The gifts we don’t want for Valentine’s Day… again
LOVE is in the air… and so is cheap perfume. Let’s not forget the teddy bears that will not survive a wash (let alone the duration of the relationship), the plastic roses that make us sneeze, and the questionably flavoured chocolate that can be used as laxatives.
Valentine’s Day has become such a predictable routine that some people, especially those who have been on the dating scene for a while, don’t bother with it anymore. But the noble message behind it — celebrating those you love — has not been lost on some. They believe Cupid can still get it right, just with a little shopping advice.
Read on for what women and men say they don’t want this Valentine’s Day and some recommendations on gifts that would be more appreciated.
Talya, wardrobe consultant:
I don’t want chocolate. It tells me your brain is lazy and you refuse to think outside the box both literally and figuratively. I especially don’t want your excuses! Give me something meaningful and sentimental. I’m a sucker for handwritten love letters. Write me one of those filled with our inside jokes and favourite movie quotes and accompany that with a remake of our first date, done at home. Value doesn’t always mean how much money, but how much thought.
Chevelle, cashier:
No flowers or cards. But talking about that, I might not get anything at all. I think a gift is something that can assist someone in reaching a personal goal. For example, my man is focused on losing weight, so I’m thinking about getting him a Fitbit. I’m also looking up a nice dinner recipe on Pinterest.
McKoy, investment banker:
I don’t want chocolate. I don’t know what gift to suggest, though, I’m horrible at that. But if you’re out of ideas you can give me the money and I’ll get myself something.
Jennifer, child care provider:
If I get another teddy bear I won’t be able to sleep in my bed! And my ex bought me chocolate and ice cream last year after I told him I was lactose intolerant. I was disappointed but I didn’t want to seem ungrateful, so I had some, and ended up sick all night. That alone should have told me that he was inconsiderate. But then again the cheater probably just got me mixed up with some other girl.
Osheeka, cosmetologist:
It doesn’t matter what you get me. I don’t know what I want. I’ll just be grateful if I get anything.
Nick, entrepreneur:
You women seem to think that sex is a gift to men, so every year you get pampered for Valentine’s Day, then you get an orgasm on top of it, and tell yourselves that you gave your man something special. Don’t get me wrong, I love sex, but that’s what you gave me for my birthday and Christmas too! And to be fair, we do all the ‘giving’ in the bedroom. An actual gift would be nice… plus the sex.
Shantell, customer service rep:
I don’t want sex. I can get that from you anytime. An engraved necklace would be nice.
Lasine, teacher:
I don’t want chocolate or rum cream, again. A nice gift would be to go in my shopping cart and check out a few things, or the entire cart.
Shadelle, student services practitioner:
Teddy bear fi stay weh it deh. I’m a simple girl. I prefer to go somewhere relaxing and eat some food, or drive up to the hills and chill, rather than get a gift.
Nadine, teacher’s assistant:
I do not want another perfume set or watch. Buy me some stocks. Invest in me.
Brian, journalist:
This is a hard question because men don’t really get gifts for Valentine’s Day. But I guess I don’t want sex because that is a cliché gift for women to give nowadays. I’m more of a hopeless romantic who enjoys a night out at a restaurant or a getaway, and to have meaningful conversations and increase the bond that we have.
Rachael, teacher:
I don’t want ‘nothing’. I’m tired of getting ‘nothing’. Anything else would be greatly appreciated this year.
Janene, student:
The fake roses need to stop. Real roses, men! Real roses! And some money, too, please.
Nadine, entrepreneur:
I don’t want any teddy bears. I’ve outgrown that and have enough. A creative personal gift is perfume made specifically for me in my favourite scent. I love perfumes.
Tishja, HR specialist:
I don’t want any chocolate, perfume or lingerie. The lingerie is not even for me, it’s for you!
