ValentinesDayDinner

How Much Will We Be Spending On Valentine's Day?

You might think that a weekend Valentine's Day might be good news for retailers but that's not the case according to IBISWorld which has predicted that spending on jewelry, candy and flowers will be down because men often buy their Valentine's Day gifts during the work week. Because the holiday falls on the weekend this year men may not feel the pressure to shop and may instead opt for the dinner out. That's good news for restaurants who are hoping to see good sales over the entire weekend because President's Day is also the following Monday. This could also be good news for hotels and inns which may see an uptick in romantic weekend bookings.

The IBISWorld Survey says that consumers are predicted to spend about $1.3 billion on jewelry for Valentine's Day, that number is 4.6 percent lower than what was spent last year. Total spending should work out to around $17.6 billion, 3.3 percent higher than last year. Another report, this one from the National Retail Federation, says couples will spend an average of $63.34 on gifts for each other which is a bit down from last year's average of $67.22. The National Retail Federation also delivers the dull news that personal and practical gifts like sweaters will trump sexier options like jewelry. The survey does show that consumers are planning to spend more on small gifts for friends and family. Men surveyed still plan to spend more than women, as usual the prediction for male spending is about double what women expect to spend.

Some companies are turning to Twitter to drum up Valentine's Day interest. We've seen Twitter-only hotel deals and a sweet tweets contest from Macy's. California Blooms is offering a Twitter contest that could win you a year of roses. American Greetings is giving away gift cards in a 'Follow the Love' Twitter contest.

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Rose Petals and Breakfast In Bed For Valentine's Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

If your Valentine's Day plans take you to Boston, the Fairmont Copley Plaza has a plan to help your romance along. The Fairmont Copley Plaza's Be My Valentine Package includes an overnight stay, dinner for two in the Oak Room (shown above), rose-petal turn down service and breakfast in bed. This package is available February 12-14, 2010, and rates start at $349.

The Oak Room will offer a three-course prix fixe Valentine's Day menu. The prix fixe menu sets the scene for love with appetizers such as Vermont Bijou chevre on crispy crouton with baby mache, toasted pistachios and huckleberry-pomegranate vinaigrette or Jonah crab cocktail with hearts of palm, citrus segments, baby arugula and passionfruit emulsion. Tempting entrée choices include filet of local Barramundi, asparagus tips, lobster vanilla sauce and straw potatoes or petite filet Wellington style with Portobello cap and puff pastry heart, zucchini marbles, and truffle Madeira jus. And no Valentine meal is complete without dessert which finishes up with Chocolate Variations featuring praline crunch Marquise, chocolate wrapped raspberry bonbon and Kahlua espresso terrine. The prix fixe menu is available for $66 per person with a glass of Rosé sparkling wine.

The Oak Bar will also offer Valentine's-inspired cocktails. The Sweetheart Martini is comprised of Hendricks's gin, Monin rose syrup, fresh lemon and grapefruit juices and a float of Rosé Champagne, served with a dish of Sweetheart™ Conversation Hearts. The Bésame (Kiss Me) is a combination of Christiania Organic Vodka, POM juice, Midori liqueur and a hint of Rosé Champagne. The Forbidden Love features Perrier Jouet topped with X-Rated Fusion Liqueur. These cocktails will be available throughout the Valentine's Day weekend.

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