Insider Spotlight
Once reserved largely for couples, Feb. 14 has steadily evolved into a more inclusive cultural moment. That shift is playing out in how millions design and share their celebrations online.
Valentine’s Day is bigger than ever
Romantic traditions remain central, but engagement around the holiday continues to climb. Over the past year, global searches for “Valentine’s Day” and “Valentines” on Canva exceeded 412 million, reflecting the scale of love-centered creativity across cards, invitations, and social posts.
Interest is not just sustained but growing. Valentine’s Day searches increased 31 percent compared to 2024, signaling that more people are participating and personalizing their celebrations.
This growth underscores how users are leaning into design to make familiar rituals feel more intentional, from customized dinner menus to digital greeting cards.
Friendship takes the spotlight
Alongside romantic gestures, friendship-centered celebrations are gaining ground. “Galentine’s Day,” once a niche alternative to celebrate women’s friendship, has become a fully realized creative moment.
Global searches for “Galentine’s Day” and “Galentines” exceeded 8.6 million in 2025, with interest surging 207 percent year over year.
What began as a lighthearted gathering has transformed into themed events shaped by shared aesthetics, complete with coordinated invites, décor templates, and social content.
The data suggests this is more than a fleeting trend. It reflects how people are carving out space to recognize the friends and chosen family who anchor their lives.
A broader cultural shift
At its core, the evolution of Valentine’s Day mirrors a wider rethinking of relationships. Friendship, chosen family, and even workplace connections are increasingly acknowledged as meaningful parts of modern life.
As creative tools become more accessible, everyday users are designing cards, posts, and shareable visuals that once required professional expertise. Established moments like Feb. 14 are becoming opportunities to celebrate a wider circle.
Looking ahead, this inclusive approach is likely to shape not only future Valentine’s Days but other cultural occasions, as more people use them to recognize shared connection and community.
For Canva, the surge in searches signals how design is becoming central to how people express love in all its forms—romantic or otherwise. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
