In 1992, Gary Chapman outlined and defined five love languages in his book, The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. He defined a love language as how one shows and receives love to and from another. The five love languages include: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch. Since published, those in and not in relationships scrambled to discover their own love language using various quizzes and surveys. As Valentine’s Day approaches and couples panic to figure out plans and gifts for their significant other, Chapman’s love languages could solve all of the problems.
Words of Affirmation
Those who receive love through words of affirmation love hearing sweet compliments and resonate with words. These people most likely enjoy reading and writing themselves and would appreciate a hand-picked book from the person who knows them best. “Open when” letters allow the person to pick and choose when they need to hear uplifting words from their significant other. People who receive love through words typically enjoy music with meaningful messages, so a playlist full of songs that reminds you of them makes the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. If gifts do not interest your significant other, a creative date using the new “We’re Not Really Strangers,” card game could spark the meaningful connection essential in every relationship. No matter the gift or date, people who appeal to this love language just want to hear their partners’ affirming words.
Acts of Service
Instead of words, this group of people receive love through their partner doing helpful tasks for them, such as household chores, running errands, or making breakfast in the morning. But for Valentine’s Day, cleaning and decorating your partner’s car as a surprise will overwhelm them with love and gratefulness. People who receive love through acts of service especially appreciate the surprise of a task done for them without asking. For date night, stay in. Prepare a favorite meal of your partner’s and allow them to join you in the kitchen to watch you whip up a delicious bite to eat. Then, light some candles and enjoy each other’s company as well as your tasty dinner.
Receiving Gifts
While those who feel love by receiving gifts may seem easy to buy for, oftentimes people with this love language hope for specific gifts from their partner. If you notice your partner dropping hints about gift ideas or revisiting the same shopping website repeatedly, they may hope you catch on and purchase them the object of their affection. However, without these hints or online-shopping patterns, the stereotypical Valentine’s Day gifts of a teddy bear, flowers, and chocolates will surely sweep your partner off their feet. For date night, this love language appears tricky but by thinking outside of the box, thousands of fun and meaningful dates allow your significant other a romantic experience. Pottery, painting lessons, or jewelry making classes all allow the participants to take home a souvenir of their date. These dates allow this group of people to spend time with each other and feel loved in their own ways.
Quality Time
For those who feel loved through quality time, it can become difficult to find a suitable gift for the upcoming holiday. However, planning a monthly date night in advance impels each partner to set time aside to spend together. A decorative calendar with tickets, plans, and gift cards attached make a perfect gift while ensuring quality time each month. Valentine’s Day date night holds a lot of pressure for those who’s partners feel love via quality time. By planning something more elaborate than normal such as a picnic, stargazing, or a short road trip, you show your partner how spending time with them takes precedence over other activities.
Physical Touch
Those with physical touch as their love language feel cared for through contact, and oftentimes appreciate soft materials that remind them of their loved one. A Barefoot Dreams blanket, while expensive, flaunts rave reviews calling it “the softest blanket in the world.” This blanket often goes on sale at stores such as Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, and Homegoods so the prices do fluctuate but the quality does not. This blanket would overwhelm any “physical touch” person with joy as the soft blanket signifies lots of fond memories. As a date idea for someone with this love language, a couples massage, dance lessons, or a movie tavern reign above the rest. Movie taverns often flaunt large comfortable seats to enjoy a new film while staying close. Dance lessons and a couples massage both encourage lots of physical contact in the non-traditional way and can encourage more of either activity at home.
“For me specifically, I really love spending quality time with my significant other, so for Valentine’s Day I love when someone plans out an experience for us to do that day or dedicates time for me,” said Magnet senior Sophia Green.
No matter the love language people just want to feel appreciated and enjoy a gift catered specifically for them and better enjoy their special time on Valentine’s Day.