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Larry Martino

Larry Martino

Larry Martino

Here’s How Much Nevadans Spend On Valentines Day Gifts

Author Larry Martino
A couple exchanges a Valentines Day gift in a small, white box, wrapped in a red ribbon, with a red heart decoration hanging from the top of the box.

When you are involved in a romantic relationship, then Valentines Day is a very special time. However, the pressure to determine how much to spend on a gift can be overwhelming. How much is too much? Will your romantic partner think you’re a cheapskate? Is it too early to give a really expensive gift? With this in mind, the folks at Casino.org have conducted a survey to find out Americans’ Valentines Day spending habits.

Nevadans’ Valentines Day Spending Habits Are Average

It may be a surprise to learn that Nevadans’ Valentines Day spending habits are average. We don’t overspend, and we’re not cheapskates. We’re right there in the middle. Of course, that may not be a surprise to you at all. Nevertheless, on average, residents of the Silver State spend about $52 dollars on a Valentines Day gift for their sweetheart. That’s according to an interesting article by Riley Clark on Casino.org.

I’m sure some readers think that’s too much, and others feel that’s not enough. I guess it depends on how long you’ve been in this relationship. Regardless, the national average for Valentines Day spending on gifts is $51.32.

Now, you may think residents in bigger states such as New York, Texas, California, and Florida would be the highest spenders on Valentines Day gifts. According to Clark’s article, residents of Idaho, just to the north of Nevada, are the biggest spenders for this romantic holiday. On average, Idahoans spend about $84 bucks on Valentines Day gifts.

Furthermore, Delaware ranks second in this study, averaging about $78 bucks for gifts. In third, residents of the state of Oregon, who cough up $77.50 on average for their Valentines Day gifts.

Which States’ Residents Are Romantic Cheapskates?

Whether you prefer to buy your sweetheart a romantic dinner, an expensive box of chocolates, a beautiful bouquet of flowers, or jewelry, you’ll be spending a good chunk of change. Not so much in Alaska. Per Clark’s article, the frigid cold in this state keeps the wallets and purses frozen shut. Basically, Alaskans spend the least amount for gifts on February 14th, averaging about $20.

Moreover, residents of “The Dairy State” rank second for being stingy on this romantic holiday. Folks in Wisconsin spend about $30 dollars on Valentines Day gifts. In third place on the cheapskate countdown is the state of Iowa. Sweethearts in “The Hawkeye State” spend $34.77 on their V-Day presents.

In summary, I guess we should finish with that famous old saying. You know the one from poet and author van Dyke: “It is not the gift, but the thought that counts.” Now, feel free to scroll down for more Valentines Day content you may enjoy.

 

Larry Martino has been the afternoon drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ since 2007. He is also Music Director and Assistant Program Director. He’s been a professional radio broadcaster since 1980, serving as on-air talent, Program Director, and Music Director during his career. As a content creator for 96.3 KKLZ, Larry specializes in writing articles about music, recording artists, movies, food/restaurants, and hockey.

5 Best 80's Movie Love Songs For A Romantic Valentine's Day

Ah, Valentine’s Day. For many, it is the most romantic day on the calendar. On the other hand, some people dread this day. However, for the purposes of this article, we’re going to focus on romance. Furthermore, we’re not just concentrating on romantic songs. But we are celebrating some of the best 80s movie love songs. After all, 96.3 KKLZ specializes in playing “all the hits from the 80s, 90s, and more!”

Romantic Songs Have Been Popular In Stage Plays And Films For Decades

Without a doubt, the film industry loves romance. Even before they figured out how to add sound to moving pictures, most films dealt with love. Of course, once “talkies” were introduced, movie musicals soon followed. Some of the greatest love songs of all time were created specifically for Hollywood films.

Not to mention, before movies became popular, Broadway plays and stage shows introduced many love songs which eventually became “standards.” In fact, the “Great American Songbook”  includes many great love songs “from the 1920s to the 1950s that were created for Broadway theater, musical theater, and Hollywood musical film” per Wikipedia.org.

80s Movie Love Songs And Soundtracks Sold Millions

So, I’m certainly not discounting all the great romantic tunes from the decades preceding the 80s. As a matter of fact, since the rise of rock ‘n’ roll in the mid-1950’s, love songs have been huge hits. However, movie soundtracks before the 80’s include lots of instrumentals. Sure, the soundtrack may include one or two big hits. However, in the 1980’s, the record industry began including multiple hit songs in order to sell more soundtrack albums.

Since movies and love songs go together like peanut butter and jelly, we’re choosing five great 80s movie love songs for Valentine’s Day. Some songs which deserve honorable mention include “Almost Paradise” by Mike Reno and Ann Wilson from the movie Footloose. In addition, “Glory Of Love” by Peter Cetera from The Karate Kid Part II.

And just to be clear, there are many great 80s love songs that will help set a romantic mood. Additionally, many movies and soundtracks from later years feature them. However, for the purposes of this particular article, we are listing songs created for specific movie soundtracks.

So, scroll down and see if you agree with our choices of the top five 80s movie love songs. Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

  • 5) "Crazy For You" - Madonna

    This became Madonna’s first ballad to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also her first song to reach the top of the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. “Crazy For You” is from the film Vision Quest, starring Matthew Modine and Linda Fiorentino. Madonna also made her first appearance on the silver screen in this movie. She did not have to stretch her acting muscles in this film as she played a singer in a local bar.

  • 4) "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes

    Although this #1 smash is not a ballad, I would still consider it a love song. Of course, it’s from the movie Dirty Dancing, starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. And no one will ever forget the classic line which sets up this song and dance number for the film’s finale. “No one puts Baby in a corner.” A classic movie line from a classic 80’s movie.

  • 3) "Take My Breath Away" - Berlin

    Here’s the love theme from the action film Top Gun. The film’s producers and musical director first offered the song “Take My Breath Away” to Martha Davis and The Motels. They passed on the song, so Terri Nunn and the new wave group Berlin recorded the song and took it all the way to #1. This song, as well as the Kenny Loggins hit “Danger Zone,” helped propel the movie soundtrack to the top of the charts. It’s also one of the best-selling movie soundtracks of the 1980’s with over 9 million copies sold.

  • 2) "Up Where We Belong" - Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes

    Here’s the love theme which plays during the final scenes and closing credits of the film An Officer And A Gentleman. Naval Aviator Zack Mayo, portrayed by Richard Gere, heads to the factory where his love interest Paula, played by Debra Winger, is working her shift. Mayo scoops Paul up in his arms and take her away from her dead-end factory job while this song plays. Supposedly, they live happily ever after. There wasn’t a dry eye in the theater.

  • 1) "Endless Love" - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie

    This is the love theme from the Franco Zeffirelli film Endless Love. Lionel Richie wrote and produced the song “Endless Love.” He performed it with his Motown labelmate, Diana Ross, and took it to #1 for nine weeks during the summer of 1981. It is the most successful duet of the rock era, spending a grand total of six months on the Billboard Hot 100. This song will definitely get you in the mood to enjoy a romantic Valentine’s Day. Enjoy!

Larry Martino is the long-time afternoon drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.

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