What do you think is the perfect Valentine gift?

@scheng1 (24650)
Singapore
February 4, 2011 4:18am CST
Since Valentine Day is coming, the merchants are telling us to buy this or that. Most of the commercial products are nice to see, and not all are practical. What do you think is the perfect Valentine gift? It is impossible to celebrate Valentine Day without spending money, especially when your partner works among gossipy colleagues. Watching TV, and eating ramee together definitely is out. It hardly makes for romantic or memorable event.
2 people like this
14 responses
@shrijsr (574)
• Bangalore, India
4 Feb 11
Hello scheng., The possibly best valentine gift you can give to your love, is the time! More than all these materialistic things which may break or get lost somewhere by mistake, you can spend some time, precious time with him/her. Just you both, with your mobiles off, because it can really get annoyed if the phone rings when you are with your loved one! Just think about your way till now. From the first time you saw, first time you spoke, the butterflies which flew in your stomach, well, everything you felt at those times, which you would not have had a chance to tell each other, speak it all out! Just enjoy your love that day. Express yourself about how you feel about each other, how much you love and how much important the other person is to you and your life! Just this much will bring you the best valentines day ever. At the end of all, you will realize how beautiful life is to be with the loved one! How much you love and how much you are loved back! This will remain as the sweetest memory in your hearts forever and possibly, you will understand the other person better than you ever had understood! Cheers! :)
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Shrijsr, actually age is a very important factor. I think for those college students, they expect their partners to buy rose, chocolate and other fanciful gift. If our parents did that, they would end up with a quarrel. Married persons with kids know the importance of saving up every penny, and having enough time for each other, and kids.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Shrijsr, no wonder your grandpa could live so long! He needed your grandma to scold him, otherwise he would eat all sort of nonsense, and never thought about taking care of himself. I think he might even feel comforted by the scolding. At least he knew that your grandma still cared for him. Their love must be very strong, yet hidden from views of everyone. If there is such thing as afterlife, I am sure your grandma is busy scolding your grandpa.
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@shrijsr (574)
• Bangalore, India
4 Feb 11
Well, age is a factor in a way, but then, love does't see the age. No matter how old you are,still you need to be with your partner right! Its not about spending or not spending money. Its about those precious feelings that matter the most!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
5 Feb 11
I think that the perfect Valentine Gift is not a thing that money can buy, it is actually a gift that can make someone happy just like celebrating it with your lovedone over a dinner or simply just being with each other, that is already worthwhile and considered a perfect gift.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
5 Feb 11
Hi Celeste, older persons appreciate the wisdom of having time together. However, the young persons do not have the same idea. They expect to give, and receive fanciful Valentine presents. They expect to have flowers and chocolate and other gifts. Otherwise, they will feel a loss of face in front of their peers.
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@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
5 Feb 11
Hi BabyEj, I think it is just the peer pressure. Our parents probably do not bother with gift giving for special occasions, even Valentine Day. They may just take a day off from work and housework. That is celebration enough. However, the younger generation tend to compare with friends. if all their friends have gifts, physical gifts, and they only spend the night talking to their partner, they will feel a loss of face.
1 person likes this
@babyEj (1522)
• Philippines
5 Feb 11
You have a point.. People equate love to things they received and gave these days. Does this mean people are being materialistic or they are just insecure? I hope whatever there ways i hope true love exists..
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
4 Feb 11
it IS possible to celebrate valentines day without spending money. you could get some paper, write down 365 thoughts, memories and reasons why you like and love the other person, cut them up into strips and place them in a fancy jar. this way, the person will have a year of wonderful messages to bring a smile to her face. who really cares what others say about the gift?
