Ah, Valentine’s Day, always creeping up before we know it. And Is it just me or is finding the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your boyfriend or husband or even your situationship (?!) just as stressful as finding holiday presents for your friends and family? Because V-Day prezzies need to walk the line between being sweet and thoughtful without being cheesy or over the top (especially if you’ve only been dating for a few months!). Luckily, I rounded up over 60 Valentine’s Day gifts for guys, below, that he’ll love no matter what stage your relationship is in.
If things are still new and you’ve been together for only a matter of weeks, try a lighthearted, funny gift. Maybe even one that references an inside joke! If you two have been spending lots of quality time together, then go with an experience gift you can do with each other. Or if you’re already dropping the L-word, then I’ve got plenty of romantic gift ideas and sentimental presents too. So keep reading if ya really wanna show your man how much you care about him this Valentine’s Day.
If It’s Your First V-Day Together
Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is definitely a holiday you’ll want to be prepared for if you’re dating someone, especially if you’ll be celebrating it together for the first time. Although you might not go all out after you’ve been dating for five years, everything about a new relationship is fun and exciting and worth making a big deal of. If he’s the outdoorsy type, a camping trip could be a fun way to bond and spend some time alone together. Play a campfire game over the open fire or over this mini travel grill. If you’re more of the indoors type, a funny candle instead of a campfire might be more your style. Whip up a meal together and supply all the sauces and ingredients as part of your gift too.
Other safe bets would be a relaxing oil blend, a nice leather bracelet, or a sweet card—but because your first Valentine’s Day together can fall anywhere between a few days after you started seeing each other to almost an entire year of dating, you might want a few more time-specific gift ideas. Say no more! To break it down even further, I’ve gathered a few more gift suggestions for relationships under three months, six months, nine months, a year, and two years or longer, so keep scrolling.
If you have no idea what to get because it’s your first V-Day, go with one of these:
If You’ve Been Together Less Than 3 Months
Think classic and simple when you’re at this early stage. You’re gonna want to get him something thoughtful (that he'll actually use!) without being too forward. In other words, it’s okay to keep your V-Day present lighthearted and friendly, like with his favorite snack (besides you, of course). This marshmallow subscription is an adorable idea that’ll have you on his mind every time he receives a shipment. Plus, it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without sweets!
But what if sugar’s not his thing? Get him another kind of subscription, like one for books or Hulu. For a few other harmless gift ideas, try a cool bottle of his favorite booze, a carrying case for said booze, a box full of charcuterie goods, a pair of sneaks, or a simple card.
If it’s only been a minute but you wanna make him feel all special or whatever, go for these:
If You’ve Been Together 6 Months
Now that y’all have been at it for half a year, you can loosen up a bit. Your dinner dates are no longer make-or-break, and let’s be honest, you’re probs more into low-key hangouts at this point. You’re comfortable enough to make inside jokes, and you’ve got a good grasp on what he likes and secretly dislikes, so use it to your shopping advantage. And FWIW: You can never go wrong with a Fire TV Stick so you two can stay in on the weekends and catch up on all your favorite shows together. Six months in, you probably can’t get enough of each other anyway and would rather stay in and chill (ah, young love).
This is also the perfect time to get him a quirky gift, such as beard oil or something inspired by your favorite show. If he has a hobby, like coffee or beer making, he’ll definitely nerd out over the sweet pot or growler below. And since you now know what his style is, you can pick out a nice shirt or cozy blanket for his place too.
If your love is still kinda new but not, like, that new, shop these gifts:
If You’ve Been Together 9 Months
You never need to spend a lot of money on a gift, but if you’ve been wanting to spoil him with something a bit nicer, the day of lurve is a good excuse to spend a *little* more than you have before. If he loves jamming out, he’ll probably love some new earphones, or if his wallet needs an upgrade, get him a nice new leather one. (Like this bifold with 12 card slots plus one for cash in its slim silhouette. It also has more than 1,700 raving customer reviews!)
If you guys have been saying the L-word, a six-pack of his favorite beer wrapped in a carrier that says “six ways I love you” is so cute, it hurts. And now that you know what he likes to smell like (and what you like him to smell like), a bottle of cologne or a shave set are both classic gift ideas. Other good bets are a cool pair of sneakers, a classy leather belt, stylish sunglasses, or a tech kit—especially if y’all are stuck doing the long-distance thing.
