News
Valentine’s Day remains important gift giving occasion for Canadians

Feb. 10, 2009 – Canadians are planning to show their love this Valentine's Day with
gifts of candy, chocolate, flowers, dinners out, cards, jewelry and
more. In a new MasterCard survey of spending intentions for Valentine's
Day, 80 per cent of Canadians say they expect to spend the same (68 per
cent) or more (12 per cent) than last year on Valentine's gifts. About
one in five (18 per cent) plan to spend less.

Canadians are planning to show their love this Valentine's Day with
gifts of candy, chocolate, flowers, dinners out, cards, jewelry and
more. In a new MasterCard survey of spending intentions for Valentine's
Day, 80 per cent of Canadians say they expect to spend the same (68 per
cent) or more (12 per cent) than last year on Valentine's gifts. About
one in five (18 per cent) plan to spend less.

And while women are more likely to purchase gifts for many people like
children, parents, friends, etc. (40 per cent of women vs. 16 per cent
of men), men will spend more on gifts for their partner or spouse. One
third (31 per cent) of men say they will spend between $100 and $250,
and another 28 per cent will spend between $50 and $100 for their loved
one's gift. On the other hand, 32 per cent per cent of Canadian women
will spend $20 to $50 and another 21 per cent will spend $50 to $99.

"Clearly, Valentine's Day remains a meaningful occasion that Canadians
want to mark with gifts for their partners and family," says Julie
Wilson, Director, Public Affairs, MasterCard Canada. "Canadians know
it's not the price of the gift, but the thought behind it that makes
the gift priceless."

People in the Prairies are planning to spend a little more on their
loved ones, with a quarter saying they'll spend between $100 and $249,
compared to only 13 per cent of British Columbians. But nationally, the
big spenders are those aged 18-29. Almost a third of that group said
they'll spend between $100 and $249.

Rush of last-minute men

Look out for the rush of last-minute male shoppers. Almost half (47 per
cent) of men will purchase their Valentine's Day gift on February 13 or
14. Meanwhile more than 60 per cent of women will get their gift
shopping done a week or more in advance.

"Women are planning and preparing while men are procrastinating and
panicking," says Ms. Wilson. "As it gets closer to Valentine's Day,
we'll see a lot of Last-Minute Larry's wandering the mall, trying to
find that perfect gift. My advice to this group is, don't wait until
all that's left at the florist are filler flowers."

Gifts that say "I love you"

Finding the perfect gift can be difficult, and Canadians definitely
love giving their loved ones candy/chocolate and flowers (both gift
ideas were ranked first overall at 19% each). Other popular gift-giving
ideas include:

    –  A romantic night out or dinner at a nice restaurant (18%)
    –  A simple card will do for more than a fifth (12%) of Canadians
    –  A dinner at home can also get the romance started (4%)
    –  If you know your Valentine's measurements then clothes might be the
       answer (4%)
    –  An evening together with tickets to a show or movie is also popular
       (4%)
    –  Stimulate the olfactory senses with cologne or perfume (2%)
    –  A good book (perhaps a romance novel?) can get the romantic
       imagination going (2%)
    –  Tease your taste buds with a little vino. Why not try a New World
       Shiraz or an Old World Chardonnay? (2%)

A family holiday

While Valentine's Day is best known for romantic love, it can also be
day for family. Of those that said they'd be buying for more than their
partner or love interest, almost 70 per cent (68%) will also be buying
for their children, 75 per cent of those aged 50+ buying something for
their children.

Quebeckers especially love to spoil their offspring, with more than
three quarters (78%) buying for children, compared to 60 per cent of
Atlantic Canadians, who lead the country when it comes to buying a gift
for their parents (29 % versus 17% nationally).