By The Collegiate Staff
Since the end of the fifth century, people have been celebrating the idea of love in the middle of February. With billions of dollars being spent annually according to Forbes, many of those gifts could be a hit or miss with significant others.
We are all unique and have our own love language. A key to Valentine’s Day successful gifting is knowing your partner and appealing to their love language before spending a ton of money on something they may or may not like.
To get your special someone the best gift you must first know your person and their love language. There are five love languages: acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch and receiving gifts.
Does your partner love sweet words? Do they like physical touch? Or would they prefer a lavish gift? Knowing their love language may help you choose to do something they would actually enjoy. Whatever you decide, just make sure it is done with love.
The Collegiate asked Grand Rapids Community College students what was the worst and best present they received on the day of love.
While many people enjoy fresh flowers that have a limited bloom time before withering, potted flowers can be enjoyed by those who appreciate flowers that can live on long past the holiday.
Mekhi Wilton, 19 from Grand Rapids said, “I would prefer live flowers instead of clipped ones.”
Emma Holland agrees and would prefer flowers as their ideal gift for Valentine’s Day.
Autumn Serlow on the other hand had a different experience with the gift of flowers that didn’t end up very romantic to her.
“Two-day late flowers (was my worst gift)…I broke up with them after Valentine’s Day,” said Serlow.
Sometimes the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, at least for some students. So what’s the best date night situation?
“Probably just like dinner and a movie at home, you know cozy,” said John Carlos, 19, a Pre Nursing major from New York, New York. “But I love food, so food has to come first.”
Baked goods can land well if you’re confident in your skills and know what your partner likes.
“I think I got a batch of… homemade cookies,” said Jordan Royce, 26.
Not all gifts have to be flashy or expensive. As the Collegiate Staff was interviewing GRCC students, a general consensus was made that handmade and custom gifts would be their favorite to receive.
Juan Botello, 21, of Kentwood wants to feel like the gift was personalized by his significant other.
“Anything custom like anything that someone makes on their own so it could be like a painting or like a note or just something that they made, something that they personalized themselves,” said Botello.
Holland also mentions the thought of her partner paying attention to details is another factor to the thought of gift giving.
“That they know that I like that and pay attention to what I like,” said Holland.
If you’re still looking for a last-minute gift idea, The Collegiate staff has made up a list of possible gifts that your partner might like and some tips about what to avoid.
List of gift ideas
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- Handwritten letters
- Photo collage
- Gifts inspired by favorite songs
- Hobby supplies
- Home cooked dinner
- Poorly photoshopped cards or photos (These can be endearing.)
- Group activity gifts (Legos, puzzles, etc)
- Treat yourself
Bad Gifts (not including the thought)
- Tuna and other canned fish
- Unwanted Self-Help books
- Coffee mug (for someone who doesn’t drink coffee)
Collegiate Reporters Blace Carpenter, Jeremiah Stewart, Kyree Walker, Tommy Vo, Lily Reed, Logan Goralski, Angela Buggs, and Shayna James contributed to this report.
