Part of being in a relationship is doing things that are heart-fluttering and memorable. It doesn’t matter if what you do is in the form of giving small gifts or doing things that you don’t normally do, like cook dinner. These little acts can mean big values to the recipient, especially to those whose love language is acts of service or receiving gifts.
But did you know that some things can hold certain meanings that depend on the situation it is given? While these meanings aren’t common knowledge, they can be perceived as such by your other half if they were given these gifts.
By this point, you should understand that items given in a certain context can mean different things to the receiver of the gift. So that you can have a better grasp of what this means, here are a few gifts that can be given at distinct stages of your relationship:
If you’re still getting to know each other
When you’re still in the getting to know stage of your relationship and you want to give your partner a gift, you can do so with a fun card game. Some card games that are specifically made for these situations can contain random questions that will allow you to get to know each other better.
You can also use these card games as an ice breaker during your dates. Play this card game while you’re waiting on your food or even during the meals. This will be a great avenue to establish a deeper connection with your partner, especially if you’re having trouble finding topics to talk about.
Little details like these don’t look like they mean much in the beginning. But once you’ve been together for some time, remembering the little things can go a long way in showing that you care for and you listen to your partner.
If you’re becoming comfortable together
As you reach the stage in your relationship where you prefer to stay in and cuddle during a movie instead of having a date in the theater, the perfect gift will be to give your partner a fuzzy blanket. This blanket can mean that you like snuggling together and that you worry about if they are warm enough.
Fuzzy blankets can provide comfort and security to whoever uses them, so it will be a thoughtful gift especially to those who get cold easily. Another meaning this blanket could have is that you’re saying that you’re comfortable in your partner’s presence and hopefully, vice versa.
If you’re thinking about moving in together
If you and your partner think that you’re ready to move in together but no one’s making the first move to ask, you can take one for the team with these gift ideas. Nothing says cute couples like a matching set of mugs, slippers, or pajamas.
These things can be taken as cheesy gestures, especially if you’re not that type of couple. In that case, you can give it as a funny present while still retaining its underlying meaning. Giving your partner a set of matching coffee mugs can make them think that you want to spend your mornings together from that moment on.
If you’re leaning toward marriage
Once you get to the point in your relationship where you think, “This is the person I’m going to marry one day,” then you have to let them know that. The best way to make this subtle declaration is by giving them a promise ring that symbolizes your love.
Giving your partner an engagement ring usually means that you’re vowing to get married, but proposing to get engaged at an early point in the relationship can be a huge turnoff. A ring that symbolizes the idea of getting married in the future, on the other hand, can be a good way to pave the path to marriage without any hurry.
Gifts can hold valuable meanings, and sometimes, it can also mean nothing. It really depends on the depth of your relationship and the sentimental value you give to the items. But in some situations, presents can hold a much deeper meaning that is based solely on the context where you give it.
Remember that miscommunication is one of the biggest barriers in any relationship. What you believe your gift’s meaning to be can be different from what your partner understands. In that case, it will be better to clear the air instead of leaving it to chance, especially if your gift has an arbitrary meaning.