Chances are, you’ve walked through several malls, even gone through all the advertisements that retailers bombard consumers with, especially during the month of February. After Christmas, Valentine’s Day is another holiday that sends shoppers on a frenzied gift search: perfume, chocolates, flowers, a lavish dinner, or even a quick weekend getaway.
This year, why not try to be different. Have you ever thought of getting your partner something more practical that could still convey your message of love and commitment?
Although it may not initially sound romantic to give a useful gift, doing so conveys affection that is more than skin-deep. It communicates your time and effort put into thinking about your partner’s needs, your desire to help your loved one address these, and your commitment to his or her future and well-being. What can be more heartfelt than that?
Roses and chocolates may be sweet, and you can always give your partner these tokens to express your feelings. But when you want to break stereotypes and show that you care beyond mere gestures, these practical gifts would definitely be appreciated by your partner:
A gadget to make your partner more efficient at work.
Is your partner stressed at work? Perhaps he or she might benefit from a gadget or tool that can do his or her work faster. That may be a better laptop if the current one is constantly breaking down. Let’s say your partner runs a food business and has been trying to make do with a two-burner stove. An additional burner would do, as would any other cooking implement that would allow the food preparation process to go faster and more efficiently.
A personal development plan.
Is your partner eager to learn new things and expand his or her opportunities? Why don’t you consider enrolling him in a course of his or her choice? That could be anything that can expand horizons and growth chances. Think about it – a one-day course in HTML, Photoshop, photography, basic accounting, even balloon-making or food preparation would help your partner over the long haul.
The gift of health.
Your partner’s health and well-being is also your concern. Why not pay for your partner’s executive check-up? This would allow you to identify possible problems that may arise, as well as take precautionary steps to prevent any health-related concerns from setting in. You can even get your partner a health plan. Other gift options are a new bike or a pair of running shoes if your partner enjoys outdoor activity.
An investment in your future together.
Although it’s nice to live in the now, it is equally romantic to think about building your nest egg together. If you do not have a joint savings account, invite your partner to open one with you and gift him or her with the seed money to get this fund going. You can also buy mutual funds or UITFs to help you work toward your nest egg, or get a life insurance plan to show that you are indeed thinking about your family.
Help for your partner’s present day financial concerns.
Is your partner struggling with debt? Why don’t you offer to pay this month’s credit card statement to alleviate your partner of money worries? This is a gesture that would surely go a long way. Along with this gift, you can also present him with information on tools to better manage his credit card debt and future spending.
Just because you’ve chosen to give a practical gift doesn’t mean you’ve thrown away the emotion or romance from the relationship. Give a thought on how to present the gift to your partner in a manner that would show your affection. Think of how to give the gift, the message that would go with it, and how you would say it – which you would also do if you were giving your partner a giant bouquet of roses or a nice flashy watch.
When you are committed to someone, his or her well-being is also your concern. Whether you’ve been together for a long time or have only been going out for a few months, thoughtful, practical gifts such as these show not only that you care, but also that you are willing to stick it out in the long haul. Happy Valentine’s Day!
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
