By Kayle Perry. What she wants for Valentine’s Day! Yes, jewelry is nice, however there are other ways to express how you feel. Now, I really hope you guys are paying attention cause this is great advice, so if it goes terribly wrong, you have only yourself to blame.
I like to believe that it is the thought that counts. You should just sit down with her one night and say something like, “I love you but right now I can’t afford jewelry, at least not the kind I would like to get you. I want to get you something special to show you how much I care for you. Something unique, like our love.”
If this girl cares for you as much as you care for her she should understand. I personally think that if her feelings are as genuine as yours she’ll appreciate your sincerity in wanting to get her what she wants as much as she would appreciate getting it for real. I mean it is a special day, a time for sharing love and commitment. A present should always be something from the heart and not something that you feel obligated to give. Now jewelry is nice, but real love and sincerity are much nicer. Just be straight with her and tell her where you are coming from. If she cares for you she should understand.
Now for some ideas… I think you should go sentimental, give a gift that means something special to the two of you, a reminder of something you have done together that was really fun for both of you. Or get her something that she can use while doing a hobby or sport she enjoys.
I am someone who likes teddy bears (Winnie the Pooh especially… LOL), and lots of other girls do too. They are something special from you that we can cuddle when you aren’t around. Bottom line, it’s the thought that counts. What you decide to buy should be something that would show her that you care for her, that you think of her and that you know her and what she likes.
For a really special touch get something that has special meaning for the two of you, like an inside joke that only the two of you “get”. I am sure if this girl returns your feelings she will love anything that you get her because it is something that YOU picked out for HER. It will be special just because it is from you and your heart.
Not to offend any of my fellow girls….Girls LOVE LOVE LOVE jewelry. I personally am old fashioned, so something like a cutesy heart necklace and a single rose is soooooooooo romantic. If she isn’t old fashioned, maybe a necklace with the initial of your first name in rhinestones.
If you are really rich, something nice like a silver, gold, or even diamond necklace or bracelet. If you aren’t so rich, a teddy bear with chocolates and a rose is adorable. One of my friends gave me a sterling silver heart necklace, which was sweet. Another GREAT idea, if you are musical, is writing her a love song, or even a poem. That is a girl’s romantic dream. !
Now, I know you guys who require more information (basically a lot of help) are asking: OK, so what do they do in other places?
Valentine’s Day celebrations are pretty straight-forward in Canada. Guys get girls large bouquets of roses or (for the hipsters) free-range wildflowers that cost way too much and die way too soon.
Boxes of chocolates and other gooey and caloric treats are traded in exchange for some kind of physical ‘attention’. And hundreds of dollars are spent at fancy dinners across our communities as plates of deconstructed foie gras pancakes and other trendy molecular meals are passed from table to table. Oh, and by the way, McCafé isn’t a fancy dinner!
And we assume there’s some actual hugging and sharing of true feelings thrown in there…somewhere between unwrapping the chocolate-covered teddybear and the cheese course.
But what do our friends across the pond, over the sea, and around the bend do to show each other they feel warm and fuzzy? I found out.
In Denmark, Sweden and Norway it’s the cut flower industry that pushes the holiday, much like Hallmark does in Canada. Sweden started celebrating “All Heart’s Day” in the 1960s and according to the Internet (which always speaks the truth, right?) flowers and cosmetics sales skyrocket. And only one other holiday exceeds this sales number — Mother’s Day.
In Norfolk (East England) there’s a “Jack” Valentine dude who supposedly knocks on your back door to leave candies and gifts for kids. Creepy!!! But in Wales they throw all tradition to the wind and celebrate their own patron saint of lovers, St. Dwynwen, on Jan. 25.
Our friends in Finland and Estonia celebrate holidays with jumbled names that translate to “Friend’s Day.” This day is devoted to remembering and appreciating everyone they’ve ever loved, including old roommates, childhood cronies, and anyone they consider relevant enough to warrant a thought or postcard.
Romania has had its own Valentine’s Day type of deal, called Dragobete and celebrated on Feb. 24. However, some Romanians have adopted some of Canada’s V-Day traditions in lieu of Dragobete, which has pissed off several nationalist organizations that feel our Valentine’s Day is simply superficial and — essentially — Western voodoo. (They have a point.)
A Slovenian proverb says “St. Valentine brings the keys of roots,” so Valentine’s Day in Slovenia is when crops and flowers sprout and the first official day of farming starts. Apparently birds propose to each other and get married on this day, too.
After a major marketing push in Asia, Canadian(North American)-style Valentine’s Day has become a “thing” in counties including Singapore, China and South Korea. And apparently those three countries spend the most on gifts — but interestingly enough, it’s tradition in South Korea and Japan for women to give chocolate to men on Feb. 14.
Men hand over non-chocolate goodies to their lady-friends one month later on “White Day,” and anyone who was left out on those last two holidays celebrate “Black Day” on April 14 by eating black noodles to mourn being single. That’s so…sweet.
So, that should be enough information for even the most challenged guy to come closer to getting this right. It’s one day of the year where girl’s are receptive to the expression. Dare I say, it’s your opportunity to score…some points. 🙂