Finding a sensimental gift for your boyfriend can be a difficult one.
Society has made us believe that men don’t need as much affection as women, and they are awfully wrong about that! Men love to be loved, pampered, and cared for. They also love small romantic gestures, roses on dates, and cute gifts, especially from their partner.
Why should your boyfriend deserve any less and be left unheard? If you are drawn to a similar conclusion and want to make your man the happiest in the world, these valuable surprises are just the right thing to make him feel special, loved, and appreciated.
Not every gift needs to be expensive to be impressive. Boys find happiness in small, valuable, and thoughtful gifts.
When you think of gifting your boyfriend something sentimental— it should represent your silent love towards them— something that brings a smile to their face.
You must be wondering what type of gifts can be surprising, funny, beautiful, and connecting? Ask yourself,
- What does your boyfriend like?
- What does your boyfriend enjoy doing?
- Is there anything he’s meaning to buy but can’t afford at the moment?
- What are his necessities?
- What would make him the happiest?
- Is it rings, accessories, game tickets, clothes, roses, pottery, etc.?
Your boyfriend is unique and deserves thoughtful and sentimental gifts! So, brainstorm about everything he is passionate about and bring it to life.
You don’t need to wait for a special occasion to give something memorable to him; it can be his birthday, anniversary, or any regular day. You don’t need an occasion to show your boyfriend just how much you love and appreciate him. A random gift on a random day will more likely brighten and surprise his day.
Men usually expect fewer gifts for themselves, but when they get any, they feel special. It’s time that you make your men feel special!
Points you should keep in mind before selecting a gift for your boyfriend.
It should be about his interests.
While choosing a gift for your man, make sure it’s something that interests him or something he’s been wanting for a long time now.
- For instance, if he’s into music, surprise him with a guitar. It will make him giddy and imagine all the love songs he’d make for you! It’s about to get romantic.
- Or, if your man is a gym fanatic, surprise him with gym accessories, like dumbbells, resistance tubes, yoga mat, suspension trainer, resistance bands, gym wear, or his favorite protein maker.
Again, it’s better to give him something that he personally likes rather than a thoughtless expensive gift that might not be as worthy.
Make something distinctive and personal for him.
There’s nothing more personal than actually hand-crafting something for your boyfriend— it can be a crafty room decor, handmade neckpiece, or self-stitched clothes.
Personal gifts always come up with deep sentiments and are great memory keepers.
- You can make a pretty photo book of memories that you and your boyfriend have shared since the start of the relationship/situationship. Add funny narratives and past moments in this photo book that will make him laugh whenever he looks at it.
- It can also be a jar of his favorite cookies for office hours or a hamper of his favorite goodies. These cute gifts will remind him just how much you love his presence in your life.
Normalize gifting necessities instead of expensive showpieces
We are always trying hard to come up with a gift that’s expensive and breathtakingly beautiful. However, these expensive and beautiful gifts may not be useful to your boyfriend at all.
So, instead of searching for the most expensive gift to ever exist, research what your boyfriend actually needs. Refer to his wishlist, and surprise him with items that he needs. It can be a beautiful hamper of shampoos, conditioners, and serums if your boyfriend has been using a 5-in-1 soap or it can be new satin bed sheets.
The point is to surprise him with something that he needs and deserves— something useful, thoughtful, and beautiful.
20+ Sentimental gifts for boyfriends
This list is a combination of thoughtful gifts that are affordable and also vintage gifts that may not come as cheap. If you think certain expensive gifts will suit your partner, go for it! Sometimes, expensive is good.
Picture portrait painting frame
There’s always an attached emotion and moment in every photo you and your partner click together. Pick a picture that your boyfriend likes the most and choose a good painter to paint it for you. Select the frame size you’d like— do you want to frame a big one in your living room or a small one for your dressing table?
Whatever is your preference, get it framed. You can make the frame yourself, get it custom-made, or choose one from an online/offline store. However, if you cannot find/afford a painter— you can always go with photographic prints that are beautifully framed.
Bibliothèque by Byredo
Price— 140€
“You smell good!” is probably the best compliment men love to hear. There’s something powerful about scents— they increase intimacy and sexual tension.
I told my boyfriend once just how much I love the way he smells, and since then, he has never worn off that cologne. He loves to smell good, and he loves to hear it from me.
When we smell good, we feel good— giving him a cologne will make him feel fresh and pretty all day long. The distinctive smell will linger with your partner all day and can alleviate his senses. Depending on your partner’s liking, you can choose a muskier or flowery cologne.
