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What Texans Want for Valentine’s Day

Gifts Alone Aren’t Enough

Many Texans believe buying a special gift is all it takes to make Valentine’s Day perfect, wrong! A brand new study from Shane Company.com and Do U Like.com suggests otherwise. While the survey gathered responses from across the nation, it did include the responses by individual states. It highlights the key differences in how we prefer our gifts, especially Texans, and how we approach the holiday.

First off, be aware the is a huge difference in gift-giving and gift-receiving according to our generation. There is a big difference between Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. While the Baby Boomers still prefer the 'old-reliable' flowers, a box of candies, and a romantic meal. 38% of Boomers are less likely to celebrate Valentine's Day while Gen Z only 24% will not celebrate Valentine's Day.

The Valentine’s Day Gift Mistake

After 38 years of marriage, I’ve seen a lot of Valentine’s Day gift-giving mistakes. One of the biggest? Buying lingerie. 70% of men believe gifting lingerie is perfectly acceptable, while over 60% of women do not think lingerie is an acceptable Valentine's Day gift idea, yet it remains a common purchase amongst younger couples. According to Shane Company’s findings, men and women differ greatly on the different ideas about what makes a 'great Valentine’s Day gift.'

The Best Valentine’s Day Plans

Want to make the day special? Focus on a thoughtful experience. Texans overwhelmingly prefer dining out over cooking at home, with many favoring Asian cuisine over the expected Mexican or Italian options. A meaningful gift, paired with a meal at a favorite restaurant, can go a long way in making Valentine’s Day memorable for almost all generations.

Generational Differences in Valentine’s Expectations

The survey did reveal the generational differences in Valentine’s Day preferences as well:

• Boomers & Millenials prefer to dine at their favorite restaurants
• Gen Z (58%) prefers multiple small, thoughtful gifts over one expensive item.
• Millennials (56%) favor a single, high-end gift.
• Gen Z also leans toward cocktails or liquor over traditional wine at dinner.
• Gen X over 40% are more likely not to 'celebrate' Valentine's Day at all

Planning for Success

If you haven’t made plans yet, consider these insights. Tailoring your Valentine’s Day to your partner’s expectations can turn an average celebration into something real special, and a day filled with memories. Happy Valentine's Day Y'all.