Valentine's Day in Canada
Canadians are projected to spend 13 per cent less this year than they did last year on Valentine's Day.
Canadian insurance company Hellosafe conducted a Valentine's Day survey and found that on average Canadians are going to spend $64 CAD on Valentine's Day in 2022, which is 13.2% less than in 2021 and 31% less than in 2020. 58% of those surveyed said they intend to spend less money on Valentine's Day this year than last year.
39% of Canadians are planning a romantic dinner at home, the most popular way to celebrate (although 64% celebrated the day at home last year). 13% of Canadians choose to have dinner at a restaurant or order takeout.
Read about restaurant etiquette in Canada to avoid embarrassing situations. Keep in mind that women in Canada often pay for themselves and may be offended if a man insists.
Despite the pandemic and the requirement to work at half capacity, restaurants still hold Valentine's parties where only couples are allowed. For an evening with live music, wine or non-alcoholic cocktails, kebabs and ice cream at a Toronto restaurant, lovers will pay $70-230 CAD.
There are more original (and budget-friendly) attractions in Toronto, such as the Free Admission Hot Chocolate Festival. Two glasses of hot chocolate and two servings of traditional S'Mores marmalade with chocolate between two crackers is $40 CAD. For Valentine's Day, the festival program promises handmade gift making workshops, and for $25 CAD per person, you can participate in a tasting of different types of chocolate with champagne.
There will be fewer gifts this year, with only 32% of those surveyed having prepared a gift for their loved ones. Last year, 36% of Canadians gave something for Valentine's Day. Sixteen per cent are going to buy flowers and 9 per cent are going to buy a greeting card.
Forty-six percent of those surveyed answered "Other" when asked about places to celebrate and gifts. Either they want to think of something original, or they don't celebrate Valentine's Day at all. For art lovers, there are exhibitions and timed workshops at museums, and public skating rinks come up with Valentine's Day promotions: for example, the price of a ticket for two, $55 CAD, includes pizza.
