Need Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day? Knowing Your Partner’s Love Language May Help!
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, you might be scrambling for that last minute card or gift. Or, you might be wondering how you want to spend that special day with your special someone. Today, I'd like to share some ideas with you about how we approach our thinking when it comes to potential gifts you might give your valentine. The neat thing about the strategy I'm sharing with you is that in approaching gift giving in this way, you may gain a deeper understanding of your partner; they might feel especially appreciated or loved too! Win-win!
Author Gary Chapman published a book titled, The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts, where he discusses the concept of communication between romantic partners through different ways they either receive or give love to one another. Chapman packages communication, specifically romantic communication or expressions of love, between partners into a very approachable five categories in his book: words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.
These five languages provide a great schema or framework for understanding our partners, and as it so happens, also can be a great way to approach Valentine's Day gift giving!
Take for example, the love language of words of affirmation. If you or your partner speak this love language, you feel loved and valued whenever your partner speaks or writes to you, words affirming you and what you mean to them. While the obvious choice for this love language is to buy a card, you might also consider a handwritten letter, too. Expressing just how much your loved one means to you goes a very long way into making them feel loved and appreciated. Are you especially good with your words? Got a little Shakespeare in you? Make it a creative gift and write them a poem, a sonnet, or, if you’re musically inclined, a song!
If your partner's love language is quality time, you'll want to set aside some time to spend with them. Aside from the usual romantic restaurant, consider partaking in a new or different adventure together. Has your partner ever wanted to try indoor skydiving? Maybe an impromptu road trip? Your partner loves being with you and what better way to show them love than getting yourselves out there, planning something unique, and making some new memories together?
If your partner's love language revolves around receiving gifts, you can try being intentional about surprising them with gifts. Everyone expects flowers, cards, and candies, but is there something extra special you have up your sleeve? Perhaps you've caught them talking about an item they've had their heart set on? Or you've noticed them admiring an item as you two walk the mall or stores? For days not Valentine's Day, these individuals will feel the love if you give them a "just because" gift.
For the partner who speaks the love language of acts of service, don't feel like you have to commit to taking over all the chores, or overexerting yourself. If you are able to, you can gift them with a cleaning service. Or, if you do want to take on the tasks yourself, a coupon book can be a great way for you to make sure you don't have to do everything all at once. And it's not just limited to chores and helping around the house. As they say, it’s the little things. Bring your love some coffee in bed as they wake up. Open doors for them. Bring them their favorite treat as they’re working… You can be as creative as your imagination will allow when it comes to what you'll do for your partner. Have fun with it!
Speaking of fun, the last love language, physical touch, is pretty straightforward but that doesn't mean you can't get creative with this one either. Maybe you gift them with a massage oil and then follow that up with a sensual massage. Perhaps you combine gift ideas and gift your partner specially themed coupons geared towards how they like to be touched.
As a matter of fact, these love languages do not have to be mutually exclusive from one another. Many of us respond to more than just one love language and you might think of combination gifts that speak to multiple love languages. And, speaking love languages doesn't have to be a Valentine's Day thing only. Staying attuned to your partner and how they experience feeling loved by you will strengthen your bond and draw you closer together.
You might also like…
“What Is Your Love Language, And Does It Matter?”
“How To Deepen Your Friendship With Your Partner”
How To Break Out Of A Rut In Your Relationship?
Writer Bio: Dr. Annie Hsueh, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY25708) and relationship therapist in the Los Angeles area. She helps couples learn about strengths and growth edges in their relationship and communicate more effectively with one another. She is based in the Los Angeles area and see clients throughout the state of California via secure online therapy platforms. You can reach out to her for a complimentary consultation to see if couple therapy may help you.
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