Many Valentines will be blue this year

THE Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on almost every facet of social interaction and now appears to have also put a spanner in the works of the most romantic day of the year.

A new study revealed that the majority of South Africans would not receive or give gifts this Valentine’s Day.

“It’s certainly not that South Africans aren’t romantic,” said Estelle Nagel, head of communications at Gumtree, which conducted a survey of the nation’s expected spend this Valentine’s Day.

The classified advertisements and community website said that before Covid, the love economy was on the increase in South Africa.

This was confirmed by a study conducted by Mastercard last year which revealed that Valentine’s Day spend was up 11% in 2019.

Their analysis of card transactions, which formed part of the Mastercard Love Index, examined spending habits and trends around Valentine’s Day from more than 53 countries, including South Africa.

The study found that hotel bookings around February 14 accounted for 38% of South Africa’s Valentine’s Day spend.

But these unprecedented times have had financial implications and have left many South Africans with little to no cash to splurge on their lovers this Valentine’s Day.

“Budgets are so much tighter in 2021 because of the current tough economic climate,” Nagel said, adding its poll showed 69% of South Africans would not spend a cent on their crush for Valentine’s Day.

South Africa is not the only country seeing a slow-down in Valentine’s Day spending. In the US, consumers plan to spend $32 (about R475) less than they budgeted last year.

However, the poll also found that 10% of lovestruck South Africans would spoil the object of their affections to the tune of more than R5 000.

Just over 16% would find up to R1 000 to spend on their partners, while 5% would splash out on a gift or experience valued between R1 000 and R5 000.

“The Beatles were in the money with their song Can’t Buy Me Love, and 2021 is already showing itself to be the year that South Africans can win at demonstrating their love by being imaginative and thoughtful, coming up with creative and inexpensive ways to woo their crushes.”

She did admit that those who are single and are looking to find a romantic connection on Valentine’s Day will also find it harder this year.

“Those who might have otherwise plucked up the courage to invite their Valentine to a party or other themed event don’t have that option in this time of social distancing and a prohibition on social gatherings.”

But Nagel insisted that not all the love has to be lost and there are still many ways to celebrate the most romantic day of the year, even during a global health crisis.

She suggested planning a romantic picnic or cooking a home cooked meal, instead of dining out this Valentine's Day.