It's the month of love and respondents to the eBucks' annual Valentine's Survey of Love have revealed that they plan to celebrate Valentine's Day and give more gifts to their significant others this year than in 2011.

An overwhelming 94% of men and 91% of women respondents said Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse to show their other half that they are loved, nearly a 17% increase on the 76% of respondents who said the same thing this time last year.

"This year respondents have got 'that loving feeling' with both men and women planning to do something special for their partners this year," says Jolande Duvenage, eBucks CEO.

The Survey of Love was conducted online by eBucks, First National Bank's rewards programme in January 2012. 1311 South Africans were surveyed on their Valentine's Day shopping behaviour and whether or not they plan on giving gifts.

Ladies will be happy to know that overall, men are planning to spend slightly more on their partners than women.

Thirty two percent of men plan to spend between R250 and R500 while 30% of women are planning to spend the same amount on gifts for their partners, the survey revealed. One third of women (33%) plan on spending less than R250 on their loved ones, while only one fifth (21%) of men are planning to spend the same amount.

"The survey reveals that respondents are willing to spend on celebrating the day, but are more controlled in their spending than for a holiday like the Festive season, where most respondents to our 2011 festive season survey said that they would spend between R500 and R1000," Duvenage says.

Only 4% of respondents said they were not going to buy anything for their loved one, as they believe it is rather their partner's duty to spoil them. This is a significant drop from the 20% of survey respondents who said that they didn't intend spending anything on their partners in 2011.

On this year's 'gifting list' for those celebrating Valentine's Day, romantic dinners and weekend getaways were the most popular, which indicated that respondents are choosing intimate experiences as their Valentine's Day celebration of choice, says Duvenage.

Electronic gadgets are next on the list for women to buy for their partners, while men will be treating the one they love to perfume, flowers and jewellery.

Worst Valentine's Day gifts ever

Nearly half of all respondents said the worst thing that could happen was for the day to pass unnoticed and for them to receive nothing.

"For most, the importance of giving the 'right' Valentine's Day gift cannot be underestimated. A thoughtless or inappropriate gift can do more harm than good. The survey respondents have given a clear indication of what one should steer clear of, when shopping for a Valentine's gift," says Duvenage.

Female respondents indicated that the worst Valentine's Day gift they could be given, apart from "nothing" are soft toys and their male counterparts said that an unattractive item of clothing like a cartoon tie or a pair of pink socks, is likely to put a damper on the day.

Planning for the day

Respondents revealed that they plan their Valentine's Day celebrations well in advance, with an average 40% of men and women putting their plans in place a week before the day.

An average of 30% of men and women start planning the celebration a month before, while as many as 11% of men say that they make their plans throughout the year.

"We have already seen an increase in activity in the eBucks online shop, as members have started buying Valentine's Day presents. The more traditional roses and chocolates are currently leading as 'gifts-to-give' this year," says Duvenage.

"We hope that this Valentine's Day won't disappoint and that everybody giving and receiving a gift will be thrilled by the thought and gesture," she says.

About eBucks:

eBucks, the rewards programme offered by First National Bank (FNB) and RMB Private Bank, is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading rewards programmes with highly active members spending in excess of 80% of the eBucks earned in any given month.