Why Valentine’s Day Isn’t Just For Lovers Anymore

Valentine’s Day has become less about romance and more about connection and recognition. It’s about showing appreciation for the people who show up in our lives, from inspiring mentors and favourite colleagues to best friends and chosen family.

Much of this cultural shift is being led by women. Once a tongue-in-cheek celebration of female friendship, Galentine’s Day has become shorthand for something bigger: prioritizing gratitude, friendship and connection.

New data from The Harris Poll* commissioned by DoorDash reflects this evolution, revealing that Canadians are increasingly expanding who they celebrate on Valentine’s Day. Nearly half of respondents said Valentine’s Day should be about recognizing anyone who supports them—not just romantic partners. Traditional gifts like flowers are also evolving from romantic gestures into symbols of gratitude.

Canadians are clearly embracing that flexibility. During Valentine’s Day week last year, 89 per cent of Canadians who ordered flowers on DoorDash waited until the holiday itself to place their order. On February 14 itself, the peak time for placing DoorDash orders that included flowers was right around 10:50 a.m.—proof that spontaneity isn’t a failure of planning, but a feature of real life.

This is where DoorDash makes recognition easy—not as a last-minute rescue, but as a natural extension of modern connection and convenience. Although Canadians have long relied on the service for meals and everyday essentials, DoorDash has quietly become a Valentine’s Day—and Galentine’s Day—go-to, making thoughtful gestures possible even when the timing isn’t perfect or when you’re not nearby.

Data also suggests that young adults are especially enthusiastic about celebrating Cupid’s favourite holiday, in contrast with older generations. A striking 70 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds reported feeling happy or excited about Valentine’s Day, indicating a preference toward low-effort, high-impact ways to show thoughtfulness and appreciation to the important people in their lives—like sending flowers on DoorDash.

Gen Z takes a more laid-back approach to February 14, but adults between the ages of 25 and 44 reported feeling the highest level of pressure to come through on V-Day. Often juggling work, family and full schedules, this group finds convenience-driven gifting especially appealing—allowing them to get it right without overextending themselves.

Valentine’s Day can be hectic, but it doesn’t have to be. DoorDash makes it possible to celebrate all of the people Canadians care about most—even last-minute—proving that meaningful gestures don’t require extensive planning, just a little bit of thoughtfulness and good timing.

Give them their flowers this Valentine’s Day – literally. Celebrate the people who show up for you with flowers, chocolates, or another thoughtful surprise. Get your Valentine’s essentials delivered with up to 30% off on DoorDash.**

* This research was conducted by The Harris Poll, Quest platform among n = 1,000 English-speaking Canadian adults, fielded January 16-17, 2026. Margin of error +3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Respondents needed to be aware of Valentine’s Day in order to qualify.
** Valid until 15/2/2026. Minimum subtotal and maximum discount vary. Fees, taxes, and gratuity still apply. Only available to select customers. See app for more details.