Don’t hold yourself back from purchasing a floral cologne for your man just because society thinks it’s feminine (for females). Men love flowers and fragments just as much, so embrace their gentle masculinity with it. My boyfriend always has notes of sandalwood and rose— they are simply to die for!
While choosing a cologne, make sure it’s not too alcoholic. Alcohol can damage its first impression. I highly recommend cologne by valuable brands like Gucci, Versace, Chanel, Prada, etc.
Also, if not for these brands— you can choose Chocolate Attar from an Arabian country. If your boyfriend is not a fan of solid perfumes, Attar will best suit his personality. It’s a concentrated fragrance and lacks overpowering alcohol, plus, Attar is very subtle in its composition.
Daniel Wellington‘s watch
I personally am not a fan of watches, but boys seem to love them. If your boyfriend admires vintage IT devices, Daniel Wellington’s watch would be a great gift of time, especially if he’s an entrepreneur and doesn’t use smartphones much.
While Rolex leads as the most prestigious watch globally, many other brands offer vintage quality at affordable prices (comparatively). Daniel Wellington is one such brand with top-notch quality and average prices ranging between $200-$500. (I know it’s not cheap, but someone who loves watches won’t wear a knock-off either)
Watches are an expensive lifestyle for men and women alike. It’s a perfect birthday gift for your boyfriend if you are looking for something expensive, elegant, and exclusive.
Handmade jewelry or custom rings
Is your boyfriend a fan of accessories and fashion? He would love a handmade necklace made by you. Plus, bead necklaces are easy to make and very bohemian to look at!
Choose your boyfriend’s favorite colors while purchasing beads. A small pendant would add beauty to its overall look.
Make sure your boyfriend actually likes the style for him to wear it comfortably. You wouldn’t want to force him into wearing something he doesn’t like.
Go for a custom-made pendant; you can add words of endearment engraved in the pendant to remind him of your love.
Another piece of jewelry that men love is rings— they can be as heavy as what Johnny Depp wears or as light and elegant as that of Taehyung. Before you go ahead and purchase them, ask about your partner’s preference, but be discreet not to let him know that you are planning a gift.
Cheesy magnetic keychain.
Sometimes, cheesy love is good and beautiful.
The magnetic keychain will convey a sweet message to your boyfriend, “Distance can’t separate us. No matter what comes in between, we’ll always find a way back to each other.” It’s a wholesome way of saying we are here for each other through thick and thin.
These magnetic keychains come in two parts— one that you give to your boyfriend and the other that you keep with yourself.
The other half of the magnetic keychain will always remind your boyfriend that there’s some part of him you carry dearly, delicately, and lovingly.
“I love you forever” t-shirt.
Another cheesy, funny, and cute gift for your boyfriend is the “I love you forever” t-shirt.
The gesture, the t-shirt, and the quote will remind your boyfriend about how much you love and appreciate him.
Out of all the branded collections in his wardrobe, this one will be very close to his heart and will win him over. You can buy this from Walmart; it’s readily available.
However, I highly suggest having it custom-made with more creative quotes.
- “’Cause all of me loves all of you— Love your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections…”
- “For I can’t help falling in love with you.”
- “You are the moon to my dying night, sun to my gray day, and stars to my dull life.”
- You and me, baby? We are Apocalypse together
High bass headphones.
If he’s into music, he’d love music gadgets, and high bass headphones are just the thing for him.
Although headphones may seem simple, their presence is bold. Your boyfriend will likely use it over his old sets because it is you who gave these to him.
Headphones are the necessities for our day-to-day ventures— we use them at the gym, at work, while cooking, cleaning, talking, and at night. Trust me, nobody hates a new set of headphones— I would love that gift!
Customized hamper
What does your boyfriend like? Is it a self-care routine, gyming, music, fashion, accessories, or books?
Depending on his list, organize a hamper with all the necessary items. For instance, if he’s into a skincare routine— create a hamper with all the necessary creams, formula, facemask, shampoos, and night creams for him.
Along with the hamper, add a note on how to use it. Boys are not taught enough about skincare, so they are mostly lost in what to use first and last. Add small “customized I love you quotes” in the hamper that he can hang around in the bathroom.
Similarly, if your man likes to read, prepare a hamper of his favorite books, customized bookmarks, a coffee mug, a small bookcase, a bookends, etc.
A package of retro sunglasses.
