Desserts such as donuts, heart-shaped lollipops, and chocolate roses are displayed on a table as sweet treats for Valentine’s Day. | Photo Credit / Pexels
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what gifts you should get, whether it is for a significant other, a friend or even just for yourself.
This is the day where everyone deserves to feel special and loved, and it is important to show the people in your life how much you appreciate them by putting significant thought into their gift and the day itself.
The first option is to go with one of the classics. This is usually a safe choice and ensures that the receiver will like the gift. McKenzie McKennon, an Accounting major, says that she is a bit basic and enjoys getting chocolate and flowers. You can never really go wrong with chocolate, and even the small things can bring a person happiness on this special day.
A similar route that you could take is just a basket of the person’s favorite snacks and drinks. Kaylee Cummins, an UT Martin student, says her favorite snacks that she wishes she would receive are dark chocolate and beef jerky. This is a good gift idea to show that you know the person’s preferences and pay attention.
Emmanuel Belgrave, a Criminal Justice major, says he is “a big fan of chocolate turtle clusters” and was excited to receive a 50 pack of them last year for Valentine’s.
Another option that sticks a bit close to the classics is stuffed animals. There are several Valentine’s related stuffed animals sold at stores, or you could choose one that matches with the person’s favorite animal. Trinity Beard, an Interdisciplinary Studies major, says one of her favorite Valentine’s Day gifts she has ever received is a huge teddy bear.
If you have the time and really want your loved one to feel cherished, a great option is to choose a gift that is memorable and geared specifically towards your relationship. Shelby Crews, an Engineering major, says that her favorite gift she has been given is “a collection of pictures that we had together.”
It can especially be heartwarming when the gift is handmade and clearly well-thought-out. Anthony Gore, who is in the Sport Coaching and Performance master’s program, says the best gift he received was a book that was their story with pictures of them and featured M&M’s with their faces on them.
On the other hand, a fun option could be to choose a gift that is out-of-the-box and unique. This could be something you know will make the person laugh or completely shock them with a gift that no one has really done before.
“I got a horror Valentine’s coloring book last year,” says Chloe Hoskins, a Family and Consumer Science major.
Another great option is just telling the person how you feel about them. Words can have a strong impact on a person and can go a long way in showing how much you care. Zac Coelling, a Biology major, says he would want “a nice, personal handwritten letter.”
In the end, the gift does not always have to be material. Actions speak louder than words, and sometimes just spending the day together can mean the world to your loved one.
“I don’t really want a lot of gifts, you know. Just quality time would be awesome,” says Kendall Guess, a Health and Human Performance major.
Whether you choose to stick to the classics, think outside the box, do something personal and handmade, or just spend the day together, it is important to do something special for Valentine’s Day because not only will your loved one appreciate it, but it will make it memorable and special for you as well.
