Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas: Which Stage Are You In?

If you were to walk into almost any store right now, you would be absolutely bombarded by a sea of various Valentine's Day treats. Between boxes of chocolates, cards and stuffed animals, all of these holiday-themed items are enough to get you stressing about what you're going to buy that special someone in your life.  As if there wasn't enough to stress, it's important to remember that in the world of gift-giving, there is a big difference between giving someone something that says "I like you" and something that says "I love you."

The fewer the dates you've been on when Valentine's Day rolls around, the more complicated things can get. First of all, you don't want to expect too much from the other person, but you still want to try to impress each other, which can make gift options hard to think of.

If you're one of those people still in the couple-week mark of a relationship it's important to feel out whether the relationship is in the "gift-giving stage." There is no set rule for this because every relationship is different, but if you are really unsure about whether or not exchanging gifts is expected, go ahead and give, but don't be bummed if you don't get one in return.  

Still, if you feel that you and your significant other are set to exchange gifts after only a few weeks, just try to keep it small and simple. Take the other persons interest into account and maybe give them a book by their favorite author or a little knick-knack figurine of their favorite animal. It's important to keep simplicity in mind, as a dozen red roses at this stage in the relationship might be too overthetop.

For those who have been together for a few months, it's probably more than likely that you and your date plan on getting each other something special.  The trick here is to give a gift that says they are important to you, without making it seem like the relationship is more than it is. Try to think of not only something that your significant other likes, but something you could enjoy together. You could buy tickets to a concert or a Broadway show or you could even be a little adventurous in your gift. For example, if your partner likes to dance but you lack Fred Astaire's moves, sign up for a couple's dance lesson.

Another option would be to make something homemade. One easy, go-to gift is a scrapbook with pictures of your favorite times together. This can send the message that you've enjoyed your time in the past and if you leave blank pages at the end to create more memories, it shows you're looking forward to your future together, too. Being creative in this stage of a relationship is a great way to show you are willing to put more time and effort towards them and that you're not afraid to be personal.

If you've reached an established, long-term relationship, there should be no question in your mind that you want to get your significant other something special to show your love.

Get your date something that truly shows how much you know them, whether that means buying them something that they've always wanted or even something they may need. Your Valentine is sure to appreciate the gift as well as the thought behind it.  

This is also the relationship mark where jewelry or a new watch might come into play, as long as it's in your budget. Other couples might prefer electronic gifts or even gift cards to your favorite date night restaurant. It basically all comes down to the couple's style and taste.

The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing which gift to give, is that every relationship is different. Where some might gag at the sight of a heart-shaped box of chocolates, others might love it. The secret to Valentine's Day is simply figuring out where you are in your relationship and knowing what your partner likes. As cliché as it is, the best gifts really do come from the heart.