Valentine’s Day is getting a heartwarming makeover! Forget just romantic partners – this year, friends are stepping firmly into the spotlight. New figures reveal a massive trend towards celebrating platonic love, with cards and gifts to pals, mentors, and family members soaring.
Card and gift retailer Moonpig reports a nearly one-third jump in “platonic love post,” meaning friends now receive almost one in five (16%) of all Valentine’s orders! Gen Z is leading this charge, with three in ten young people opting to celebrate with friends instead of a romantic partner this year.
And it’s not just Valentine’s Day itself; Galentine’s Day, celebrated on February 13th, is gaining huge traction. A quarter of young women (18-24) are celebrating “partner-free,” highlighting a significant shift towards prioritizing friendships. Moonpig is even joining the movement, offering free cards to send to anyone *but* your romantic partner from February 9th-12th with the code LOVEYA!
As Moonpig spokesperson Rachael Halliday notes, “saying ‘I love you’ is not just for the coupled up.” Our support networks and mates are truly our modern “love affairs.” It’s no surprise, especially among women, who demonstrate incredible loyalty and support for their friends – from late-night crisis calls to maintaining bonds since primary school. They celebrate these platonic loves year-round with check-in texts, milestone celebrations, and spontaneous treats.
These inner circles average three close friends, expanding to four for Gen Z, who forge bonds through travel, festivals, and even social media. So, whether it’s your ‘ride or die,’ ‘drinking buddy,’ or ‘parenting guru,’ take a moment this Valentine’s week to show those non-romantic special someones how much they mean to you. It’s time to celebrate the people who hold you up, make you smile, and keep you going.
Source: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/uk-news/friendship-themed-valentines-cards-rise-36681151
