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 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 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, women, and even kids. Or, opt for homemade gifts this year with our easy DIY tutorials.
This article originally appeared on RealSimple.com.
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