Healani Brennan
Staff Writer

Valentine’s Day is said to be derived from a Pagan ritual called Lupercalia. This ritual consisted of men spanking women with whips because they believed it increased fertility. Nowadays it is an opportunity for large companies to rake in the dollar bills with Valentine’s Day themed products. It has become a loophole for companies to wriggle in new expensive products or to raise prices on old ones.

Large corporate companies such as Hallmark will cash in this year as lovers exchange heart shaped candies and cards that come with sound effects. Small business owners will be happy as well, not only will it stimulate the economy but help boost local shops’ revenue.

Blake Sorem, an economics professor, said that “weird things happen on Valentine’s Day” in relation to the increase of prices on products. “I used to pass this flower shop all the time, noticing their sign–$5 for a dozen roses.  On Valentine’s Day, I thought ‘Perfect.  I will stop off at the flower shop on my way to [my girlfriend’s] apartment.’  However, the sign was gone.  I walked into the shop…$50 for a dozen roses!”

Around 34.3 percent of spouses will receive flowers spending an estimate of $1.9 billion worldwide.Some spouses find that this holiday is over commercialized, while others find it to be a great opportunity to celebrate love and find it to be an excuse to buy presents or eat chocolates.

Sorem admitted, “I try not to watch diamond commercials, where we learn that the real way that you show someone that you love them is through the diamond market.”

A small amount of proposals, 10 percent, occur on this day of love. Although studies have found that divorce spikes about 36 percent around Feb.14. Some lawyers suggest that couples wait to see if their better half gets a bonus or if their income gets better, leading to a split if that doesn’t happen. Other spouses just wait to see what happens on Valentine’s Day to determine whether they will stick around. The U.S. census found that 53 percent of women would dump their significant other if they failed to give a gift on Valentine’s Day.

The average amount of money spent for Valentine’s Day annually is approximately $13.19 billion. The rough sum a consumer will spend on a partner is expected to be $116. 85 percent of couples plan to save money and just do the dirty deed with their naughty bits on Valentine’s Day. Unsurprisingly, it is expected that 11,000 children will be conceived on this holiday as a result.

Greeting cards are the most popular item sold for this day of love (while jewelry is the least popular) with 52.1 percent of lovers planning to purchase a card while 180 million are expected to be exchanged.

Sales on Valentine themed items can go on for as long as a week after the actual holiday. Jewelry is an exception because it is found that the price actually increases in the first few weeks before Valentine’s Day. Thrifty shoppers can find coupons to knock off percentages from jewelry. Places like Sears, Blue Nile, and ICE.com offer big discounts on selected jewelry.

Since February is around the end of winter, huge sales on apparel start showing up. The best time to shop for a spouse would be either the day before or any day after. The day before is when businesses will be trying to clear out the Valentine themed products. Things like lingerie and candy will be marked down the day before.

Whatever gift that couples buy one another this year, all sales are estimated to contribute $18.6 billion to the economy this year. Whether this holiday is just one big consumer shindig, or really a celebration of love, it only does positive things for the economy.