As Valentine’s Day fast approaches, so does the pressure to plan a romantic gesture for your partner. People are all different and how they choose to express love is different. While most people treat others how they’d like to be treated, we should take a lesson on how to treat others how they want to be treated. Knowledge of the 5 love languages is useful in that respect as one is able to tailor make gifts to the tune of your partner’s likes and expectations.
There’s no need to scratch your head trying to find the perfect gift or gesture for your loved one.The solution is easy and right at your fingertips; romance your person based on his or her love language.
The five “love languages” including words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, receiving gifts, and physical touch, were first outlined by marriage counselor Gary Chapman in his 1995 book, The 5 Love Languages, geared toward helping people understand how they receive love.
Understanding your partner’s language of love and how they best express their love puts you in a better position to cater to their wants appropriately while they do the same. We all hate it when you’re expecting a certain gift from your partner because we assume they know us so well only to find something that completely doesn’t tug on your heartstrings. It sucks!
Below we have outlined some great ideas using the five languages to give you a head start in your Valentine’s day plans.
These people want to be reminded why they’re important to you. A well-placed compliment and saying “I love you” at random times goes a long way. They need to feel they’re loved and respected and cherished.”
For a partner like this you can write out a thoughtful card which is a good low-cost option for someone who responds to words of affirmation. This has become something of a “lost art” in 2019 and your partner is bound to swoon over the gesture.
This is an especially good option if you’re in a new relationship and don’t want to go all out in the romance department. If you want to do something with a bit more commitment, text your partner once an hour throughout the day, saying something you love about him or her.
These partners want to spend time with you and really connect — and Netflix and chill does not count. Your undivided attention while spending time together is most important.
The possibilities for spending quality time with your partner are endless. If your relationship is newer, make a brunch reservation — it’s a little bit lower-commitment than a fancy dinner. Otherwise, you could go ice-skating at Panari, see an upcoming show or movie at Imax, go GP karting, go for a picnic and hike or hit your partner’s favorite winery or beer garden. You could also decide to cook together a special Valentine’s meal.
These people are really turned on when you do the dishes or laundry or cook. They feel your love when you do something nice for them that requires even a tiny bit of effort.
Lucky for you, those whose love language is acts of service don’t need grand gestures to feel that you care. You bringing over your partner’s favorite takeout meal and setting up a dinner at home in recognition of a crazy workweek would totally rock their world.
These people aren’t as materialistic as they sound. The key is that they respond particularly well to thoughtful gifts.
While flowers may work for a Valentine’s Day gift, those whose love language is receiving gifts might respond even better to something more thoughtful (and less expensive). The list of gifts you can getthem is endless, from low cost to high cos depending on your budget.
Kenya is still a drinking nation afterall so with that in mind, you could consider getting your new significant other something like a good bottle of wine or whiskey.
These folks feel intimacy through physical closeness — holding hands, hugging, kissing, etc. These ones hit closer to home when you think of the cold rainy seasons when Kenyans are known to cuddle more than farm , in light humor of course.
Use your imagination! Make this the best, most thought out Valentine’s Day ever!!