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Valentine’s Day by the numbers: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways

According to the finance website, WalletHub, lovesick shoppers shell out an estimated $19.6 billion in Cupid’s name this year.

That makes Valentine’s Day the third-largest consumer holiday in the U.S. But love might not be the only motivator.

Roughly 45 percent of people expect their Valentine to spend at least $50 on a gift, according to WalletHub’s 2018 Valentine’s Day Survey. And 4 in 10 people would break up with their significant other if he or she spent irresponsibly. So fear is a factor, too.

But whether you love or loathe his holiday, there’s no denying St. Valentine’s impact on our wallets. So in the hopes of helping people embrace their loving feelings without hurting their finances, WalletHub examined V-Day from all angles.

At the very least, seeing what people do (or don’t do) in the name of love might make the day a bit more enjoyable.

$143.56

Consumers will spend an average of $143.56 average this year, while 32 percent will buy V-Day gifts at a discount store.

$3.7 billion

A total of $3.7 billion will be spent by the 35 percent of couples planning a night out on Valentine’s Day, with the average couple spending $170.53 for the evening.

Men spent almost twice as much as women in 2017.

$1.8 billion

Fifty-five percent will buy candy, spending about $1.8 billion, with 94 percent of Americans reporting that they want candy or chocolate for Valentine’s Day.

$6.7 billion

Buying flowers? You’ll be one of the 36 percent who will spend a total of $2 billion.

If jewelry is your thing, you’ll be among the 19 percent who will spend a combined total of $4.7 billion.

90 percent

Forty-five percent of adults say they do not plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year. But not so fast …

Fifty-three percent of women reported that they would break up with their significant other if they got nothing for Valentine’s Day.

Ninety percent of people in a relationship plan to buy a gift for their significant other.

When asked, 50 percent of singles said they are proud of their relationship status, and 27 percent said they planned to buy themselves a present for Valentine’s Day.

9 million

An estimated 9 million marriage proposals will be made on Valentine’s Day this year. Didn’t get a proposal?

An estimated 1 million (and then some) Facebook users change their relationship status within four days of Valentine’s Day.

While that might mean they’re going from single to engaged, keep in mind, Match.com reports a 20 percent increase in new profiles the week after Valentine’s Day.

Want more of a breakdown?

The website Offers.com surveyed 1,000 consumers across the country to discover the top national trends and gift ideas for this Valentine’s Day, and then broke it down by state.

Here’s how we’re doing it in the commonwealth.

38 percent

To celebrate the holiday, 38 percent of Pennsylvania consumers say they will spend the night in, followed by dinner at a restaurant (11 percent) and a night on the town (6 percent).

41 percent

Roses steal the show here, with 41 percent of the state choosing roses as the favorite Valentine’s Day flower. If you want to give a more unique gift consider tulips (23 percent) or Orchids (14 percent).

Pennsylvania consumers chose a bouquet of roses as their top Valentine’s Day gift, followed by chocolates, chocolate diamond rings, a bouquet and sunglasses. (Sunglasses?)

Our least favorite gifts? Lingerie/underwear and a bottle of alcohol.

36 percent

Pennsylvania consumers prefer a box of chocolates (36 percent) and chocolate covered strawberries (22 percent) for their top Valentine’s Day treats.