Getting your significant other a present on Valentine’s Day can be stressful for some couples. Although the holiday is supposed to be about love, it can bring stress for many people.
You want to show your partner that you care, are thoughtful and expressive. However, you don’t want to be cheesy, predictable or over the top with your words of love. It’s easy to get caught up in the process and choose safe options like flowers and chocolates instead of unique ideas.
To impress your girlfriend, you need to come up with something unique
Many valentine gift ideas come from psychologists and scientists. They discovered that hearts aren’t the best Valentines Day present for most people! Instead, look for gift ideas that incorporate science.
Monetary generosity doesn’t equal thoughtful consideration
It appears reasonable to assume that expensive gifts are more appreciated than inexpensive ones. This, however, is false— the opposite is true. On Valentine’s Day, you shouldn’t cheat your significant other by buying an expensive gift. Both Flynn and Adams’ scientific research shows that people value budget-friendly gifts more than exorbitant ones. Even if you spend a large amount of money on the gift, it doesn’t make much difference to recipients.
Acquire Valentine’s presents that last long-term
Giving and receiving gifts are considered important to the holidays by Galak, Givi and Williams. These holidays experts claim that gift-givers focus on creating a perfect moment of mutual enjoyment when the gifts change hands. They don’t care about the experience of the receiver— instead, they desire to make this perfect moment even more enjoyable for both parties.
People tend to appreciate gifts with long-term utility when they’re given to them
What past gifts stood out to you more? Those that gave you a few moments of joy, or those that changed your life for years to come? Ask yourself this question when considering which presents to choose. Do you want fleeting moments of gratitude or do you prefer lasting effects?
Giving someone a gift that lasts for years helps them remember you and your relationship. They may even share stories about the gift’s origins and how thoughtful it was to encourage even deeper appreciation. Instead of focusing on what would generate the most positive response in the moment, think about how the gift could make their life better.
Give your partner a gift you both enjoy
A recent study shows that many Americans have a shared love of travel and sports. This is because many people have similar interests, making it helpful to choose a gift for your partner.
Giving someone a gift that they’ll love is key to choosing the best present. For example, if you know someone who loves hiking, you’ll instinctively choose hiking boots as a gift for them. Choosing a gift doesn’t have to be difficult if you already know what your recipient likes. You can choose an in-person or material gift such as a year-long pass to one of their favorite national parks.
It’s vital to ask them what they want to avoid being scared
People consider thoughtful and caring when they give someone a gift they came up with themselves. They believe that asking someone what they want for a special occasion shows a lack of thoughtfulness or affection. Research suggests that people prefer gifts they’ve requested or have expressed an interest in over gifts they’ve never mentioned. Gino and Finley’s paper on the topic spans five separate studies. It indicates that people usually prefer gifts that recipients have requested or expressed interest in.
Getting someone a gift you didn’t know they wanted is one of the most gratifying feelings in the world. By gathering information without appearing to, you can surprise someone and make their day more spontaneous. If you’ve ever surprised someone with a gift you knew they desired, then you know how good it feels.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
Focus more on the significance of the gift than its perfect appearance. People deeply appreciate any gift, and your partner will likely feel loved when you choose one that expresses your thoughts, opinions, and affection.
Giving a gift requires that its creator cares about the recipient. Finding the perfect gift involves understanding the intended message.