If you’re starting to feel like this whole thing you’ve got might last, consider the below:
If You’ve Been Together 1 Year
Congrats on hitting the one-year mark! Chances are you’ve already given him a handful of presents for other occasions and you might be running out of ideas. Time to get a little creative. By now, you probably feel more secure in your relationship and comfortable planning events in the future, like a trip, for example. Anyone could use a nice travel bag, and it’s the perfect way to hint that you want to plan something together (you never really know someone until you travel with them, anyway).
A timeless piece he’ll wear over and over again is also a great gift for this stage of your relationship. This silk jacquard Gucci tie is thoughtful and luxurious without feeling over-the-top, thanks to the small logo detailing (we love a subtle flex!).
For other gift ideas that you ~both~ can enjoy, try a low-key weekend road trip or a handy tray for working or eating in bed during a staycation. If you feel like splurging on your man, maybe consider updating his travel mug or watch.
If you and boo have an anniversary under your belt, get these gifts:
If You’ve Been Together 2 Years or Longer
By this point, you don’t need anyone’s advice for figuring out what the guy wants because you know him better than anyone else. But where you might struggle is coming up with original ideas that you haven’t already given him for his birthday, the holidays, past V-Days, etc., etc. If you’ve been dating for a few years, the Valentine’s Day hoopla may not be all that exciting to you two anymore. But it’s still a perfectly good excuse to celebrate another year of being together. Sentimental gifts like a funny card with an inside joke or a journal of little love notes show that you care without having to spend too much money. This booklet comes with 12 blank letters and envelopes to be sent by mail and opened later on. Write your partner a little love note to brighten their day in the future. Does it get more romantic than that? I don’t think so.
You could also sign him up for a fun box subscription service that suits his interests. Or if you really feel like spoiling him, splurge on a gadget he’s been eyeing or a luxe sheet set.
If you two are super used to each other, spice it up with these things right here:
Hanna Flanagan is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, sharing her recommendations for everything from denim and eye creams to coffee mugs and silk sheets. Before joining Cosmopolitan, she wrote fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content at People (so, yes, she’s basically a professional product tester at this point). Follow her on Instagram for photos of Timothée Chalamet and #OOTD mirror pics.
Associate Shopping Editor
Megan Uy is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she's also written for Delish, House Beautiful, and People. Follow her on Instagram to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is TikTok.
As an enthusiast well-versed in the realm of gift-giving, particularly on occasions like Valentine's Day, let me share my expertise on the concepts used in the article you provided. The writer delves into thoughtful and suitable Valentine's Day gift ideas for various stages of a relationship. The key concepts include:
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Consideration of Relationship Duration:
- The article caters to relationships at different stages, such as less than 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, and 2 years or longer.
- The gifts suggested align with the level of intimacy and understanding that comes with the duration of the relationship.
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Personalization and Thoughtfulness:
- Emphasis is placed on selecting gifts that align with the recipient's interests and preferences.
- Personalized items like engraved growlers, custom etched items, and subscription services reflect a thoughtful touch.
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Balancing Sentimentality and Practicality:
- The writer suggests finding gifts that strike a balance between sentimental value and practical use.
- Examples include a silk tie with subtle detailing, a cozy blanket, and a travel mug for a mix of luxury and functionality.
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Adaptability to Relationship Dynamics:
- Recognizing that relationships have different dynamics, the article provides gift ideas ranging from lighthearted and funny to romantic and sentimental.
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Gifts Reflective of Shared Experiences:
- The concept of shared experiences is highlighted, with recommendations for gifts that can be enjoyed together, such as a weekend road trip or a low-key Airbnb stay.
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Understanding Personal Preferences:
- The importance of understanding the partner's likes and dislikes is emphasized, leading to suggestions like beard oil for someone with facial hair or a quirky gift inspired by a favorite show.
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Gradual Increase in Gift Investment:
- The article subtly suggests that as the relationship progresses, one might consider more elaborate or higher-priced gifts, reflecting an increase in commitment.
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Creative and Unique Gift Ideas:
- The writer introduces creative and unique gift ideas, such as a marshmallow subscription, a gaming console, and a scavenger hunt, to add an element of surprise and excitement.
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Symbolism in Gifts:
- Gifts are recommended not only for their utility but also for the symbolism they carry. For instance, a six-pack of beer with a carrier saying "six ways I love you" and a silk tie with a subtle logo detailing.
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Incorporation of Humor and Playfulness:
- The writer suggests incorporating humor and playfulness into gifts, evident in items like a funny card, a quirky candle, or a playful card game.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive guide to selecting the perfect Valentine's Day gift, considering the unique dynamics and preferences of each stage of a relationship. The concepts outlined showcase a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in expressing love and appreciation through thoughtful gift-giving.