Valentine's Day Gifts Dos & Don'ts
Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be stressful. Yet people too often feel pressured when trying to find the perfect way to celebrate when February 14th rolls around. Gifting has become a common, and sometimes expected tradition that can create additional stress, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Getting a gift that expresses your love and affection doesn’t need to be an expensive or over-the-top task. We’ve compiled some universal dos and don'ts to help you successfully navigate finding the right gift for your special someone.
DO make it personal
If you take anything away from this list, it’s this: Find a gift that makes someone feel warm inside by making it reflect something unique about them and/or your relationship. Maybe it’s a gift specific to your partner’s unique interests, or maybe it’s a hand-written card that emphasizes what you love about them most. Ideally, you want to give them something that’s one-of-a-kind. By personalizing your gift, you give the impression that you were thinking about your partner and went the extra mile to make them feel special.
DON’T get stuck on traditional gifts
We often hear about people giving the same old gifts for Valentine’s Day like roses, chocolate, or jewelry and treating Valentine’s Day like a routine rather than a celebration. There are many other amazing gift ideas out there and all it takes is some thinking outside of the box. Who wants to receive the same thing as everyone else on Valentine’s Day anyways? A unique gift is guaranteed to make someone feel special. Check out the latest research on why traditional Valentine’s Day gifts often disappoint.
DO emphasize experiences
There’s plenty of research that shows that people actually value experiences much more than things. This is because experiences create lasting memories that you can treasure forever, while the excitement of a material gift tends to fade much quicker. A romantic dinner at home or a thoughtfully planned DIY date night might be exactly what melts your partner’s heart.
DON’T think you need to spend a lot
Quality over quantity! It’s definitely not how much you spend that makes a great gift, but the thought behind it. Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that cost little to nothing. For example, planning a thoughtful romantic surprise at home for your partner can be a million times more romantic than an expensive night out or a gift that they might never use.
DO express how much you care
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to show someone how much they mean to you. Oftentimes in relationships, we forget to regularly express how much we love and appreciate our partner. Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to remind them how special you think they are. Think about your partner’s love language to help determine the most impactful way to communicate how you feel and show them they are loved. Do they like words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time, acts of service, or gifts?
DON’T give gifts that are actually for you
A thoughtful gift is one that is centered around the person who will be receiving the gift. That means that the gift should not be about you or your wants. For example, lingerie can be a risky gift if the receiver feels that the gift is prioritizing the gifter’s wants more than the receiver’s. Or, giving concert tickets to your favorite band may be really exciting for you but isn’t necessarily what your partner would enjoy.
DO have fun with it
Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be a super formal or serious occasion. In fact, celebrating in a way that is fun and enjoyable for you both will make it even more memorable. Incorporating an element of surprise and your good sense of humor is a great way to create a Valentine’s Day experience to remember. For example, you can create a photo collage from funny moments and experiences from your relationship.
DON’T leave your plans to the last minute
It’s always best to plan in advance! You definitely don’t want to be scrambling to find a Valentine’s Day gift or figuring out plans to celebrate at the last minute. If you’re in a rush to figure out Valentine’s Day plans, you’re more likely to end up getting a less than stellar gift out of desperation. So start planning early to make sure your Valentine’s Day goes as smoothly as possible.