--- title: How to Buy the Perfect Valentine's Day Gift description: Stuck in a shopping rut? New research just made gift giving a lot easier canonical: https://time.com/3706010/buy-perfect-valentines-day-gift/ author: Real Simple article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-02-12T20:35:42.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:45:20.989Z og:title: How to Buy the Perfect Valentine's Day Gift og:description: Stuck in a shopping rut? New research just made gift giving a lot easier og:url: https://time.com/3706010/buy-perfect-valentines-day-gift/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5e9a6724cf25547b/69877ed455a8595925a85c57/109339570-copy.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: gift-box-red-bow og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: How to Buy the Perfect Valentine's Day Gift twitter:description: Stuck in a shopping rut? New research just made gift giving a lot easier twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5e9a6724cf25547b/69877ed455a8595925a85c57/109339570-copy.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # How to Buy the Perfect Valentine's Day Gift ## Video: First Grade Valentines [Watch (HLS stream): First Grade Valentines](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/dxn3NutC.m3u8) (2:35)  _Published 2010-02-10. Out of the mouths of babes, love is explained. Brooklyn first graders write and read their valentines and describe the meaning of Valentines Day_ by [Real Simple](https://time.com/author/real-simple/) ## Real Simple Feb 12, 2015 8:35 PM UTC  Present with big red both Present with big red bothGetty Images by [Real Simple](https://time.com/author/real-simple/) ## Real Simple Feb 12, 2015 8:35 PM UTC If you’re still stressing over what to buy your Valentine, take this expert advice: Instead of trying to prove how well you know your partner with a highly-specific present, just shop for something you know he or she will like. [A study recently released](http://www.uc.edu/news/NR.aspx?id=21194) from the University of Cincinnati used gift cards, ranging from specific to versatile, to illustrate this concept. They found that gift givers opted for specific gift cards when the recipients would have actually preferred something more general and useful, and in fact, it took them longer to redeem the specific, personalized gift cards. Researcher Mary Steffel [conducted a similar study](http://www.uc.edu/news/nr.aspx?id=18864) around holiday gift giving, and discovered a related trend: Gift givers wanted unique gifts for everyone on their list, and prioritized that over choosing presents that recipients would definitely enjoy. So, if you’re struggling to think of the _perfect_ gift, you might be on the wrong track. Personalization is nice, but don’t feel pressured to go that route if you know that your Valentine would _love_ a gift that happens to be more generic. If you _still_ can’t decide what to buy for Valentine’s Day, get inspiration from our gift guides for [men](http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/valentines-day/valentines-day-gifts-boyfriend), [women](http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/valentines-day/valentines-day-gifts-her), and even [kids](http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/valentines-day/valentines-kids). Or, opt for homemade gifts this year with [our easy DIY tutorials](http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/valentines-day/valentines-day-crafts). _This_ [_article_](https://editor.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/valentines-day/valentines-day-shopping?xid=time-rs) _originally appeared on_ [_RealSimple.com_](http://www.realsimple.com/)_._ _More from Real Simple:_ * [No Reservations: Wine and Dine Your Valentine With a Date Night In](http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/wine-dine-date-night-in?xid=time-rs) * [6 Affordable Date Night Sparkling Drinks](http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/beverages/affordable-date-night-sparkling-wine?xid=time-rs) * [6 Valentine’s Day Crafts That Double as Thoughtful Gifts](http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/valentines-day/valentines-day-crafts?xid=time-rs) ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3706010/buy-perfect-valentines-day-gift/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3706010/buy-perfect-valentines-day-gift/"},"headline":"How to Buy the Perfect Valentine's Day Gift","datePublished":"2015-02-12T20:35:42.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T07:45:20.989Z","description":"Stuck in a shopping rut? 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