By Kelly Tyko
Toast your sweetheart with a glass of free champagne Thursday.
Eat your heart out with heart-shaped treats and meals.
And stretch your budget this Valentine’s Day by saving on the big meal. Fancy dining and casual restaurants alike are offering special menus and deals.
According to the National Retail Federation’s annual holiday survey, total holiday spending is forecast at a record $20.7 billion, a 6 percent increase over last year.
The survey shows only 34 percent of U.S. consumers plan to celebrate with an evening out and will spend an estimated $3.5 billion.
An analysis of 42,000 local restaurants by Womply, a small business software provider, found Valentine’s Day to be a typical day last year
“If you want to wine and dine your sweetheart, Valentine’s Day is a great day to go out to eat – especially if you don’t insist on a high-end eatery,” said Brad Plothow, Womply vice president of brand and communications. “It might not be as hard as you think to get a table.”
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Click here to see all of Kelly’s best deals for Valentine’s Day.