Because Valentine’s Day is just a few days away, I wanted to turn my focus to romance and the power of giving just the right gift to each of our unique partners.

I’d like to use Gary Chapman’s book, The Five Love Languages, as the basis for a Valentine’s Day gift-giving guide today.

Start by completing the free online profile/inventory at Chapman’s site to discover what your and your spouse’s love languages are.

If your spouse isn’t willing to do this, consider completing the inventory for him/her based on how you think he or she would answer. You’ll probably have a fairly accurate result that can give you ideas for what to give him/her for Valentine’s Day.

Love Languages and Gift Ideas that Correspond

1. Words of Affirmation

Write a love letter that shares all the things you love about your sweetheart, like how he/she:

• Performs their job(s)
• Parents your children
• Shows you affection
• Looks or dresses
• Encourages you
• Expresses their passion(s)
• Lives out their faith
• Demonstrates their talent(s)
• Impacts other people’s lives for the good

You can also download my free Love Letter Questions that provides 24 prompts for helping you to affirm your spouse in written form. Then use the Love Letter Template to write your letter on! That’s really one of the most romantic things you could do and might ignite more passion than ever in your partner.

Fill a jar with compliments and affirmations about your spouse, then every day (perhaps at bedtime or mealtimes) encourage your spouse to open one more up and read it—with or without you present. Click to download and use my Daily Affirmations Guide as a jumping-off point or simply begin to use this at mealtime/bedtime from now on.

Schedule a romantic dinner for the two of you and either read the letter above or simply share all the ways you’ve seen your spouse excel and grow in this past year.

2. Acts of Service

Think of at least 10 ways that you could do an “act of service” for your spouse. Do something that he/she would love or that relieves him/her of that task. Write these on index cards or come up with some beautifully designed coupons to give your mate. But be sure to put them in a gift-wrapped box or lovely gift bag!

Another idea might be to fix your spouse’s favorite meal and dessert for an intimate dinner-for-two on Valentine’s Day. Here’s a recipe of my husband’s favorite Valentine’s dessert, Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Homemade ones are better than store-bought in my book! Then be sure to feed (acts of service) each other these romantic confections! Super sexy!

3. Quality Time

Similar to the “Acts of Service” cards above, write out as many creative date ideas as you can, then give it to your mate in a gift-wrapped box or bag.

Here are some (COVID-friendly) ideas:

• Dance the night away in a roomy spot in your home or, if warm enough, outside.
• Drive to several meaningful spots around town from your past—sharing how special those memories are while in your car.
• Double-date with good friends that you trust are likely COVID-free!
• Binge a show that you BOTH love together on your favorite streaming service. My all-time favorite Rom-com is Sleepless in Seattle. You can watch it for only $3.99 on Amazon Prime!
• If the weather cooperates, build a snowman or go sledding together like you did when you were kids!
• Live in a warmer climate? Go for a walk in the woods, on the beach, or at your favorite park while holding hands and chatting about the scenary.
• Go out for a romantic dinner but ask each other some of the 365 questions that the Generous Wife came up with. Then really listen and reflect back on what you hear your spouse is saying. Get in his/her head and heart!

4. Receiving Gifts

Take your mate out for a shopping spree.

You’ll probably need to set a spending limit here but really have fun finding that perfect gift together.

Ask your spouse for gift ideas. 

Sometimes we don’t know what gift our sweethearts would really adore, so why not ask him/her to give you suggestions? Just be sure to get one of the things he/she suggested—no substitutes or inferior products allowed! 😉

Combine the gift of “Quality Time” with “Receiving Gifts” by planning and paying for a special trip the two of you can take together. If you’re too gun-shy to try this during the height of a pandemic, schedule it for this summer. Then give it to your spouse at your Valentine’s Day dinner.

5. Physical Touch

Pay for a couple’s massage or plan to give your mate one yourself. 

If you give your sweetie one, go all out with massage oils, scented candles, dim lighting, and relaxing music. Check out Cassie’s post over at TrueAgape for extra pointers.

Play some lover’s games based on the Song of Solomon.

Back in 2018, I shared three romantic/affectionate/erotic games that are inspired by passages in Song of Solomon. You can find that post here. It will give you all sorts of ideas and ways to physically touch and be affectionate with your spouse. I hope you try them out!

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends! Make it a sweet, cozy, and loving one with your spouse!

What other romantic gift ideas can you add to my suggestions above?

What is your love language and how/what would you like your mate to give to you this Valentine’s Day?