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
5 Feb 11
Hi Cher, I think that is too time consuming for many people. They will find it easier to buy a box of chocolate, and be done with gift shopping for the occasion. Most people do not actually like the way the commercial world portray the celebration of Valentine Day. However, they have no choice since their partner expects it.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
4 Feb 11
I remember when I was young and had my first boyfriend--I was 17, he was in college. Neither of us had any money! On Valentine's day his roommates took their girlfriends out to dinner and movies while I went over to his place and he cooked dinner for me, candle light and all! He read me a poem he had written and then we went outside and looked at the stars while he held my hand--it sounds very sappy but to me it was very, very romantic. It cost us nothing (dinner was just hamburgers and some cookies his mother had sent him) but it was the best Valentine's gift I've ever received. He could barely cook but his heart was full of love. You can have a wonderful Valentine's day for no money at all. It's about the heart, after all, not material things. Another alternative is to refuse to celebrate. Valentine's Day was created by card companies to raise their revenues. Eventually we all got sucked into it and feel obligated every year to buy cards and gifts. It's one of the most successful marketing campaigns of all time. I hope your Valentine's Day is wonderful. Remember, it's about love and not gifts. Be creative--spend an evening at home doing all the things for each other that you never seem to have time for.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Dragon54u, I find celebrating Valentine Day is really useless if there is no strong love in the first place. The exchange of gift is very silly too. If we know that someone needs something, we can just buy it. If there is strong love, there is no need to have Valentine Day at all. Actually I do not understand the logic of buying cards, since most of us do not collect the cards. I usually keep for a few months, and then throw out all the cards. The most useless gift is the stalk of rose. Much better to give a real rose plant, which can blossom anytime.
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Dragon54u, my mother is very sentimental too. She keeps all the cards, even those we made when we were just kindergarten kids. As for me, I am a very practical person. I do not like gifts that do not have any practical value. I do not keep card or photos. I think it is better to look into future, always thinking where to bring my mother, or what to buy for her, than to look at the pictures, and see how young or how sweet looking she was.
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@Xansus (946)
• Bulgaria
4 Feb 11
Well you can buy something little , or do something little , Love and time is all you need to make the day great :) I don't know why it must be only that day but well people decided that they can show their love to fullest once in year (people suck dont they :P ) But simply : Some simple gift , love and time is all people need to make the day great :)
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@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Xansus, I do not celebrate Valentine Day, nor any of the commercial holidays. I think it is a waste of time and money to buy things just because everyone is buying or the merchants say we should show our love in this manner. I think love should be simple, and shows in daily activities. Many married persons rather have time together than expensive gifts. However, those young people still in college or young working adults tend to buy expensive gifts to impress their partners. I think age is a factor.
1 person likes this
@tiffnkeat (1673)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
For married couples, I would say the perfect gift is the gift of faithfulness. And quite objectively, everyday is valentine's day. Why be dictated by a date on the calendar? Colleagues? They have no part in the relationship....even if the couple are just dating. Just being together is romantic enough.
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@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
5 Feb 11
Hi Tiffnkeat, those who are older will appreciate the love and faithfulness in a marriage. Once my colleagues and I were having lunch, and we noticed that a stalk of rose was selling for more than five dollars. That was supposedly a very cheap price for Valentine Day. I asked my colleagues, if their husbands spent so much money on a single rose, what would they do? Bear in mind that my colleagues had children in their teens, studying in secondary school or universities. They said that they would kill their husbands for anyhow spend money. Might as well give the cash to them.
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@shaggin (71662)
• United States
7 Feb 11
I dont care if anyone gets me anything. Even if I was in a relationship with someone I wouldnt care if they didnt get me anything. I would just hope to be able to spend time with them that day or night. My friend and I are going out somewhere and doing something on Valentines day but I dont know what yet. I dont think he will buy me any gift though and thats ok. I get my kids and my mother and father and my sister and neice and nephew candy. I think thats the best Valentines day gift is chocolate. Oh but I love lingerie so getting lingerie from a hot guy would be awesome hehe.
@shaggin (71662)
• United States
10 Feb 11
Oh no he isnt embarrassed by that kind of thing at all. For Christmas he went to Victoria Secrets and got me a beautiful pink satin robe. I love it. Its kind of chilly to wear right now but I cant wait to wear it all the time in the summer. Pinks my favorite color and I love satin so it was a perfect gift.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
7 Feb 11
haha Shaggin, I think you will make your friend very stressed up if he knows you want lingerie. I think he will panic, and spend hours thinking about how to buy lingerie without anyone knowing. Maybe you can specify whether you want bright red or black lacy type. Make it easier for him to shop.
