New Google Search data shows a noticeable shift away from the traditional dinner-and-roses routine toward friendship celebrations, self-care experiences, and highly personalised gifts.
According to Google, Nigerians are using Search not just to find products but to plan experiences, compare packages, and gather inspiration for a more intentional celebration of love in all its forms.
One of the strongest signals this year is the rise of friendship-focused celebrations.
Search interest for “Galentine’s Day party” is trending, as friend groups look to celebrate their own circle. Galentine’s Day is a celebration of female friendship, typically marked on February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day.
Over the past month, top related searches include “Galentine’s day gift ideas,” “Valentine’s day quotes for best friend girl,” and “Activities to do on Valentine’s day with friends.” Search interest for Galentine’s Day has steadily increased year-on-year, reaching a peak in 2025. In the first week of February 2026, searches rose by 140%.
Instead of candlelit dinners, Nigerians are prioritising pampering. Searches for “valentine couple package for dental” and “spa couples valentine package ideas” are rising, suggesting a growing preference for shared self-care experiences.
Other related searches include “combo deal for valentines in a spa or salon” and “romantic weekend getaway lagos,” showing that couples are exploring curated packages rather than one-off outings.
Even aesthetics is getting attention. “Valentine photoshoot ideas for boys” has emerged as a breakout trend, signalling that more men are intentionally participating in the visual storytelling of the day.
Connection across distance is another defining trend. Searches for “Valentine messages for boyfriend long distance” spiked by 380% in the first week of February. Meanwhile, “what can a girl buy for her boyfriend on valentine’s day” increased by 200%, and “valentine’s message for new relationship” rose by 180%.
Victoria Fakiya – Senior Writer
Techpoint Digest
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Searches for “money bouquet for Valentine” are also spiking, alongside queries for specific “cake designs” and “Valentine cake ideas.” Other trending creative gifting searches include “Valentine gift bag,” “Pink flowers for her,” “How to make a gift box for valentine,” and “Valentines letters for friends.”
Food trends are seeing a twist as well, with searches such as “Bento cake designs with cupcakes for valentine,” “Valentine themed cupcakes,” and “Valentine snack box” gaining traction.
In the first week of February alone, searches for Valentine bags quadrupled (+300%), while Valentine hairstyles rose by 270%.
Love meets technology
As Valentine’s planning becomes more elaborate, technology is playing a supporting role. From comparing spa deals to planning weekend getaways and generating mood boards for creative gifts, Nigerians are increasingly relying on digital tools to execute their ideas.
“The 2026 trends show that Nigerians are being more intentional than ever about how they celebrate love—whether that’s celebrating their circle of friends for Galentine’s or putting extra effort into creative, personalized gifts like money bouquets. It’s exciting to see how people are using Search not just to find products, but to find inspiration and the ‘how-to’ for making their celebrations unique.” Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications Manager for West Africa at Google, says.
These search trends show that Valentine’s Day in Nigeria is no longer just about romance. In 2026, it is about experiences, aesthetics, and celebrating love in all its forms.
