What to Get a Friend for His Birthday

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Guy friends can be great fun, only when a birthday or some other gift-giving event rolls around, things tin get stressful. Odds are that you desire something that will testify him y'all care about him, merely you're worried nearly giving him something he won't similar. Even worse, you may exist worried about giving him something that makes him think you're interested in him. Don't worry — by choosing an advisable gift, making it clear that you're non interested, and fugitive common blunders, y'all'll be able to get an ecstatic (but completely romance-gratis) response out of your guy friend.

1. ane

   Become him something that caters to his interests. Since this person is presumably your best friend, you should probably have a good idea of his hobbies and interests. Giving your guy friend something that reflects these interests or, better still, something that helps him perform his hobby, is near always a condom bet. These sorts of gifts will usually be warmly received — y'all're giving something he likes and will actually utilize while also showing him that y'all put some thought into the gift.

   • If you aren't sure what your guy friend likes to do, a quick trip to his firm or apartment should inkling you in — just expect at what he has lying around and what'southward on his walls. For instance, if you come across a stack of Nintendo magazines, there's a proficient gamble he's a gamer, and then a new game or some Nintendo memorabilia would be a skillful option. Along the same lines, if you meet a Metallica affiche on his wall, at that place's a practiced hazard he's a fan of the band's music, then a concert DVD or some ring trade may exist in order.

2. 2

   Pick something he'll find amusing or funny. If you're worried well-nigh your power to cull a souvenir your friend will like, err towards something that he'll detect lighthearted or humorous — later all, it'south hard to read too securely into a souvenir when you're laughing your head off! You may want to play off of an within joke the two of yous share or just simply go for something that'southward funny in a more general sense. The latter is a little more impersonal, merely too a little less probable to give the wrong impression, so utilize your judgment. Beneath are merely a few ideas to get yous started:

   • Comedy movies and standup recordings.
   • Novelty gifts — T-shirts with funny slogans, foreign knick-knacks, crass board games, and so on.
   • Prank gifts — things you know he hates (similar a jersey for his favorite sports squad's rival), things that are amusingly out of style (like ugly 70s sunglasses), baroque non-sequitur (like a sack of potatoes), and then on.
   • Something clever that plays off of his name — e.g., if he's named Brian, y'all might consider a Life of Brian picture show poster.

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3. 3

   Get him something functional. I sure-fire way to please your guy friend while steering well clear of awkward misunderstandings is to give him something that'south purely functional — that is, something that'south useful to him, just not necessarily very "warm" or intimate. For example, if this guy friend spends lots of time lifting weights at the gym, y'all might consider getting him a pair of fingerless weightlifting gloves, some gym shorts, or even a few weights for his home. These sorts of gifts show that you pay attention to what your friend likes to do only are normally very low-risk considering they aren't probable to offend him or come across as overly appreciating.

   • The potential problem with these sorts of gifts, of form, is that they can sometimes come across as cold. Giving a plain, functional gift to someone you've known your whole life may pb to hurt feelings if your guy friend is sensitive about this sort of matter, so be enlightened of this possibility.
   • You'll also want to continue in mind that sure functional gifts can send unintentionally rude messages. For instance, while a subscription to a health food magazine may be useful, information technology may transport the unfortunate message that y'all think your recipient needs to lose weight.

4. four

   Get him something he can apply with his friends. Some other slap-up way to show your appreciation for your friend without sending the incorrect signals is to make your gift all about your guy friend and his circle of friends (which includes you, manifestly, though you lot don't necessarily need to pick a gift that you lot would enjoy personally.) For instance, if your guy friend is in a ring with a few of his other buddies, a great gift would be to give him a custom-designed T-shirt with his band'due south proper noun on it. You might alternatively desire to get him a rhythm-based music game similar Guitar Hero — this way, you all can play it together.

   • If your guy friend has an Due south.O., the same principle applies, so you lot might desire to consider getting something for the two of them. For instance, two tickets to a show put on by the couple'due south favorite local band is a fantastic manner to give your guy friend an entertaining night out with his favorite sweetheart (with or without your presence — it's your determination.)
   • This is also a peachy style to ease tensions if y'all've recently had a disagreement with some of his other friends. If you lot get him something that yous, him, and the other friends can use together, you lot're basically offer an olive branch and saying, "I want the states all to go along."

5. 5

   Become him a "manly" gift. Getting your guy friend something that appeals to his sense of masculinity or his paradigm as a admirer is usually a fairly safe pick. Things like pocket knives, watches, driving accessories, and and so on make memorable gifts and are suitable for most immature and erstwhile men alike. Below are just a few more than ideas:

   • Ties
   • Tools
   • Belt buckles
   • Shaving accessories
   • Wallets — many guys get long periods of time without buying themselves a new wallet, so this souvenir will probably exist especially appreciated.

