When it comes to gifts for Valentine's Day this year, which would your sweetheart prefer-sensible or sentimental?

Some BYU students were asked if they would rather receive a practical gift that they could use again, or the more typical Valentine's Day present such as chocolate and roses.

Emily Meier, a senior majoring in Communication Disorders said she preferred practical gifts.

"Probably because I think it would mean more," Meier said. "Because they would know something that I would need and use again, it's more personal."

Katie Parker, a sophomore majoring in elementary education, said she thought sentimental gifts showed more effort.

"I want him to show that he's thinking about it, that he's put thought into it," Parker said.

Mike Brodie, a senior majoring in Middle Eastern Studies said he also leaned towards sentimental gifts.

"Something practical you can save for later," Brodie said. "Since this is a day specifically devoted to how you feel for that person, you should do something that shows feelings in that way."

Amelia Underwood, a senior majoring in English teaching, felt a present should reflect a little of both sensibility and sentimentality.

"Like a CD or a picture frame," Underwood said. "Because flowers and candy don't last very long, and because it seems like anybody could give you those things. I want it to be more personal."

Amy Spencer, a relationship expert who writes for several magazines including Glamour and Maxim and hosts a radio show on Sirius satellite's Maxim108, gave her advice on gift-giving this Valentine's Day.

"The more sentimental gifts often seem sentimental but are actually cliché," Spencer said. "Give her something she would want to hold on to, not necessarily practical, but that means more because it's personal to them."

Spencer suggests getting more creative with your dinner, or putting thought into the box of chocolates that you buy rather than just grabbing the first heart-shaped box you see.

"Then she gets bragging rights with all her friends later," Spencer said. "The key is making it personal. It's all in the presentation."

Since 50 percent of women said they are expecting their guy to spend under $30 this year, it's a good opportunity to find out if she really does want the teddy bear with a heart or if she'd rather get something that meant more to you both.



Copyright Brigham Young University 12 Feb 2009