Revealed: Gone are the days of receiving a Valentine’s card from your crush

Brits feel it is more important than ever to show loved ones that they care this Valentine’s Day, as half say meaningful gifts which require greater thought have become more valued since the pandemic.

This has led to just under one in five (18%) to spend more on cards and gifts this year than they have done previously. Whilst 41% plan to pen a card to their partner, one in six say they will send one to their family or friends (16%).

Ironically, among those who are least likely to be getting a card this Valentine’s Day are our crushes, especially in the workplace. Gone are the days of singletons sending a card to someone they fancy with just 3% planning to do so, and women are even less likely to write one than men.

The new research by the Post Office found that 18% are likely to spend more money on occasions such as Valentine’s Day this year – with men likely to spend a greater amount than previous years compared to women. Women are also more likely to buy from online marketplaces and be further inclined to get creative by making homemade gifts and cards.

Kristian Latham, Head of Letters and Parcels at the Post Office commented: “Post Offices have long been the unexpected romantic-hubs of Britain, the first step in the journey of Valentine’s Day. It is encouraging to see from our research that this purpose hasn’t been lost with plenty of Brits planning to celebrate the occasion”.

Younger generations reported the greatest enjoyment of Valentine’s Day with 16–24-year-olds liking it the most (43%). Whereas middle-aged Brits reported the greatest dislike of the day, with nearly a third feeling this way (31%).

To celebrate its often-overlooked role as a romantic hub for Valentine’s Day gifts and letters, the Post Office is shining a light on Britain’s most romantic branches.