Whether you’ve been together for just a few months or even a few years, all the time spent in a relationship is a milestone, something to be celebrated. But after a bunch of fantastic dates, countless memories, and lots of laughs, finding that perfect gift to show that special someone how much you care can still be difficult (after all, guys can be pretty hard to shop for). So what can you give him that would really capture how you feel about him?
To answer the question, we turned to collegiettes and the guys themselves for their own ideas! Whether you’re looking to buy something or create your own DIY gift, read on for some anniversary-approved gifts!
Gifts to buy for him
Take the time to remember all the things your boyfriend likes. What are his interests? What are his hobbies? Is there something he has wanted for a long time, or is there something that he might need? In the end, that consideration for what kind of guy your boyfriend is will make the gift special regardless of the price tag.
Tech-savvy gadgets
For instance, if your boyfriend is a techie, see if you can find a clever tech-related gift that’s not only useful, but will make him smile. There are tons of gadgets out there that techies would love, including a bunch that you never would have thought of before.
“Flash drive cufflinks,” suggests University of New Hampshire recent grad Alexandra Churchill. “They’re a little on the expensive side, but they make the PERFECT gift if you have a tech-geeky boyfriend. He said they were the coolest gift ever and they made him feel like James Bond!”
Sports paraphernalia
Or if your boyfriend is a huge sports fan, buy him something with his team logo! There are tons of clothes and appliances that are perfect for sports fans. It’s just a matter of finding something unique.
“[My girlfriend] got me two presents for our anniversary this year. The first was a sandwich press that imprinted the New York Jets logo onto whatever bread was put into it,” remembers Zach Goldaber, a junior at the University of Chicago. “It was an excellent gift because it was both practical – I love making sandwiches – and thoughtful, since the Jets are my favorite football team. It wasn’t ostentatious or showy, just a good and useful gift.”
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Gifts to make for him
Ah, the handmade gift. Time and time again, handmade gifts have proven their worth by delighting couples the world over with their sentimentality and personal touch. They can be anything, from baked goods to more elaborate projects that remind your boyfriend of all the great times you’ve had together.
Of course, thinking of the perfect handmade gift can be tricky no matter how long you’ve been with someone. But fear not, for there are always great gift ideas for the DIY girl! From more classic options to more unconventional ones, you’ll never run out of choices to show your love.
A mix CD
We’ve always associated music with our greatest memories, which is why music-related gifts make some of the most timeless anniversary gifts ever!
“I’ve made [my boyfriend] a CD of songs that remind me of him,” says Alex Horvitz, a sophomore at Tufts. “It was a CD of 12 songs that where from things like our first dance together or road trips we have taken together. There were cute, lovey-dovey songs and then some less lovey-dovey, more inside joke type songs!”
So if you’re stuck on what to make your guy for your anniversary, why not try the classic mix CD? While it’s one of the most popular gifts, it’s also easy to customize and personalize, making it a very special gift for your very special guy.
A knitted scarf
Aside from CDs, there’s also nothing better than a handmade gift that can be worn. If you’re a textile queen, get out those fabrics and knitting needles for an anniversary gift that he can not only wear, but take all around town! Afraid it’s too cheesy? Don’t be, says sophomore McGill University student Ethan, because even guys love all the effort you put in to make that special gift.
“My girlfriend knitted me a scarf after hearing about how bad Montreal winters are, and I wear it all the time.” says Ethan. “It’s a nice little reminder of her whenever I’m out, and I get compliments on it from everyone. Handmade scarves like the one she gave me are great because they’re so personal and memorable.”
An artsy craft
Whether it’s something as small as a card to a bigger project like a scrapbook of your time together, some of the best gifts involve taking some scissors, a glue-stick, and colors to paper! Making something pure arts-and-crafts style has been an anniversary gift staple, as University of Portland junior Julia Kennedy can attest!
“My boyfriend and I did a lot of traveling our first year together, and so I outlined the US and all the fifty states on a white piece of paper, then highlighted and colored in the states we had been to together,” says Julia. “Around the map, I put pictures of us doing our “firsts”: our first trip together (Florida), our first New Years together (California), first time he met my family (Washington).”
