Food and love have always gone hand in hand. From heart-shaped chocolates to candlelit dinners, Valentine’s Day is one of the biggest moments of the year for food and beverage brands—and creator content is the key to making it count. With U.S. consumers expected to spend $27.7 billion this Valentine’s and candy being the number one gift in 2025, along with a dinner out as a close follow up, Food and Beverage brands have an enormous opportunity to capture hearts (and wallets) through authentic, romance-driven creator campaigns.
Why Creator Content Outperforms for F&B Brands
Traditional advertising can showcase a product, but it rarely captures the emotion of a shared meal or the comfort of a favorite treat. Creator content does. Gen Z is the leading age group most likely to make an influencer-recommended purchase, with 80% doing so at least once a year—and food is one of the most universally engaging content categories on social media.
For F&B brands, the advantage is clear: creators don’t just show products, they show moments. A romantic dinner for two, a Galentine’s brunch spread, a cozy night in with comfort food—these are the scenes that resonate with audiences and drive purchase intent. In fact, 84% of food and beverage brands believe influencer marketing is effective, and partnerships work best when the content feels natural and unscripted.
Valentine’s Day 2026: The Opportunity
Valentine’s Day 2026 falls on a Saturday, which means consumers will have more time to celebrate—whether that’s a special dinner out, a weekend brunch, or a night in with takeout and a bottle of wine. Total Valentine’s Day spending is projected to reach a record $27.7 billion, with food and dining playing a central role.
But the Valentine’s Day audience has expanded. It’s no longer just about couples. In 2025 32% of consumers planned to buy gifts for friends—the highest in survey history—and self-gifting continued to rise, with 60% of Gen Z treating themselves. For F&B valentine’s content, this means there’s an audience for every angle: romantic dinners, Galentine’s celebrations, solo self-care, and family-friendly treats.
Creator Campaign Ideas for F&B Valentine’s Content
Date Night at Home Content
Partner with food and lifestyle creators to showcase romantic dinner recipes, cocktail pairings, or “cook with me” content featuring your products. Think pasta from scratch, a perfectly seared steak, or a DIY charcuterie board. This content works particularly well on TikTok and Instagram Reels, where short-form recipe videos consistently drive engagement.
Restaurant and Dining Experiences
With 35% of Valentine’s celebrants planning an evening out, restaurants and QSR brands have a major opportunity. Partner with local food creators to showcase dining experiences—whether it’s a high-end prix fixe menu or a cozy neighborhood spot. Creator content drives discovery and builds trust in a way traditional ads can’t match.
Galentine’s and Friendsgiving 2.0
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples—Galentine’s Day (February 13) has become a cultural moment of its own. Tap creators to showcase brunch spreads, dessert tables, or wine-and-cheese nights with friends. Highlight products that make entertaining easy, from ready-to-serve appetizers to shareable sweets.
Sweet Indulgence and Treat Content
Chocolate and candy remain the #1 Valentine’s gift category, with 56% of consumers planning to purchase. Work with creators on unboxing content, taste tests, or “gift guide” roundups featuring your products. Authenticity is key—audiences respond to genuine reactions, not scripted endorsements.
Limited-Edition and Seasonal Launches
Valentine’s Day is a prime moment for limited-edition flavors, packaging, and bundles. Creators can generate buzz around seasonal launches through first-look content, reviews, and social-first reveals. According to Innova Market Insights, social media is driving conversation around Valentine’s food trends, from heart-shaped products to indulgent limited-time offerings.
Amplify for Full-Funnel Impact
The highest-performing Valentine’s Day campaigns don’t stop at organic reach. By amplifying F&B Valentine’s content through paid social, brands can extend the value of their partnerships and reach consumers at every stage of the funnel. Partnership ads—where creator content is promoted as an ad—deliver 19% lower CPAs and 13% higher click-through rates compared to standard brand ads.
With paid amplification of creator content projected to grow 48% in 2026, brands that pair authentic creator content with precision targeting will see the strongest results.
Make Valentine’s Day Work for Your F&B Brand
Valentine’s Day 2026 is a moment to connect with consumers through the universal language of food. Whether your brand is in chocolate, wine, snacks, or dining, creator-led campaigns can help you tap into the emotion of the holiday and drive real business results.
Social Native helps F&B brands launch Valentine’s Day creator campaigns at scale—from sourcing the right creators to producing high-quality content to amplifying it across paid and owned channels.
