The holidays can be a very special time of year for any couple — new or old.
There are so many fun and festive activities to share together like decorating a tree, baking holiday treats, and even curling up by the fire. But one of the most important parts of the holiday season is choosing the perfect gift for your partner.
Just like the way your hugs can reveal secrets about your relationship, the gift you give to your loved one can say an enormous amount about the two of you.
Professor of psychology Karen Pine told Time Magazine, "The more we value the other person, the more we want the gift to be an accurate reflection of the strength of our feelings towards them."
So what exactly does each specific gift mean? This exclusive look at holiday gift-giving can tell you so much about your relationship.
Scroll through below to see what your holiday gifts are saying about your relationship.
1. Lingerie
The gift of lingerie is all about spice in the relationship. However, this gift should be given with caution, as it can reveal two completely opposite aspects of the relationship.
On the one hand, lingerie can signal that you are a fun and exciting duo. You love passion, and you highly value the physical aspects of your relationship. If you are confident this is the case for you, lingerie is a great present.
On the other hand, lingerie can signal that passion is missing from your relationship. Wanting to inject extra spice into things can reveal a problem in the passion department. If you are noticing trouble in the bedroom, it might be better to wear something sexy yourself, rather than try to impose it on your partner.
2. Travel Tickets
Travel tickets are a gift that are about the long term.
A gift like this shows that your relationship has legs. The forward-thinking involved with a future trip indicates that both parties plan to stay together for the foreseeable future.
Travel tickets show that you have a strong connection, and that you both enjoy having mini-adventures together. Continuing to explore together is a great way to keep things exciting and fresh.
3. A DIY Project
A homemade craft or DIY project is a great way to reveal a part of yourself to your partner.
These one-of-a-kind presents show that you are a very open couple. You don't mind being vulnerable in front of one another, leading to a much deeper connection.
Not everybody has the confidence in their relationship to reveal intimate parts of their personality to their partner.
People say, "It's the thought that counts." In this case, the thought counts on a very personal and connected level.
4. Something You Mentioned Long Ago
Giving or receiving something that was mentioned long ago is like winning the relationship jackpot.
If your partner mentions liking something they see in a store, and then you give them that item months later, get ready to see a giant smile on their face. This kind of gift shows that you are in a very caring relationship.
You pay attention to each other's needs, and you find joy in making each other happy. The foresight that goes into this kind of present shows that your partner's happiness and well-being is constantly on your mind.
5. Jewelry
Giving jewelry such as a beautiful necklace or a nice watch is all about the "wow" factor.
You have to be careful with this gift. Expensive jewelry can come across as trying to "buy their love," indicating some potential conflict or distance between the two of you.
But jewelry can also be a wonderful surprise. Shocking someone with such an extravagant gift can be a sign that you think the world of your partner.
Jewelry shows that your partner deserves to be showered with the finest things — not a bad impression to make at all!
6. Flowers
Flowers are a gift that imply last-minute thought. This can be a good thing or a bad thing.
For big holidays or special occasions, flowers show a level of thoughtlessness that you probably don't intend. Flowers can show that a relationship is either not very strong or still too new to be very deep or lasting.
However, flowers given for absolutely no reason can show a spontaneity that is great in a relationship. Surprising your partner with flowers on a random day indicates that you are constantly in each other's thoughts and hearts. You like to surprise one another and keep your love fresh.
7. A Pet
A pet is a long-term investment that shows you are "in-it-to-win-it."
Giving an adorable puppy or kitten is an indication that your relationship is on a path to many years of happiness together.
Pets are easy to fall in love with and require a large amount of care and attention. People don't generally give this kind of gift lightly.
A pet also shows that you have a joyful relationship. You enjoy keeping things positive and making the most of the time you spend together.
8. A Song
Writing a song, poem, letter, or other creative item shows a fun and carefree aspect to your relationship.
This kind of gift shows that you both think outside the box, and try to avoid defining yourselves as a "traditional" couple. You are anything but. You make your own rules, and enjoy living in the moment together.
Your creative minds can lead to some true adventures. Your relationship possesses a sense of fun and whimsy that most people would envy!
9. A Childhood Favorite
Giving your partner a childhood favorite like a vintage G.I. Joe, Barbie doll, or throwback lunchbox is one of the coolest gifts out there.
This "throw-back" gift shows that you might just be one of the coolest and "hippest" couples. Vintage gifts are absolutely trendy at the moment, indicating that you are a pair that is always ahead of the curve.
You two can bond over your shared sense of style. Your forward-thinking shows that you are both like-minded, a quality that will keep your relationship strong.
10. A Thousand Gifts
Giving or receiving a thousand gifts is all about spoiling your partner.
If you get a ton of presents this holiday season, it may be a sign that your relationship is a bit unbalanced. As the person who didn't buy a ton of gifts, you may be left feeling guilty. And as the person who didn't get a ton of gifts, you may be left feeling neglected.
This many gifts can be a sign of overcompensation or trying to fix a problem with presents. A single, thoughtful gift will go much further in strengthening your partnership than a giant pile of them will.
11. The Latest Gadget
The gift of technology is actually all about being practical.
A new iPhone, iPad, television set, or computer is a gift that someone can really make use of. This shows that you both have a practical approach to your relationship. You are not wild romantics. You are much more down-to-earth and realistic about your relationship expectations.
Being a realist when it comes to love isn't necessarily a bad thing. As long as you are both on the same page, this type of partnership can be long-lasting and fulfilling.
By paying attention to the types of holiday gifts you give and receive, you can gain enormous insight into your own relationship.
Which type of gift do you give the most? Which do you receive most? Let us know in the comments.
Please SHARE if you found your gift-giving type to be revealing!
