Ready or not, Valentine’s Day is just a couple weeks away. That means it’s time to figure out what to get the one you love, or the one you’ve just started dating. A gift doesn’t need to be expensive, but how much should you spend? That all depends on how long you’ve been together and here’s a guideline from senior matchmaker and dating coach Lori Salkin.
- A few weeks - You’ve been on a few dates and you’re in puppy love, so it’s appropriate to give a token gift acknowledging the love holiday. Pick up drinks when you go out to celebrate or find a thoughtful, small gift for your unofficial partner in the $0 to $50 range.
- A few months - At this point, things are getting more serious and you really like each other. You might not want to go all out for a fancy Valentine’s dinner, but finding some activity to do instead could be cool. Something like going to see a concert, with tickets you could get for $50 to $100, feels right for this stage in a relationship.
- Six months and up - By now you’re probably very official and it’s okay to drop some dough on this Valentine’s gift, if your budget allows. You could always do the romantic dinner deal, or give a gift that’s more personal. Pick up that thing your sweetie said they admired or something they mentioned wanting to buy themselves. Try to keep it meaningful and around $100.
- A year and up - When you’ve been together this long, flowers and chocolates seem a little impersonal, so consider giving your long-term love something personal and substantial for Valentine’s Day. Buying your loved one something they’d never buy themselves, like an expensive piece of clothing or jewelry, is always a good move. And you can never go wrong with a card with a heartfelt message, because it really is the thought that counts!
Source: Elite Daily