Love on a budget: New data shows most teens plan to spend $25 or less this Valentine’s Day
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When it comes to Valentine’s Day, teens are rewriting the rules and the results are refreshingly low-key.
New Greenlight data shows that Valentine’s Day isn’t a one-size-fits-all moment for teens. About three-quarters are either planning to celebrate or still deciding, often with friends rather than a romantic partner. At the same time, nearly 1 in 4 teens aren’t celebrating at all, a reminder that February 14 looks very different depending on who you ask—and that opting out is totally normal.
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Paying their own way
Only 38% of teens say they’re receiving financial help from parents for Valentine’s Day, meaning most are covering the cost themselves through savings, extra chores, or creative, low-cost plans.
Spending stays modest
That independence shows up in their budgets. The majority of teens plan to spend $25 or less, with nearly three in four keeping total spending under $50, favoring thoughtful celebrations over flashy splurges.
Thoughtful gift-giving
Nearly half of teens plan to make a gift, while about one in four aren’t giving a gift at all. When teens do shop, they’re just as likely to buy for friends (37%) as for a crush (36%), with candy and snacks topping the list as an affordable favorite.
Who pays? It depends
About three in five teens say the planner should pay or that it depends, while one in five prefer splitting the cost, reflecting a growing focus on fairness and shared responsibility.
“Valentine’s Day gives teens a low-stakes opportunity to practice budgeting, decision-making, and independence,” says Jennifer Seitz, Director of Education at Greenlight. “Those small choices build financial confidence that lasts well beyond the holiday.”
And honestly? That might be something to love. 💗
Methodology
Kids & Teens: 3,172 Greenlight users aged 13 and up, via a 5–10-minute in-app survey fielded from January 26-27, 2026.
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