Funny stuff about Saint Valentine's cards

- Approximately one billion Valentine cards are exchanged each year. It's the largest card-selling occasion of the year next to Christmas.

- Most Valentine's Day cards (83%) are purchased by women. However, the number of cards purchased by men (currently 17%) is gradually rising, thought by some sources to be due to the fact that men often purchase two cards for their siginificant others...an amusing one and the obligatory romantic one which they believe is expected of them.

- Half of all consumers prefer to receive a humorous Valentine, followed by a romantic greeting (31%) and then a more risque form of card (8.2%).

- February 14 is the most important holiday for florists, accounting for 32% of annual sales.

- 73% of people who buy flowers to send on Valentine's Day are male.

- 36% of males and 28% of females put off their Valentine's Day shopping until February 14 or the day before. 64% of consumers will plan to do their shopping a week or more prior to the date.

- The chief colors associated with Valentine's Day are pink, red and white. Pink is a delicate, almost innocent shade of red and is also connected with Saint Valentine, whose burial was said to have caused the pink almond tree to blossom. Red is a symbol of warmth and feeling, the color of the heart, while white represents purity and faith, a faith between two who love each other.