They say a picture paints a thousand words – and the same applies to gifts. As you shop for Christmas presents for your partner, unconscious feelings and motivations drive your choices.
俗話說(shuō)，一幅畫勝過(guò)千言萬(wàn)語(yǔ)。禮物亦然。你為另一半挑選的圣誕禮物，暴露了你潛意識(shí)下的選擇。

That means the gift you receive gives you clues about what your partner’s thinking.
同樣，當(dāng)TA送你禮物時(shí)，你也多少能讀出對(duì)方的內(nèi)心。

One study which looked at present giving between partners over a 10-year period of their relationship, showed that in the first few years the gifts were rated as being highly in tune with what the receiver actually wanted. Sadly for many couples, the longer they were together, the less meaningful gifts became.
一項(xiàng)針對(duì)伴侶間10年來(lái)互送禮物的研究顯示，最初幾年，雙方均對(duì)收到的禮物贊不絕口。然而，日子過(guò)久了，送禮的心意也淡了。

Whether you’re a new couple or an established one, presents are one part of the puzzle to your emotional connection. So if you find one of these favourites under the Christmas tree here is what it reveals:
不管你和TA是新婚鴛鴦，還是老夫老妻，一談到送禮與感情，多半是一頭霧水。如果圣誕節(jié)你也收到以下禮物，這就是它揭示的情感密碼：

Expensive, sophisticated jewellery like an elegant pearl or diamond pendant
昂貴精美的珠寶，比如一串優(yōu)雅的珍珠或鉆石掛飾

This partner reveals a very traditional and quite serious side to their personality. They take you seriously and it’s unlikely you ever feel neglected. You probably find they’re steady and responsible by nature.
收到此禮，說(shuō)明對(duì)方觀念傳統(tǒng)，生性嚴(yán)謹(jǐn)。TA很重視這段感情，因此你無(wú)需擔(dān)心遭到冷落。這樣的人，生性穩(wěn)重，做事負(fù)責(zé)。

They think carefully about investing their time and energy. They’ve thought carefully about you and they want to invest that time and energy. They might expect you both to fulfil traditional roles – so be aware of this if you have a non-traditional streak.
在決定在一個(gè)人身上投入時(shí)間和精力之前他們都會(huì)思慮再三。他們已經(jīng)對(duì)你進(jìn)行了仔細(xì)考察，并愿意在你身上傾注大量的時(shí)間與精力。不過(guò)，TA所期待的也是一場(chǎng)傳統(tǒng)的二人關(guān)系，所以，可別把你心中的“小怪獸”放出來(lái)喲。

Aftershave/male grooming products
須后水/男士護(hù)理產(chǎn)品

This is significant of a relationship that’s still in the full flush sexual chemistry. It reveals she is attracted to him and expects a full on relationship. It can signal that she’s sexually confident, too, and wants her needs met.
這說(shuō)明兩人正處于熱戀期。女方深深地迷戀著男方，希望讓彼此的關(guān)系進(jìn)一步“升溫”。女方“性”致滿滿，期待與對(duì)方更加親密。

Naming a star or dedicating a tree to you in a framed certificate
以你的名字命名星星或送你一棵樹

This gift shows just how much of an incurable romantic your partner is. They probably put you on a pedestal. You can really count on this partner. This choice of an eternally lasting gift reveals a deep need to show just how important their love for you is. They’re likely to make frequent romantic gestures.
送你這份大禮，對(duì)方一定是個(gè)浪漫到骨子里的人。你就是TA的全世界，TA一定對(duì)你忠貞不二。這份禮物，代表了永恒，也說(shuō)明TA渴望展示對(duì)你深摯的愛(ài)。這樣的人，時(shí)常會(huì)制造浪漫的驚喜。

However, this partner might find it hard to face conflict. True romantics tend to sweep issues under the carpet.
不過(guò)，一旦面臨矛盾，TA或許會(huì)不知所措，畢竟浪漫主義者習(xí)慣活在美好的幻想中。

An unexpected pet such as a puppy, kitten, tropical fish or anything requiring a lot of love and care
一份需要愛(ài)與呵護(hù)的意外之喜，比如小狗、小貓、熱帶魚等

Who doesn’t love a cute little puppy, kitten or exotic tropical fish? But if you haven’t asked for one, this potentially displays ignorance about you from your partner.
萌萌的小狗、小貓，或者熱帶魚，可謂人見(jiàn)人愛(ài)。不過(guò)，若另一半在你沒(méi)有主動(dòng)要求的情況下送了你這么個(gè)意外之喜，那就只能說(shuō)TA不太懂你了。

After all, you have a busy life and no time to care for a pet. They probably have an impulsive streak, making snap decisions across your relationship.
想想看，平時(shí)工作繁忙，哪有時(shí)間去照看小動(dòng)物呢？這說(shuō)明，你的TA行事魯莽，做決定時(shí)常常頭腦發(fā)熱。

Tickets to see something you love like your favourite band, show or celebrity
你最愛(ài)的演唱會(huì)、戲劇或明星見(jiàn)面會(huì)門票

This partner is enthusiastic about your relationship. Their gift reveals how much they care about what you like. They want to show you a good time and they try hard.
TA對(duì)這份感情挺上心，很關(guān)注你的喜好。對(duì)方常常想方設(shè)法哄你開(kāi)心。

Beware if you don’t share the same level of thoughtfulness in your gift to them – this type of partner will take it hard.
然而，你在準(zhǔn)備禮物時(shí)，也要百分百地上心，否則對(duì)方會(huì)大失所望。

A cuddly toy, such as a fluffy puppy, teddy bear or even something from a movie like Frozen
玩偶、絨毛狗、泰迪熊或者《冰雪奇緣》中的人物公仔

This partner is forever youthful but may be a bit immature. They’re affectionate and lovable. They can be quite playful in your relationship and make small romantic gestures.
送你上述禮物，說(shuō)明TA童心未泯，像個(gè)長(zhǎng)不大的小孩。TA溫柔體貼，討人喜愛(ài)，與你相處時(shí)，常常插科打諢，不時(shí)制造浪漫之喜。

Watch out for the fact this partner may also be the type who needs lots of attention and fussing over.
當(dāng)然，你也得時(shí)時(shí)寵著這個(gè)“老小孩”。

Vocabulary

streak: 性情，氣質(zhì)
pedestal: （尤指作為偶像崇拜的）顯要地位

英文來(lái)源：鏡報(bào)
譯者：郭汪韜略
審校&編輯：丹妮