Americans to Spend $17.6 Billion for Valentine's Day

Because nothing says 'I Love You' like vastly overpaying for some plants and a candlelit dinner.

If it weren't for consumer-driven holidays, some days we're not sure the North American economy could even function. Bolstering that theory is a report concluding that Americans will plop down $17.6 billion for Valentine's Day. That's more than the entire country of Uganda generates in one year, and works out to $126.03 from the average American consumer. Of course, much of that amount will be going to restaurants, meaning that money will by and large stay in local economies instead of feeding giant multinational corporations, unlike some holidays. That $17.6 billion is also more than eight per cent higher than the total was last year, and is the largest amount on record, something that consumer groups attribute to a rebounding U.S. economy. Of course, that's $17.6 billion predicated on the guilt of legions of men who don't want to come across as uncaring, but hey, when unemployment's above eight per cent, we'll take it.