Whether you’ve recently got together or been in each other’s back pockets for years, finding the ideal gift for a partner is never easy. Ties? Socks? Deodorant set? They’ve been given and received a thousand times, and while we agree it’s the thought that counts, wouldn’t it be nice to put a surprise smile on their face?
To help out, we've compiled ten gifts that are pertinent, personalised, and perfect for quarantine and lockdown birthdays during as they're all available for online delivery from Amazon, John Lewis and eBay. We’ve got everything from affordable alcohol and tech to ideas for athletic boyfriends, just remember, set the standard here and you could be looking at recuperation when it’s your turn!
There's no handbook when it comes to buying gifts (although funnily enough that would be a good present in itself), however, there are some general points that you might want to take into consideration, particularly if you need to reign in your ideas a little. Here are a couple to get you started!
The best place to start when searching for a gift is to look at the person you’re buying it for. Consider their interests, hobbies and what they like to do in their spare time. It may seem obvious, but you’ll likely be on to a winner from the start.
If who you’re buying for is known to be a bit of a health or sports fanatic, then why not consider something that relates to their favourite way to get fit? This could be anything from a new water bottle, yoga mat or gym bag, to bike equipment if he likes to set off on the open road, or running trainers if his are looking a bit worse for wear.
Try to avoid clothing as this is something that generally needs trying on, and if you get the wrong size it could end up being a bit of a palaver to return.
Many of us will happily pop the radio on when we get in the car, but we mostly leave it there. Then there are the audiophiles: people who spend time ‘teaching' us about the importance of the Amen break, or filling up their calendars with obscure bands that us mere mortals have never heard of.
With the current world climate, concert tickets for their favourite artists may not be on the cards, but that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped listening or learning. Why not consider headphones, or something more unusual like a music-themed book, artwork or band merchandise? That should tide them over until the venues open again!
Before we continue in this section, we want to say this is only if you have the budget. A well-thought-out gift is far more precious than how much the person giving has chosen to spend!
That being said, if it’s a landmark birthday and you have the money, why not treat the special man in your life? This could be with a designer watch, a wallet, or a piece of jewellery. Try to think of accessories that he wouldn’t usually splurge on himself, but that he would get a lot of use out of nonetheless.
However, do also take into consideration that if he's not shown interest in these kind of items before, he may not now!
If your bloke is always nattering about the latest gadgets, then a gift from the tech world will likely be right up his alley.
This could be some form of device, game, or program, or an accessory to go with a gadget they already have. Even those who claim they don’t get much out of tech probably still use a lot of it day to day, so products that help provide entertainment either at home or on the commute should also go down well.
Having trouble working out what to buy for someone that you’re casually seeing or recently got together with? We've all been there, but picking something general that the majority of people will like is always a safe bet, especially if you aren't sure exactly what their tastes are yet.
For example, consider some luxury edibles or a bottle of good quality alcohol if they drink, or a well-respected book or household item like a quirky plant. This will show that you’ve taken time to consider them but won’t make them feel like things are moving too fast. It'll also eliminate the risk of getting it wrong and wasting your money!
As we mentioned earlier, we don’t think anybody should be under pressure to fork out more than they can afford, so you should always aim to buy within your budget. Cost may also be determined by your status as a couple, as you'll probably be more comfortable spending less on a new beau than a boyfriend of several years.
Generally, up to £30 will show a recent partner that you care without going over the top, whereas for longer-term relationships, you could spend anywhere up to £150 if budget allows.
That being said, so long as they can see that you made an effort and put some thought into the gift, we’re sure they’re going to appreciate it no matter how much you spend. And if they don’t, you could always find another one!
So, now that we’ve given you some food for thought, let’s dive into our top 10 recommendations. From practical items to interactive pieces of artwork and glam accessories from designer names, we’re sure there’ll be something for every boyfriend.
£99.99
Category | Tech |
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Budget | £50 - £100 |
£15.00
Category | Music, general |
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Budget | £10 - £20 |
£139.45
Category | Sports and fitness |
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Budget | £100+ |
£49.99
Category | Tech |
---|---|
Budget | £30 - £50 |
£24.99
Category | Sports and fitness |
---|---|
Budget | £20 - £30 |
£25.00
Category | General |
---|---|
Budget | £20 - £30 (available under £10 in paperback) |
£14.97
Category | General |
---|---|
Budget | £10 - £20 |
£49.95
Category | Music, tech |
---|---|
Budget | £30 - £50 |
£39.95
Category | General |
---|---|
Budget | £30 - £50 |
Image | 1 ![]() Il Gusto | 2 ![]() John Lewis & Partners | 3 ![]() Enno Vatti | 4 ![]() James Ellroy | 5 ![]() WOWTOW | 6 ![]() Rotary | 7 ![]() Twelve South | 8 ![]() Asics | 9 ![]() Seventy Eight Design | 10 ![]() Apeman |
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Name | Whisky Tasting Gift Set | Portable Digital Shower Radio | 100 Movie Scratch Off Poster | The L.A Quartet | Multi-Function Bicycle Repair Tool | Monaco Chronograph Watch | AirFly Pro | Gel-Kayano 26 Lite Show | Personalised Soundwave Print | Portable Mini Projector |
Features | The All-Rounder for Almost Every Fella | Gift Them the Gift of Music, With a Radio They Can Take Anywhere | For Film Buff Boyfriends Both Old and New | One for the Bookworms | A Soon to Be Indispensable Tool for Cyclists | A Fancy Gift for Someone Who Deserves It | Allow Frequent Flyers to Utilise Their Bluetooth Headphones | High Quality Running Shoes for Baes Who Run | A New Way of Enjoying Their Favourite Song | For Those That Love the Big Screen |
Price | £39.95 | £49.95 | £14.97 | £25.00 | £24.99 | £146.19 | £49.99 | £139.45 | £15.00 | £99.99 |
Category | General | Music, tech | General | General | Sports and fitness | Luxury | Tech | Sports and fitness | Music, general | Tech |
Budget | £30 - £50 | £30 - £50 | £10 - £20 | £20 - £30 (available under £10 in paperback) | £20 - £30 | £100+ | £30 - £50 | £100+ | £10 - £20 | £50 - £100 |
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Still waiting for that perfect gift lightbulb moment? Here are a few more ideas to get the inspiration flowing, complete with practical buying guides and a selection of recommendations suitable for budgets big and small.
No matter which gift you go for, with some consideration and thoughtfulness poured in the recipient is likely going to be thrilled and truly grateful. We hope you've found what you're looking for in this article, and if not, at least been steered in the right direction. Good luck, and pass on our best wishes!
Author: Lewis Clark
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