Even expensive gifts can turn out to be busts if there was no time or effort put into it, although, jewelry is rarely off-putting. But what I’m trying to get across, in so many words, is that many people think gifts are tricky. But the great thing is that they don’t have to be.
Crank it up a notch
If you are hoping to kick your relationship up a notch during this extended holiday season (through Valentine’s Day and beyond), don’t forget what brought you two together in the first place—the thrill of the hunt. Oftentimes, once the hunt for a guy or girl is over, everyone assumes the fun and exciting times have to be too. That’s just not true.
In fact, one of the best ways to reinvent that “thrill of the hunt” feeling is to use surprises. Build the suspense in your gift exchange. Make the gift worthwhile, though, or else next time your partner won’t be looking forward to the end of the surprise.
IOU variety
It may sound corny, but bring back the IOU’s (I owe you). It will be a pleasant surprise, as long as they are relevant. They don’t have to be ridiculous or ultra girly. Just be yourself when you are thinking them up and writing them down. Create IOUs that your boyfriend or girlfriend will want to cash in, and make sure you will actually go through with whatever you wrote down. Backing out of an IOU makes for a boring and uneventful evening.
A few G-rated IOUs you can mix in with your “private time” IOUs:
-One “Lose the Argument” coupon. When presented to you, you have to drop the fight. People should use these more often, considering the ridiculous arguments we all get into from time to time.
-One “Go get me some Ice Cream” coupon. When presented to you, you have to get up immediately and go out to get your boyfriend or girlfriend their favorite ice cream treat. Get inventive and use it for any type of food, snack, or drink.
-One “Let’s watch what I want to watch on TV” coupon. When presented to you, you have to give up the remote. Not only this, but you have to happily watch your partner’s program without complaining. The worst it can be is an hour.
Mix up your coupons with any fun activity that you know your boyfriend or girlfriend loves to do. This type of gift is about not being selfish. It’s about showing them how well you know them, and you want them to know that the thrill is still there.