The Five Love Languages: Gift Giving

Gary Chapman wrote the book "The Five Love Languages," in response to widespread miscommunication between couples. We all communicate in one (or more) of five types of languages. We communicate our love and belonging through these methods and we also feel love through our primary languages. It is important to remember that two people who know each other very well can have different love languages, be communicating through these different languages, and still be missing each other entirely. Neither one of them feels loved.

Gift Giving. Gift Giving is a love language where an individual expresses their love through the giving of gifts. These can be small, handmade gifts or large, expensive gifts. The fact that they keep showing up with these little presents is indicative of their love language. They are telling you that they love and care about you.

How to Recognize It. If your spouse or partner continually pops up with offerings, items, presents, little gifts, or if they make huge deals out of larger gifts which they give you, then their primary love language is most likely Gift Giving. Always be enthusiastic and excited about whatever they give you and express appreciation and joy. Don't put down nor discard their gifts, because this can be seen as a rejection of their expressed love.

How to Employ It. If you are with someone whose primary love language is Gift Giving, then you must employ this method yourself in order for them to feel loved and appreciated. They may not recognize your own specific love language, so it is important for you to respond to them using theirs. When you are in the store, look at the cards. When you see something they might enjoy, get it for them. If you enjoy doing little handcrafted projects, make them some small gifts. If you have the option of buying them a large, expensive gift or sitting on the porch with them, remember that they may not recognize the love language Physical Touch and Closeness, so it's a good idea to get them the gift, instead.

Gift Giving does not have to be expensive or grand. Individuals whose primary love language is Gift Giving feel loved no matter what type of gift you give to them. Be creative and personal when you give them presents.