Gift IdeasGift ideas for your girlfriend or boyfriend
Early in a relationship, thoughtfulness matters and price does not. A very costly gift too early can feel like pressure.
A handwritten letter
Say three specific things you are grateful for. It is kept longer than any object.
A framed photograph of the two of you
Choose a photo they have not seen for years. Print it larger than you think.
A bunch of fresh flowers
Ask the florist what came in today. Fresh and simple beats large and tired.
A bar of fine chocolate or a small chocolate box
A safe choice when you do not know someone well.
A book you loved
Write a line on the first page saying why you chose it for them.
A photo collage printed as a poster
Collect pictures from friends and family first, then join them in any collage maker and print the result.
A keychain with a name or a small photo
Useful every day and impossible to have too many of.
A playlist of songs that mean something to you both
Write a line about each song. Share it on the day.
A scrapbook of your time together
Tickets, photos, notes. It takes evenings to make and is never thrown away.
A meal you cook yourself
Their favourite dish, a set table, phones away.
A jar of notes
Fifty small slips, each with a memory or a reason you are glad of them.
A hand-knitted or hand-stitched item
A scarf, a cushion cover, an embroidered handkerchief.
A day out together
A film, lunch and a walk. Put the phone away for the day.
A phone cover, stand or power bank
Check the phone model first.
A grooming kit
A good razor, trimmer or a set of skin care basics.
A makeup or skin care set
Buy what she already uses. Shades and skin types are personal.
Earrings or a bracelet
Easier than a ring, because no size is needed.
A handbag or wallet
Look at the one in use now, and choose the same style in better quality.
A wrist watch
A classic gift for a milestone: a first job, a wedding, a retirement.
Perfume or attar
Buy the one they already wear, or go together to choose.
Dinner at the place they keep mentioning
Book the table, arrange the travel, and pay before the bill arrives.
Tickets to a concert, play or match
For the fan of a band, a team or the theatre. Go with them.
A class or workshop
Pottery, cooking, music, dance, photography: something they said they would try one day.
Headphones or earphones
Find out whether they prefer wired or wireless, and what they listen on.
A piece of gold or silver jewellery
Small and classic, such as earrings, a chain or a ring, is worn more often than large and elaborate.
A weekend trip
Choose a place a few hours away. Two calm days are better than a rushed long journey.
No idea matches these choices. Set one of the boxes back to "Any".
Your shortlist
How to choose for your girlfriend or boyfriend
- Match the gift to the stage of the relationship. Small and personal is right for the first year.
- Experiences, such as a day trip, a concert or a meal at a place they mentioned, create memories for both of you.
- Write something. A few honest lines by hand are kept longer than most objects.
About the spending levels
This site does not quote prices, because prices change with the city, the shop and the year. Each idea is marked with one of four levels instead:
- Token: A small gesture: the cost of a snack or a few cups of tea.
- Modest: An everyday gift for friends and family.
- Generous: A special gift for someone close or a big occasion.
- Grand: A once-in-years gift, often given by a family together.
Questions people ask
What is a good gift for your girlfriend or boyfriend?
Start from what the person does every day and what they would not buy for themselves. On this page, "A handwritten letter" and "A phone cover, stand or power bank" are two ideas that suit most people.
What if I have very little to spend?
Choose the Token level in the filter. Handmade and personal gifts, such as a handwritten letter, cost little and are often the ones remembered.
Gifts for other people
Guides
- Shagun: giving moneyThe envelope, the extra rupee and how to decide the amount.
- Gifting etiquetteGiving, receiving, regifting and gifts to avoid.
- Return giftsIdeas for birthdays, weddings, pujas and housewarmings.
- Gift wrappingWrap a box neatly, or wrap without paper at all.
- Gift messagesShort lines to write on a tag or card, to copy.
- Secret Santa name drawerPair everyone for a gift exchange on one phone.