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Connect
by Kim Lance,
associate publisher of Online Dating Magazine
What Did Your
Valentine's Day Gifts Say About You?
With the large number of gifts, candy,
and flowers that exchanged hands on Tuesday for Valentine’s
Day, I’ve been inspired to theme this edition
of Connect around what your gifts are communicating
about you. Whether you know it or not, you are communicating
messages to your partner or date with every gift you
give (or don’t give for that matter). Gifts have
traditionally been a way for couples to express appreciation
and love and the right gift at the right time can help
a couple form a deeper connection.
In honor of Valentine’s
Day, lets take a look at the most common gifts exchanged
during this lover’s holiday. A majority of households,
65%, gave a greeting card as a token of love for their
Valentine. In fact, Valentine’s Day is the second-most
popular greeting-card-giving occasion, with 180 million
Valentine’s Day cards exchanged annually. The second
most popular way to celebrate is by taking your sweetheart
out for a “date night”, with 44% participating
this way. Other popular gifts given on Valentine’s
Day include candy (38%), flowers (32%), gift cards (29%),
plush gifts (21%), perfume/cologne (12%), and jewelry
(11%). Obviously, many of the respondents in this survey
gave multiple gifts, as these percentages add up to more
than 100%, with a mysterious 17% giving a gift from under
the “other” category.
Of course, not every couple uses gifts as an expression
of their love, but, because many do, it is important
to learn what kind of messages you are sending when
you pick out that perfect present. Let’s examine
the top three most popular gifts to give on Valentine’s
Day and what they may be saying about you and your
relationship. As going out on a date isn’t exactly
a “gift” we will eliminate it from the
list and instead focus on greeting cards, candy, and
flowers.
Greeting Cards on Valentine’s Day
Exchanging cards with your date on Valentine’s
Day is a tradition going back for centuries, which
explains why it is the most popular way for couples
to celebrate the holiday. The card’s theme and
personal message can convey a strong message to its
recipient, and it is important to understand the strength
of that message before just picking out your average “Have
a Happy Valentine’s Day” card.
When choosing a card, it is important to keep in mind
that, although cards are the standard gift and a relatively
inexpensive way to celebrate the holiday, your significant
other will be able to recognize the time and thought
you have put into your card selection. If you run to
the store at the last minute, pick up the first generic
card you see, and lick the envelope as you are walking
up to your date’s front porch, you’re date
will know you did not put a lot of thought into the
card. On the other hand, a card with a message that
is related to your relationship with a thoughtful handwritten
note can have a much stronger impression on your loved
one. If humor is a big part of your relationship, pick
a card that your partner will crack a smile over, or,
if you are crafty, give your partner a hand-made card.
The point is, if you are going to celebrate Valentine’s
Day (or any other romantic holiday, anniversary, etc.)
then try to make it as personal and heartfelt as you
can. The more individuality and thought you put into
your card selection, the more impressed your partner
will be. If your partner feels you did not put any
time into your selection, it may make them rethink
how important they are in your eyes. Remember, you
are picking a card to speak for you, make sure you
really think out what you want to say.
Candy for Your Sweetie
Ninety-nine percent of the time you can’t go
wrong when giving candy (particularly chocolate) as
a Valentine’s Day gift. Usually both men and
women love sweets, although men don’t seem to
view chocolate as an essential food group for
some reason. It is hard to go wrong with chocolate,
but remember, presentation is everything.
As is the rule with cards, the more individualized
and personal you can make your sweet treat the better.
Is there a bakery that makes heart shaped cookies nearby?
Maybe you can combine the idea of flowers and candy
by giving your date a chocolate rose? Accompany your
candy gift by writing in a note or telling your partner
that they are the sweetest person on earth and deserve
something sweet for their very own.
Even though any gift of chocolate will inevitably
make your partner’s mouth water, going that extra
mile by putting some additional thought into your candy
gift can effectively express to your partner how important
they are to you, not to mention how “sweet” you
think they are.
Flowers Can Help Make a Relationship Rosy
It’s no surprise that flowers are high up on
the list of gifts for Valentine’s Day. You can’t
help but be aware of all the bouquets of red roses
in the floral section of your grocery store or the
delivery trucks visiting homes and offices all day
February 14th. Valentine’s Day is the perfect
time to make your partner’s day a little “rosier” with
some flowers.
Flowers can perhaps express more to your partner about
your thoughts on the relationship than any other gift.
Even a simple thing as the color
of the roses in your bouquet can send a message to your date. Make
sure you know the impact that a red rose can have over
a yellow rose before presenting your bouquet to your
significant other.
Again, I must stress that the more time you put into
your gift, the greater the impact you will have on
your partner. Picking up an $8.00 floral arrangement
on your way out of the grocery store sends a very different
message than a bouquet of 12 red roses and one unique
colored rose followed with the message: “You
stand out as one of a kind in my heart, just as this
single individual rose stands out from the others”.
Which message do you want to send? Remember, the person
you are giving the gift to will know how much thought
you put into it. Impress him or her!
Gift Giving is Communication Without Words
Communication is not only about your words, but also
largely about your actions. One of those important
actions is gift giving. A last-minute afterthought
of a gift can have the power to cause alienation
or separation of your partner from you and make your
partner question the value you put into the relationship,
yet, a thoughtful, appropriate gift could be another
link in the chain that is connecting both of you
together in a happy relationship.
Plus, don’t wait for a holiday like Valentine’s
Day for an excuse to give a gift. If you are feeling
extra warm and fuzzy towards your partner on a day,
surprise them with a box of chocolates or a bouquet
picked from your garden. Giving gifts is a way of continually
showing intimacy and appreciation for your partner,
no matter what the occasion.
For more gift ideas, take a look at DateGifts.com.
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