Gift-giving, in essence, is a very simple and straightforward task. The premise is that you know the person well enough to know his or her likes and dislikes, and you then choose something based on this information. This kind of logical thinking works fairly well in most cases when one is bound by social obligation to buy a gift. But on special occasions, such as Valentine’s Day, the exchange of gifts is more than just a socially dictated compulsion – it is also an expression of love and care and everything else that makes one go starry eyed and weak kneed. The only problem is the perfect Valentine’s gift is not so easy to find.

But perhaps, knowing a little bit more about the traditions and symbolism behind the gifts would help ease your dilemma? Here’s the lowdown on some popular gift choices and how you should interpret their meanings:

Flowers

A rose is not just a rose, dear reader. On Valentine’s Day every rose, and logically every flower, has a different meaning. Gerbera daisies with their peppy colours and large flowering heads symbolise beauty, purity, and innocence and are known to bring cheerfulness to the receiver. Tulips are epitomes of perfect love and are a classic choice for this love-filled day. If your man, or woman, brings you a bunch of tulips be aware that they did not just happen to pass by them while driving down the road. Roses of course are the best choice of flowers for February 14th and their virtue as an undying symbol of true love has been extolled for generations. Maybe because Shakespeare had his Romeo waxing eloquent about them or perhaps because the colour red has been associated with love and passion since time immemorial, but either way one can never go wrong when choosing a bouquet of roses as gifts on this day.

Jewellery

Jewellery is an expensive gift choice and it tells the receiver that the one gifting it is serious about the relationship; so much that they do not mind spending a huge amount just to show how much they care. Casual flings do not warrant such pricey offerings, and the moment you are presented with something blingy you might want to start thinking about the next level in your relationship. Of course, the type of jewellery also has special significance. While a precious metal like gold and platinum would represent a rock-solid union, a gift of diamonds – especially when it is gifted by a man – is usually taken as a sign of impending commitment. So, choose the metal and the jewellery wisely. Remember you are trying to get a message across, but very subtly and stylishly!

Perfumes

Many people would write off perfumes but we beg to disagree. What a person chooses to wear as a scent says a lot about their tastes and personality, and it is pretty subjective choice. If you are successful in buying the right kind of perfume for your Valentine, it would only go to show how well you know them – from head to toe, literally. The problem with perfume though is that might sometimes come across as a last minute or a clichéd gift idea, so do feel free to throw in some add-ons if you are worried about that. An assorted hamper from a reputed website that does gift hamper delivery in the UK would be a great addition.

Whatever, your choice of gift is, make sure it comes from the heart and that you have a reason and meaning behind gifting it. It is the only way that even the simplest of gifts would make someone special light up on this very special day.

Whether or not you agree with the notion of having a special day to celebrate love, you cannot argue with the fact that having a special day for lovers sort of raises the expectations for all those in a relationship. From the ones who have just started dating to the ones who have been in a committed long-term relationship, the task to do something out-of-the-box can become a huge burden if you don’t think it through wisely.

The norm on this day is for couples to go out and have a romantic dinner together, and buy each other special gifts. Now, we trust that you already have your plans in place for the dinner en amoureux, but if you need help picking out the perfect gift these tips below might come to your aid:

Gifts for someone you have met recently

So, you have met someone special recently, but you obviously do not want to go overboard trying to impress them. So, what do you buy that signifies romance and care but is on the right side of overwhelming? Well, you can have a dinner at home instead of going out. Cook their favourite meal and don’t forget to stock up on the wine. Keep it low-key so as not to seem desperate. If you do want to buy a gift, go ahead with something neutral like a perfume or an accessory set from a brand that they like or have mentioned in passing. This should show your loved one that you care enough to remember the little things they talk about.

If you’ve been going steady for a while

By now you must have run through the list of acceptable gifts – books, perfumes, accessories, and the likes. This year, use the weekend to do something more fun. Take a hike, for instance. And we literally mean so. Get away from the city for a while and indulge in some personal ‘we’ time. If, however, you find that a weekend getaway is not possible, and you have to make do with old-fashioned gift giving, then make sure that your gifts are quirky and fun. Your relationship is probably at the stage where price tags do not matter anymore, so put thought into the gift instead of money and come up with something unique that is, truly, from the heart.

For married couples

Married couples know just how important it is to keep the first love burning bright, so don’t leave an opportunity like Valentine’s pass you by. If you have been listening, you will know exactly what your significant other has been lusting after recently. Splurge on that dream; it is for a good cause after all. Or, you could even buy several small gifts and present them throughout the day. You can find a lot of great stuff online from websites that have reasonably cheap gift hampers in UK; order a hamper of spa products or a set of assorted chocolates and then add similar themed gifts to create a unique ensemble.

Heartfelt expressions of love are always welcome, so for once leave the debate of how commercialised Valentine’s has become and do something that will blow your spouse’s mind, figuratively of course!