Love is in the air - if you’re under 50 and male!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, but if you're a man, or over 50, there's a chance you might not be waking up to a present from your loved one - according to research by N&P (Norwich and Peterborough Building Society).

In a survey recently carried out by N&P, when asked if they were going to be buying a present for their partner this year, 56% of women said no, compared to 51% of men who said yes.

When broken down by age, 63% of people in their 50s said they wouldn't be buying a present, as did 69% of those in their 60s, and a massive 71% of people over 70.  So do we get more cynical about Valentine's Day as we get older?  Maybe not, as 60% of those surveyed who were aged under 20 also said they weren't buying presents this year.

The reasons stated for not buying a present differed between younger and older respondents, however.  The majority of those who said they wouldn't be getting a gift for their partner who were aged in their 50s, 60s or over 70 cited the fact that they never buy Valentine's presents (83%, 82% and 76% respectively).  The majority of those under 20 said it was because their partner didn't deserve one (56%)!

You'd think spending money on Valentine's Day might be a lower priority in the current financial climate, but it was only given as the main reason for not buying a present for those in the 20s age bracket.  52% of people who said they weren't buying a present in this age group put it down to the fact that they were saving the cash instead.  36% of under 20s also gave this as the reason (second behind saying their partner didn't deserve one), as did 31% of those in their 30s, 25% in their 40s, only 9% in their 50s, 14% in their 60s and 18% of over 70s (the most popular reason in all of these age brackets was ‘I never buy one').

The survey also asked people what they loved most that money couldn't buy.  The most popular response overall was linked to family, children or friends, with 31% of answers given falling into this category.

16% of people said good health, 11% said their partner, 10% said love, 9% said happiness and 6% gave an answer linked to freedom, free time or hobbies.  Other responses fell into categories such as animals, peace and religion.  More unusual answers given included ‘A new husband', ‘Dr Who', ‘Hugh Jackman', ‘Jeremy Kyle in the afternoon' and ‘My health, family...and Cameron Diaz'!

N&P's savings product manager, Gary Lacey, said:  "It's interesting to see that the majority of people who aren't buying a present didn't say it was because of any financial reason, but the fact that they never buy Valentine's presents.  Maybe romance is dead or, from a more optimistic point of view, maybe it means that people are simply romantic every day and don't feel the need to mark it just once a year!  For those 46% of people who are planning on buying a present this year, however, it's worth looking for a savings account to get ready for next year.  There are some great regular savings accounts on the market at the moment, including our own Regular Saver, which pays a total of 4% gross pa if you make 12 monthly payments in and only one withdrawal.  Maybe that withdrawal will be for an engagement ring this time next year!"