Ah, Valentine’s Day! It’s meant to be the pinnacle of romance, a day filled with love, passion, and heartfelt gestures. And for some, it truly is. But let’s be real not everyone is swept off their feet on February 14th. For many, it’s a day of unmet expectations, awkward moments, and, yes, rejection. And let’s face it, rejection hurts even more when it happens on a day that’s supposed to be all about love. Plus, let’s not forget that crushing on someone doesn’t guarantee a fairy-tale ending.

Here at Bored Panda, we’ve rounded up some of the most cringe-worthy, laugh-out-loud, and downright tragic Valentine’s Day fails to ever grace the calendar. These stories and pics might not make your heart flutter, but they’ll definitely tug at your emotions whether it’s laughter, secondhand embarrassment, or a little bit of both. So, get ready for a rollercoaster of feels as you scroll through these tales of love gone wrong. Trust us, even the most well-intentioned plans can go hilariously off the rails.

But it’s not all doom and gloom! We also wanted to explore how to bounce back from rejection and keep the spark alive in relationships beyond Valentine’s Day. To help us out, we reached out to Glenn Geher, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the State University of New York at New Paltz and a published author. Dr. Geher shared some expert insights on handling rejection with grace and showing appreciation for your partner year-round not just when the calendar demands it. Stay tuned for his advice!

#1 Broke Up On Valentine’s Day, But The Outcome Will Surprise You

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#2 On Valentine’s Day, She Left Me for Another Woman

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Dr. Geher also shared some simple yet meaningful ways we can show appreciation for our partners, emphasizing that these gestures don’t need to wait for a specific date like February 14th. Romance, after all, isn’t confined to Valentine’s Day.

“My wife Shannon and I, both on our second marriages and wiser for it, believe in expressing love through both big and small acts. Just this morning, Shannon surprised me by making me a coffee in a travel mug, grabbing me a Gatorade, and placing them in my car along with a photo of us from a memorable trip. It was such a thoughtful way to start my day,” he said.

“We also write poetry for each other regularly, compose songs, and create little things just for one another. There’s something deeply romantic and loving about sharing creativity. And this idea isn’t just sentimental it’s backed by a wealth of research,” he added.

#3 I Sculpted This Strange, Chubby Giraffe for Valentine’s Day

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#4 The Ice Cream Cake I Ordered for Valentine’s Day Said “I Love You”… Until Some of the Letters Fell Off in Transit

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You don’t need a big budget to show your partner love. Dr. Geher emphasizes that grand gestures like expensive flowers or fancy dinners aren’t the only way to express affection. “Try sending a bouquet of sunflowers along with fresh bagels and cream cheese from the grocery store to your love when they least expect it—maybe when they’re having a tough day at work. It’s guaranteed to bring delight and smiles,” he suggested. These small, thoughtful acts are something anyone can do, starting right now.

“At the end of the day, visible investments of time and effort signal love in a profound way. Research has consistently shown this for years. And based on my personal experience, I can’t argue with the findings,” Dr. Geher shared. “My wife Shannon and I regularly delight each other in these kinds of ways. It shows that our thoughts and hearts are with each other. Ultimately, these investments of time and energy are at the core of what we call ‘love.’ And these are things we can easily do every single day.”

You can also follow Dr. Geher’s insights on Psychology Today (Darwin’s Subterranean World) and Substack (The Human Condition).

#5 My Dog Tried to Help Me Look Extra Handsome for My Wife on Valentine’s Day

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#6 Oops… Just Realized I Bought a Lesbian Valentine’s Card for My Wife (I’m a Guy)

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The National Retail Federation (NRF) forecasts that American consumers are set to spend a record-breaking amount on Valentine’s Day this year.

According to the NRF’s annual survey, spending is expected to reach $27.5 billion in 2025, surpassing the previous record of $27.4 billion set in 2020. On average, Americans are projected to spend $188.81 per person, a slight increase from the $185.81 spent in 2024.

Valentine’s Day also appears to be growing in popularity. This year, 56% of consumers plan to celebrate the holiday, up from 53% in 2024. Notably, more men are joining in the festivities, with 55% intending to celebrate in 2025 compared to 51% in 2024.

