Do: Discuss beforehand
Make sure to communicate with whoever you plan to exchange gifts with about how far to take the celebration. Some love Valentine’s Day and want to go all out, while others aren’t interested in celebrating that way. Having a short conversation about your expectations so that everyone’s on the same page and no one ends up disappointed can be beneficial. Surprises are still feasible as there’s no need to reveal the entire gift, just agree on a general effort baseline.
Don’t: Take it too far
Valentine’s Day is a great way to express appreciation for loved ones, but don’t turn it into a representation of commitment where you feel the need to prove something. Feeling pressure to give a good enough gift ruins the sentiment of the holiday by turning something that’s supposed to be fun and good-natured into an assignment that feels stressful. It’s unfair to make a single exchange determine the extent of someone’s feelings, so don’t put anyone in that position.
Do: Make an effort
It’s understandable to be on a tight schedule or not want to spend a lot of money, but if you’re committing to getting someone a gift, put some thought into it. Nothing is worse than looking forward to a sweet, thoughtful gift only to receive some stale Safeway cookies from the sale section or an expired CVS coupon. Put together a gift that someone would actually be excited to receive.
Don’t: Be a secret admirer
“Love, your secret admirer” feels like something you would find in a romance novel written by a middle schooler, and it’s plain corny. Nine times out of 10, the person receiving the note is going to laugh at it or just feel uncomfortable rather than appreciated. To anyone who is scared to confess: you may as well work up the confidence to do it in person, because doing it anonymously on a slip of paper is not going to do any good.
Do: Personalize gifts
No matter the occasion, an important part of gift-giving is thinking about what the person in mind would like. Chocolate or flowers are always classic, but consider being a little creative with something more specific. It doesn’t need to be anything crazy, just something simple like your loved one’s favorite snack or drink instead of the usual chocolate. Or, even better, skip the material items altogether and organize an experience instead.
Don’t: Gift someone a teddy bear
Stuffed animal gifts can be cute when executed properly, but prove to be a letdown when not. If the person in mind likes a specific kind of stuffed animal, such as Jellycats, for instance, this would certainly qualify as a good gift. However, no one wants a random teddy bear that was mass-produced and taken off a shelf. The recipient will likely display their gift somewhere for a day as an act of gratitude, and then shove it in the back of a closet. Stuffed animal lovers are often particular about their collection, so do some thinking about whether or not they would actually enjoy the creature.
Do: Include a card
A nice gift is a wonderful way to show appreciation to someone, but in order to elevate a gift from a sweet gesture to a special, meaningful present that will leave a lasting impression, a card is the easiest way to do so. A handwritten card provides a place to put thoughts into words, which is especially helpful if gift-giving is not someone’s strong suit. It doesn’t need to be essay-length; just focus on making it thoughtful. Cards also add a timeless element to the gift as they can serve as a time capsule of the relationship.
Don’t: Dramatize your relationship status
Being single on Valentine’s Day is not a devastating tragedy, and there’s no use acting like it is. The holiday can indeed feel bittersweet to those not in a relationship, but it shouldn’t go any further than that. Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance, so spend it celebrating family or friends rather than focusing on the romantic aspect. If nothing else, turn it into a self-care day rather than sitting around moping.
