‘A little bit of sweetness can drown out a whole lot of bitterness.’ – Francesco Petrarca
Whether you have just started to date someone or are in a committed relationship, chocolate works well as a gift at all stages of a relationship.
A love-hormone experiment was conducted by the School of Human Sciences at the London Metropolitan University with 30 students to check the rise in levels of the love hormone –oxytocin, when the partners were gifted with chocolates, flowers and a bottle of water. The results revealed that the recipients of chocolates, showed the highest level of oxytocin release, followed by flowers and a bottle of water.
It was found that the feeling of euphoria is associated with the idea of gifting and when the gift is chocolates, the feeling is at its optimum. Oxytocin definitely plays an important role in relationships however, it is believed there are three defined phases of love among humans, and the levels of these associated ‘love hormones’ differ at each stage.
So, let us look into how can we incorporate chocolates at various phases of relationship!
1. The Smitten Phase
This is believed to be the first stage of relationship, wherein you have just started to date, and are getting to know each other. High level of curiosity and anxiety is often found during this stage. Here is where dark chocolate can play a vital role.
Gifting your partner with chocolates at this stage would do no harm, since it would not even look ‘desperate’ or ‘cheesy’ since they are just chocolates. However, it would also generate a feeling of belongingness towards each other as ‘gifting chocolate’ can reduce the awkwardness between two people and in turn, also help the individuals to talk out better with their loved ones.
2. The Passionate Phase
This is the stage where you have been dating for quite some time now. The partners know each other well and bonding starts to develop between them.
Gifting chocolates to your partner at this stage would simply mean more love added to the blooming relationship. You can’t go wrong with chocolate gifting hampers at this point either.
3. The Compassionate Phase
This is the stage where partners have reached at their highest level of comfort with each other. Here, love means more of support and care, rather than a passionate love or intimacy.
Gifting a chocolate at this stage, would act as an ‘act of care’ by the partner who gifts. A simple chocolate without any occasion in this phase, would make your partner feel reassured with your partnership, and reliving your smitten phase. And for special occasions go all out and gift the most luxurious chocolates to your partner like ROYCE’ Chocolate, or other fine, high-quality chocolate.
All the phases of a relationship require an adequate amount of love and compatibility, and to keep things going and balance the relationship such that both the partners feel ‘being loved’ all the time.
No matter what phase of a relationship you’re in chocolate gifting will never fail you. You make it your ‘go-to’ gifting idea, for any occasion in a relationship.
Author Bio
Aayushi Desai works with Burgandy hospitality as a content creator for ROYCE’ Chocolate, a Japanese luxury chocolate brand. She brings lifestyle stories and posts to her readers on all things chocolates, gifting, entertaining, and luxury. She truly believes in the saying, “life happens, chocolate helps” and it reflects in her stories and the recipes she shares (most of which are for swoon-worthy chocolate desserts). In her free time, she loves to shop and travel (often both)!