Valentine’s Day has become a major shopping event in recent years. People are willing to spend, gift thoughtfully, and celebrate love in new ways.
This shift makes the occasion more valuable for ecommerce and POD sellers as the need for gifting is on the rise.
This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, making it the perfect weekend to spend with your loved one. Think dinners, short trips, and custom gift items with personalization leading the trend.
This post covers Valentine’s Day statistics that matter in 2026. You will learn how people are spending their money and what gifts you should look out for as a seller.
2026 Spending Forecasts: Who Is Buying And How Much?
Valentine’s Day 2026 will be a huge event for shoppers.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), total Valentine’s Day spending statistics reached a record of $27.5 billion in 2025. This beat previous highs set in 2020 and 2024.
Here is how those numbers look:
- Total market size: Consumers will spend over $27.5 billion on gifts and parties in 2026.
- Average spend: Men spend 0.85% of their yearly budget on this holiday, while women spend 0.43%. This means men usually spend more on Valentine's Day.
- The “Saturday Effect”: Since the holiday is on a Saturday in 2026, people are expected to shop a lot during the week leading up to it.
- Generational leaders: Gen Z and Millennials make up 32% of consumer spending and are expected to spend more on Valentine’s Day.
Also Read:
The “Expanding Circle Of Love”: Beyond Romantic Partners
Valentine’s Day is not just for couples anymore. People are celebrating love in many different ways. Here is how the holiday is changing:
Galentine’s Day
Galentine’s Day gifting is on the rise. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), about 32% of consumers plan to buy gifts for friends this Valentine’s Day.
This shows that people want to celebrate all kinds of friendships, not just romance.
Pet Parents
Many people use Valentine’s Day to show love to their pets. NRF data shows 32% of shoppers plan to buy gifts for their pets, the same share as gifts for friends.
U.S. pet owners spent an estimated $2.14 billion on Valentine’s Day gifts for their pets in recent years.
Self-Gifters
Self-gifting continues to grow, with 34% of Americans saying they would buy themselves a Valentine’s gift. The “self-love” movement demonstrates that people are increasingly valuing self-care and personal happiness:
These changes show that Valentine’s Day is no longer limited to romantic relationships. People now celebrate friendships, pets, and even self-love. Naturally, this creates a strong demand for personalized gifting and a clear opportunity for print-on-demand sellers.
By offering custom friendship and pet-themed gifts and self-care products, POD sellers can tap into a broader audience.
Print On Demand & Personalization Trends For 2026
Research shows that 1 in 5 people will pay at least 20% more for a custom product. Buyers prefer items they can design themselves. This makes print-on-demand (POD) products perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Here are the top POD product categories to focus on:
Apparel
Matching clothes and playful relationship tees are popular gifts for Valentine's Day.
Examples include:
- Matching hoodies for couples
- T-shirts with custom names or dates
- Custom pajamas or loungewear sets
Home décor
Thoughtful items for the home are great options. These include:
- “Where We Met” map posters
- Name plaques made of acrylic
- Custom pillows with initials or dates
Drinkware
Mugs and glasses are popular because people use them every day.
Examples include:
- Custom "Bistro-style" mugs
- Matching tumbler sets for couples
- Engraved wine glasses or champagne flutes
A new trend for 2026 is using AI to make art. Shoppers are creating custom “Pixar-style” portraits of partners, pets, or memories, then printing them on canvases, posters, or tech accessories.
The screenshot below shows the result of an AI-generated image “Pixar-style” portrait created from a real photo:
Also Read:
Most Popular Design Aesthetics For 2026
To make your POD products stand out in 2026, you need to follow the trending aesthetics. Here are the most popular designs shaping the year:
Natural and Refreshing Styles
People are drawn to organic and authentic aesthetics that feel personal and grounded. This includes natural palettes, earthy textures, and tactile details.
Examples are embroidery or handcrafted elements, which are trending across apparel and décor. This reflects a broader shift toward thoughtful, personal, meaningful designs.
Design forecasts show several colors gaining traction this year:
- Transformative teal
- Deep and expressive hues
- Soft brights and pastels
These colors look great on tech cases, posters, and seasonal items.
Playful Paradox
For this, think pastel goth, moody romance motifs, or juxtaposing soft hues with edgy graphics. This attracts younger buyers who want products that show off their unique personality.
Hyper-Personalization That Speaks to Memory
Design isn’t just about color or style anymore. It’s about meaning. Here are the most engaging products in 2026:
- Maps showing the location of a special memory
- Soundwave prints of voice notes and messages
- Spotify song codes that link to Valentine’s playlists
Also Read:
- Inspiring Digital Art Ideas for Your Print on Demand Designs
- High-Demand Products With Low Competition to Launch
Conclusion
Valentine’s Day data show that consumers are now spending more and looking for custom gifts.
Ultimately, it is clear that “love” is a great seller, but “relevance” is an even better seller. Use these keys to create a Valentine-themed collection and begin personalizing with more selections.
Sign up with Podbase to begin your POD experience today.
Saulius Meilutis is the CEO of Podbase, helping creators and entrepreneurs monetize their ideas with print-on-demand. He shares insights on eCommerce, growth, and building lean online businesses.
