How to Give Your Partner the Perfect Gift
By Jasmine Jones
If you have done any reading about the five love languages, you may have learned that your partner’s love language is gifts. Your partner may need gifts in order to understand fully how you feel about him. To those who have other ways of expressing and feeling love, this need for gifts might be confusing or even seem materialistic.
Why Some People Need Gifts
People who treasure gifts are not necessarily interested in the item itself. Mothers whose children bring them dandelions appreciate the thought behind the gift, even though the mom might just consider the dandelion a weed. Whenever a mother sees that yellow flower, she remembers the love that the child expressed with the gift.
It is much the same with adults who need gifts to feel loved. These people need a tangible item that they can see or hold to be a reminder of your love.
The perfect gift tells your partner, “I thought of you today.” Whether you saved him a part of your dessert, picked up his favorite snack at the store, or clipped a beautiful bloom for her from the flower bed in the front yard, a person who treasures gifts will appreciate each token as a symbol of love.
Giving Gifts Need Not Be Expensive
Many people on tight budgets might worry that gift giving is out of their reach. Yet, gifts need not be expensive or fancy to communicate love to a partner. Sometimes small things mean just as much to someone as an expensive gesture.
A handwritten, handmade card, a single rose purchased at the store, or a pizza so she won’t have to cook dinner are all inexpensive tokens that will communicate love to women who treasure gifts. A package of beef jerky, a funny card that reminded you of him, or a new fishing lure may not be costly, but will mean a lot to a man who treasures gifts.
Study Your Partner for Ideas on the Perfect Gift
Sometimes because of preconceived notions, people can struggle with gift giving on birthdays and holidays. For instance, a man whose mother treasured jewelry and perfume might not realize that his wife actually prefers a kitchen appliance. Instead of listening to what your sister or co-worker wants for Valentine’s Day, listen to your partner, who may find a few rose bushes and some compost much more meaningful than a diamond ring.
The reverse is also true; if your partner is a romantic at heart, buying a practical gift may not be exactly what she was expecting. Study your partner to learn the types of things that she would enjoy and appreciate for special occasions. Some people find it helpful to keep a running list of items that their partner might like.
Sometimes women struggle with choosing gifts for men. Many things in which a man might be interested may be hard for a woman to choose. Many women have found it easier to enlist their partner’s brothers, father, or buddies to help with choosing special gifts.
Both men and women must remember that gift giving is not the time to try to change a partner. For instance, if you wish he would dress up more often, do not use his birthday as an excuse to buy him a suit and tie. He will see the gift as a subtle form of nagging.
By the same token, if a man wishes that his wife would learn to cook, giving his wife a cookbook and mixer may not be the best gift for a special occasion. She will resent a gift that implies that she is not good enough the way she is now.
The whole point of studying the five love languages is to find better ways of relating to and expressing love for your partner. If your partner’s love language is gifts, learn to express your love with small things on a regular basis, and make sure that you recognize special events with a thoughtful and meaningful gift. By speaking the right love language, your partner will feel loved, fulfilled, and happy to be a part of your life.
By the way, we hope you're enjoying the love tips!
But if you REALLY want to spice up your love life, enter your email address in the box below to get the hottest romance advice for igniting the flames of passion in ANY relationship. Sign up now and you'll instantly receive a personal copy of 101 Romantic Ideas for FREE!
