Recession Romance Gets Frugal As Well

By Super

Wednesday, October 5, 2011, 14:55

Back in the days, when the old economists with unshaven face were yet to discover the theory related to recession, the lovers gave numerous oaths, while showering their sweet-love with gifts and treasures. Alas! Times have changed, while money-matters have gone onto affect even romance and lovers now seldom shower gifts.

Well, we are not the ones saying this, a recent study has concluded that romantic gifts like flowers and jewellery are fast becoming history, as struggling with recession-effects, the couple are more keen on practical gifts.

The study revealed that almost 60 per cent of Britons preferred to buy a useful article as gift for their partners , rather than something that is not a necessity, reports the Scotsman.

The researchers found that most couples gifted jewellery to each other two decades ago, but that trend has now completely been taken over by gadgets like iPod, or DVDs and books.

Jewellery came in third in the list, but a kitchen gadget such as a breadmaker was named the fourth most popular gift.

It seems that the as desire to save is soaring, most couples have gone on a no-gift mode, as almost one fifth of the participants in the research study saying that they did not exchange any gifts to save money.

The survey of 2,500 married Britons also showed that couples now spent about 196.47 pounds on each other at birthdays and Christmas, compared to nearly 230 pounds 20 years ago. Three-quarters of today's couples have even set limits on the amount of money to be spent on gifts, to ensure that neither overspends. Only 50 percent of those married 20 years ago followed the same.

It has also been found that people are spending less money on engagement rings. Twenty years ago men spent an average of two months' income on their partner''s engagement ring, but now males spend just one month's wages.

Jonathan Caplan, from gold-buying website www.mygoldmine.co.uk, said: "Times are harder, so it's not surprising to see people are tightening their belts, but it's sad to think that celebrations are taking the hit."

Though its sad to see how romance itself has become a frugal habit, still the idea of romantic gifts would always stay.

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