanding love languages can make all the difference.
I wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️