1 person likes this
@lucia2 (103)
• Italy
4 Feb 11
Hi. cheeng1. Are you looking for some Valentine gift ideas? I suggest you to read this short article. Here are some practical suggestions to make shopping for Valentine’s Day a successful event. Non-jewelry Valentine gift ideas are described: a gift voucher to favorite spa perfumes digital photo frame a night out candle light dinner romantic songs romantic books chocolates flowers lingerie ... I prefer a smile on my husband's face and his love. Happy heart's day! http://bit.ly/fFFQcC
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Lucia, actually I am not going for any idea. I just want to find out the interest in Valentine Day from people around the world, and whether they agree that the commercial gifts are the best gift. I do not celebrate Valentine Day. In fact, I do not celebrate a lot of festivals in the year. I am a quiet person who prefer to stay home and read, not the kind to mingle well in a party. The lingerie idea is really weird. If the gal stays with her parents, I think her parents will be surprised and worried if they see someone gives a bra for her as Valentine gift.
1 person likes this
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
4 Feb 11
Anything given from the heart is perfect for Valentine gift giving. Chocolate and flowers are gifts that can never go wrong and they can be gifts for any age or gender. Any gift of love is a gift worth giving and receiving.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Sender, I think age and culture is a factor that we have to consider. I cannot imagine the farmers in rural parts of India or China buying flowers and chocolate to give as Valentine gifts. These are the people who are ever practical. They will not waste money on something that is not practical at all. I think chocolate and flowers are good only for young people, and those who grow up in cultures that appreciate the gifts.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
If you'd ask me, I think the perfect valentine gift this year is to have a couple shirt.hehe. It has been a trend already and seeing couples wearing couple shirts is really beautiful. It is like showing to the world that you are madly inlove with each other and you want to tell everyone about it.It's so sweet.
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@puccagirl (7294)
• Israel
4 Feb 11
I think the perfect gift is something personal, maybe something the reciever always dreamed of having but did not buy for themselves yet. What this is exactly, depends very much on the recipient of course. I would love to get a new bag, for instance. But I don't know if I will....
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@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Puccagirl, I think having a new bag as a gift is very practical, provided that the bag is not those expensive branded bag. I mean no office gal in the right mind will carry a real Louis Vuitton handbag for work every day. That is really not practical. While the bag is expensive, it is not suitable for daily use.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
for me? it would simply be his time..., I rather have no presents as long as I have his undivided presence at that day...and knowing him, I will
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
5 Feb 11
Hi Marapplestiffy, I think you might as well make him do the housework! After all, you cannot just talk whole day, and expect him to listen. That will be the ultimate test of love! Most people take things for granted, and do not appreciate all the effort into maintaining a clean house. Even many newly wed couples do not think about housework when they discuss about where to stay, what to eat etc. I think it is best to have a set schedule and responsibilities.
@hlgmdt (300)
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
Why not ask your partner or try to find out what he/she wants? At least, he/she will appreciate it more because he/she really wants it. You can buy gifts or do something based on his/her interests.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
4 Feb 11
Hi Hlgmdt, I do not celebrate any commercial festival, including Valentine Day, Christmas or whatever else. i think life is less stressful in this manner. My friends and I share the same thoughts about it, so we never feel pressured to buy anything for birthday or other so called special occasions. We buy gifts when we sense that our friends need something. We like to pay for ice cream or tea or lunch whenever we meet. I think true friendship, relationship should be like this, so that it is not affected by what the merchants sell.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
I suppose the perfect Valentine's gift you could give is a poem that comes from the heart. Pair that with a home-made meal, while a romantic movie is going on vaguely in the background, and your lover is yours forever!
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
5 Feb 11
Hi AmorousPrince, actually I am not seeking gift idea, since I do not celebrate Valentine Day, Christmas, birthday or any other commercial festivals. My friends and relatives find it meaningless to stress ourselves out in buying gifts. I am really fortunate to have friends like this. At least they value friendship more than outward gifts.
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