Hugs, kisses, and gifts; hearts, hands, and lips—the common 14th of February feels. On this day, people celebrate all forms of love: romantic, friendship, familial, universal, and even self-love. For the lucky ones, they receive Valentine’s treats and gifts, with Valentine’s Day gift tag printables or Valentine’s cards that come along with them. Now that the special day is near, have you found the right present for your loved ones? What about the gift tags you will attach to it? If you haven’t yet, worry not! We’re here to help you.
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Valentine’s Day Gifts: The Classics
Truly, money can’t buy love. Nothing can. It isn’t for sale anyway. But why do we give gifts to the people we care about? Why do we spend so much time finding the perfect present to give to the people we love? More than just going to a candlelit dinner or a movie date, gift-giving is a universal act of symbolic communication between the giver and the receiver. Studies show that several factors have influenced the giver’s decisions when purchasing gifts. This includes convenience, self-status, expectations of the recipient, and most importantly, the relationship of the giver to the recipient.
When we talk about Valentine’s day, the reason for gift-giving leans heavily on your relationship with the recipient. We see smiles as lovers exchange gifts. The classics? Flowers, letters, chocolates, and jewelry. You may have given one on Valentine’s day, be it to a friend or someone special. But what are the stories behind these things? Turn your valentine’s day gift up a notch by including Valentine’s Day gift tag printables!
A Flower or a Bunch of Them
Flowers are a representation of love, romance, fertility, and compassion, which is the reason why it is a go-to Valentine’s day gift. History has it that the act of giving flowers stemmed from an ancient custom of sending bouquets as a way to establish non-verbal communication with the recipient. Moreover, each flower in the bunch holds a specific meaning. Thus, making an entire conversation through petals and stems possible. King Charles II of Sweden introduced this custom in the 18th century.
But why does it always have to be roses during Valentine’s Day?
As stated in an article from Reader’s Digest, a red rose translates to deep love in the language of flowers. It became the symbol of love because it was attached to the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. According to mythology, this flower grew from the ground through the combination of Aphrodite’s tears and Adonis’ blood. When the Romans introduced their own goddess of love and beauty, who was named Venus, they kept the red rose as her symbol. So being a celebration of love, this flower has become the first pick for lovers to give to the other during Valentine’s day.
This Valentine’s day, are you planning to give flowers to your lover? Then go! If he or she doesn’t like red roses that much, be careful in choosing which ones to give them, you may communicate the wrong meaning!
Here are some Valentine’s Day gift tag printables you can tie on your flowers:
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Handwritten Letters or a Song
Gone are the days of writing letters by hand and sending them through snail mail. Since the advent of technology, we have relied on our phones and other digital devices to communicate with our loved ones who are beyond our reach. It’s effortless, instant, and less costly. Regardless, most people still believe that handwritten letters are romantic and they will never go out of style. Without the use of instant communication, receiving written poetries or messages has become more appreciated in these modern times.
Since the 18th century, it has been a norm for friends and lovers in Great Britain to exchange small gifts of affection and handwritten notes. This tradition was then passed on to generations. During the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, there was mass production of Valentine’s day cards. Hallmark, which is one of the most famous manufacturers of greeting cards, began their production of Valentine’s day cards in 1916. And although we see it rarely, some people still attach cute Valentine’s tags and cards in their presents.
So what makes a handwritten letter the best gift for someone close to your heart?
Writing a letter is a way for you to express how you truly feel because sometimes, there are words you can’t just say in front of a person’s face. It gives you more time to collect your thoughts. Thus, the output will be more meaningful and heartfelt. So pour your heart out to those empty pages, tell them how you feel, show them you love them. If you have the talent, write them a poem or a song! This will make the one you love smile for ages. Trust me.
Something Sweet or a Box of Chocolates
Chocolates are more than just sweet treats. Experts revealed that this type of food can release “feel good” chemicals in our brains called endorphins. This must explain why most of us love chocolates so much. Another study from the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships linked eating sweets to heightened romantic feelings. Thus, it’s safe to say that love can come from something sweet.
But when did the tradition of giving chocolates to your lover during Valentine’s day started?
People attribute the giving of chocolates on Valentine’s day to Richard Cadbury, the founder of the world-famous Cadbury’s cocoa and chocolate company. Cadbury was the one who created the first box of chocolate. In an effort to boost the sales of their company, he himself designed decorative packages for the chocolates that they sell. Later on, he made heart-shaped boxes with images of roses and Cupids for these sweet treats. While it may just be a marketing strategy for their chocolate company, it has been an immense success, that giving a box of chocolates has become a staple during Valentine’s day.
When you want to give one to your partner this 14th of February, remind them of your love with these printable Valentine gift tags:
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A Bracelet or a Jewelry Set
Gifting jewelry pieces to someone special was only a thing for the people in the upper class and the nobility. However, as time went by, it became a representation of your love and commitment to the person you give it to. It is a belief to some that the elegance and price of the jewelry equate to the affection you have for the recipient.
The question is when should you give jewelry in a relationship?
Of course, you wouldn’t want to give a piece of jewelry to a person when you are still in the early stages of your relationship. Doing so might send a wrong signal to your partner. Imagine giving a ring to someone who you dated for like three months. How do you think would they feel? That would probably scare them away, thinking that things between the both of you are moving too fast. But once you have been dating for several months already, then you may consider giving them a piece of jewelry.
Aside from Valentine’s day, you can give fine jewelry to the one you love on Christmas day, especially when you have already spent this season together for numerous years. Furthermore, you can also give birthstone pieces of jewelry during their birthdays. The association of their birth month to the stone will make the piece more meaningful on the part of the recipient. For long-term relationships, anniversaries are the perfect time to give your partner fine jewelry. Regardless, you can always give rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings to the one you love. Any time can be the best time unless it’s the first month of your relationship.
How Much Does An Average Consumer Spend on Valentine’s Day?
According to the National Retail Federation, that 55% of individuals in the United States who planned to celebrate Valentine’s day in 2020 are expected to spend a total amount of $27.4 billion. Moreover, data showed that on average, each person plans to spend $41.65 on jewelry, $17.30 on candies, $16.49 on flowers, and $9.01 on greeting cards. What about you? How are you planning to celebrate this special day? How much will you spend on gifts for your loved ones and yourself? Think about it and make sure not to overspend, okay?
In this season of love, we more than willing to give whatever we have, especially for the people who hold a special place in our hearts. While there’s nothing wrong with giving, we must ensure that we leave something for ourselves—be it material things or something abstract like feelings. This way, you will always have something to hold on to in case the world turns it back on you.
With so much love you can offer, be careful who you give it to, so make sure to always have some Valentine’s Day Gift printables tag with you!.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
