Are you dating the girl who has everything? We’ll show you the perfect gift ideas for your girlfriend – whatever the occasion!
So, it’s Christmas. Or her birthday. Or an anniversary, Valentine’s day… doesn’t matter. One of those gift-giving days that strikes fear into every boyfriend’s heart is coming up. And as usual, you’re totally out of gift ideas for your girlfriend.
Before we get started, your girlfriend is not some mythical creature who you will never please with a gift. In fact, you coming here and searching for an idea shows you care, which is what really matters!
And if you’ve been listening to her, even a little, you shouldn’t have too hard of a time coming up with the perfect gift ideas for your girlfriend.
So here are some gifts she’ll definitely love. You know her best, so pick something for her off this list and wow her!
[Read: 25 perfect gifts to get your girl for Christmas]
How to decide on the perfect gift idea for your girlfriend
Of course, you can give her the basics like flowers and candy, but that is a little safe and honestly boring.
The thought is what counts and running to the closest drugstore for half-dead flowers and expired candy isn’t much thought. You need to put in a little more effort.
Jewelry is another classic, but if you don’t know her style *which you should know*, don’t risk it. You should easily know if she goes for silver or gold.
But you should also know if she likes dainty and simple pieces or something more flashy and unique. That’s a lot to remember, so maybe give the sparkles a miss.
[Read: 16 special ways to show your appreciation for someone you love]
It’s not always the best idea to go for the cliches, as all girls are complex, unique people. All women have their own likes and dislikes. So, just because books and movies have told you women like jewelry and chocolates, doesn’t mean that they all actually do.
Your girl might prefer comic books or even power tools! In the end, you love her because she’s her, not because she’s some generic girl.
Before we get into specific gift ideas for your girlfriend, we also want to remind you that you don’t have to get the most romantic, expensive, or impressive gift. Usually, if it’s something you’re excited to give her, she will be excited to receive it.
So, keep that in mind moving forward. [Read: 36 sweetest things to do with your girlfriend that she’ll love]
The perfect gift ideas for your girlfriend
You know your girlfriend better than us! So take these ideas and adjust them to your girlfriend’s lifestyle, preference, and vibe. Trust your knowledge of her.
1. Her favorite snacks
This seems small, but knowing all her favorite treats will impress her. Find a cute basket and go to the store.
Get her favorite salty snack, sweet snack, maybe a jumbo cup for her favorite drink, a throw blanket so she can relax and watch her shows, and her favorite coffee, tea, or alcoholic beverage.
A personalized care package is a super cute gift idea for your girlfriend. It tells her that you want her to be happy even when she’s getting some alone time.
2. Something sentimental
Sentiment counts for a lot. You don’t need to buy her a diamond bracelet. Instead, go to Etsy and look up customizable gifts.
You can get her a print of you two with your pets. Or you can take something that broke a long time ago and get it fixed.
This is a perfect option if you don’t have a lot of money to spend. If you really want a special gift idea for your girlfriend without breaking the bank, think about making something yourself. This could be artwork, a piece of furniture, or even just a personalized poem. [Read: 25 really romantic ideas to make your girlfriend melt]
3. Activities to do together
If your girlfriend is more of an activity person than a material person, get creative. Get tickets to an outdoor concert, an outdoor tour of a town or area near you, or even a virtual cooking class *yes, that is a thing*.
A really cool idea involves a customized map of her favorite place. Create a treasure hunt around the area, maybe with different treats hidden at places that are important to the two of you.
You could hide something where you first kissed, where you first talked… all along the route you followed on your first date!
4. Nostalgia
If your girlfriend is anything like most grown-ups, she might look back on her childhood and wish she could relive it. Buy her something off eBay from her decade, whether that be the ‘80s, ‘90s, or whenever.
It could be a Barbie, a board game, or a remastered video game. If you’re unsure of what her favorite things were as a kid, you could snoop through photo albums or ask her parents or siblings.
Maybe there’s a very specific memory she holds close to her heart, like a certain activity or object that isn’t tied to her decade. For example, if she used to make jellies with her grandma, get her some vintage French green canning jars.
5. Something she’s been complaining about
This is the easiest gift. If she is always complaining she can’t reach the top shelf, get her a step stool. If she hates that there is one room in your house that is super cold, get a portable heater.
Listen to what she talks about and fix that. She’ll appreciate a gift that solves one of her problems way more than you realize. [Read: How to make your girlfriend feel special with the smallest gestures]
6. A fandom gift
Your girlfriend loves something. It could be Friends, it could be Marvel, or it could be Disney. Whatever it is, they probably make so many things for it.
