Provident has published the results of a cyclical survey entitled the Provident Barometer. This time, it was devoted, among other things, to the financial aspects of the approaching lovers' feast, the so-called Valentine's Day, celebrated on 14 February. As it turns out, this year, we will spend an average of 290 PLN on Valentine's Day. This is over 75 percent more than last year when such spending averaged over PLN 165.

In addition to the financial aspects, the Provident Barometer draws attention to the lower popularity of the celebration of the lovers' feast in Poland compared to a year ago. This year, around 44 percent of respondents expressed interest in the celebration, compared to almost half a year ago. Valentine's Day is most popular among the youngest respondents - as many as 60.2 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds and 53.2 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds have plans for 14 February. Interest decreases gradually with age, and among those 65+, it is only 24.3 percent.

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"According to the latest Barometer, we are more likely to devise activities for 14 February together with the person we intend to spend the day with - almost 58% of respondents declare this. We also like to surprise and be surprised - preparing something unexpected is, however, more often the domain of men, with 47 percent planning it and only 30 percent women. Only less than 5 percent of respondents do not get involved and wait for the other person's initiative,’ says Karolina Łuczak, Provident's press officer.

St Valentine's Day is most likely to be spent in a relaxed, homely atmosphere - preferably over a self-prepared romantic dinner - such plans were declared by as many as 26.6 percent of respondents. This is also the first choice of respondents aged between 25 and 64. On the other hand, one in five would ideally like to spend a February evening together watching a film, TV series, or show on the sofa, which is chosen more often than assigned seats in the cinema or theatre (14.5 percent). Eighteen percent will invite a loved one to a restaurant or bar, and slightly fewer (17.5 percent) will gift their Valentine with sweets.

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Among those who do not intend to celebrate Valentine's Day, the predominant belief is that affection should be shown every day, not just once a year - this was the answer given by 31.2 percent of respondents. One in three surveyed refrains from celebrating 14 February because they have no one to spend the day with. On the other hand, 25.7 percent of Poles believe it is a custom aimed at younger people, and one in five is discouraged by the holiday's commercialism. Some 6% of respondents cite insufficient financial resources for not celebrating Valentine's Day.