With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, most of us are gearing up for the hearts, girly-colors, and sappy love letters to come. Most importantly, Valentine’s Day is about the gifts, right?! Who doesn’t want a beautiful bouquet of red roses, a snuggly teddy bear, and a box of delicious chocolates delivered to their door on this day of love? While Valentine’s Day does have a lot of clichés tied to it, the best gifts, in my opinion, are those that are simple and thoughtful.
Yes, boys and girls alike are going to hate me for saying this, but you are taking the easy way out when you go the teddy bear-chocolate route.
Flowers on the other hand are classic and they will never get old. But think about it for a second. How many stuffed bears do you have at home living their lives out on the back shelf of your closet? Exactly. So this year, I pose a challenge to all those involved in the gift-giving season of Valentine’s Day. Give something more thoughtful to show that you care. Don’t worry, though, I wouldn’t give you all a challenge without some helpful hints.
1.) Pay attention this week.
While I understand that it might be hard to go back and think about past conversations you have had with your Valentine, it is important that you listen this week! That is the first step in giving a thoughtful gift. Keep on your toes and listen for clues about something your significant other might want or even need for that matter. Communication is a major part of a relationship, so take advantage of this opportunity to prove to your Valentine that you pay attention to him or her!
2.) Favorites, Favorites, Favorites!
This is one of the easiest ways to give a thoughtful gift. Without being too obvious, find out what your Valentine’s favorite things are. Think candy, movies, colors, music and more. Give a meaningful gift that shows that you have taken time to really know them- even if it’s just their favorite candy wrapped in their favorite color of wrapping paper. They will notice that you have made more effort than just a bear off the shelves of some store.
3.) Personalize.
Once again, this is about making the gift you give personal. Make it special to your Valentine’s likes and interests. Think about what makes your significant other unique. What do they love? What makes them different from every other BC boy or BC girl? Incorporate pieces of them into your gift. It means a lot to receive a gift from someone who shows they know the real you.
4.) Surprise!
Who doesn’t love a good surprise?! I admit, this one does take a bit more planning than the other gifting ideas. However, it definitely has the best reward tied to it. It might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but you are most likely to give the best gift your Valentine will be receiving on this day. So spend time with them!
5.) Take Time.
Gifts are never about how fancy they are, how beautifully they are wrapped, or how much they cost. The best gifts come from your own heart, so take Valentine’s Day as a chance to express how you feel towards someone else. You don’t even have to buy them anything. Take time to plan out a day-trip in the city. If they love turtles, take them to the aquarium. If they love Italian food, take them to dessert in the North End. It’s all about putting in the effort to make someone else feel appreciated and loved.
So in the end, keep in mind that what you put in is what you get out. If you approach Valentine’s Day with an open heart and a gift that truly shows you care and have listened and learned about the other person, you will have a wonderful day! Remember, it IS the thought that counts!
Photo Sources:
http://ubiwall.com/cute-candy-hearts-valentine-day-image/
http://www.squidoo.com/Valentines-Day-Chocolates
http://bestvalentinesday2014.com/valentines-day-2014-messages-for-facebook/