Love isn’t cheap...cost-of-living crisis means 30% of Northern Ireland can’t afford romance and 50% think it's a money-making scam

Soaring consumer prices have stopped nearly a third of Northern Ireland couples celebrating Valentine’s Day this year, a new survey has found.

The report by CompareNI.com, Northern Ireland’s largest price comparison site, found that 30% of respondents said they were forgoing Valentine’s celebrations this year due to the cost.

With many Northern Ireland residents already worried about the rise of everyday household bills and with many having to sacrifice food and electricity to be able to afford Christmas, celebrating Valentine's Day is unlikely to be a priority for many people.

The survey, which randomly surveyed 600 people from throughout the province last month, also found that half of respondents would be opting for a more DIY Valentine’s this year to cut costs, choosing to spend time together at home with dinner and a movie rather than going out to celebrate.

The rising cost of celebrations is also creating an air of cynicism around Valentine’s Day with reports that gifts are now 11% more expensive than last year.

With a romantic three course meal for two in Northern Ireland now costing around £72.50 on average, half of respondents to the survey said they were now choosing to completely avoid the romantic holiday altogether, labelling it a money-making scam.

Commenting on the survey, Ian Wilson, managing director of CompareNI.com, said: “It’s unfortunate that a third of couples here are having to forgo their Valentine’s Day celebrations due to rising costs.

“The cost-of-living crisis has impacted every aspect of life and unfortunately Valentine’s Day appears to be no different. With many in Northern Ireland worried about everyday household bills such as electricity, groceries and heating, money that may have previously been set aside for date nights is having to be used on necessities instead.

“DIY options such as a movie night or home cooked meals can be a budget-friendly alternative for those celebrating Valentine's Day that don’t want to break the bank. If you’re choosing to buy a gift, check competitor prices, delivery charges and timings – some stores and third-party apps allow you to spread the cost if you need a little more time to pay – just be careful to read the terms, late payments often have hefty fees.

“You can also save money by making simple changes such as checking how competitive your suppliers are – across gas, electricity, phone and internet to see if there are savings to be had from switching or renegotiating, as well as reviewing all direct debits and cancelling any non-essentials you can live without.”