More than half will be with a romantic partner, and about 4 in 10 will be with family. About 2 in 10 will celebrate with friends, and 15% say they’ll mark the occasion in some other way.
Roughly one-quarter of Americans will not celebrate at all. People in a relationship are much more likely than those not in a relationship to say they’ll celebrate Valentine’s Day in some way.
More than half will be with a romantic partner, and about 4 in 10 will be with family. About 2 in 10 will celebrate with friends, and 15% say they’ll mark the occasion in some other way.
Roughly one-quarter of Americans will not celebrate at all. People in a relationship are much more likely than those not in a relationship to say they’ll celebrate Valentine’s Day in some way.
Joseph Brubaker, a 38-year-old high school teacher from Raeford, North Carolina, sees ups and downs to Valentine’s Day. He plans to fly to Ohio to spend it with his new girlfriend. They’ve been dating long distance for about two months.
“Typically it’s a greeting card holiday,” he said. “But the celebration of the emotional connection is great. That’s necessary for those in relationships. The corporations are so entrenched in it, though, and make you pay $60 for flowers that usually cost a lot less.”
At 74, retired science teacher Ian Ellis of Louisville, Kentucky, has never been married. Valentine’s Day, in the traditional sense, doesn’t do much for him. He plans to get together with a friend after the holiday, enjoying the Sunday buffet at a nearby restaurant.
“I’m pretty low profile as far as Valentine’s Day goes. I won’t be sending any card,” he said.
Many Americans see Valentine’s Day as a romantic and fun occasion. About 4 in 10 U.S. adults say “romantic” describes Valentine’s Day “extremely” or “very” well, while about one-third say that about “fun.”