Still looking to make something but aren’t comfortable with bigger projects? That’s fine! Simple homemade anniversary gifts are still appreciated because they convey the exact same emotions, which North Carolina State University junior Misha Tobar proves.
“I gave my boyfriend a jar full of pieces of paper that had reasons why I love him. He really enjoyed it because he knew I took the time to think up the reasons why I love and care for him. Some were funny, silly, serious, and simple. I did 50 reasons. A couple were ‘I love you because you cook for me,’ ‘I love when you do your silly dances.’ It was really fun to make!”
Not only that, but Misha’s little jar of compliments become one of her boyfriend’s most favorite gifts because they showed just how grateful she was to be dating him.
“Sometimes guys have a hard exterior, but they like compliments and reassurance of your feelings for them, too!” she explains. “My boyfriend goes through the jar sometimes and reads them when he has a hard day.”
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Gifts to share with him
When we say gifts you can share, we don’t necessarily mean gifts that you can both use. Rather, there are tons of gift ideas out there that set the stage for more special memories together, gifts that let both of you do something special together.
Concert tickets
Event-based gifts like concert tickets are perfect. Not only do they allow your boyfriend to see some of his favorite musicians live, but he also gets to spend a special night out with you, too!
“My girlfriend also got the two of us tickets to the Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour,” says Zach. “The Beach Boys are one of my favorite bands and I love their music. More importantly, though, the 50th Anniversary Tour was a milestone because it was the first time the full band lineup featuring Brian Wilson had been together since the late ’80s. It was a spectacular concert, and considering that the band broke up once again soon after and is unlikely to reform with the full lineup again, an incredibly memorable experience.”
A day out shopping
Not into the concert idea? That’s fine! There are lots of alternatives out there that still let the both of you have a great time together, as University of British Columbia junior Edward Wu explains.
“For one of our anniversaries, my girlfriend gave me a gift card for the store that I like and shopped with me. I needed new clothes, but sometimes the ones she buys me aren’t what I like so she decided to let me choose. She also treated me out to dinner that day at my favorite restaurant, which was great.”
Any last questions?
How much should I spend?
The price tag is always tricky when you’re buying any present. Realize, however, that there isn’t a set price when it comes to anniversary gifts! You’ll probably want to take into account how long you’ve been dating as you don’t want to overwhelm your boyfriend, but you should mainly be concentrating on your boyfriend and the gift itself. Some of the best gifts have been bought for as cheap as under $20, so as you’re shopping around, remind yourself that it’s the thought that defines the gift, not the price tag!
What if he splurges more on me than I did on him? Or what if the opposite happens?
Again, it’s the gift itself that counts, not the price tag! If you end up in a position where your boyfriend either paid more or less than you did for your anniversary gifts, focus on what gifts were given rather than how much they cost.
What if I’ve got a gift for him… but he didn’t get one for me?
While it’s disappointing to not receive something from your boyfriend when you prepared a gift for him, take a step back and calm down. The absence of a gift doesn’t mean that he doesn’t care about your relationship anymore! He could have gotten tied down in something that left him unable to get you a gift in time, or he could even be in the middle of preparing something for you.
If he did truly forget that it was your anniversary, don’t freak out! Calmly let him know how you feel, and realize that it was probably an innocent mistake. He’ll make it up to you eventually, but in the meantime find a healthy way to channel your feelings. You are completely in the right to feel disappointed. However, you should also try and give him the benefit of the doubt unless the situation points to something other than a mistake!
So you see, there’s an anniversary gift for every couple!
Whether you bought the gift or made it yourself, there are always tons of ways to make your anniversary gift specific to you and your boyfriend. Never be afraid to put a lot of thought and creativity into your gift, especially because you want to make sure your gift reflects your specific relationship. So if your anniversary is coming up soon, get started and gather your ideas! You want your anniversary to be perfect in every way, even down to the gift!