Are gifts the answer to relationship happiness?

Are gifts the answer to relationship happiness?

So it would seem that each other’s company, affection and free but meaningful gestures are not the answer to a successful relationship now- no it’s how many gifts you can afford to give your partner that counts towards marital or dating bliss.

Cast aside making your partner dinner, turn your nose up at a loving text message; picking your partner up after a night out- you must try harder- all of these low cost and important little things now have no significance whatsoever, unless there is a hefty price tag attached to a wrapped box alongside.

www.gonedigging.co.uk has found that relationship success is dependent on how many gifts are exchanged between the couple. Lovers who are able to present their partner with a regular gift as well as receive on in return are those who believe their relationship is ‘excellent’.

Many who give their partners surprises think that their relationship has undergone significant improvement since the gifts were introduced. This is due to the thoughtfulness that is displayed with appropriate gift giving.

This begs the question- what if one or both of you loses your job? Where does the money then come from to buy gifts that the other or both of you have become accustomed to? Gifts can suddenly become an expectation if they are given at regular intervals, which can lead to disappointment when the habit is broken and the reliance on other things is needed to make up for the perceived loss.

People rated their relationships in four categories- either ‘good’- with ups and downs along the way, however were generally happy. Others said that their partnership was ‘great’, that they rarely had problems and were happy with their partner and some said that their relationship was ‘excellent’- highly functional, really happy and had no concerns over the state of their partnership.

Few revealed that they would describe their relationship as ‘bad’ with many ups and downs and struggle to cope with their problems, resulting in arguments.

However you might consider- is gift giving a temporary fix to a larger problem? Yes it might be novel when it starts, but after a while, when the credit card bills are looming, the lingerie has been put away, the chocolates have been eaten and the flowers have died, ask yourself- was it all worth it?

When everyone was asked if they gave their partners gifts, 41% said that they did spontaneously surprise their significant other with a present, two thirds of which were in the so called ‘excellent’ relationships. All of the people in what they deemed to be bad relationships never exchanged gifts with their partner.

Gifts can display thoughtfulness, spontaneity, generosity and kindness. As well as showing personal touch and that you know your partner well.

Gifts can be a flirty reminder that your partner is thinking of you during the day, enough to pop to the shops and get you something you need and more often something you don’t but want regardless. However surely these gifts should be saved up for the special occasions? Anniversaries, Christmas, or birthdays? Would these celebrations then lose their appeal if the equivalent was happening in your house every week just on a smaller scale?

11% of people in relationships believe that displaying their wealth helps their time with their companion and the materialistic joy of receiving a gift improves the overall mood in their relationship.

But does a sudden surge of expensive gifts not also raise suspicion? Some men will buy their partners gifts if they are trying to reduce the guilt they feel over an infidelity, so would this actually make or break a relationship by affecting the trust between lovers?

So what do you think? Is shopping for regular gifts a means of buying someone’s affection and love? Or have you found that the exchange of some unexpected trinkets has helped your relationship to a happier place?


by for relationships.femalefirst.co.uk
find me on and follow me on