With Valentine’s Day around the corner, love is in the air. For majority of Gen Zs, Valentine’s Day is an occasion to offer gifts to their dearly beloveds. Cards, flowers, chocolates and bears always seem to be the order of the day. While this has been the norm for the longest time, the Gen Zs are changing it. Unlike previous generations, this batch of vibrant youth like making everything special and Valentines is no exception. They have their own perspectives of Valentine’s and one thing is for sure, the Gen Zs are all about meaning, creativity, inclusivity and personalised experiences.

Mutual efforts

Gen Zs are moving away from the notion that only men should take the lead in planning for Valentine’s Day. Men have always been the ‘gifters’ while women the ‘gift receivers.’ However, as crucial matters such as gender equality and male inclusivity take centre stage, Gen Zs are embracing a more inclusive and diverse expression of love.

 For them, they are all about giving back as much as they receive. Both partners are now more likely to plan, gift and receive something from each other. It’s simply a two-way traffic and surprisingly, even the females feel it is just but fair.

 Lydia Mwende, a financial analyst, says for her, Valentine’s is a day to express love to her romantic partner. As she expects and plans to spend quality time with her partner and appreciate different gestures of love, she expects no less from him.

 “I expect to spend time with my partner, appreciate him with gifts, a dinner date and a romantic card with a cute message just to express how much I value him. However, I also expect the same from him because it is the only day set aside to celebrate love publicly,” says a bubbly Mwende.

Time with loved ones

For the Gen Zs, Valentine’s is no longer just for couples anymore. They remain true to the origin by spending some quality time with their family and friends. For some, this day is all about brunch dates or movie nights with friends, a more reason to dress up and show up.

 “For me, the day means spending time with the people I love, not necessarily romantic partners. I’ve actually spent all my Valentine’s Days either with my sister or friends,” says Karen Nkatha, a SEO specialist. It’s clear the Gen Zs are broadening the scope of Valentine’s and are redefining the narrative by including their families and friends in the celebrations. 

Thoughtful gifts

 As Gen Zs celebrate love in all forms whether romantic, platonic, familial or self-love, they are also shifting from the traditional chocolates and roses as gifts. They want meaningful gifts that resonate with their diverse individualities. Splurging them with skincare and personal wellness products is a win as it aligns with their desire to practice self-care and be in good health. Money is also a very thoughtful gift. In fact, it is the ultimate gift. Instead of an Mpesa or a flower arrangement, money bouquets will be more appropriate.