Valentine’s Day Shopping Guide 2026: Best Deals, Coupons & Shipping Deadlines

Valentine’s Day Shopping Guide 2026: Best Deals, Coupons & Shipping Deadlines


Last updated: January 31, 2026 Recently updated

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and Americans are expected to spend a record $29.1 billion on gifts this year. Whether you’re shopping for jewelry, flowers, chocolates, or experiences, this guide will help you find the best deals and avoid common mistakes.

Quick Stats

  • $199.78 – Average spending per person (record high)
  • 55% of Americans celebrate Valentine’s Day
  • 38% shop online for Valentine’s gifts
  • February 3rd – Last day for standard shipping
Valentine's Day 2026 Shopping Timeline showing best deals Jan 25-31, good timing Feb 1-7, last minute Feb 8-12, and avoid Feb 13-14
Your Valentine’s Day 2026 shopping timeline

When to Shop for Valentine’s Day

Timing is everything when it comes to Valentine’s Day deals. Here’s the optimal shopping timeline:

When What to Expect Recommendation
Mid-Late January Best promotions, full inventory SHOP NOW
Feb 1-7 Good deals, still time for shipping Good timing
Feb 8-12 Express shipping required, limited stock Last minute
Feb 13-14 Premium prices, low inventory AVOID

Pro tip: Jewelry prices are up 8-12% compared to 2024 due to gold and diamond costs. Shopping early locks in current prices before potential increases.

Best Valentine’s Day Deals by Category

Jewelry

Jewelry remains one of the most popular Valentine’s gifts. Here are the best deals:

  • Kay Jewelers – Up to 40% off everything; extra 30% off clearance
  • Zales – Up to 50% off select items; free shipping on $199+; 10% military discount
  • Blue Nile – 50% off select rings; 30% off diamond tennis bracelets
  • Pandora – 3-for-2 charm deals
  • Aurate – 20% off with code VDAY

Kay Jewelers coupons | Zales coupons

Flowers

Order by February 10th for guaranteed delivery. Here’s what each retailer is offering:

  • 1-800-Flowers – 25% off sitewide; bundled gift options available
  • ProFlowers – 20% off sitewide
  • FTD – 20% off sitewide
  • The Bouqs Co. – 25% off with code WINTER

1-800-Flowers deals | ProFlowers deals

Chocolates & Gourmet

  • See’s Candies – $5 off orders over $35; free shipping on $75+
  • Godiva – 20% off sitewide with coupon codes
  • Harry & David – 20% off with code TOGETHER20
  • Edible Arrangements – Free next-day delivery on $79+; 50% off select items with code LOVE50

Godiva coupons | Harry & David deals

Experience Gifts

Experiences are becoming more popular than physical gifts. Consider:

  • Groupon – Up to 70% off Valentine’s experiences; spa packages, dining, local activities; electronics up to 75% off with code LOVE
  • Viator – Up to 50% off select experiences; “Reserve Now & Pay Later” option

Groupon deals

Most Popular Valentine’s Gift Categories

Based on NRF data, here’s what Americans are buying:

  1. Candy – The classic choice, still #1
  2. Flowers – Traditional but never goes out of style
  3. Jewelry – For serious commitments
  4. Evening out/dinner – Experience over material
  5. Clothing – Practical but personal

Trending in 2026: Pet Gifts

35% of consumers plan to buy Valentine’s gifts for their pets this year, spending an estimated $2.1 billion on pet toys, treats, and accessories. This is up from $1.7 billion in 2025.

Shipping Deadlines

Don’t let shipping ruin your Valentine’s Day. Here are the key deadlines:

Shipping Method Order By Cost
Standard (5-7 days) February 3rd Often free over $50-75
Priority/Expedited February 10th $10-25
Express/Overnight February 12th $25-50+
Same-day delivery February 14th Premium pricing

How to Stack Discounts

Maximize your savings by combining multiple discount methods:

  1. Start with a sale item – Many stores have Valentine’s sections already discounted 20-40%
  2. Apply a promo code – Stack with eligible coupon codes
  3. Use cashback – Rakuten offers 2%+ cashback at most retailers
  4. Use store credit card – Extra 5-10% off or financing (Zales offers 0% APR on $750+)
  5. Free shipping threshold – Add a small item to hit free shipping instead of paying $8 delivery

Learn more in our guide to using coupon codes.

5 Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t Make These Errors:

  1. Waiting until February 13th – You’ll pay premium prices for limited selection
  2. Ignoring shipping deadlines – Express shipping can cost more than the gift itself
  3. Assuming all “sales” are real – Use price tracking tools to verify discounts
  4. Missing free shipping thresholds – It’s often cheaper to add a $10 item than pay $12 shipping
  5. Not checking return policies – Especially important for jewelry and clothing

Free Shipping Thresholds

Here are the current free shipping minimums:

  • Zales – $199+
  • See’s Candies – $75+
  • Edible Arrangements – $79+ (next-day)
  • Amazon – $35+ (or free with Prime)
  • Target – $35+ (or free with RedCard)

Where to Find Valentine’s Coupon Codes

Here’s where to look for the best Valentine’s promo codes:

  1. CoupBuzz – We update our codes daily and verify they work
  2. Retailer email lists – Sign up now for exclusive subscriber codes
  3. Browser extensionsHoney, Rakuten, and Capital One Shopping auto-apply codes at checkout
  4. Social media – Follow your favorite brands for flash sales

Top Store Recommendations

Based on current deals and reliability, here are our top picks by category:

Category Best Value Premium Option
Jewelry Zales (50% off) Blue Nile
Flowers 1-800-Flowers (25% off) The Bouqs Co.
Chocolate See’s Candies Godiva
Experiences Groupon (70% off) Viator

Last-Minute Options

If you’re reading this after February 10th, here are your best options:

  • Gift cards – Digital delivery, instant gratification
  • Groupon experiences – Book a spa day, dinner, or adventure for a future date
  • Local florists – Same-day delivery often available
  • In-store pickup – Buy online, pick up same day at Target, Walmart, Best Buy
  • Subscription boxes – Start a monthly subscription (flowers, chocolate, etc.)

Summary

Valentine’s Day 2026 is shaping up to be a record-breaking shopping event with $29.1 billion in expected spending. To get the best deals:

  1. Shop now (late January to early February) for best selection and prices
  2. Order by February 3rd for standard shipping
  3. Stack discounts – sale + coupon code + cashback
  4. Use our coupon pages to find verified codes for your favorite stores
  5. Consider experiences over physical gifts for something memorable

Happy Valentine’s Day shopping!

Sources

Last updated: January 2026

Sarah Mitchell

Sarah Mitchell is a savings expert with 8 years of experience in consumer finance and coupon strategy. Her work has been featured in Consumer Reports, Money Magazine, and The Penny Hoarder. She tests and verifies coupon codes daily to help shoppers save money.

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