This article first appeared in Digital Edge, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on February 10, 2025 - February 16, 2025

Valentine’s Day can be both exciting and stressful as you strive to show your partner how much you care. Understanding how your partner prefers to receive love can make it easier to choose a meaningful gift or plan.

Many turn to the concept of love languages, coined by Gary Chapman, which outlines five ways people feel loved: words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, acts of service and receiving gifts. While not scientifically validated, love languages have become a popular guide in modern relationships.

If you’re looking to perfect your Valentine’s Day plans, here are some ideas inspired by each love language to make the day even more special.

People who value words of affirmation as their love language appreciate reassurance through heartfelt words, whether spoken or written. With today’s digital tools, expressing your devotion has never been easier.

One creative option is using Carrd, a free and user-friendly platform for creating personalised web pages. Originally popular for self-introductions and sharing information, Carrd can also be a unique way to craft a heartfelt message for your partner.

With its no-code templates, tutorials and customisation options, you can add photos, links and personal touches like inside jokes or special memories — all that one needs to create the perfectly tailored Carrd is just a sprinkle of creative control.

A Carrd becomes a modern love letter, tailored to reflect your unique relationship and make your partner feel truly cherished.

• https://carrd.co/

The love language of physical touch may seem at odds with virtual connection, but apps like obimy and Widgetable help bridge the gap for couples who are apart due to distance, separate living arrangements or busy schedules.

obimy offers creative ways to show care beyond calls and texts, while Widgetable allows couples to collaborate on shared activities, like raising a virtual pet or sending photos to a widget on their home screen. These widgets serve as a constant reminder of your bond, visible without even opening the app.

Updates, like new photos or expressions of love, trigger notifications to your partner’s phone, mimicking the feeling of connection.

While it may not replace the intimacy of physical touch, these small gestures can still make a meaningful impact.

• https://obimy.com/

• https://widgetable.net/

For those with acts of service as their love language, the phrase “If you wanted to, you would” resonates deeply — they value thoughtful gestures made voluntarily.

To add a playful twist to daily routines, consider creating service coupons for your partner. These could include tasks like taking out the trash, doing the dishes, or paying for dinner. Your partner can use them when feeling overwhelmed or simply for fun, giving you a chance to meet their needs while showing you care.

If they’re hesitant to ask for help, this can also encourage them to open up to receiving support. You can easily design these coupons using tools like Canva, Picsart, or even PowerPoint. The effort you put into making them becomes an act of service on its own, showing your thoughtfulness and love.

• https://www.canva.com/

• https://picsart.com/

For those who value gifts as a love language, gifts symbolise love, care and thoughtfulness; what better way to express your love for your partner than by giving them presents tailored to their interests?

If your partner is into video games, surprise them with game credits or vouchers for their favourite games on Codashop.

Codashop is a global platform offering in-game currencies, bundles and content for popular titles like Mobile Legends, Genshin Impact and Valorant. It’s fast, convenient and delivers purchases instantly to your partner’s account. With the easy payment options and exclusive promotions, you can surprise your gamer partner with the perfect gift.

• https://www.codashop.com/en-my/

If your partner values quality time and loves building fictional worlds, why not spend a day creating one together on World Anvil?

World Anvil is a flexible tool set used by authors, dungeon masters, game designers and even professional and publishing studios to bring their unique visions to life. Using the many features provided, you can work together to create a world special only to you and your partner.

This award-winning platform offers everything you need to build immersive imaginary realms. From creating maps of your world to building worldviews with dashboards and articles, you and your partner can control even the tiniest of details and become the imaginary omnipotent gods of your world.

For an even richer experience, you can explore its membership options, which include advanced features to elevate your shared world-building journey. Whether it's for fun or creativity, this activity is a meaningful way to connect and share your passions.

• https://www.worldanvil.com

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