It's that time of year again when paper hearts decorate school hallways, and traditional candy bars exchange their traditional wrappers for pink and red ones. If like me, you're in a relationship, it's that time of year when you spend time picking out or creating the perfect gift for your significant other.
In the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day, I'll hear from friends and close family members that they feel like the gift they have for their significant other isn't good enough isn't big enough or didn't cost enough. And to this I say, it's time to stop. After all, why assume that someone will hate what you got them before they've even begun to tear the wrapping paper off the box?
Now, it's one thing to think that your significant other deserves a gift that you're unable to buy them. Everyone wants to spoil the person they love, but the fact of the matter is, not everyone is financially able to do so.
While I think that my boyfriend deserves a Rolex, I don't have the money for a watch that costs over a thousand dollars. But I'm not upset about this. Sure, I'd love to be able to surprise him with an expensive gift someday, but that day is most likely not going to be in the foreseeable future.
Buying or making a gift for someone you love shouldn't be a stressful experience. Your significant other is with you because they like you -- not the amount of money you have and not how creative you are. If you're unable to afford a gift this year, your significant other should understand that.
And besides, you shouldn't have to impress them with a fancy gift. If the cost of a gift is still stressing you out, why not set a price range for how much you're both willing to spend for gifts, similar to the price cap you and your friends might set for a Secret Santa?
When it comes to not being able to afford gifts, there are still a variety of heartfelt things you can give your sweetie. For example, you could map out all the places that have significant meaning to your relationship (where you first met, your first date, ect.), or go old school and burn them a mixtape of all of your songs (take this one a step further by using a sharpie to write all of your inside jokes on the cd).
There's absolutely nothing wrong with going homemade instead of spending money. Your significant other will understand if money is tight, and I'm sure that they'll be touched by the fact that you put in the time and effort to make them something.
Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate love, not a time to stress over buying or making an impressive gift for your significant other. It may sound corny, but what really matters is that whatever gift you give them is from the heart.
