Buying the right present for your new boyfriend
Buying a birthday gift for a new boyfriend can be an awkward affair. On the one hand you want to show that you can be generous and thoughtful, but on the other hand you want to make sure that what you have given is appropriate for the occasion. This can be very hard if you do not know him very well yet.
For example, it is a common thing for ladies to buy their men underwear now, but when starting a new relationship it may seem prudent to steer clear of this type of gift until you have had the chance to get to know him a bit better. In fact clothes are very personal to a person and unless he has a definite style, favourite design or been used to having his clothes chosen by his mother, then you may be advised to steer well clear of this choice until you get to know him a little better.
The best thing to do is try and recall parts of your conversation. Is there anything that he enjoys doing or is passionate about? What music does he like? Has he a favorite artist? What films does he enjoy watching? Have you had the chance to meet any of his friends and family? It can be useful to talk to others who are close to him to gain a few ideas.
Does he carry an iPhone? If he does, he may appreciate a new phone cover or an iTunes voucher.
Choosing a gift for a man is difficult at the best of times, and especially if you are only just starting to get to know the person. In my opinion you cannot go wrong with buying a gadget type gift. There is a plethora to choose from and when thinking about your choice, remember that all men are still boys at heart. Gifts such as remote control helicopters, cars or trains are going to be a good choice but some of this electronic stuff can be quite pricey so it just depends on what your budget will stretch to.
If you are on an economy drive, then it is possible to be thoughtful without breaking the bank. A home-made gift can be a lovely way to give that personal touch and can also give you the chance to show off your creative skills. From personal experience I have always found that a home-made birthday cake, cookies, toffee or anything that tastes yummy is always very well received.
If you have knitting or crochet skills then a chunky hat and scarf or some gloves will come in very useful, especially if the weather warrants it, and your new beau will appreciate the time and effort gone into making them. I would avoid making anything that is too time consuming, as this will fall under the clothing issue and there is no point spending two months knitting him a thick jumper that he will never wear. In fact my man still has the jumper I knitted for him when I first met him. It has lain unworn in the closet for the last ten years. I would have been better off buying him some aftershave...
In conclusion it can be easy to fall into the trap of buying your new man the sort of gift that “all men like”. If you want to make a good impression and show that you have made the effort to give something meaningful, you are going to have to think carefully about what you already know about your new boyfriend. This will show that you have made the effort to think about what he would like, and care enough to put that extra effort in to ensure that your gift will please him.
