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Wellness > Sex + Relationships

Gift Giving 101: What To and Not to Buy Your Significant Other for Valentine’s Day

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Winona chapter.

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching and last-minute gifts being bought, here is a helpful list of things not to get for your significant other and a few good ones! 

 

The not so good gifts:

 

  1. Cheap Flowers

Although giving flowers can be a loving gesture, the cheap, almost dead flowers that are the last on the shelf are way less meaningful than a well-planned and thought-out gift. 

a single red rose lying on a black tabletop
garryknight

  1. A talking bear

A talking Build-a-Bear would be a perfect gift if the relationship has been for a while and/or the people in the relationship agree on the intimacy of the relationship! No one wants a bear that says “I Love You” a month into a relationship.

stuffed animal valentine
Photo by Acharaporn Kamornboonyarush from Pexels

  1. Any type of cleaning supplies

This especially goes for items like cleaning supplies, tools and appliances. This is specifically targeted for women but can also apply to anyone. If your SO usually does the housekeeping and maintaining the household, don’t get them something that would “enhance” their chore duties. Not only is that a poor gift, it’s also meaningless. 

 

  1. Dental hygiene products 

Nothing says “I Love You” like toothpaste and floss, right? Wrong! Not only is that a meaningless gift, (unless maybe they’re a dentist), it can also be seen as an insult. 

Tooth Brush Toothpaste
Jocelyn Hsu / Spoon

  1. Anything weight-related

Valentine’s Day is the day to show how you love your SO unconditionally, so getting them a weight-related gift is like writing a note saying, “I love you but not your weight” and can also be seen as a deeply rooted insult. 

John Arano H4I9G
Jade Stephens / Unsplash

  1. Makeup or Skin Care Products

Makeup is generally a hit or miss gift. Depending on what type of person the gift recipient is, they will either be happy or not so happy with this gift. Along with makeup, skincare products are not a good choice. This gift would come with a built-in insult. 

Makeup
freestocks.org

Now that the bad gift ideas are out of the way, here are some good gifts and ideas! 

 

(Photo 4)

  1. Infused Water Bottles

Brighten up their day with this infused water bottle. Not only will it bring happiness and healthiness but it’s also a thoughtful gift. Just add frozen fruit and then enjoy some refreshing flavored water. 

Jar with lemon
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

  1. Edible Bouquets

What’s better than the gesture of flowers but also fruit-covered chocolate that can also be enjoyed? 

 

  1. Wearable Blanket Hoodie

A blanket meshed sweatshirt is a perfect gift for anyone who loves to bring coziness and comfort with them! 

 

  1. Candles

Although candles seem like a very basic and small gift, I promise good-smelling candles will be a great hit! 

Noelle Australia
Noelle Australia / Unsplash

  1. Personalized Gifts 

Unless your relationship is fairly new, personalized gifts are always sentimental and easy to give. This may require more than a few days to be sure it arrives by Valentine’s Day but it is a wonderful gift for everyone! 

 

Hope this gift guide makes the spreading of love just a bit simpler this Valentine’s Day.

 

Lena Zarate

Winona '22

Lena is in her third year at Winona state University, and she's majoring in social work and minoring in criminal justice and ethnic studies. She hopes to get her master’s degree in social work and hopes to work with at risk youth and juvenile delinquents. In her free time she enjoys watching Netflix, playing rugby, watching true crime, volunteering, and listening to music.