Gone are the days of a half-eaten box of chocolates and a bouquet of crushed flowers. As times have changed so have expectations on how to spend a Valentine’s Day with a loved one. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, it can be hard finding the perfect gift for your partner. This guide isn’t just for people in relationships though as this year more people are facing Valentine’s Day alone, but don’t let that stop you from celebrating, as one of the most popular trends of 2021 was actually self-gifting. With seemingly countless new products and gift ideas becoming more and more popular, here at Alliance, we will help guide both consumers and business’ through this tumultuous period with a variety of excellent ideas and trends that are perfect for anybody.
Fine-Dining
A classic of Valentine’s Day, many couple across the globe still spend their Valentine’s Day with a fine-dining experience. Whilst falling in 2021 due to Coronavirus, the UK and US still both saw enough interest to indicate that 2022 will be similar to previous years when it comes to how couples spend their Valentine’s Day. It is crucial for restaurants that can offer a fine-dining experience to stock well for Valentine’s Day as well as potentially offering a different menu for the day also to ensure consumers pick their establishment. According to the NRA (National Restaurant Association) 34%1 of restaurants in the UK offer celebratory booze or sweets on Valentine’s Day and 50% of customers are more likely to buy a dessert as well. This is an important point for restaurant owners looking to make extra profits at this time of year. With consumers looking to indulge, any and every restaurant should be seeking the optimal strategy to maximise profits through offering a fine-dining experience worthy of a celebration. At Alliance Online we understand the importance of a fully functional and highly productive commercial kitchen for any hospitality venue. So, to help browse our range of kitchen appliances and equipment essentials for operating the ultimate commercial kitchen, as well as our range of tableware and decorations designed to impress the most arduous of customers.
Baking Up A Storm
It is clear young couples lean more towards experiences then gifts with over 55%1 of millennials confirming this hypothesis. There aren’t many experiences more rewarding and less time-consuming then learning how to bake. Learning a skill that is of use in daily life is one of the best ways of showing appreciation for another and baking is a good example of this. Bakery establishments are also a large beneficiary of Valentine’s Day due to many people buying baked goods for a loved one for Valentine’s Day, meaning it is important for baking companies to take advantage of this increased demand for their produce. Still worried about how and where to start, at Alliance Online we stock some of the finest baking products and appliances one would need for baking the perfect Valentine’s Day delight.
Party For Two
With Covid back on the rise, many believe the ideal Valentine’s Day gift is centred around a party for two (playing the Shania Twain song during your party is optional!). A unique concept that saw a rise in popularity in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the party for two concept is a stunning way to spend a day together without the hassle of buying gifts for each other. In 2021 Valentine’s Day was all about being comfy and casual with loungewear being the choice of gift and way to spend the evening together. This is a great idea that has yet to be fully explored but for now it is clear you can’t go wrong with a party for two in the comfort of your own home this year. If this sounds like the plan for you, at Alliance Online we stock all party essentials you would need to have a great time at an affordable price.
Treat Yourself
Realistically some of us will be spending the day alone on Valentine’s Day. Instead of wallowing away with a glass of wine and ice cream whilst watching a romantic movie. Spend Valentine’s Day the way it should be and treat yourself to a day of self-indulgence. As mentioned earlier the rise of self-gifting has been extraordinary since 2021 and is expected to continue into 2022. An example of this in 2021 was when the brand Spectrum Collections2 sold their Mystery Boxes and sold out just 5 hours after launch. In3 the US 18% of respondents decided that on Valentine’s Day in 2021 they would be spending money on themselves. In principle, it makes sense as you are still spending your time and money on someone you love; you! This coming Valentine’s Day spend it with a day of self-love and self-care because as L’Oréal so eloquently articulate ‘You’re Worth It’.
Hearts & Crafts
This year for Valentine’s Day, get creative and really bring out your artistic side. Whilst not everyone’s cup of tea, creating something yourself shows a deeper connection than something materialistic anyone can buy. An example of one of the top DIY Valentine’s Day present trends would be a Valentine’s Scrapbook using paper, a spiral-bound scrapbook and glue. The arts and crafts approach is a unique perspective on Valentine’s Day and can be a bit hit or miss depending on the significant other you are planning on gifting it to. If you know that something you have created will warm the heart of your loved one, then this is a magnificent option which should be considered. As well as being a DIY option that is made with love it is also a potentially money-saving idea perfect for couples who aren’t financially stable in the current Coronavirus climate. One thing is certain, an arts and crafts approach is one of the best ways to show your appreciation for someone else.
As we all know we should remain vigilant and shouldn’t break any Coronavirus restrictions to accomplish these Valentine’s Day ideas. Here at Alliance, we fully understand the perspective of both the consumer and of the business and note that the above suggestions should be opted for on Valentine’s Day. For more information on our party essentials and kitchen appliances please visit our website and browse our various ranges where you will find the perfect products required for a successful Valentine’s Day.
References
- Doordash.com – https://get.doordash.com/en-us/blog/valentines-day-restaurant-trends
- Foundation Agency – https://foundationagency.co.uk/blog/marketing-trends-for-valentines-day-2021/
- Emarsys – https://emarsys.com/learn/blog/what-valentines-day-shopping-trends-tell-us/
