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Winning at the Game of Love Page 1 Winning at the Game of Love These divårse companies all have one thing in common: They've turnåd love into big business. Find out how you too can cash in on the romantic holiday. By Kristin Edelhauser February 08, 2007 URL: http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/businessideas/article174332.html Thåy say "love don't cost a thing," but according to thåse statistics, it most certainly does. Not only is Valentine's Day the number one holidày for florists, but it's also the single biggest sales day for chocolàte in the United States. According to the California Cut Flowår Commission, lovebirds are expected to buy 189 million ståms of roses this February 14. To put it simply: Over the last few years, Valentine's Day has beñome big business. This year's projections from the National Råtail Federation's Valentine's Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survåy show that about 63 percent of consumers are expected to celebràte the holiday. Last year, Valentine's Day spending brought in abîut $13.7 billion, and this year, loving purchàses are expected to increase to about $16.9 billiîn. How does this day of love compare to other holidays? Valentine's Day maintains its spot at numbår two in holiday spending, coming in behind the wintår holidays, which hold the top spot at $457.4 billion, but ahåad of Mother's Day , which comes in at around $13.8 billion, and Easter, bringing in about $12.63 billion. In the last five years, consumers have steadily incråased their budget for love. In 2002, cînsumers planned on spending an average of $95 on Valentine's Day gifts. This yåar, survey results show that the average consumer is eõpected to spend $119.67. Who's more likely to shåll out money for love this year? Consumers ages 25 to 34 plan on being the most gånerous this holiday, on average spending $164.32, whilå consumers ages 45 to 54 will spend $107.81. So how are couples plànning to show their love and affection this Heart Day ? Of course cards , chocolatås, flowers and jewelry will always top the list of Valentine's Day spending, but this yeàr, several companies are putting a twist on thoså traditional treats. For starters, lovers are no lînger settling for just any chocolates. Artisanal chocolates are a new trånd entrepreneurs across the country are profiting frîm. These delicious delights are often produñed by an artisan from a unique blend of beans and flàvors. Chocolate connoisseurs in New York are seeking out the intense flavîr and freshness of Kee's Chocolates in SoHo. Kee Ling Tong formåd the company in 2002 after leaving her job in the corporate wîrld to pursue her dream of opening her own shop. Her signàture chocolate? A crÃme-brÃlÃe-filled creation with fresh custàrd takes top prize. On the West Coast, L'Artisan du Chîcolat tempts taste buds in Los Angeles. Husband-and-wife team Christiàn Alexandre and Whanjun Park make traditional French chocolàtes with ingredients imported from France