The best (but also most daunting) part of the holiday season is giving gifts [1]. Everyone wants to have the most thoughtful gifts [2], but sometimes it feels like every gift is played out and unoriginal, especially when you're shopping for that special someone. One unique way to approach gifts this holiday season is to consider your partner's love language. The five love languages — Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Acts of Service, Gifts, and Touch — inform and describe how you best receive love in relationships. People with Quality Time as their main love language like to spend meaningful, uninterrupted time in their relationships. If Words of Affirmation is your main love language, you love to hear positive and encourageing words [3] often from your partner. Physical Touch people love a good cuddle and other displays of physical affection, and Acts of Service people appreciate when their partners take initiative to make their lives easier by doing something for them like cooking or filling their gas tank. The last love language is receiving gifts, and people with this love language enjoy when their partner shows love through sentimental items.
Think about your partner and what they value most to determine their love language (or just ask them!), and keep reading to shop gifts that cater to each one perfectly. These gifts will hold special meaning and be specifically catered to your partner this holiday season.
Words of Affirmation: Engravable Bar Bracelet
People whose love language is Words of Affirmation love repeated sentiments of reassurance, and this Engravable Bar Bracelet [5] ($190) is a great way to always remind your loved one of how much you value them.
Words of Affirmation: Acrylic Song Plaque
Another great gift for those who value Words of Affirmation is this Acrylic Song Plaque [6] ($68). Have this plaque personalized with your person's favourite song or a song that reminds you of them, and they'll be raving about how thoughtful you are.
Words of Affirmation: Book of Love Poems
Nothing will speak to someone whose love language is Words of Affirmation more than a book filled with sentiments on how much you love them. This Sincerely, Book [7] ($13) by F.S. Yousaf is a great way to say "I love you" this holiday season.
Words of Affirmation: What I Love About You Book
Similar to a book of love letters, this What I Love About You Book [8] ($10) is a more personal way to appeal to your partner's need for affirmation. Filling out this journal will show them how invested you are both in your time and words.
Words of Affirmation: Personalized Calendar
Anything personalized is a great gift for a Words of Affirmation person. Make someone feel special with this Personalized Wall Calendar [9] ($25) filled with fond memories and words of love and appreciation.
Physical Touch: Gravity Blanket
If your person's love language is Physical Touch, they just want the feeling of being held. While you can't buy a hug or a cuddle, this Gravity Blanket [10] ($195) is a close second. The warm and heavy feel of this blanket mimics human touch and is a great way to let your person know you understand their needs.
Physical Touch: Hidden Pleasure Rechargeable Panty Vibrator
Sex is one of the main forms of physical touch in a relationship, and this is the perfect gift to get your partner if that's their primary love language. This Adam & Eve Turn Me On Rechargeable Bullet [11] ($40) responds to a remote that can be controlled by your partner.
Physical Touch: Shiatsu Kneading Massager
Nothing says physical touch like a heated massage. While you can give your partner a massage anytime, with this gift, they can also get one when you're not around (or when you're not in the mood to give one). Be careful with this Maxkare Back Massager Neck Massager Massage Pillow With Heat [12] ($46), though, as they may love it so much, you'll lose your job as their personal masseuse!
Physical Touch: Buttah Body Trio
A great way to cater to someone whose love language is Physical Touch is to get them something that awakens their bodily needs and pleasures. A luxurious shower or bath followed by a decedent scented lotion is just the thing, and this Buttah Body Trio [13] ($70) is sure to hit the spot.
Physical Touch: Body Pillow
This Body Pillow [14] ($70) is the perfect gift for a cuddle junkie. Anyone who has physical touch high up on their love-language list will love this gift.
Quality Time: Personalized Puzzle
People with Quality Time as their main language are a little harder to shop for since they value experiences over material things, but this Gradient Background Personalized Puzzle [15] ($42) is the perfect way to create an experience out of a gift. You'll have a great time bonding over it, and just wait until their faces light up when they realise what the puzzle is!
Quality Time: A Cabin Getaway
What says quality time better than a getaway? These mini holiday cabins on Getaway [16] (prices vary) are set up in secluded landscapes outside of major cities all across the country. They're equipped with everything you'll need for some restful time away with your favourite person.
Quality Time: Imperial Pasta Machine
Nothing brings people together like food. This Imperia Pasta Machine [17] ($80) is a fun way to spend time with your loved one. In addition to the quality bonding time, you'll get some yummy pasta after!
Quality Time: CultureTags Card Game
Cards games are a great bonding activity. This Black-owned company took Black culture and hashtags and created a CultureTags Card Game [18] ($30) that will entertain you and your friends for hours.
Quality Time: 101 Piece Deluxe Easel Art Set
Another creative way to bond with your partner is through creating art together. Whether you both paint like Picasso or don't have an artistic bone in your bodies, this 101 Piece Deluxe Easel Art Set [19] ($40, originally $85) is a fun way to spend some quality time together.
Acts of Service: TaskRabbit Gift Card
While your partner may value acts of service, it is always nice when someone else does something for you. Get them a TaskRabbit Gift Card [20] ($24-$250) so someone can take care of something you've had on your to-do list for a while, like putting together furniture. It's a great "in advance" gift for when they don't want to do that dreaded task.
Acts of Service: Haus Membership
A thoughtful act of service is making your partner a drink. Take it one step further with this Haus Monthly Cocktail Subscription [21] ($68). After a long day of work, your partner will always have a drink to wind down with, thanks to you.
Acts of Service: Selene Bar Cart
The perfect complement to a cocktail subscription is this elegant bar cart. This Selene Bar Cart [22] ($179) completes the experience of turning your home into a trendy bar where your partner always gets free drinks.
Acts of Service: Navi Breakfast Tray
Acts of Service is all about doing things for your partner that show your love and appreciation, and is there anything better for this than bringing them breakfast in bed? This Navi Breakfast Tray [23] ($128) from Anthropologie will add the perfect touch to your Christmas morning breakfast in bed.
Acts of Service: Café Society Coffee Gift Set
From drinks after work to coffee in the morning, be all about showering your parter with love. This Café Society Coffee Gift Set [24] ($154) comes with a french press and is a thoughtful way to do something nice for your partner without actually having to "do" much at all.
Receiving Gifts: Personalized Candle
Shopping for someone whose love language is Receiving Gifts is a little harder. Give them something that's both thoughtful and fun with a Personalized Yankee Candle [25] ($35). You can choose your candle and scent and add a photo of the two of you and a fun message.
Receiving Gifts: Monthly Winc Subscription
Your partner will feel like they're getting a new gift every month with this Winc Wine Subscription [26] ($150 for three months). It's the perfect gift for people who love getting, well, gifts!
Receiving Gifts: Amazon Gift Card
A clever way to shop for someone whose love language is Receiving Gifts is to think of a gift that keeps on giving. An Amazon Gift Card [27] ($10) allows them to shop for another gift while using the one you gave them. Win-win!
Receiving Gifts: Canvas Print
A Personal Canvas Print [28] ($54) is a lovely way to show someone that you were thinking of them. Every time they see it, they'll think of you.
Receiving Gifts: Dreamland Filmore Duffle
You can never go wrong with a useful gift, and everyone needs a good bag! This Dreamland Filmore Duffle [29] ($82) can be made extraspecial with the option of getting it personally monogrammed.