No matter the holiday, every male has heard it from a woman in their lives: "Don’t buy me anything this year." Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and if you have already heard this from your girl, here are a few tips that may help explain what she is actually saying. 

1. “I am testing you to see if you know me well enough to know that I do actually want you to get me something.” 

Uh-oh, this is a tricky one. She doesn’t necessarily want you to buy her a large gift confessing your love, but it wouldn’t hurt. She wants you to take it upon yourself to want to buy her something even though she objects. She is going to think what you buy her is absolutely perfect, showing her that you know her better than she even knows herself.

2. “I know you have been stressing out about not having a lot of money, so I don’t want you to spend any on me and make it worse.” 

Don’t stress out about buying her an expensive gift that is going to put you back even more. This time, listen to what she says; she wants to cause you as little stress as possible. It shows that she understands what you are going through and really doesn’t need anything. A homemade card, and to spend the day with you would make her just as happy. 

3. “I don’t want to look materialistic by asking for something, but I want you to care enough to buy me something.” 

Beware, this is a test and you are going to have quite the uncomfortable Valentine’s Day if you fail. She has already bought you a gift and is absolutely expecting one in return, even though she specifically told you the opposite. She doesn’t want to be the girl that asks for material things, but it doesn’t mean she doesn’t appreciate them. Save yourself from trying to explain to her that she didn’t want anything because that’s what she said, and purchase a gift in advance. 

4. “I don’t want you to buy anything; I just want you to show me how much you care.” 

In this particular situation it is a guarantee she has bought you a gift that she has put a great amount of thought into, and she expects you to do the same. She is not expecting, or wanting, anything extravagant, but instead, something to state how much she means to you. Put time and thought into what you do for her to make her feel like the most special thing in your life.   

5. “I really don’t have any clue what I want.” 

Use caution. These girls are not the majority. She has no idea what to ask for, and frankly, doesn’t really want anything. She is not in love with the idea of the holiday and would rather just spend it being close to you. She won’t know what to do with a large outrageous gift and it may make her uncomfortable. If you were to surprise her with anything my advice would be to keep it small.