People think of the gifts that say I love you as objects. However, in this article, we are not going to talk about those types of gifts, but about things that really matter and that are going to make your partner happy in the real sense of the word ‘happy’.
Psychologists have been researching what really makes people happy for a long time and they have found out that happiness that comes from material things is not long-lasting and that what we should be investing in is making memories and acquiring new skills.
In this article, we are going to talk about how to tell your partner that you love them by offering feelings as a gift and not material things. We know that others do it differently, but feelings are long-lasting. If you plan on staying together for a long time, you will be able to remember those feelings even 20 years from now.
These are the kind of gifts that are worth giving and you can be sure that if you follow our suggestions, your partner will definitely know that you love them and that you really care about them without any doubt.
What is the purpose of a gift?
There are two types of gifts: the ones that we offer just because we are obliged by the social norms, and the gifts that we give from the heart. When you want to offer a present that says ‘I love you’ you are offering something from the deepest corners of your heart. So the purpose of the gift should be to make the person you offer it to the happiest.
That is the ideal situation, the one that you should look for. So in order to make a great gift, you have to set aside all of your wishes and thoughts about what the other person would like to receive and investigate what they truly want and what would really make them happy. This is the only way in which you will be able to send the message that you want.
The trip that your partner has always dreamed of
This is a great way to show your partner how much you appreciate and love them. If you have been together for a long time, a dream trip is the best way to celebrate your love. You can surprise them and plan a vacation without them knowing, which will be a lot more impressive.
However, if you know that your person is someone who doesn’t like to be surprised like that, you should pay for the vacation and tell them in advance that you have bought a gift for them. You will definitely not regret it because it will bring you closer together.
Cooking their favorite meal when they come home from work
You know how you can not wait to get home when you had a busy day at work and how awesome it would be for your partner to wait for you with your favorite meal and dessert on the table. Why not do that for your better half?
People feel appreciated when they see that the other cares about them and making the person you are in a relationship with feel like you understand how stressful life can get and that you want to make them feel good is a great way to say you love them and that they can rely on you to notice the small stuff.
A romantic weekend to their favorite place
Random acts of love are great, but this type of gift is great when you are celebrating something. For example, if your partner has just been promoted or if you want to celebrate their birthday in a special manner, it is better to offer them a weekend of relaxation where you can also connect deeply together.
This type of gift is better than just buying something that they will probably not even remember 5 years from now. Making memories is a lot better than buying things that we feel they would make us happy but, in reality, they are irrelevant.
Paying for their gym membership for the whole year
If your partner has a gym membership it is clear that they are careful when it comes to their health. By paying their yearly membership you will show them that you really care about their health and this is for a very good reason, that you want them into your life for as much as possible.
If they don’t have a gym membership, you will be sending the same message and you will give them a great gift, that they will begin feeling better because their physical and mental health will be better.
A relaxation day reserved for watching your partner’s favorite movies
Many psychologists and philosophers encourage us to enjoy the little things in life. They say that this is the secret to happiness, to make the most of the small things in our lives. By planning a day for you and your partner to spend entirely watching their favorite movies, you will be practicing what so may professionals advise you to.
Furthermore, you will be sending the message that you love your partner because you show that you have a genuine interest in what your partner likes and you sacrifice your activities to connect with them by doing something they like. Especially now when life can get pretty busy, a full day of relaxation is one of the most precious gifts you can make.
Paying for a course that they have always wanted to attend
Most of us have a lot of dreams about how to be better and improve our skills, but most of the time we postpone taking a course or attending a conference on subjects we are really interested in because we are busy and we are used to procrastination. Often we postpone the things that would make us happy to do things for our loved ones.
So if you know that your partner has long wanted to attend a conference, an online class, or a training program, you should give them the opportunity to do so. This will send the message that you encourage them in pursuing their dreams and that you have genuinely listened to what they want.
Also, you will give them the courage to go after what they want and provide with a feeling of determination and fulfillment, so what better gift to say ‘I love you’ can you think of?
A membership to your partner’s favorite app
We have a lot of guilty pleasures that we would enjoy if we had all the money in the world. However, we would not pay for an app that will make us feel more relaxed, for example, because we think of it as a waste of money. This is just an example, people give up on great apps that can increase their productivity because we are not used to paying for that.
So paying for a membership for an app that your partner has decided not to pay for because they would feel guilty is a great random way to tell your partner that you love them. You would love it if that would happen to you, be honest.
A ticket to your partner’s favorite band’s concert
This is something you could do every year. You should pay attention to when your partner’s favorite bands come to town or in your area and do this for them. They will really feel loved knowing that you care about them.
Going together is even better because you will enjoy the oxytocin and endorphin rush that comes from attending concerts together and you will bond even more.
A trip to the place where your partner’s favorite movie was filmed
Whoever has a passion for movies would absolutely love this gift. If you want to show your partner how much you care for them, taking them to the filming spot of their favorite movie will make the best surprise in the world. Pay attention to what they like watching and research where it was filmed, what the region has to offer in terms of travel.
This, too, is an awesome birthday gift that you and your partner will never forget, a lot better than any material gift. If you manage to keep it a surprise, it will be even better.
Final thoughts
Figuring out the best way to say ‘I love you’ through a gift might need for you to invest a little bit of time in order to make the one you love happy, but all the time and money you invest are really worth your while.
The happiness of the person beside you is, in fact, your happiness and that is the main thing that you want to aim for when finding the perfect gift. Keep in mind that offering feelings instead of material things and making memories together is the best way to make your partner feel loved and appreciated regardless of how much the gift costs.
