Today is Valentine’s Day, but you already knew that. I could tell you about the dark and lascivious beginnings of Valentine’s Day, which began with the Roman feast of Lupercalia. Or I could wax eloquent about the martyrdom of St. Valentine. However, in light of the lovely holiday Valentine’s Day has become, I’ll give you some current facts instead.

Fact 1: According to the National Retail Federation, the amount of money spent on Valentine’s Day gifts is expected to be more than $18.2 billion or $136.57 per person.

Fact 2:Men spend about twice as much money as women for Valentine’s Day gifts.

Fact 3: Valentine’s Day is the second largest card giving days, second only to Christmas. Who gets them? Teachers receive the most, kids come in second, followed by mothers, wives and girlfriends. Hallmark produces the most Valentine cards and has been producing them since 1913.

Fact 4: The most popular gifts (in order) are candy (chocolate, of course), greeting cards, going out, flowers (usually roses) and jewelry. Oh, and don’t forget our pets, because they often receive Valentine’s gifts as well.

Fact 5: According to the Petal Talk website, people in the U.S. will spend more than $3.3 billion on flowers. The only day that beats Valentine’s Day for flower sales is (you guessed it), Mother’s Day. And you might be surprised to know that 63% of the people buying flowers were under the age of 35. (Somebody’s mother taught them right!)

Fact 6: The first Valentine’s Day box of chocolates was introduced by Richard Cadbury in 1868. And you thought they only made “Easter eggs!”

Those are the facts, folks. But there’s also the spirit of Valentine’s Day. It’s the perfect opportunity to tell someone you love them. If you really want to make a statement, have your roses tied in lace. According to Petal Talk, the word “lace” comes from the Latin “laques,” meaning “to snare or net,” as in to catch a person’s heart.

If you don’t have a Valentine this year (or even if you do), why not buy some flowers and take them to your local nursing home? They don’t have to be roses or even be expensive. But they sure could make someone’s day by your sharing your love. And what’s not to love about a day that celebrates chocolate?