Last Updated on December 20, 2022
Sometimes, all it takes to make a birthday special is a single thoughtful gift or action. Leave the birthday card and socks this year and give your boyfriend something unique or so special that he will cherish this day – and you – for a long time!
1. A Special Hiking Trip
If your guy loves the outdoors and hiking, organize a long hike and invite friends and family along. Alternatively, you can also arrange a day trip to a location that he has always dreamed of visiting. Make it even more special by surprising him with new gear!
2. A Video Message
You can make this as long or as short as you want. You can make it a simple “talking to the camera” deal or edit the clip to include music and b-roll moments. Either way, the goal is to make it a heartfelt project. Tell him what you love about him, especially his emotional and intellectual qualities. If you adore the way he spends time at the local animal shelter, then let him know!
3. A Special T-Shirt
Luckily, there are plenty of custom print shops that will create a unique shirt just for you. For ideas, think about his favorite hobbies and phrases. You can also draw inspiration from your private jokes. Whenever he sees or wears the T-Shirt, he will definitely think about you!
4. Get Him Those Tickets
Guys also love to go out and attend sporting events and concerts. But what does your boyfriend look forward to in his spare time? If he likes something else like a circus or the theatre, then don’t hesitate to get him tickets to a great show.
5. Organize A Scavenger Hunt
This is a great idea if your boyfriend loves to solve things. Even better, if he loves true crime and dark mysteries then you can also organize a murder mystery night. Don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of time or the imagination to come up with a mystery or hunt. There are plenty of online sites that offer free downloads that you can use.
6. A Gift Basket
A gift basket is amazing. You can make it as big or small as you want. You can make it a themed gift (fitness, food, toiletries) – or add a bunch of random things together.
Need some ideas? Start by looking at popular items such as his favorite snacks, jewellery, a wallet, books, a watch, tickets, gift vouchers to shop at his favorite online store, personalized or engraved items, collectables, and more.
7. A Fun New Activity
If your boyfriend is always ready to try something new, it is to explore new hobbies! Book time for both of you at a wall climbing club or take flying lessons. Those are just examples but you get the idea.
Think about exciting things he might have mentioned but never got the chance to do. Also, choose things based on his personality. If he is an adrenaline junkie, try bungee jumping. If he is more laid back, however, then a cruise might be a better experience for him.
8. Get The Family Together
Is your significant other a family man? Then it might be a good idea to gather his family to celebrate his birthday with him. This could end up being a very special day, especially if he has parents or siblings whom he has not seen in a while. Hold a barbecue or a dinner at home to make the day more focused on family.
9. A Care Package
While this might also fall into the gift basket category, a care package does not have to be in a basket. You can just add a few items in a good-looking box or another container. But the focus is to give your boyfriend self-care products that will make him feel loved and pampered.
The good news is that these days, there are plenty of care products for men, so you should have plenty of options! Remember this tip to make your care package unforgettable. Add a few items he might never have considered – like a mud face mask or hand cream for men. Indeed, there are fantastic “non-traditional” products available that are designed just for guys.
10. Hold A Skywatch
This could be a good idea if your guy likes the paranormal and the outdoors. The goal of a skywatch is not just to look for UFOs at night, however. Take your charts so that you can time and write down everything you see, including planes, satellites, and shooting stars. You can organize a watch party just for the two of you or invite your friends.
11. Game Night
Does your boyfriend love online gaming? You can organize an all-night gaming marathon for him and his friends. If you are also a gamer, then join the fun! Make sure that there are plenty of drinks, snacks and good conversation!
12. Visit His Favorite Restaurant
This might seem a little on the nose but if he has a thing for a certain restaurant, then spoil your boyfriend with an all-expenses-paid trip to his favorite haunt. Once again, you can have an intimate two-person dinner or invite friends and family to share the day with you.
13. Go Fishing
Guys who love to fish will definitely grab any opportunity to do so. If you know that your boyfriend’s favorite hobby is fishing, then this is your chance to spend some time with him and also learn more about the sport. Organize a fishing day or go camping next to a great fishing spot for a couple of days.
14. Who’s Your Great-Great-Great Granddaddy?
In other words, get your boyfriend a DNA ancestry kit. If he is interested in his family tree and would love to know more about his own genetic background, then a heritage kit is a great birthday gift. The kit is really simple to use and the results are available in a few weeks. Some ancestry companies are subpar so do your due diligence before you buy a kit.
15. Helicopter Tour
This option remains popular with those who love to fly. You can book the most scenic flights and some last up to an hour. You can choose a helicopter or a light aircraft but at the end of the day, seeing the world from a bird’s perspective is something your boyfriend will always remember – especially if it’s his first time in the sky.
16. Book A Craft Class
Is he creative and good with his hands? Then an arts and crafts class could be a wonderful surprise. You can book something he already loves. For instance, if he dabbles in painting you can take him to a watercolor class. But also consider exposing his artistic side to new hobbies like visiting a pottery workshop, mosaic making, sculpting, and more. He will learn something new while enjoying a creative atmosphere.
17. Explore Somewhere New
Urban exploration is a fascinating hobby. Some people love it so much that it becomes an outright obsession – and it is not hard to see why. There is something about exploring abandoned ruins, buildings and properties that appeal to the imagination. It almost feels as if you are stepping into another world that is creepy, unique, and full of personality all at once.
Take a bunch of friends along. It is really never a good idea to go urban exploring on your own or as a pair. For safety’s sake, also make sure that you do not trespass as this can land you in hot water with the authorities.
18. Make His Morning Special
While he is still rubbing the sleep from his eyes, zing him with breakfast in bed. Make his favorite morning meal, a delicious coffee and give him a small starter gift. When your boyfriend wakes up to such affection, it certainly starts his birthday off the right way. It might even keep him in a happy mood for the rest of the day!
19. Support One Of His Dreams
Nope, we do not mean that you have to get a bank loan and put him through law school. Think about all the goals he’s passionately talked about in the past. Perhaps he dreams of owning his own horse (get him riding lessons) or he wants to learn Norwegian walking (get him walking poles). Whatever he wants to do, a thoughtful birthday gift will give him that tiny first push that we all need to follow our dreams.
20. A Luxury Getaway
A luxury vacation – even if it is just for the weekend – is an unforgettable experience. You can relish the finer side of life where everything is designed to reduce stress and give you a sense of accomplishment and happiness. If both you and your boyfriend are worn out from the usual demands that life can bring, then it might be worth it to book a luxury getaway.
FAQ
Q: I literally have no idea what to get my boyfriend for his birthday. What do I do?
If none of the aforementioned ideas seems like a good fit, then there is a simple solution. Ask him what activity he would like to do on his birthday.
Q: What do boyfriends like to receive as gifts?
It depends on their unique personality but generally, guys like practical gifts like tools, knives, and equipment. They also appreciate snacks. Depending on their hobbies they also love gaming items, sports tickets, and gear.
Q: What should you not gift your boyfriend?
Guys have received so many socks, ties and manly-scented soaps that they are tired of it. Steer clear of such “traditional” gifts because they can make your boyfriend feel that the gift was a last-minute purchase and that not a lot of thought went into it.
Q: How do you show love to your boyfriend?
These days, it is not enough to say “I love you.” Real love is evident in the way that you treat someone. Treat him with respect, equality, allow laughter and fun to exist in your relationship, and be that friend whom he can trust with anything.
