The day of love is approaching, and fast. Feb. 14: one of the only times of the year when so many people in different parts of the world celebrate love. 

According to history.com, more than 65% of American citizens celebrate Valentine’s Day every year. Roses, chocolates and teddy bears are the typical gifts on the day of love, but as society evolves, so have Valentine’s gifts, becoming more sentimental and personalized as time progresses. DIY gifts, photo albums and other individualized presents are more popular than ever before. 

This could mean that our society is turning away from the more materialistic and symbolic gifts of Valentine’s Day, and beginning to lean more towards gifts that describe the specific relationship or the person receiving the gift. 

“There is consistent research suggesting that experiences, rather than material items, are linked with happiness,” explained Eva Kung McGuire, professor of psychology at Guilford College. “Shared experiences can help strengthen a relationship. Thus, one might be advised to focus on experiential gifts rather than material ones, although a material item that has sentimental value can help a couple reminisce about an experience.”

Therefore, getting your Valentine something they can use and see every day that also reminds them of you—like a photograph of you together or a hand-made painting—might be the best approach. 

If your Valentine is more of the sentimental type, and does not tend to like cliché or sappy things, stay away from the modern roses and chocolates and go for a more personal approach. 

Something your partner will remember, like an experience or a road trip, is a good gift option. For instance, going on a picnic, camping, writing poetry or painting by the lake together are all great ways to make memories and remind your partner how much you care for and appreciate them. Even making a fun plan to set up a fort or simply watching movies on your laptop together outside is a great way to show your Valentine how much you care.

Kung McGuire explained that when you are searching for a gift for your Valentine, it is important to consider the uniqueness of your partner.

“A thoughtful gift shows you are listening and paying attention, and that’s what many of us desire of our significant others,” she said. “One might also think about their partner’s ‘love language’—this is more pop psychology than science, but many marriage therapists find (that) having conversations about love languages to be useful.” 

The valuable advice Kung McGuire gives to analyze and understand what makes your partner happy is key to getting them a gift they will truly appreciate. 

For instance, psychologytoday.com revealed that your partner’s love language could be words of affirmation, meaning that they are most happy when someone is giving them words of support, telling them they are attractive or thanking them. If this is the case, the best gift idea for your partner could be handwritten letters that explain why you love them and what makes them special. 

Another love language is quality time. This is when someone is most happy going on dates or road trips and having deep conversations. The best gift idea for a person that identifies with this love language could be a mason jar full of memories and experiences you have shared. Your Valentine can go back and read them whenever they are thinking of you. Another good idea is to make a photo album of all your memories and photos together, adding a new photo for each month or big event.

If your Valentine’s love language is receiving gifts, they are happiest when you get them little presents that remind you of them. For this type of personality, it means a lot if you listen and pay attention to the details of who they are and their interests. So think about what they love to do, whether it be kickboxing, music, dancing or painting, and try to get them something related to that hobby or interest.

Matching pajama sets or T-shirts would be a great gift for someone who likes to be reminded that you think about them. This would also be a good gift for a long-distance relationship, so you two can still feel connected and close. You can buy whatever iron-on decals feel personal and related to your relationship, buy two T-shirts and iron on matching designs so you two can be “twins.”

For a long distance friend or relationship, first-year Grace Holmes suggested doing something unique, like a Zoom date night where you two play games or watch movies together! 

Holmes thinks that the most appreciated gifts are the ones that “mean something to you and your partner.” 

Junior Alesha Garcia shared that the best Valentine’s Day gift is the “sappiest gift possible. The embarrassment when giving it out is true love!” 

There is no right or wrong gift. As long as you have your Valentine and your relationship in mind when thinking about what to get them, they will appreciate the gesture no matter the cost. The gift could be worth the amount of a rock, but if it means something to you and your Valentine, it means the world.