Most Valentine's Day spending in 10 yrs

LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) - The cost of love is up this year. Valentine's Day spending is at its highest level in the last 10 years.

Chris Worden of Springfield is one of many people who plans to shell out more than he did last Valentine's Day. “Nowadays, probably like $150 for the day; not talking dinner, just gift wise,” Worden said.

As a result of all that spending, floral shops are hopping. At Floral Fantasies in Longmeadow, owner Lois Brookes pulled an all-nighter just to get all of the orders ready for the big day. “Between deliveries between yesterday and today, I'd say we probably have about 250-275, 300 at this point,” Brookes said.

Whether people are buying jewelry, flowers, or even candy, it seems that they are spending more this year. The National Retail Federation estimates people are spending 8.5% percent more, at an average of $126 on their loved ones.

“We had a lot of orders coming in that ‘I'll spend $100 or $125,’” Brookes said.

For those wondering whether it's worth it to kick in the extra cash, Sam Radner of Longmeadow, who we found shopping for his wife early Tuesday morning, has some advice. “You’ve got to do what you feel. Someone once told me a long time ago, ‘you got to do what you feel and you get the orange and not the peel.’”