As Valentine’s Day approaches, gift shops and online stores are seeing increased activity, with many young people preparing to celebrate the season of love.

But beyond the flowers, chocolates and surprise packages, a growing trend is emerging: the pressure to meet expectations shaped largely by social media.

For many young people, Valentine’s Day is no longer just about expressing affection. It is also about keeping up with standards set online.

From luxury gift hampers and surprise deliveries to trending money bouquets, the season of romance is increasingly turning into a public display, driven by social media trends and the fear of being left out.

Scrolling through carefully curated posts of grand gestures and expensive gifts, some say the pressure to measure up is real.

“Social media has had a lot of influence because people are sort of setting a standard where you have to receive certain things so that you feel good about being loved. Let’s talk about when Money Bouquet was trending, everybody wanted that as big as it goes, even the currency,” a young woman said.

“People start asking themselves why they’ve not gotten some before and why nobody loves them. Even when someone buys something for you, you start to compare and ask yourself whether you should appreciate it,” another said.

This culture of comparison, some say, is creating emotional and financial pressure, especially for young people trying to live up to what they see online.

The growing desire to impress is also changing how Valentine’s Day is being celebrated, and sold.

Gift vendors say customers are increasingly requesting elaborate and high-end packages, often inspired by viral surprise videos and online trends.

Ramatu Muntari, a Valentine’s package vendor, says expectations have risen compared to previous years.

“Customers are demanding more expensive and luxurious packages this year as compared to previous years. When we do the surprise and people see, they also want to do some and more, just to impress their partners and avoid embarrassment as well,” she said.

But mental health experts warn that what is seen online does not always reflect reality.

Clinical psychologist at the KNUST Counseling Center, Elizabeth Anokyewaa Fordjour, says many young people are using social media as a benchmark for their relationships.

“Not everything we see on social media is real. A lot of young people do not understand that. People only put their best out there. And when young people constantly consume these, they see it as a yardstick for themselves and relationships,” she explained.

She cautions that the pressure to match online standards can lead to anxiety, dissatisfaction and unnecessary financial strain.

“When you start comparing yourself to all these things that you see, you would want to have some, and if you don’t get some then it becomes a problem for you. But maybe that is not the reality. Learn to live within your means,” she added.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the flowers, surprises and grand gestures will continue to trend. But for some young people, the message has finally become clear. Love should not be a competition.

“Personally, I’m not someone that can be easily pressured. I live by my means. If I can afford it, I buy. If I can’t, I move away from it. Don’t let anyone pressure you into doing anything,” a young man said.

Beyond the flowers, the surprises and the social media posts, experts say the true value of love cannot be measured by how much is spent or how many people are watching.

And as Valentine’s Day approaches, many are being encouraged to celebrate love not for the cameras, but for the heart.