6. 6

   Salvage cash by making something yourself. Your souvenir doesn't necessarily accept to be very expensive for it to brand a big impression. Making your own gift from scratch is a slap-up style to testify yous truly care nigh your friend, and while these sorts of gifts are often much less plush than a similar gift purchased from the store, the fourth dimension and intendance you put into the gift volition usually be actress-meaningful. Below are just a few fun DIY gift ideas to get you started, but don't exist afraid to become artistic and make your own!

   • A piece of art created by yous (like a painting, drawing, or sculpture)
   • A handmade craft item (similar a slice of furniture, skateboard, laptop stand, etc.)
   • A handwoven piece of clothing (like a knit hat or mittens)
   • Some homemade nutrient (like cookies or brownies — not-perishables are best)
   • A song written and performed by y'all (if you lot're truly bold!)

7. vii

   When in dubiety, give a souvenir menu. If you're really worried nigh giving your guy friend the wrong gift, let him choose it for himself! Gift cards and gift certificates are good choices for acknowledging that you lot care for your guy friend without the risks of more than personalized gifts. Many people even prefer gift cards to normal gifts. In confront, statistically speaking, the more than general-purpose the gift carte, the meliorate someone is likely to capeesh it.^[1] All-time of all, these gifts are very convenient to buy — you can commonly option them upwardly at chain grocery stores on the way to your friend's altogether party.

8. 8

   Don't be afraid to ask. Guys are ofttimes reluctant to tell people what they want as a gift, especially for birthdays, Christmas, and so on. Some guys feel shy about asking other people for things, while others simply don't care much about what they get. This can exist frustrating when you're shopping for presents, so don't hesitate to printing your friend for details (respectfully, of class.) Usually, even guys who continue quiet nearly what'south on their wishlist still secretly have something they'd like, so start earthworks!

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1. one

   Steer abroad from "lover'southward" gifts. No affair your intentions, certain gifts come with romantic "baggage" that's hard to ignore, and then you'll definitely desire to avoid them. Every bit a very general rule, anything you might consider giving your sweetheart on Valentine's twenty-four hours should be off-limits for platonic friends. The consequences for breaking this rule can exist dire (especially if your friend has an S.O.), then beware! Beneath are a few examples of gifts considered "romantic" that yous should avoid:

   • Cologne or personal fragrances
   • Flowers
   • Cufflinks or other jewelry
   • Fancy chocolates or other fine sweets (especially those in stylish, elegant boxes)
   • Expensive accessories (due east.m., Rolex watches, fine pens, etc.)
   • Provocative clothing (Funny T-shirts are fine, just silk boxers, terrycloth robes, stylish jackets, and then on are too personal for platonic friends)
   • Event tickets for but you lot and him

2. 2

   Be goofy or crude in your bill of fare. Oftentimes, it's not the gift itself that makes a guy think that y'all're sending him signals, but the message included with it. It tin can be easy to mistake friendly tenderness and affection for something more serious, then you may want to avoid this entirely by keeping things very not-serious in your carte du jour. Some overeager guys may run into romantic signals in even the goofiest of cards, but the risk is much smaller than with a genuine, heartfelt message. Beneath are just a few sample ideas for making your gift message pleasantly irreverent:

   • Write in SMS-speak (e.grand., "Hope u had gd bday. Thx fr bein a gd friend.")
   • Be cavalier in a funny mode (eastward.g., "I don't know if you lot know this, but it was actually difficult to option out this carte du jour. I was really hoping I could have it back then I could re-gift it for Amy'due south birthday adjacent week. Oh yeah, happy altogether.")
   • Include a dopey acrostic of his name (due east.g., for a friend named David: D — Daring / A — Astonishing / V — Very cool / etc.)
   • Depict crude or bizarre doodles in the margins.

3. 3

   Be a trivial impersonal nearly giving him the gift. It's not all about what you give your guy friend — it's likewise most how y'all give him the gift. Gushing over your friend'south reaction to your gift tin raise awkward questions even if the souvenir is something coincidental, like a new telephone case. On the other hand, coolly and casually giving your friend his gift equally if it's non terribly of import to y'all what he thinks of it will allow you lot to escape unscathed.

   • In that location's a tricky balance you desire to maintain here, however — being too impersonal tin come across every bit rude. For case, leaving an unmarked package containing his present on his porch and not mentioning it to him for a calendar week might make it appear similar you don't care about your friend very much. Y'all know your friend better than almost anyone else, so try to keep his sensitivities in listen.

