The price tag of love: Poland’s Valentine’s Day spending reaches a record high

Who’s celebrating Valentine's this year?

According to the latest Provident Barometer survey, more than 43% of Poles plan to mark February 14th, proving that romance in Poland is still very much alive.

But while Valentine’s Day may remain popular, its appeal varies by age.

The younger the respondents, the more likely they are to celebrate: 60.2% of those aged 18-24 and 53.2% of those aged 25-34 have plans for the day.

However, it appears that enthusiasm for Valentine's declines as we get wrinkle lines – only 24.3% of people aged 65+ planning to celebrate.

“I shall have to decline to be your Valentine”

But not every Pole is on board with Valentine’s Day.

The most common reason for skipping the holiday is quite profound, really – Polish people believe that love should be celebrated every day, not just once a year (31.2%). Yes, apparently, we Poles tend to be as spiritual as an average Paulo Coelho novel. Huh.

Others opt out because they are single (33%) or see it as a holiday for younger folk (25.7%). Meanwhile, 20% dislike its commercialization, and 6% simply declare: “I just don’t have the money, honey!”

Read on: Top 5 Valentine’s Day gifts. And they say you can’t buy love…

Of better halves, younglings, and flying solo

Now that we’ve established who’s going to celebrate Valentines, the question remains – who are we going to celebrate with?

The vast majority (86%) will spend Valentine’s Day with their significant other – that one was kind of obvious.

But others take a broader view of the occasion:

• 12.7% will celebrate with their children,
• 7.6% with friends,
• 2.9% with parents or siblings.

Interestingly, 2% plan to treat themselves to a solo date – and men (2.9%) are more likely to do so than women (1.4%).

Ladies or gents: Who takes the initiative?

Surprises still have their charm, and men are more likely to plan a surprise for their partner (47%) compared to women (30%).

But usually, Valentine’s Day plans are a joint effort, with 58% of couples deciding together how to celebrate. Only 5% of people wait for their partner to make all the plans, taking a completely lazy….er, laissez-faire approach.

How do we celebrate? Through the stomach to the heart (though you might want to adjust your aim a little)

Though it's anatomically proven that contrary to the popular proverb, the shortest way to the man’s heart is through the fifth left intercostal space, not the stomach – a romantic dinner at home is the most popular way to celebrate. It is chosen by 26.6% of respondents, particularly those aged 25-64.

Then there are those, who opt for some classic options:

• watching a movie or series together at home (20%),
• dining out (18%),
• gifting sweets (17.5%).

Active dates like dancing, sports, or long walks are less common (8.3%), except among the youngest group (18-24), where 30.4% prefer this option. So much energy and so little money!

And let’s not forget the Valentine’s staple: flowers. One in three men plans to give them, and 34.5% of women would love to receive them.

And, based on those numbers, receive them they shall. Unless of course, the flower-giving men tend to pair up with the flower-hating women. Then the tears will fall.

Read on: The Battle of Brews: Do Poles drink coffee or tea?

Valentine gifts: Sweet dreams vs. brutal reality

When it comes to gifts, Poles dream big, but reality often tends to reevaluate their plans.

The most desired gift is a romantic getaway (22.9%) – but alas, only for 13.2% this dream will come to pass.

The other desires are slightly easier to bring to life. The next most wished-for gifts include :

• watching a movie at home (20.7%),
• followed closely by flowers (20%),
• homemade dinner (18.7%),
• dining out (17.9%)

The price tag of love

This year, the average budget is 290 PLN – a significant jump from 165.36 PLN in 2024. Love is a pricey business, it seems. While some Poles seem to be spending more on Valentine’s Day than ever before, nearly half of those surveyed remain undecided about their Valentine’s budget for this year.

But who will foot the Valentine’s bill?

Now we come to the behind-the-scenes part: Who picked up the check for all this Valentine’s extravaganza?

Well, the data indicates that the traditional idea that men should pay for dates is losing ground, with 35.5% still holding this view – down from 41% in 2024.

However, there is the thinking and there is the feeling: 48.1% of men still feel it’s their responsibility, while the ladies see it quite differently: only 23.8% of women agree.

A growing number (one in three women) believe that whoever does the inviting should cover the cost, while one in six respondents are in favor of splitting the bill evenly.

So it would be like… 145 PLN per capita?

Well… now that I think of it, greed is a vice! A nice evening at home would completely suffice.