Procrastinating men took another body blow in a recent survey release, but it also uncovered some surprising facts about women’s planning habits.The survey, published by lastminute.com, a site launched in the U.S. by Travelocity, looked at how far in advance men and women typically buy gifts or make plans for a special occasion, such as an anniversary, birthday or the often-dreaded Valentine’s Day.

Overall, the survey reinforced that men are in fact romantically challenged, with 78 percent admitting that at least once they have waited until the day of or day before to make plans or buy a gift.

Only one in four feel truly confident that they can break this bad habit.

But, possibly more interesting is the fact that women revealed some challenges of their own, with nearly half saying that they typically make plans a week or less ahead of the occasion.

And, only one in three women felt they could definitely break their last minute habits.

“Men clearly have more issues with advance planning, but in all fairness, this survey also shows that both men and women have a tough time coming up with the right idea on how to surprise their loved one. lastminute.com is looking to inspire people to plan an exceptional evening out or weekend away, even if you have just a few days, or hours, to plan,” said Jeff Varhol, general manager of lastminute.com in North America.

Varhol also wonders whether or not it’s the increasing pace of society that’s leading to Americans in general becoming more and more last minute planners.

The survey showed that women and men found themselves in a similar debacle when asked what causes them to be so last-minute, with nearly 8 of 10 respondents (78 percent of women and 79 percent of men) blaming not having enough time or ideas.

Survey Results:

  — Fifty-four percent of women describe themselves as true
      romantics, while only 39 percent of men defined themselves as
      such.

    — While women plan slightly better than men, the fact that
        almost half of the women surveyed don’t make plans or a
        purchase until within one week of the occasion, certainly
        challenges the stereotype.

  — Sixty-one percent of men still plan/purchase a week or less
      ahead of time versus 49 percent for women.

  — Only one in four men and one in three women felt that they
      could “definitely” break their self-proclaimed last-minute
      planning habits.

  — Fifty-six percent of men say they either sometimes or
      frequently catch heat from their significant other for their
      last minute planning habits (26 percent of women make the same
      claim).
 
“Clearly last minute planning is not going to change, so why not celebrate the spirit of spontaneity,” added Varhol.

The lastminute.com U.S. site is the progeny of lastminute.com, one of the most popular European travel and lifestyle Web sites, and Travelocity, which bought the company in June of 2005.
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