4. 4

   When in uncertainty, consider chipping in for a group gift. Teaming upwardly with a few other people to cover the cost for a gift isn't just one way to save cash on an expensive souvenir — it'southward also the perfect method to avoid "sending the wrong indicate." It'southward very hard to make a grouping souvenir encounter as a personal, romantic gift from y'all to your friend. Later all, there'due south a adept take a chance you lot didn't fifty-fifty pick information technology out! Best of all, a simple, polite message on the card is the but personal touch on a group gift needs, so you lot don't need to take a chance the pitfalls of a longer, more than personalized message.

5. v

   If all else fails, driblet copious hints that you're merely friends. If you're seriously worried virtually your gift being taken the wrong way, utilize your card as an opportunity to define your relationship in purely platonic terms. Leave of your mode to refer to yourself and your guy friend every bit just that — friends. Utilise words similar "buds," "pals," "homies," "dudes," so on. Avoid terms that can be construed as romantic, like calling yourself his "special friend" or ending your letter of the alphabet with "Yours,". ^[2]

   • Unfortunately, for some guys, not even this volition exist plenty. In these cases, you may demand to simply ignore your friend'southward puppy love until he loses interest. If he'due south becoming too distracting to ignore, well-nigh relationship guides will recommend being blunt — in other words, telling him directly that you don't want to ruin your friendship with romance.^[iii] Encounter our commodity on the subject field for more information.

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Add New Question

• Question

  What do I do if my BFF says he doesn't desire a gift, but he brought me i?

  

  Most boys say they don't want a gift, but the truth is he may exist still expecting something from you! It may be all-time to have something for him only in case. No one is going to exist upset about getting a present when they didn't ask for one.

• Question

  What do I get my guy best friend for his birthday?

  

  Give him something that compliments his personality, something useful but most of all that clearly states that you know him well.

• Question

  What is a good idea for something to requite my first love who I haven't seen in 20 years to remember me by?

  

  You could give him an old photograph of the two of you lot so that whenever he looks at the picture, he will recollect the good times he had with y'all. If you practice not want to spend a lot of money ownership him a photo frame, some other simple souvenir is to simply write a poem for him.

• Question

  My all-time guy friend does not want to exist my friend anymore because of something I did or said, but I didn't really do it. I actually miss hanging out with him. What can I do?

  

  Tell him calmly that you did not say or do whatever he thinks y'all did, and repent if something yous did say or do was misinterpreted. Tell him you lot miss him and you want to be friends again. Then just give him a little space and let him decide what he wants to practice.

• Question

  What should I get for my crush who I think likes me back?

  

  Neetu Sharma

  Community Reply

  You tin souvenir him a novel if he is interested in reading novels or you tin can souvenir him a diary, a wrist band, wallet, goggles, a shoulder bag. Anything depending on his interests. If nothing works for you lot then you can simply brand a card for him. If he likes you, he will like anything you give him.

• Question

  Is is okay to give t-shirts to my male best friend?

  

  Yes, that would be a dandy gift to requite him.

• Question

  What practise I do if my friend says he does not desire a gift?

  

  If he says he doesn't want a gift, then respect that and merely brand a nice or goofy card rather than getting or making him something. You could write a poem, a haiku or simply pen a few words of appreciation.

• Question

  What tin can I give an ex-boyfriend whom I am nonetheless expert friends with for his birthday?

  

  Choose something that shows you lot two are but skillful friends. Giving him his favorite candy or a DVD is a good thought.

• Question

  Tin can I get a gift and take it be special without spending a lot of money on it?

  

  Of course! If your friend has a favorite candy, yous can always buy some for him. You tin can also make something for your friend instead. Depending on the supplies needed to make the detail (and what you already own) the gift could terminate up being very cheap. Because y'all made the gift, information technology will be very special.

• Question

  I want to give my friend a meaningful yet practical gift. Would my favorite guitar pick make a nice present?

  

  That's a great souvenir thought, especially if your friend is also a guitarist. If he isn't, y'all could punch a hole in the pick and put information technology on a chain for him to vesture around his neck.

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• Gift menu to his favorite identify to eat.

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Commodity Summary Ten

To select a gift for your best male friend, choose something that's related to his hobbies and interests. If there's a ring he's really into, for example, get him a concert DVD or some band merchandise. Alternatively, pick something he'll find funny or agreeable, like a novelty T-shirt or knick-knack. You can also try making him a souvenir such as a painting, a knitted scarf, or his favorite dessert if you lot're brusk on greenbacks. For more advice, including how to avert giving gifts with romantic undertones, go on reading.

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