Valentine’s Day may be marketed as a celebration of romance, but a new data‑driven study from Dellino Family Law Group shows that February 14 carries a complicated mix of joy, pressure, disappointment, and even danger. While millions of Americans use the holiday to propose, conceive, or reconnect with their partners, the numbers also reveal spikes in divorce interest, domestic violence, and emotional strain.
This study pulls together national surveys, government data, and trend analyses to paint a fuller picture of what Valentine’s Day really looks like in the United States.
How Americans Actually Spend Valentine’s Day
A YouGov survey of Americans in relationships shows that the holiday is far from one‑size‑fits‑all. Respondents often chose multiple plans, but the data reveals clear patterns.
How couples planned to spend Valentine’s Day 2024:
- 34 percent planned to dine out
- 25 percent planned to cook or share a meal at home
- 37 percent expected to exchange gifts
- 28 percent planned to exchange cards
- 30 percent expected to have sex
Another survey from 2025 found that 66 percent of men and 59 percent of women believe romance is essential to a successful relationship. Yet the financial investment varies sharply. Women spend an average of $57, while men spend an average of $249.
Despite the romantic expectations, the holiday is not universally welcomed. A 2020 study found that 6 percent of Americans consider Valentine’s Day stressful. And among more than 33,000 adults surveyed by YouGov, 48 percent of women and 23 percent of men said they had been disappointed by a partner on Valentine’s Day.
A Major Day for Marriage Proposals
The study from Dellino Family Law Group highlights just how significant February 14 is for long‑term commitments.
- Around 6 million marriage proposals occur on Valentine’s Day each year
- 36 percent of Americans say a Valentine’s Day proposal is romantic
- 17.2 percent of all proposals between November and February happen on February 14
To put that in perspective, the combined total of proposals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day only slightly surpasses Valentine’s Day.
Proposal share by holiday (Nov–Feb):
| Holiday | Percent of Proposals |
|---|---|
| Thanksgiving | 6.6% |
| Christmas Eve | 10.3% |
| Christmas Day | 9.1% |
| New Year’s Eve | 8.5% |
| New Year’s Day | 3.4% |
| Valentine’s Day | 17.2% |
| Any other day in the period | 44.9% |
A Top Conception Day in the United States
Valentine’s Day also plays a measurable role in family planning. According to CDC and Social Security Administration data, 10,408 babies are born in November following a Valentine’s Day conception.
MooseRoots analysis ranks Valentine’s Day as the 6th most popular conception date in the country.
Top conception days:
- Christmas
- New Year’s Eve
- Thanksgiving
- Halloween
- Presidents’ Day
- Valentine’s Day
- St. Patrick’s Day
- Mardi Gras
- Memorial Day
- Cinco de Mayo
The Valentine’s Effect: Divorce Interest Surges
The holiday’s darker side becomes clear when examining divorce‑related behavior.
A 2014 AVVO study found:
- Divorce‑related searches rise over 40 percent in the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day
- 67 percent of people seeking divorce attorneys are women
- The cities with the highest search volume include Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Phoenix, and Dallas
AVVO also reports that February is the busiest month for divorce filings, with activity 18 percent higher than average. People are 38 percent more likely to search for a divorce attorney immediately after Valentine’s Day.
Google Trends data from February 2025 shows the peak divorce‑search days:
- February 18 (score 100)
- February 5 (97)
- February 19 (96)
Domestic Violence Also Rises Around Valentine’s Day
The study cites troubling national data showing that Valentine’s Day is linked to increased domestic violence incidents.
Key findings include:
- Intimate partner violence accounts for 15 percent of all violent crime in the U.S.
- Of 21 million assault‑related injury visits, 15 percent occur during holiday periods
- More than 20,000 calls are made to domestic violence hotlines daily, with spikes of up to 22 percent on major holidays
Advocates note that heightened expectations, alcohol use, and strained relationships can intensify conflict. Shelters and legal professionals often see increased demand for protective orders during and after Valentine’s Day.
A Holiday of Contrasts
The study from Dellino Family Law Group makes one thing clear. Valentine’s Day is not simply a celebration of love. It is a day of extremes.
- $27.5 billion spent in 2025
- 6 million proposals
- 10,408 November births tied to Valentine’s Day conceptions
- 48 percent of women and 23 percent of men disappointed by the holiday
- 40 percent surge in divorce interest
- 22 percent increase in domestic violence hotline calls on major holidays
For many, Valentine’s Day is joyful. For others, it is a turning point, a stressor, or a moment of crisis. The data shows that the holiday’s impact reaches far beyond chocolates and roses.
