My girlfriend keeps dropping hints that she expects something sparkly and special for Valentines Day, aka jewelry. I just don't have the money to get her what she wants. I really care for her and fear that she will see my not getting her a flashy gift to mean that I don't love her. I really, really do love her and don't know how I can make her understand that I can't afford an expensive piece of jewelry. Any ideas about how I can talk to her about this without sounding cheap? Any gift ideas that say, "I love you!" without costing a months salary?
A:
Ah... the gift thing. You didn't include your age or how long you have been dating. So I am going to include a little list of things you can do or get her that will be relatively cheap, but worth more than any jewelry in the end. I've got to tell you, I have read around the net searching for all sorts of hints because I am clueless when it comes to gifts!! But I came across one article that tickled my fancy. It suggested something so obvious, yet something no one thinks of.
A booklet. A little book you can make in your spare time. Cut it into strips. Staple it together. Make it as fancy as possible. Now write on each little piece of paper little things like:
- Clean cat's litter box (for a month)
- Back massage (1 hour long)
- You pick the video (and I won't whine)
- You pick the movie (and I won't groan)
- Dinner on me (after pay day)
Try something like that. I mean, if you believe your girl really NEEDS something expensive to show your love for her... there is something not right in the relationship. She's all material and that is NOT cool. If you think she will be displeased with something from your heart and not your wallet... your on your own, and I cant even help you with that. A lot of guys out there also really think women are driven by a lust for material things. That they measure your love based on what you give them rather than how you treat them. This is just NOT true. Most girls aren't driven by material gifts, it is the gift of your heart that impresses them. In my opinion something sentimental like pictures, memories or inside jokes packaged together in a little scrap book is always priceless.