It’s that time of year again when gift-giving can be especially difficult, whether you’ve only been dating for a few months or years. Perhaps you want to make him feel special and not dread the inevitability of getting older, as many of us do.
If so, then you might be planning a lovely day out or a party with all of your friends and family present, but what if you want to give him something that shows how much you value your relationship, as, after all, nothing says I love you more than a simple gesture.
Below are some tips to ensure your gifts are something he will appreciate and become a significant milestone in your relationship.
First Of All, What Does Your Boyfriend Like?
Whenever we look at gifts for boyfriends (see also “How To Apologize To Your Boyfriend“), in general, we tend to lean toward materialistic goods that have a particular use or improve their style, and this can range from headphones, belts, wallets, watches, ties, games, and gadgets, just to name a few.
The problem here is that some of these may be considered things you might pick out for a dad or things your boyfriend may only use for a short while, and while he is sure to appreciate these kinds of gifts, they can seem pretty baseline and may limit your gift-giving imagination.
Here is where the knowledge of your significant other comes to your advantage, as you have an opportunity to find something that fits with your boyfriend’s interests and hobbies. There are bound to be occasions when he drops into a conversation about something he’s interested in.
This way, you can show your partner that you do understand what he’s interested in and his values, which can make your relationship even stronger, but be aware that it may be tempting to go all out in the early stages of a relationship, but this isn’t really necessary.
Sometimes, A Gesture Can Say A Lot
So we can equate this to the idea that gifts with emotional value can be more effective than materialistic things. This can be as simple as breakfast in bed, a card, a photo collage, a special meal, back rubs, or watching a movie together in bed.
This can be even more effective if you’re the type of couple that isn’t massive fitness fans, or maybe you don’t find the idea of an outdoor walk that fulfilling, and there’s nothing wrong with having a lazy day as it gives you precious time to recharge and improve your mood.
It’s also worth mentioning that if your boyfriend like parties or hanging out with friends, it’s a good idea to plan something that involves friends and family in his life, so a simple party or get-together is another way to include others in your celebrations.
What If I Don’t Have A Lot Of Money?
One of the biggest worries here is that you have an idea in mind, but it goes over your budget, and if your boyfriend bought you something pretty pricey for your birthday, it is in your imperative to respond to a similar gesture.
However, to avoid this becoming a point of conflict in your relationship, you should make the time to sit down and make a spending limit on how much you can spend for birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas on each other.
You’ll find that hand-made gifts like photo albums, customized pictures and frames, gift boxes, jewelry, recipes, and even board games are much more interesting, and your boyfriend will appreciate that you spent your time making something unique.
You could also make a birthday video with messages from friends and family, and all you need here is a phone and an editing app which you can generally find for free. This montage can be something to look back on, so it might be an excellent alternative to gifting pictures.
What Should I Avoid Gifting My Boyfriend?
This area may be more applicable to those who have only recently started dating, and while keeping it small and simple is a good way to go, you want to avoid generic items like stuffed animals, hearts, and even flowers in some cases.
This can be down to it simply being that your boyfriend doesn’t like these sorts of things and may accept it but secretly hate it, and if you suspect this, your outlook on the relationship and your fit, in general, may cause you to think negatively.
There is also the worry of your boyfriend having certain expectations of an ideal gift, and if this might just be yourself, then great, as spending time with his choices in mind can be a very positive experience.
There might be instances where your boyfriend may want to become more intimate with you, for if you’ve been together for some time, this may be the opportunity to take things to the next level, but be sure you are comfortable with this, and you are ready to explore this.
Simply doing things like sharing a bath or having a simple cuddle while watching a movie or playing a game can significantly improve your mood and make both of you feel more comfortable and open around each other, so enjoy being with each other.
Final Thoughts
Of course, there are experience days, picnics, nature walks, tasting sessions, and much more you can choose to celebrate your boyfriend’s birthday, and the emotional ties to these gifts can be a lot more memorable than a new watch or some socks.
If you have a budget in mind, don’t beat yourself up that something isn’t good enough, as gifts can be a nice thing to receive but aren’t the things holding your relationship together, as your appreciation for each other goes way beyond this and becomes something special.
Perhaps this is why, when I was thrown into the adult dating pool, I was completely underwhelmed. Everyone was either looking for hookups or professing love only to ghost me a few weeks later.
After a few years on the apps (much too long), I gave up. I deleted the apps and pondered getting a cat.
That’s when I met my now-husband, Tom.
Tom and I have now been together for four years and our combined experience gave me the idea to start this website, looking into all things love-related.
I would have loved a website like this in my 20s, to let me know that I wasn’t alone in the sea of terrible dates. So, I hope that my painful experiences and advice bring you some comfort, and maybe even laughter.
Remember that there is someone out there for you - you just have to struggle through the time-wasters to find them.
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