Valentine's Day gift ideas for every level of commitment

Finding the perfect gift for a holiday created by the marketing team for Christianity two millennia ago is a bit of a tough gig. Still, if you have any sort of feelings for anyone, it might be more difficult to ignore a day designated for expressing romantic love. Whether it's out of a sense of obligation to a partner, a nagging desire to finally make an "I like you" hint, or a need to celebrate an all-encompassing passion, many of us are gonna need to get something ASAP.

Here are a few ideas for every degree of commitment and varying levels of willingness to express one's feelings...

We just matched on Bumble, messaging is going well

Congrats! Cherish this flirty, low pressure time. But recognize that you're laying the groundwork for what might end up becoming a long term relationship, and if you'd like to receive Valentine's Day gifts during that relationship, you must establish right now that you're a Vday celebrator. Send a flirty meme or GIF. Something cute and funny that also says "one day we could be in love".

We like the selection from @drakeoncake on insta.

Of course, if it's anti-Valentines you're looking for, you need our digital Vday card collab with the artist Hatecopy.

I have loved you for so long and you don't even know and I need to give you a sign

Oh, boy. Been there. We're not ones to stand in the way of epic love declarations but we'd caution you to temper expectations and consider the loaded nature of the day. We suggest sharing something that encourages your beloved to consider you romantically without fully putting them on the spot. Text them a romantic song in the morning with an "HVD".

Choose wisely, though. "When a Man Loves a Woman" isn't the right tone. "What is Love" might be too tongue-in-cheek. But something like "Down" by Marian Hill might work. If they are down, it's a good flirty opener to the day. If they aren't, they'll be like, "Haha cool song" and you'll be like "Lol, have a good one". Then get on Bumble and move on.

And if that just won't cut it this year - after all, the recent total lunar eclipse and partial solar eclipse coming up on February 15th are shaking things up - go classic with a real live Valentine's Day card. May Cupid's arrow be with you.

15 Vintage Valentines, Amazon.ca, $10.99

"The Office Jim and Pam Valentine's Day Card", "Frank Ocean Card" and "I Hate Everyone But You Card", Marg Warg on Etsy, $6.52 - $7.17

We're in the throes of new love but I don't want to seem too eager

Understood. This is a strategic Valentine's Day. You want to make your partner feel special without throwing off the power balance in your fledgling relationship. Show them how effortless your good taste is with this Simpson's throwback lapel pin. If they don't get the reference, maybe end it?

I Choo Choo Choose You pin, by Patti Lapel, $10

We've recently started saying "I love you" and are in the magic hour of our relationship

It's not about what things cost right now, it's about indulging in the sappiness of your love. Do just that with books of Canadian poetry by Rupi Kaur, Atticus and Leonard Cohen. But do stay inside to read them, dears, not everyone needs to see how disgustingly happy you are.

Or ponder your place in space and time together with Neil DeGrasse Tyson's Astropyhsics for People in a Hurry, and a cheesy but sweet (like you right now) moon and stars projector.

Astrophysics For People in a Hurry by Neil Degrasse Tyson, Amazon.ca

Star Moon & Cosmos Projector night light, Amazon.ca, $24.99

We've been dating for just over a year and the gifts are getting bigger and bigger, ugh

This is a crucial point in your partnership. If you continue to one-up each other with lavish gifts, you'll soon be buying new phones and renting skyboxes for St. Patrick's Day. Why not steer the course toward enjoying each other's company? Instead of buying expensive tickets to a sports game, plan dinner and drinks at a sports bar while the game is on and buy each other team shirts that you can wear all season like adorable nerds.

Or, buy something that costs a bit more but has really good cost-per-use value, like a gaming console for hiding out from winter weather together. Pro tip: say you bought it "for us" and not "for you". You'll get just as much gratitude and if, heavens forbid, you break up, well... you bought it.

Nintendo Switch Console, Best Buy, $399.99

We've been together for over a decade now, when is Valentine's Day even?

Not because it's Valentine's Day but more because you both might need this break from your routine - drop everything and spend a day in bed. Alone. No phones! Mark the invitation with a gift that lets them know you're serious about the the bed thing. Perhaps new sheets, or this iconic Canadian blanket for you to crawl under for many years to come. And pizza, and champagne, and movies, but most of all: time!

Hudson's Bay Company Iconic Point Blanket Multistripe, $450.00 (Queen size)

I'll just buy them a thingamajig like I always do

You've already done it all together. Also, you both love wine. So, stop wasting your money on gifts and BUY MORE WINE. Like, a year's worth of wine from one of the cooler wine-of-the-month clubs. It's not cliché. Wine is great. Also, you'll drink the wine together and then maybe… you know. 

The Charlie's Burger's Wine Program, $117 per month.

Jamey Ordolis is a senior producer at CBC Life and a digital lifestyle contributor for CBC Radio. Follow her on Instagram @jameyordolis.

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