With his birthday coming up or the festive season just around the corner, are you looking for the perfect gift for your boyfriend? Whether your relationship has just started or you’ve been married for 5 years, we’ve put together a little guide to inspire you at every stage of the relationship! Let’s start with some basic advice: stay away from Wonderboxes, Smartboxes and anything of that sort! There’s nothing more impersonal and restrictive than receiving a gift that’s made for everyone (and therefore made for no-one).
If you’ve just met (less than 2 months)
This is certainly the trickiest time to choose a gift! You don’t want to overdo it, b
ut you really like the person and want to let them know it. As Yann explains in his book, generosity is one of the 5 qualities men consider essential for a relationship. At this stage of the relationship you don’t yet know too much about his tastes and to avoid taking too many risks and spending too much that could make him feel uncomfortable, we advise you :
The quirky little gift that will make him smile: Have you played Mario Kart on his Wii and beaten him flat out? Give him a small Mario plush toy. This gift is unique and creates more inside jokes, which makes it perfect. Does he always lose his umbrella? Give him… A K-way 😅 Anyway, you get the idea: think about everything you’ve shared or noticed and try to find the most offbeat thing possible. We’re working with a budget of about ten euros, it won’t change his life, but the idea is for him to remember it.
A book: Although it may seem like an easy gift, a book will bring you closer together. He’ll associate you with the emotions and other discoveries that reading will offer him. A book is also about you, because you loved it and chose it carefully. Don’t take any risks, the worst being that he won’t be able to get into it, so choose the shortest book that surprised you the most, a book that’s easy to get into. So avoid Dostojevski 😉 A best seller or a personal development book is a solution not to be overlooked, as it will be useful to him either personally or as a coffee-break story.
You’re at the beginning of your relationship (> 6 months)
You’ve been seeing each other for several months now, so it’s a long way from the early days. You’ve got to know him a little better, you’re seeing each other more often, you even sleep over at his place several times a week, which has given you the opportunity to see either :
that he should update his wardrobe a bit or that the decor in his flat is really minimalist
A garment or accessory: Sweater, shirt, t-shirt. Geek,
dandy, casual! Check if there’s a common theme in his wardrobe and decide whether to surprise him with an eccentric T-shirt or stick to the basics and choose a timeless piece made of high-quality material (natural fiber).
The framed poster: Whether it’s vintage, with an inspiring message, or autographed. Whether it represents his favorite band or movie, a framed poster adds style and personality to a room, and it also shows that you truly understand him! The more specific you are with the poster choice, the more points you’ll score.
Something stylish for his home: Continuing with home decor, a whiskey decanter or an industrial lamp are items that one rarely buys for themselves and demonstrate your good taste.
It’s serious between you! (> 1 year)
Your relationship is official, and he may have already met your closest parents and friends! It’s time to level up with gifts that are a bit more meaningful since the goal is for him to be proud of them and, above all, to keep them for a long time.
Accessories: Belt, gloves, travel bag, it’s up to you to choose according to the season and his needs. Prioritize high-quality materials, avoiding faux leather belts that wear out quickly or wool gloves that end up looking worn out by the end of winter! Opt for leather or another durable material instead. You want him to think of you when he wears them and to look stylish!
The surprise invitation: Normally, if you’re a dedicated reader, you know that you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to go out with your partner. However, an evening that deviates from your usual activities is still a gift option worth considering. Book an escape game, a virtual reality gaming room, a semi-gourmet restaurant, or any activity for just the two of you that is out of the ordinary. It will undoubtedly please him and create a memorable experience for both of you!
A timeless evening: If you want to prioritize sensuality and intimacy, you can invite him to spend a night in a beautiful hotel. Leave him a simple card, which you can mail to him or leave at his doorstep, with an invitation to join you. For those in Paris, the website Staycation offers reasonably priced hotel nights that are out of this world. Guaranteed change of scenery. You can also look into Airbnb or get creative to create a memorable experience: a mini road trip, a treasure hunt, and so on.
If you have a tighter budget, you can also surprise him by preparing a meal and decorating your apartment for the occasion if you don’t usually do so. The idea is to surprise him and do something special for him.
The passion gift: You know he loves motorcycles? Give him a helmet with an intercom for riding together. He loves video games? Get him a vintage console. He’s into sports? Gift him a jersey with his name on it! With a passion gift, it’s easy to find something that will make him happy, allow you to share a moment, and be useful to him. If his passion is very specific and you’re afraid of getting it wrong, don’t hesitate to secretly ask his friends who share the same passion for ideas on what could work.
Also, take a look at Pinterest or the website of “L’Avant-Gardiste” for some ideas and inspiration! But always remember that only you can truly know what will suit him best 😉