There’s nothing sexier than men in glasses and retro eyewear at that? Ooo LaLa!
Remember 90s icons slaying vintage eyewear? Your men would love them and wear them everywhere. Don’t just purchase a single pair of glasses, but make him a whole ass cabinet of sunglasses (7 for the week) that he can style with different outfits.
Handwritten letter confessing your love.
Write a cute love letter confessing your love and passionately talk about why you love him, how you started falling for him, what you like about him, and what future you see with him in that letter.
Tell him about your plans for this healthy relationship and confess profoundly. Let the love letter be honest and not a gimmick of fake words. It will melt his heart, and make him smile every time he reads it.
Lovey-dovey couples bracelets.
We may cringe at cheesy love chronicles, but deep down, we all love it; matching bracelets are among these cheesy surprises.
When you are in a long-distance relationship, gifting a pair of sentimental bracelets with the note “I love you more” and “I love you most” works best.
“You are the best man in the world” mug.
A little appreciation goes a long way and can enlighten your partner day/night.
Customizing a mug that says “you are the hottest, sexiest man alive” will work wonders for your man. That’s not all; you can customize it with different quotes,
“Sexiest billionaire”
“My one in a billion”
“Kiss me every time you see this.”
“My muscles man, rail me apart.”
Whenever he will drink coffee (Trust me, he’ll always choose the mug you gave him), the mug will bring a smile to his face.
Get a tattoo for him.
Some may think getting a tattoo with your boyfriend’s initials is crazy, but crazy love is good— it shows passion and dedication.
If you have made up your mind to keep this love — give him something that lasts forever.
Choose a private location for this significant and intimate surprise— women often get a tattoo of their boyfriend’s name below their breast line or right below the waistline to make it extra sensual. Nonetheless, you can engrave the name on your chest, neck, or back. All locations are pretty much surprising with that kind of tattoo.
Opera crystal whiskey decanter with metal lighter and a cigarette case
If your man is a whisky lover, nothing can make him happier than a new whisky decanter.
Pair this decanter with an aesthetic metal lighter, ashtray, and cigarette case— and you are offering him a Tommy Shelby lifestyle.
Sporty joggers.
If your partner is a gym freak, a pair of joggers will be a handy gift for him— gym outfits will motivate him to train harder, especially when they are a gift from you.
If you are unsure of the colors, choose something that your partner prefers. Currently, nude shades, H&M brown, H&M blue, and gray (charcoal) sweatpants are trendy amongst Millennials and Gen-Z.
Moon-shaped lamp and home decor
Why stop yourself from giving your boyfriend home decor? Boys often don’t understand the concept of organizing and decorating their room, exceptions included. Try to give them something every month to decorate their room— it can be a cozy lamp, indoor plants, fairy lights, satin bed sheets, artifacts, table candles, hanging lamps, etc.
It would set just the right mood for your boyfriend, something he would dearly appreciate later. An organized and well-decorated room heightens motivation, dedication, creativity, and performance.
Trip to the beach
Organize a trip for your boyfriend where he doesn’t manage anything at all and is free to simply enjoy. Purchase him a Hawaiian shirt, bucket hat, shell necklace, and cute shorts. Book every venture that your partner likes at the beach and watch him live in the moment.
Love jar full of happiness notes.
Create this pretty personal gift by yourself for your boyfriend; write down almost 100-200 confessions to make him feel blessed, loved, and appreciated. These notes will always remain close to his heart, and he can read them anytime he wants to recharge his mood.
“I miss you” box.
The “I miss you” box works best for long-distance relationships. You can add stuff in the box, like a mug, scented candles, a sipper bottle, his favorite book, quality coffee beans, small house plants, etc.
Try to add things that are useful to your boyfriend. Along with these small gifts, add small notes of how much you miss him, how much you love him, and how blessed you feel every day for having him in your life.
A long-distance relationship is not easy, but these little love boxes keep the relationship and romance alive. You can customize it according to your man’s choice.
Body massager.
Gift him a massager; it will comfort him when you are not around. Body massager with highly advanced features rotates all over the body and soothes the pain away. It would be a thoughtful gift for your boyfriend if he goes to the gym and is usually sore afterward.
Takeaway
Men are beautiful in simple ways— they are strong, resilient, masculine, but also very delicate. Their delicacy is often hidden safely underneath thousands of pretenses. Allow your boyfriend to open up to you and pamper him with regular gifts and morning sunflowers.
