What better way to give someone a gift than through their love language? Understand their language, buy their gift, and celebrate love this Valentine’s Day.
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What is the premise of “The Five Love Languages“? It’s a communication theory that says these are the five ways someone generally feels loved and how they express love. Gary Chapman, author, breaks them down in to words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, acts of service and quality time.
Chapman’s book is a great resource when you’re seeking to understand how someone may feel loved. It’s also a great way to understand how someone may show love, something Chapman notes in the book.
History of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day has a bit of a dark, bloody history. The Valentine’s Day we know today didn’t begin until the beginning of the 1900s, when Hallmark began manufacturing cards to send to your sweetheart. Today, the holiday is marked by the stereotypical chocolates, flowers and emphasis on expressing how you truly feel.
Practical uses for “The Five Love Languages” this Valentine’s Day
If you’ve been around here for a minute, you know I have a background in journalism and communications. So needless to say, I love learning about communication theories and how we can apply them to our lives. What better way to invest in someone than knowing their love language and giving them the perfect gift this Valentine’s Day?
Words of Affirmation
The idea behind words of affirmation is simple – verbally tell your partner how much you care. Recognize when they do something great. Be empathetic and sincere.
Gift ideas for words of affirmation may look something like:
- A handwritten love note on a Valentine’s Day card
- Recreate a date night and talk about how you’ve grown as a couple
- When they do something they consider mundane, take a moment to praise them and let them know how much their actions mean to you
Physical Touch
Physical touch is what it sounds like. This is the partner who likes to hold your hand or wants to snuggle in bed before they fall asleep.
Gift ideas for physical touch may look something like:
- A couple’s massage
- A couple’s cooking class, or another activity that requires close proximity
- A walk around the park, holding hands the entire time
- Watching a movie at home, snuggled up on the couch
Gifts
Receiving gifts as a love language makes someone feel special because it was the thought that went in to the gift, not the gift itself. What do they like? Is there something they need? What is something they like to do?
Gift ideas for someone who prefers gifts may look something like:
- Gift card to their favorite restaurant
- A book about one of their interests
- Piece of jewelry with their birthstone or personal interest
- Flowers, a coffee mug, a notebook – something small and useful
Acts of Service
As a mom to a toddler and a dog, nothing speaks more to me than picking up toys strewn across the living room or remembering to take out the trash. My husband is wonderful to remember to do both of those things, and so much more. That’s exactly what acts of service are.
Gift ideas for acts of service may look something like:
- Planning an entire date night, from getting a babysitter to paying for dinner
- Cleaning the house
- Turning your living room into an at-home movie theater. Be sure to bring the popcorn and candy!
- Cooking a candle-lit dinner to celebrate Valentine’s Day
Quality Time
Quality time speaks to the heart of someone when it’s a one-on-one, uninterrupted interaction. It’s also important to remember that for some, just being together is enough. There are plenty of ways to invest in your significant other like that this Valentine’s Day.
Gift ideas for quality time may look something like:
- A brunch or coffee date
- Going to the movies
- A nice, quiet dinner at home
- Taking a drive through town
Are you ready for Valentine’s Day?
It’s not too late to snag a gift for that special someone this year:
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