6 Ways In Which Americans Are Likely To Express LOVE on Valentine’s Day
Expressing one’s love to another is a celebrated custom on Valentine’s Day. Sweethearts and family members present gifts to one another, such as cards, candy, flowers and other symbols of affection.
Opinions differ as to who was the original Valentine, but the most popular theory is that he was a clergyman who was executed for secretly marrying couples in ancient Rome. In A.D. 496, Pope Gelasius I declared Feb. 14 as Valentine Day.
Esther Howland, a native of Massachusetts, is given credit for selling the first mass-produced valentine cards in the 1840s. The spirit continues today with even young children exchanging valentine’s cards with their fellow classmates.
The following facts are indicative of how Americans are expressing affection, courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau:
1. Candy
Candy ranks top on the list of Valentine’s Day gifts.
The number of U.S. manufacturing establishments that produced chocolate and cocoa products in 2011 was 1,148, employing 35,538 people. California led the nation with 122 of these establishments, followed by Pennsylvania, with 109. While the number of U.S. establishments that manufactured nonchocolate confectionary products in 2011 was 440. These establishments employed 19,198 people. California led the nation in this category with 56 establishments.
2. Flowers
The total number of florists’ establishments nationwide in 2011 was recorded at 15,307; these businesses employed 66,165 people. The value of imports for cut flowers and buds for bouquets in 2013 through October was estimated at $280,357,058, with fresh cut roses being most imported.
3. Jewelry
Jewelry stores offer engagement, wedding and other rings to couples of all ages. In February 2013, these stores sold an estimated $2.8 billion in merchandise. The estimated number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2011 was 23,394.
4. “Please Be Mine”
For those looking to tie the knot, Las Vegas, Nevada ranks at the top of likely locations. So many couples tie the knot in the Silver State that it ranked number one nationally in marriage rates. Hawaii ranked second with a marriage rate of 17.6.
In 2013, the median age of first marriages for men and women, was 29.0 and 26.6 years respectively. Interestingly, 68.6% of people 15 and older were registered to have been married at some point in their lives — either currently or formerly.
An estimated 5,800 marriages take place in the USA a day.
5. Giving Love a Second Chance
With love in the air, most singles are inclined to want to give love a second chance this Valentine’s Day.
In 2012, among people 15 and older who have been married, 19.4% had been married twice, 5% had been married three or more times, and 75.4% once.
Meanwhile, median length of first marriages that ended in divorce was 8 years.
6. Looking for Love
A good number of Americans will turn to online dating websites to seek love.
In 2007, the number of dating service establishments in the country soared to 393. These establishments, which include Internet dating services, employed 3,125 people and pulled in $928 million in revenue.
Information source: U.S. Census Bureau
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