DENVER -- Shoppers are expected to spend more than $144 on their sweetheart this Valentine’s Day.
Reuben Kuruvila is one of the rare shoppers who didn’t wait until the last minute to buy a Valentine's gift for his fiancée.
“Over the years I’ve seen that every single year, it’s like 6 in the morning at Walgreens and you have like 14 guys in there looking for a card,” said Kuruvila.
If you don’t want to end up in the drugstore candy aisle this year, there are a few last-minute options.
Popular choices include booking a massage or manicure and pedicure.
And of course flowers are a popular option.
“We’re still taking orders. We’ve been planning for weeks on this, and we’ll be here all night taking orders and even tomorrow morning,” said florist Kevin McCarthy, with Lehrer’s Flowers.
McCarthy says last-minute shopping is pretty standard for the holiday.
“Gentlemen tend to wait until the last minute before Valentine’s Day. We expect a lot more this evening and tomorrow morning, but we're always ready to help,” said McCarthy.
But expect to pay dearly.
Flower trade groups say long-stem roses that typically cost $66 shoot up to an average of $84 for Valentine’s Day.
Another great last-minute option is to book a mini vacation.
But if you’re trying to woo your loved one on a budget this year, some love experts say all your Valentine really wants is a bubble bath, handwritten note, or breakfast in bed.
There are some gifts to avoid.
Love experts say anything electronic is not romantic, and you should also stay away from tools.
---------
Sign up for Denver7 email alerts to stay informed about breaking news and daily headlines.