Valentine’s Day falls on a Thursday this year — in case you forgot (you’re welcome) — and it’s a mid-week timing disaster for many of us. When balancing your busy work schedule with your partner, you may find that you have to delay your celebrations or call them off altogether. But that’s where presents come in. Whether you’ve got a dazzling night of serious romancing planned or you’re set to crash out on the sofa with a takeaway at the weekend, a gift can transform you into a Valentine lothario with minimum effort and ease.
But nailing that all-important Valentine’s present can be tricky. You need something that says “I love you” in all the ways that are unique, meaningful and significant to your partner. You want something that makes your partner weak at the knees and reminds them why, of all the people in the world, the two of you are together. With all that pressure, many of us become overwhelmed and opt for something more traditional and predictable, and many more of us will have to feign excitement at receiving yet another flower-and-cute-card combo.
But don’t fret, in this post, we’ll break down five top tips to help you get the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. Follow them closely and we can guarantee you’ll wow your partner in all the right ways.
1. Don’t Turn up Empty Handed
Do you roll your eyes at the commercialisation of Valentine’s Day, or grow angry at the barrage of cute teddy bears holding poorly stitched hearts, the gaudy bouquets of pink and red flowers, and the sickeningly sweet sentimental, yet generic, cards? If you’re the person at the party who declares that February 14th is just a scam and you don’t need an assigned day to celebrate your partner, it’s time to reconsider. Yes, love is intangible and there’s nothing you can buy or do in a day that will truly represent what your relationship and your special someone means to you, but that doesn’t mean you should forgo the gift giving.
For a start, who doesn’t love receiving gifts? However small or insignificant in the grand scheme of your relationship, gifts are tokens of affection that help to show another, in material ways, that they’re loved, valued, and special. And love it or loathe it, presents have been a tradition on Valentine’s Day for centuries — we expect them. You may think that your gift doesn’t say anything meaningful, but the absence of one says a lot more. Even if your intentions are noble, turning up empty handed says “I don’t care” or “I couldn’t be bothered” — it tells your partner that they’re not special enough. So whatever you do, get something — you don’t want your partner to be the only one of their friends not to receive something.
2. Consider Their Taste
Don’t be tempted to do the classic two-for-one — you know the one, something you can pass off as a gift but that the real motivation behind buying is so you can enjoy it. You may argue that you and your partner share many common interests, but if your gift is something that you really want and merely something your partner might like, they won’t buy it — and that means neither should you. All this tells your partner is that you don’t really know what they like or what they want, which could spell trouble in the future. Imagine how your partner would feel if they went to use their V-Day gift, only to find that you already have it — or, even worse, if it’s a consumable, that you’ve used it all? “What’s mine is yours” won’t cut it, but those daggers from your significant other might.
Save buying yourself a present until payday and, instead, focus on getting your partner something they would truly like. Take time to listen out for the hints they drop — believe us, there are hints — and consider their passions, tastes and hobbies when looking for the perfect present.
3. Go Romantic, Not Practical
Relationships aren’t romantic all the time. Once the honeymoon period’s over, you and your partner settle into a more mundane existence. But it’s these small, wonderful things that create strong relationships and signal a level of intimacy between you and your partner; things like binge-watching your favourite series, chatting about annoying colleagues or playfully doing the washing up with a few too many bubbles. But these are also what makes Valentine’s Day such an important day for couples. It offers the chance to ditch the tracksuit bottoms, turn off the TV and get a little romantic.
Romance should be a top priority on Valentine’s Day and this should reflect in your gift of choice. You may think those sturdy work shoes are a great present because your partner always complains about having sore feet, and you might even desperately need some new pots and pans for the kitchen, but where’s the romance in a kitchen appliance? When choosing your present, think about what your partner wants, not what they need.
4. Get Creative and Break the Mould
The problem with romance today is that it’s all a little “cookie-cutter” — mass produced and generic. The only thing worse than not receiving a gift on Valentine’s Day is getting something that looks like it was picked up during a last-minute dash through town and without an inch of thought or preparation. There’s nothing wrong with the Valentine’s Day go-to — the red roses, the chocolates and even the little heart teddy bears have their place — but it’s just so unimaginative and boring.
It takes just a few special touches to elevate a standard gift. For example, if you want to get flowers for the big day, why not steer clear of red roses and opt for a hand-picked selection of your partner’s favourite flowers, or some that signify a special event or time in you and your partner’s lives? If your partner has a sweet tooth, why not skip the same-old chocolate boxes and make your own? It’s the little gestures that make grand romantic statements.
5. Go with a Personalised Gift
If you really want to impress your partner this Valentine’s Day but aren’t a dab-hand at arts and crafts, you can’t go wrong with a personalised gift. A personalised gift sends the clear message that you thought about your partner and your relationship and that you were willing to take that extra step to get something as unique and special as they are.
There are loads of ways to go personalised. Engraved jewellery is a classic choice, but it can be a little pricey — especially if you and your partner have set a gift budget. Personalised t-shirts and hoodies, though, blend both practicality and romance, and will provide a constant reminder of your Valentine’s Day every time they wear them — of course, now you have to make sure that the rest of the day is as memorable as your thoughtful gift. Couple’s gear is also a nice touch, such as personalised couple’s towels and dressing gowns with you and your partner’s names on them or a symbol that means something in your relationship.
Author bio: Robert Joyce is the managing director of personalised clothing company Yazzoo, which delivers high-quality screen printing and embroidery services at economy prices.
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