The New Year is in full swing, and hopefully, your dating life is as well. Just like in the Hallmark movies, a traditional gift for a guy to give a girl he’s been dating is a bouquet of flowers. But who says you have to stick with tradition? And who’s to say the girl can’t give the guy a gift?
The answer is “no one.” You do what you want and what feels comfortable to you. If you are dating someone new and want to let them know you are enjoying your time together, consider sending them a gift.
There are some things that may be a little awkward or over-the-top for a new relationship, so it’s a good idea to keep things reasonably simple. Keep reading for some fun gift ideas.
(Kari Shea/Unsplash)
Keep It Sweet
Let’s start with possibly the best choice of all: sweets. Appealing to someone’s sweet tooth is a great way to make a good impression without going overboard. There are endless options when it comes to sending something sweet. Here are just a few to consider:
Chocolate
Almost as traditional as flowers, but more delicious, is chocolate. Start your next date off on a sweet note by giving your date a box of fine chocolates.
Cookies
You would be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t like cookies, so this is a great option. You could make cookies yourself or buy some at the store to bring with you on your next date.
Or, you could order some gourmet cookies online and have them delivered right to your date’s door. This would be a great surprise to let your date know you are thinking of them. If you aren’t sure what flavor to get, try a cookie assortment.
Favorite Treat
If you need a good topic of conversation, talk about treats. This will help you find out your date’s favorite snacks, which will help you know what to bring on your next date.
Not only will they have their favorite treat to enjoy, but they will know that you were genuinely listening to them.
Grow Your Relationship
If you want to grow your relationship, consider giving your date one of the options below.
Bouquet Of Flowers
Many people are happy to stick with tradition, so if this is you, go ahead and get that bouquet of flowers. Your date will appreciate their beauty and your thoughtful gesture–just like in the movies.
Succulents
If you like the idea of gifting nature’s bounty but want to give something that will last longer, succulents are a great alternative. Not only are succulents beautiful, but they are pretty easy to care for.
Every time your date sees their succulent, they will think of you. Hopefully, this will bring a smile to their face and a desire to continue to go out with you. It could also send the message that, just like the plant, you are low maintenance as well.
Cactus
While a cactus may be prickly, giving one as a gift shows that you are quite the opposite. Giving your date a cute cactus will show them you have a soft spot in your heart for them and want to provide them with something fun for their house.
While men usually give flowers to women, giving a cactus is suitable for either gender. Let’s be honest; a man could probably use a nice plant in his bachelor pad.
Get Personal
To take your relationship to the next level (and maybe earn the boyfriend or girlfriend title), choose a gift that is very specific to the person you are dating. Here are some ideas.
Appeal To Their Pets
Does your date have a cat or dog at home that they adore and talk about often? If so, giving them something for their beloved furry friend is not a bad idea. Some ideas may include treats or toys.
Consider Their Hobbies
Think about the hobbies your date enjoys and choose a gift accordingly. If your date enjoys running or going to the gym, give them a snazzy new water bottle. You could even start working out together.
If your date enjoys reading, give them one of your favorite books. This will provide you with something to talk about and connect over. If your date enjoys fishing, give them some new lures and go fishing together.
These are just a few examples. The options are endless and can vary greatly, depending on the interests of the person you are dating.
Write A Letter
It doesn’t get much more personal than writing your date a nice letter or card, telling them how much you are enjoying your time together. You don’t need to get too mushy if your relationship isn’t to that point yet. Just keep it friendly.
You could give your date the letter the next time you see them, but it might be more fun to leave it on their doorstep or send it in the mail.
Dating can be stressful and awkward as you try to build a new relationship, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Be authentic, have fun, and up your game with one of the gifts mentioned above.
The person you are dating now could end up being the “one.” But, if not, hopefully you’ve made a good friend and can look back on this time with happy memories.
If it does end on a sour note, you could always ease your sorrow by ordering yourself some comfort cookies. Cookies make everything better.