240 About Valentines

Time to Talk Valentines

Well, my friends, I guess it is time that all the Christmas decorations are neatly boxed and stored. The Ground Hog has done his thing. The time of love is upon us.

Dear husband and I will be celebrating with only cards this year as our new water heater has eaten up the “discretionary funds.” Hot water is good!! (The plumber was amazed that the old water heater had been working--it’s 30 years old. “Amazing,” he said.) 

But for you who have spouses, significant others, or friends and family you want to reach out to with a sweet note, Valentine’s Day is a very appropriate time to do so. And don’t forget dog treats. I am reminded of this as I have two mini Schnauzers lying across my feet as I type. 

My friend Google and I looked up some fun trivia about this special day for you. Here are our findings that I thought interesting or had forgotten. 

• Over 36 million boxes of candy will be sold (1800flowers.com)

• 54% of all Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day (abcNews)

• $18.2 billion anticipated spending for 2020 (National Retail Federation; NRF.com)

• Roses – estimated sales of 1,400,000 (myglobalflowers.com)

• 190 million cards is the sales estimate for an approximate $1 billion – top sellers are for teachers and classmates (romantic love cards second) (NRF.com)

• “Sexpectations” – according to a Florida Sun-Sentinel survey 90% of all men surveyed said that sex was the preferred gift for Valentines; 39% of the women agreed! [Wonder if there will be a follow-up survey?  😃]

• Hallmark was not the first to produce Valentines. In 1849, a Massachusetts woman, Esther Howland, became known as the “Mother of the American Valentine.” Each card was a hand-made collage of paper, ribbon, paint, ink, and snippets from pictures in magazines. She grew her cottage industry with the help of friends into a $100,000 industry when she sold to stationery shop. (scrapbook.com/articles)

• Hallmark got into the Valentine card business in 1913! BUT the Hallmark cards estimate is an amount they will not disclose. (I tried, I really tried). Here is my response: "Hallmark is a privately held company so we don't release sales data," Kristi Ernsting, public relations spokeswoman for Hallmark. [Hmmpf!] (Hallmark.com)

• Let’s talk those little Necco message hearts. Necco sold to Spangler Candy Company in 2018. There were no little hearts from them last year. Here is what is on the Spangler website today . So maybe, maybe not.
• Brach’s Candy is in the stores.

I believe Google, Hallmark, Necco/Spangler companies and I have spent enough time together. Will look for a card idea for dear husband! 

Signing off as one of the Savvy 

 Broads wishing you a happy 

       February 14th!