The recession is taking aim at Cupid’s pocket book when it comes to spending this year on gifts for Valentine’s Day.

A survey by the National Retail Federation found that shoppers are spending less this year on their spouses and mates. But the same survey showed that people are spending more this year on their co-workers, friends and pets.

Still, men spend twice as much on Valentine’s Day gifts as women, the Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey showed. It included responses from 9,578 shoppers contacted in January.

Couples will spend an average of $63.34 on gifts for their spouse or mate, down $3.88 from the average of $67.22 spent last year.

The average person will spend $103.00 on traditional Valentine’s Day merchandise this year, similar to last year’s $102.50. Total holiday spending is expected to reach $14.1 billion, the survey showed.

Add Seymour, an Atlanta public relations professional, says the projections in the survey may ring true in his case.

“I’m the only man in my office. I have to get Valentine’s gifts for my co-workers. You’re with them every day,” he told BlackAmericaWeb.com.

But it’s different with a mate, he said. “She’ll understand and say, ‘We can sacrifice a little so you can do this.’”

Seymour said Thursday night he was planning to make a run on Friday to take care of his Valentine’s shopping. “Now I am thinking that may not be a good idea, since it’s supposed to snow here tomorrow,” he said.

Somehow, said Seymour, he’ll take care of his co-workers and his girlfriend for that special day. “I like to give them something meaningful,” he said.

Robert Hagler, a lawyer in suburban Mobile, Alabama, got the early jump on Valentine’s Day shopping for his wife.

“I went shopping on Tuesday. There’re weren’t many guys out shopping,” he told BlackAmericaWeb.com. "I think a lot of them wait 'til the last minute, like Friday, when it reality sets in."

PHOTO GALLERY: CELEBRITY VALENTINES

PHOTO GALLERY:  More Celebrity Valentines

PHOTO GALLERY: More Celebrity Valentines 

Please Login or Register to post comments on this article

Close Comment  |   Read More Comments Hide More Comments

Comments * :

Please do not enter the HTML tags(Maximum 600 characters).