Think about what he does in his spare time or the sorts of things he reads or watches. Anything that helps him pursue these is sure to make him smile.
If he brings something up multiple times, it’s something you should definitely investigate further. Some hints can be subtle. Instead of saying that he’d really like it if someone got him the boxed set of his favorite TV series, he might say something like, “I saw this box set came out a few weeks ago. It looked really cool!”
If you decide to go with something that they mention, make sure to ask them to keep it a secret.
You shouldn’t do this if your friends don’t know your boyfriend at all. You can still ask them for advice, but take it with a grain of salt.
For example, you can ask him for a birthday wish list, then buy 1 or 2 items off of that list. Alternatively, you can ask him what sort of things he’d like to get (such as winter accessories), then use what you know about him to fill in the details (like color and pattern).
Consider how long you’ve been dating. If you’ve been dating for six months or less, don’t get him something expensive, even if you can easily afford it. You don’t know how long the relationship will last. If you end up together for a long time, you’ll have plenty more birthdays you can spoil him on. You may be able to get more bang for your buck if you buy something refurbished or hunt for sales. This is an especially good idea if you’re thinking about getting him electronics. Most of the time they come with a warranty, and your boyfriend probably won’t care or notice that someone used it for a little bit before he did.
You may need to take his level of experience and expertise when you’re thinking of gifts. If your boyfriend has been skateboarding since he could walk, it doesn’t make sense to get a beginner’s board that he’ll probably hate riding. At the same time, an expensive fly-fishing rod doesn’t make sense if he’s only gone fishing two or three times in his life. Ask people with similar interests for help if you’re stuck. There are online communities for pretty much any pastime imaginable. Look for forums and other groups dedicated to discussing something your boyfriend likes to do. Make an account and explain your predicament. Chances are, the members will offer helpful advice that will guide you towards getting your boyfriend something he’ll love. You may find lists that say something like “10 Great Gifts for Guys Who Love Hiking. ” These can be helpful, but sometimes they are just a marketing tool to sell stuff. If you get an idea from a list like this, try to find some actual reviews to see if it’s worth it or not.
Don’t limit yourself to products. Sometimes experiences can make a much better gift. Make a video of all his friends and family sharing their favorite memory of your boyfriend. Schedule an activity that you know he’ll enjoy that you can do together. He may not be able to show it off like he’d be able to with other presents, but it will mean a lot more to him. [3] X Research source Stay away from classically bad gifts. It can be tempting to get your boyfriend something like a tie or shaving kit for their birthday. It makes sense, these are pretty common and obvious answers to the question of what makes a good gift for a boyfriend. In reality, these gifts pretty much always fall flat. If it seems like a stereotypical gift from a girlfriend, consider other options unless you’re positive he’ll love it. [4] X Research source
It is better to put a lot of effort into one gift rather than no effort into multiple gifts.
Give yourself extra time when buying gifts online. Sometimes items come late or damaged. Sometimes, they don’t come at all!
If you got him something you can wrap, make sure the paper and ribbon complement one another and that the gift is neatly wrapped. If you got him something that’s better off written in a card, pick a card he’ll like and put some effort into making your handwriting look good.
Keep it light if you’ve only been dating a few months. It’s pretty awkward to go on and on about how he’s your entire world if you haven’t known each other very long. Talk about how much fun you have spending time together, but don’t drop anything too heavy on him.