#7 Valentine’s Rejection

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#8 Valentine Pie Fail

Today, I spent hours pouring my heart into making my other half an apple pie, complete with hand-cut hearts on the top crust. As I admired her beauty, I carefully slid the pie into the oven, feeling proud of my effort.

But then, disaster struck. My hand accidentally touched the hot rack, I jerked back, and the pie flipped onto the oven door. I nearly cried as I scooped up what I could salvage, my dreams of a perfect, show-stopping dessert crumbling along with the crust.

On the bright side, my husband didn’t mind at all. He ate it just the same and even said it tasted amazing.

Haha, Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! Sometimes, it’s the imperfect moments that make the best memories.

#9 Valentine’s Day Fail

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#10 So… I Got My Wife a Balloon for Valentine’s Day

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#11 My Kid Brought This Home in a Valentine’s Day Goodie Bag from School… It’s a Crayon

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“Whether they’re celebrating a romantic partner or someone special in their life, Valentine’s Day holds a lot of meaning for many people. Consumers are searching for unique ways to show their love, and they can count on retailers to offer the perfect gift options and great deals,” said Katherine Cullen, NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights.

#12 This Krispy Kreme Valentine’s Day Donut

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#13 My Son Wasn’t a Fan of the Valentine’s Day Cards I Chose for His Class

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#14 My Son Wasn’t a Fan of the Valentine’s Day Cards I Chose for His Class

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Meanwhile, Phil Rist, Executive Vice President of Strategy at Prosper Insights & Analytics, shared his perspective: “Consumers are finding diverse ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, showing appreciation and love for the many important people in their lives. The trend of purchasing gifts for friends, coworkers, and others outside of traditional significant others or family members is on the rise. This reflects a growing desire to celebrate all the meaningful relationships that enrich our lives.”

#15 There Was an Attempt to Make My Crush My Valentine

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#16 My Friend Owns a Florist Shop Here’s a Photo of Her and Her Employee’s Hands After Valentine’s Day Week

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#17 The Perfect Way to Roast Someone on Valentine’s Day

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Younger generations are planning to spend significantly more on Valentine’s Day compared to older ones. According to Statista, in 2025, Generation Z Americans are leading the way, spending an average of $235 on gifts and services for February 14. Millennials come in second, with an average spend of around $176. In contrast, Generation X is spending about $95, while baby boomers are budgeting an average of just $53.

This trend makes sense when you think about it. Younger people, especially those in Generation Z and millennials, are often either still searching for love or in the early stages of new relationships, making them more eager to impress with thoughtful, sometimes pricier gifts. On the other hand, older generations, like Gen X and baby boomers, may place greater value on meaningful gestures that don’t necessarily require spending a lot of money, focusing instead on the sentiment behind the gift.

#18 I Levo This Girl So Much

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#19 Happy Valentine’s Day!

My girlfriend left a gift in the car for me yesterday to find this morning when I went to work, but instead, I found a smashed window.

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#20 Valentine’s Pizza

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You don’t need to spend a fortune to make Valentine’s Day special. If you’re on a budget, you can still create unforgettable moments with thoughtful, heartfelt gestures. Consider surprising your partner with a handmade gift, a cozy home-cooked meal, a creatively planned romantic date, a song you’ve written just for them, or even a painting you’ve made.

The possibilities are endless—your imagination is the only limit! What truly matters is showing your partner they’re valued by giving them your time, attention, and effort. It’s not about the price tag of an extravagant gift; it’s about the thought and care you put into making them feel loved, seen, and understood. After all, your effort is priceless!

#21 Found This the Day After Valentine’s Day

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#22 The Flowers I Ordered for Valentine’s Day… Never Buying from 1-800-Flowers Again. Learned the Hard Way After Discovering How Scammy They Are.

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#23 This Heart-Shaped Pizza Crust Once Again Proves My Incredible Cooking Skills

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#24 What I Paid For vs. What They Delivered to My Wife for Valentine’s Day

All she wanted was a simple bouquet of flowers. I ordered a $50 arrangement, only to be hit with an unexpected $30 service fee… What a total scam. To make matters worse, they refused to give me a refund unless I drove to the city where she works to return them. Lesson learned the hard way!

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#25 An Attempt at Making a Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner