Majority of Boomers think Valentine’s Day is a ‘rip off’

Every couple enjoys the early phases of their relationship, which are often filled with thoughtful gifts and candle-lit dinners, but once you’ve been together for a while the desire to shower your partner in gifts seems to wear off — for many Baby Boomers at least.

According to new Suncorp research more than half of Aussie Baby Boomers won’t be celebrating Valentine’s Day this year with the majority happy to let the day pass by with nary a red rose or box of chocolates in sight.

In fact, the national survey of more than 1,500 Australians in a relationship, found that 65 per cent of those aged 55-plus believe the day is unnecessary.

Meanwhile, 23 per cent said they sometimes celebrate the day, while 12 per cent said they always mark the occasion by doing something big or small.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day is far more popular among those who are younger, have been in a relationship for less time as well as those who aren’t married, which suggests the excitement of celebrating the day wears off over time.

In fact, Baby Boomers spend the least amount of money on their partners on Valentine’s Day ($73.30), compared to their younger counterparts, with those aged 35 to 54 years old spending the most ($106.50).

Meanwhile, the majority of Australians — across all ages groups — believe the day of love is a rip off (67 per cent) and unnecessary (58 per cent). Nearly half (40 per cent) don’t like to spoil their partner on Valentine’s Day and only one in five care about the day at all.

“While the majority of Australians believe Valentine’s Day is a ‘rip off’, 55 per cent of us still celebrate the annual occasion with our partner,” Suncorp Local Market Manager Amanda James said.

Men concerned with upsetting their spouses by failing to celebrate the day tend to spend more on Valentine’s Day ($110.30) compared to women ($88.10).

The survey also found that people living in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory like to spend up big on their partners at Valentine’s Day ($104.80), compared to those in Victoria ($98.90) and Western Australia ($92). Meanwhile, people in South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory spend the least amount on gifts ($82.90).

The gift most of us prefer to receive is a date sharing a meal (24 per cent), although the same amount said they would want to receive nothing. A card or love letter came in at second, followed by an activity, a weekend away, flowers and chocolates, while jewellery was the least ideal Valentine’s Day gift.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the day is unnecessary? Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?