Men have a reputation (in some cases deserved) for having difficult tastes. So if you try to find out what to buy your boyfriend for his birthday, the pressure is very high. As impossible as the undertaking may seem to you, every woman is more than capable of finding a gift that makes her partner happy.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Understanding which Gift to Choose
Step 1. Think about your boyfriend's hobbies and interests
What do you do in your free time? What books do you read and what videos do you watch? What items do you spend your money on? By answering these questions, you'll have a great starting point for finding the perfect gift. Anything that reflects his interests will make him happy.
Put yourself in his shoes. Think about what he could buy himself, if he had the money available and if he wanted to indulge himself. By choosing a gift from the point of view of the recipient, your chances of hitting the mark will be very high
Step 2. Look for clues
He knows that his birthday is approaching and that you need to give him a present. He will likely try to help you with clues during your normal conversations. Start looking for information about this three or four weeks before your birthday. If he talks about a particular object several times, try to delve into the subject.
Depending on your boyfriend's personality, these clues could be very subtle. He may not openly say that he would like to receive the collector's edition of the film series of his choice. If he's a private person, he might say, "I saw this box came out a few weeks ago, it's really cool!"
Step 3. Ask his friends and relatives for advice
She may feel more comfortable discussing what she wants for her birthday with friends and family than with you. Talk to them when your boyfriend is not around and ask if they have any ideas to help you. If you decide to choose a gift that has been recommended to you by them, be careful to keep it a secret.
Step 4. Consult your friends
Your boyfriend probably meets your girlfriends often. If you don't really know which gift to choose to make your partner happy, you can ask for advice from those who know you well. Your friends will be able to tell you which gifts their boyfriends liked and give you some ideas on what to buy for yours.
Step 5. Ask your boyfriend to give you some ideas
Not everyone can guess which gift to choose for their partner. If you really don't know what to buy, ask your boyfriend for advice. He won't be angry because you need help. In fact, the gifts that people specifically ask for are often the most popular ones.
Don't ask him for a specific subject. Invite him to reveal to you that he wants a nice winter accessory rather than a red and gray checkered woolen hat he saw in the mall store. After he points you on the right path, get to the solution by leveraging what you know about your boyfriend and you will find a gift he will appreciate
Part 2 of 3: Planning the Gift
Step 1. Set yourself a budget
Decide how much you can spend on the gift. Respect the penny limit you set and do not buy anything that exceeds it. Contrary to what you may believe, the monetary value of a gift does not have a great impact on the satisfaction of the recipient. In fact, recipients appreciate inexpensive gifts as much as precious ones, as long as they both came from the heart.
- Consider how long you have been with your boyfriend. If you've been seeing each other for six months or less, don't buy an expensive gift, even if you can easily afford it. You can't know how long your relationship will last. If you stay together for a long time, you will have many more birthdays to spoil him.
- You may be able to buy more valuable gifts at a lower price if you choose refurbished or sale items. This is a great idea if you want to buy an electronic device. In almost all cases, those products will be covered by warranties, and your boyfriend won't care (or notice) if anyone has used them before him.
Step 2. Research your boyfriend's hobbies and interests
If you don't have a clear idea of what your partner does in their free time, it's time to investigate. On the internet you can find almost all the information you want in an hour. Spend time researching his hobbies and interests, reading all the material on this subject. Visit websites dedicated to your boyfriend's passions, looking for ideas for a gift.
- When looking for the perfect gift, consider your boyfriend's level of experience and skill. If he has been skateboarding since he learned to walk, a beginner's skate is not an appropriate gift. For the same reason, an expensive fishing rod isn't a great gift if your boyfriend has only gone fishing once or twice in his life.
- If you can't find the right gift, ask people with similar interests to your boyfriend for help. On the internet you will find communities that are dedicated to any activity. Look for forums and other discussion groups about things your partner likes. Create an account and explain your problem. If you're lucky, community members will give you some helpful tips on choosing a gift your partner will appreciate.
- You may find lists with a title similar to: "10 Perfect Gifts For Guys Who Love Hiking". They can be useful resources, but in some cases they are just marketing tools, to sell products. If you find an idea that convinces you on one of those lists, look for real reviews, to see if it is worth buying the item you have chosen.
Step 3. Think of gifts that have practical or sentimental value
Gifts that fall into one of these categories are almost always welcome. Don't buy your boyfriend something to add to his "stuff" collection; you should find an article that she will use or something she can look at to remind you of all the happy moments you had together.
- Don't limit your choices to commercially available items. In some cases, an experience can turn out to be a perfect gift. Create a video where all of your boyfriend's friends and relatives share their best memories with him. Plan an activity that he likes and that you can do together. He won't be able to show your gift to the world, but your gesture will be much more meaningful to him.
- Avoid traditionally tacky gifts. It may be tempting to give your boyfriend a tie or shaving kit as a gift. Apparently they seem like good ideas, because they fall within the canons of a gift suitable for your partner; in reality, however, these gifts are often not very successful. These are classic items, which appear to be purchased without participation, so consider other options if you are not sure if these are the items you want.
Step 4. Narrow down the possibilities to one idea
Many people make the mistake of buying a bigger gift and lots of little gifts for their partner. It is easy to see why; after all, isn't more always better? In fact, by accompanying the main gift with little gifts, you will make it less special. Dedicate all your efforts to one gift.
Part 3 of 3: Deliver the Gift to Your Boyfriend
Step 1. Prepare well in advance
Few things are as stressful as not knowing if your gift will be ready in time for your boyfriend's birthday. Give yourself a couple of weeks in advance and make sure everything is perfect. Check the length of shipping times and don't forget that you will have to return defective or damaged items.
Step 2. Don't reveal the surprise
If you know that a person can reveal to your boyfriend what the gift is, don't tell him the truth. If you wish, give your partner some hints, but do not do anything that would let them know what you bought: they will appreciate your gift much more, if it is unexpected.
Step 3. Pay attention to the presentation
A beautiful gift to look at creates a lot more expectation. If you've chosen an item that can be packaged, make sure the paper and ribbon are well matched and the packaging is flawless. If you have chosen something that is more suitable to be written on a card, choose one that he appreciates and make the effort to write in the best way possible.
Step 4. Pair your gift with a card written with a heart
Tell him why you care and why you think he will appreciate your gift. Even if the gift you have chosen isn't perfect, the old saying "It's the thought that matters" is absolutely true. People equally appreciate both the gifts they have been asking for a few months ago, and those that have taken a lot of time and energy. If you work hard and get close to the object of his desires, he will love your gift.
If you've been dating for a few months, choose an undemanding gift. By telling him that he represents your whole life, you can embarrass him if you haven't known each other for a long time. Think about the fun times you spent together, but don't use too important words
Advice
- Keep your gift receipt in case something goes wrong.
- Try to spend a good part of his birthday with your boyfriend.
- Tell her close friends and relatives which gift you have chosen, to avoid double gifts.
Warnings
- Don't forget her birthday! Don't rely on Facebook alerts. Write the date if you're not sure you remember it.
- Don't expect him to give you back the gifts you gave him if you ever split up. He may decide to do so, but he doesn't have to.
