kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and KilleenAmericans Expected to Dish Out $18 Billion for Valentine's Day

Americans are pouring out their hearts and money this Valentines Day.

Although budgets may be tight, experts say spending will be up.

Some say you can't put a price on love, but this Valentines Day it could carry an $18 billion price tag.

That's how much Americans are expected to spend, with $2 billion of it going into the floral industry.

It's no surprise to House of Flowers Owner Jami Griggs, who has already taken 200 orders for next Tuesday at the Killeen store.

"It's great for our business. We do watch the numbers every year and see it grow," Griggs said.

Those numbers have sprouted up, despite the slumped economy. Experts predict Americans will spend 9 percent more overall than last year.

"Love is a business and this year, business is booming," said Ellen Davis with the National Retail Federation.

One of the most popular gifts this year is Twilight's Breaking Dawn Part One.

The number four grossing film of 2011 hit the shelves at midnight Friday.

Best Buy in Killeen sold more than 20 copies in the first few hours.

The pre-Valentine's Day release is an annual trend for the popular saga.

Stephen Suttles bought his wife Twilight: Eclipse last Valentines Day, and came to work at Best Buy this afternoon to buy her the first part of Breaking Dawn. 

"It's probably going to be pretty huge. The movie was ridiculously huge, and I'm glad I'm working today, so I can get one for my wife," Suttles said before grabbing one off the shelf.

Whether consumers are taking a bite out of the romantic blockbuster, or sinking their teeth into something sweet, Jami says affection for roses won't ever wither away.

"It's definitely a mood booster, and flowers are proven to make people happier and less stressed and definitely show love," she said.

Jami says the hottest trend in flowers this year are rainbow roses, hand-dyed in Holland.

If you don't have dinner reservations yet, don't let it trouble your heart. There are still plenty of possibilities in Killeen.

Texas Land and Cattle is still taking reservations.

Restaurants like the Olive Garden and Applebee's are first come first serve.

So is Chili's, but you can call in seating just before coming, so that you don't have to wait as long.

If dining in is more your pace, meals are just a click away at sites like sendameal.com.

Reporter/Photographer: Sophia Stamas sstamas@kcentv.com