Pros and Cons: Flowers vs. Jewelry

When a man looks for a gift that expresses his feelings, he’ll often turn to flowers or jewelry. They’re popular favorites precisely because their beauty speaks eloquently of love, and both have a history of symbolism that gives added weight to the gift. But how do you know when flowers are a better gift than jewelry, or vice versa? Here are the pros and cons of each to help you decide:

Pros: Flowers are a versatile gift that can work for occasions from Valentine’s Day to the day she got the promotion she wanted to the day you just wanted her to know you were thinking about her. Even a simple, budget-friendly arrangement can bring a smile to her face, so sending flowers isn’t necessarily an expensive proposition. Every season brings new choices, so you can go all year round without running out of different options for beautiful blooms. And certain flowers have associated meanings—such as red roses symbolizing love—which can enhance the message of your gift. (Don’t worry if you don’t know these. A knowledgeable florist can help you out!)

Cons: Flowers are temporary; even the hardiest cut flowers rarely last more than a couple of weeks. Because of this, they might not be the best stand-alone gift on truly momentous occasions. You also need to be careful in flower choice—for example, someone who is sensitive to fragrances may not appreciate a bouquet full of stargazer lilies. However, the biggest downside to a gift of flowers if they’re given without thought. Even an armful of the rarest orchids will be a letdown if you always get her the same thing for the same occasion.

Pros: Jewelry is something she can keep well beyond the specific occasion when you give it to her. There are many different types of jewelry you can give her—earrings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, rings—in different precious metals and with or without gemstones, so you have plenty of options to choose from. A well-chosen gift of jewelry can be a lifelong reminder to her of your love and the moment when she received it.

Cons: Quality jewelry can be expensive, and cheap jewelry is, well, cheap. She won’t appreciate or wear a subpar gift, so you’re best off shopping for jewelry when your budget can take it and when the occasion is right, like a milestone wedding anniversary. The wealth of options also means you have a wealth of ways to go wrong in purchasing something that doesn’t fit her taste, so you’ll need to pay attention to what she likes before you invest. Finally, the symbolism that a gift of jewelry represents may be too much for a brand-new relationship, even if you’re not buying her a ring.

Whether you opt for flowers or jewelry, it’s the care you put into your choice that elevates a traditional gift into something special just for her. With any luck, you’ll have many opportunities to give her both!