Sweet Treats: North Carolina’s Top Valentine’s Day Candy

Valentine's Day is almost here. It's a holiday full of romance, hearts, bouquets of roses, and candy. According to the National Retail Federation, people are projected to spend more on Valentine's candy this year than cards, bouquets, dinner, or jewelry. But which sweet treats are people buying the most this year? CandyStore.com has the answers. They just released its annual map of America's favorite Valentine's Day candies by state. The candy website compiled the information using 16 years' worth of bulk candy data.

North Carolina's favorite Valentine's Day candy is Conversation Hearts. The state's second top choice is the classic heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. Following behind this sweet treat is its third choice, Cupid Corn. And yes, Cupid corn is just a pink, white, and red version of the well-known Halloween Candy Corn.

According to their data, heart-shaped boxes of chocolate take the top spots in 15 states. Following cliché boxes of chocolate are the conversation hearts. Those little chalky hearts ranked in first place in 13 states.

The top-ranked candies are Hershey Kisses in 8 states and Valentine-themed M&M's in 6 states.

Last year, Nebraska and Michigan both had Cupid Corn (candy corn) as their favorite for the love-filled holiday. Interestingly, this year, only Michigan has it listed as its favorite Valentine's Day candy. This could be due to the popularity of vodka infused with candy conversation hearts, as mentioned in the study.

It seems like a pretty easy and simple recipe, too. On TikTok, Viral Cocktails just dumps a couple of boxes of conversation hearts in a bowl, pours a nice-sized amount of vodka over the candy, refrigerates it for 3 to 4 hours, and serves it up.

Many states prefer chocolate hearts and chocolate roses. But in Alabama, candy necklaces have consistently been a favorite.

CandyStore.com found that 47 percent of people said they will buy themselves a box of chocolate this year. Its study also revealed that 58 million pounds of chocolate are bought during Valentine’s Day week. The study mentions that about 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold each year leading up to Valentine's Day.

Take a look at the complete study here and find out what other states say are their favorite candies for Valentine's Day.

There can be a lot of pressure and expectations around Valentine’s Day. A great Valentine's Day can be great for a relationship: if handled well, it can take a budding relationship to the next level. Or it can reignite a relationship that is years, or even decades, old.

On the other hand, a poorly executed Valentine's Day can have significant drawbacks, casting a shadow on a relationship. Failing to invest time in planning a meaningful day or falling short of expectations can lead to feelings of disappointment and resentment.

Driver Research reveals that Valentine's Day is celebrated by as many as 52% of consumers. Approximately 224 million roses are grown exclusively for the holiday, and about 3 out of every 10 Americans end up accumulating credit card debt due to their Valentine's Day spending.

Some people set unrealistic expectations for Valentine’s Day, setting themselves up for potential disappointment. But it's important to realize the day is about celebrating love, not showing off.

Another common pitfall is assuming their partners can read their minds about what they want on Valentine’s Day. It’s better to be clear about your wishes to avoid disappointments.

While gifts are always appreciated, it's important to remember that the value lies in the thought and effort behind the gift, not the price tag. Social media can exacerbate this pressure, with people flaunting extravagant gifts and experiences. Every relationship is unique, and there's no need to compare your Valentine’s Day with others.

Additionally, love shouldn't be confined to a single day a year. Consistently expressing love and appreciation throughout the year can alleviate stress associated with Valentine’s Day. Simple, spontaneous gestures, such as leaving a heartfelt note or a surprise gift, can go a long way in making someone feel loved and appreciated.

If you've had a not-so-great Valentine’s Day, learn from it and avoid these common mistakes next time. Take a look at some of the common Valentine’s Day mistakes to steer clear of for a smoother and more enjoyable celebration.

Having no plans, even with good intentions, can make you seem inconsiderate and unmotivated. While it's tempting to resort to last-minute convenience-store flowers or a generic box of chocolates, your partner likely knows you're more creative. Avoid scrambling to find the perfect last-minute Valentine's Day gifts. Instead, have a plan in place, making your partner feel valued with the thought you put into it ahead of time.

Valentine's Day is a peak time for restaurants, spas, and getaways, so avoid waiting until the eleventh hour to snag your spot. Many places fill up weeks or even months before the big day. According to Taste of Home, it's wise to plan and secure a reservation five to six weeks in advance. Mark it on your calendar to avoid any slip-ups. If you realize you forgot, try calling around to see if any restaurants have last-minute openings, or opt for a cozy romantic dinner at home.

Surprises are great, but when you gift your partner chocolate and roses and they surprise you with a trip to Hawaii or a new car, it can be a bit awkward. Although it's uncommon to have such a huge difference in gift budgets, having a quick chat before Valentine's Day can be beneficial. Set some guidelines. Maybe agree on a small budget, like under $20, or consider pooling funds for a more extravagant joint experience.

People often make the mistake of organizing Valentine's Day based on their preferences rather than considering what their partner likes. Avoid overlooking your partner's wishes or desires for the day. If your significant other prefers a cozy night at home over a fancy dinner, make sure your plans align with their preferences.

Even if you're not a big fan of Valentine's Day, your partner might be a total romantic, so don't act like it's just any regular day. You don't have to pull off a huge, fancy gesture every time, but completely ignoring it can be hurtful. Making a little effort shows you care. Complaining about the day doesn't help either. Some people see Valentine’s Day as a bit commercial, but pointing that out or making excuses to ignore it might disappoint your partner. Griping about putting effort into the day can quickly spoil anything special you decide to do for them.