THE JOURNAL

If you’ve ever struggled to come up with the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your significant other (wasn’t it just Christmas, like, yesterday?), we’ve got some good news for you. Forget lists and hints and digging through their search history (don’t do this). You just need to speak their love language.
The Five Love Languages is a premise (and New York Times bestselling book) developed by marriage counsellor and podcast host Dr Gary Chapman, which posits that most people express and receive affection in five distinct ways – quality time, acts of service, words of affirmation, gifts and physical touch – based on their personalities.
While there isn’t really a psychology or science to back it up, the concept has proven very popular since its introduction 30 years ago. Chapman believes that identifying these preferences (you can take an online love quiz to find out), whether within yourself or your partner, can lead to more profound, closer and conflict-free relationships. We think it can also help you pick out a surefire gift that’s tailored to their wants and needs.
01.
Quality time

Does your partner crave your undivided attention? A romantic getaway is always a good idea, so why not gift them a stylish weekend bag for the occasion? This spacious duffle bag by Brunello Cucinelli will be a great travel companion (plus you, of course). And toss in a gift that you can enjoy together, such as this portable backgammon set by Métier.
02.
Receiving gifts

People who love receiving gifts care about the thought that goes into them – not necessarily the gift itself. The key here is getting something that shows that you really know your partner and have been paying attention to their throwaway comments or, ahem, hints. You can go big for the watch-lover with a classic timepiece from Jaeger-LeCoultre – it will go with everything – or make a small (but thoughtful) gesture they’ll love with a Tom Dixon candle in their favourite fragrance.
03.
Words of affirmation

For some people, it’s words that speak louder than actions. While giving your partner compliments and saying “I love you” on a frequent basis cost absolutely nothing, you could follow in the footsteps of Messrs John Keats and Oscar Wilde, and put pen to paper. Pour your heart out in a luxurious love letter with the help of this leather-bound notebook from Smythson. But if making like a 19th-century poet is not your thing (or your handwriting sucks), then say it with a charm, such as this heart-shaped pendant from Lauren Rubinski. Just add it to a chain necklace or bracelet.
04.
Acts of service

Those who would rather be shown, not told, just how much you love them. And they love it when you make life easier for them. So, they probably want you to want to do the dishes, make a mid-week grocery run or water the houseplants. But you can go a step further: treat them to a delicious home-cooked meal with a recipe of their choosing from culinary expert Ms Jane Webster’s French-inspired book Château Life. Or have their morning coffee ready to go each day in this ceramic mug from Soho Home. Just remember to empty the dishwasher afterwards, too.
05.
Physical touch

According to Chapman, for some, nothing speaks more deeply than appropriate physical touch. Whether it’s cosying up under a blanket for movie night at home or holding hands while on an evening stroll, demonstrative expressions of love is their love language. Speaking of holding hands, keep theirs well-groomed with an at-home manicure using this comprehensive nail kit by Czech & Speake. Alternatively, spoil them with a tension-relieving massage via Therabody’s mini massager.