Feb 11, 2008

Giving the gift of timeBy Melissa Rigney BaxterGMToday.com

Candy? Flowers? Jewelry?

A growing number of consumers are giving their sweethearts something even more precious for Valentine’s Day – the gift of time.

The National Retail Federation’s 2008 Valentine’s Day survey, conducted by BIGresearch, found a slight decrease in the popularity of more traditional Valentine’s Day gifts in favor of “gifts of experience,” such as a dinner out or spa visits.

Nearly half of all Valentine’s Day gifts this year will take the form of spending time with a loved one, the survey concluded.

Local restaurants and spas have also noticed the trend.

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