There are Disney princess waffle makers, Star Wars tee shirts, and Barbie PJs *clothes are acceptable if they’re baggy and comfy*.
Search her fandom. Maybe it’s Harry Potter or Charmed or Grey’s Anatomy gift ideas. You’ll be surprised how many options you have. Even things that you wouldn’t expect to have fandoms, have them. And the strangest ones have crossovers: they even make a Friends LEGO set of Central Perk with all the characters now!
7. A plant
Not a flower. A plant. Flowers in a vase die, but a plant is something you will care for together. Make sure it is safe for any pets she may have.
You can name it, help her water it, and look up the best care practices. Doing this together will bring you closer too.
As you watch your plant grow, it will remind you of your love. There’s a reason why flowers are associated with love; like your bond, they’ll grow beautiful and get stronger with your attention and care. Romantic, right? [Read: 15 effortless gestures girls always notice and appreciate]
8. A meal kit
Make her life easier with a meal kit. This way, she doesn’t have to do the shopping, or the prepping, or the worrying about what’s for dinner. You two can even cook the meal together and if you do the dishes, it’ll be a bonus.
Or, get her a cookbook for movie night dinners. There are lots of cookbooks on the market themed around different shows, movies, and cuisines. So try matching the cookbook to the show or movie you’ll watch together!
9. Heated blanket
Girls are known for always complaining that they’re cold. We’re sure your girlfriend is no different. A heated blanket, weight blanket, or even an essential oil-infused heating pad will keep her feeling toasty and warm.
10. A game
You can’t go wrong with a board game. You could go old school or get something modern. They have Clue, Monopoly, and the Game of LIFE, all themed with just about anything you can imagine. You can also get a couples game that will grow your bond even stronger.
You could also try getting her an IRL version of her favorite online game, like the board game version of Wordle. That way, you know it’s a game she’ll like because you’ve already seen her play and love it!
11. Ornament or home decor
If you’re shopping for the holidays and looking for cute gift ideas for your girlfriend, a Christmas ornament, decoration, or something else for her home is always sweet. It shows you know her style and you want something you picked to have a place there.
Also, it’ll be a special reminder of your love that she’ll see every holiday season. [Read: How to show off your girlfriend on social media in a way she’ll love]
12. A silk pillowcase
A silk pillowcase and matching eye mask will definitely win her over. Most girls know about these, but they are rarely things they buy for themselves.
Silk sleep masks and pillowcases have so many benefits for the hair and skin, but they are also luxurious. So, buying one for your girlfriend will make her feel like a real sleeping beauty!
Speaking of silkiness, you could also consider silky, breathable leggings as a gift idea for your girlfriend. Many girls practically live in leggings, so a really nice pair will help her stay cozy and cute when she’s sitting around at home.
13. Beauty subscription box
If your girlfriend is into makeup and skincare, this is one of those perfect gift ideas for your girlfriend that will be right up her alley without having to pick something out.
You can get her a gift card or a subscription for a beauty subscription box for 3, 6, or 12 months. Just Google beauty subscription boxes and you’ll find a ton.
Be sure to search for cruelty-free or vegan boxes if that’s her preference. If you’re feeling brave, you could also try getting her a new product she hasn’t tried before. Lip masks have recently become a bestselling hit; google some beauty trends and get her something fashionable.
14. Crafting set
With all the time we’re spending at home lately, she may have more time on her hands to try something new. So if she’s been wanting to get into a new hobby, get her a sewing kit, a knitting set, or some other beginner’s set of something she’s interested in.
15. Bookshelf games
This is a specific one but it is so cute. They make board games like Candyland and Clue in mini form. They look like books from the outside but inside have everything you need for the game. You can buy them on their own or a set of them, and they make a great ornament that’s also pretty useful.
[Read: Kinky gifts for your girl that she’ll definitely love]
16. Skincare fridge
If you’ve noticed your girlfriend applying skincare, using face masks, or putting tools that confuse you on her face, our bet is she’ll love a skincare fridge.
This is a mini-fridge *tinier than the ones in dorm rooms* that sits on her vanity and keeps her skincare products and tools cool to the touch for a nicer sensory experience.
It can also preserve her expensive skincare products so they work better for longer. If you know she likes to splurge on fancy creams and lotions, a skincare fridge is a great gift idea for your girlfriend.
17. A book of date nights
You do need to put your thinking cap on for this one, but it’ll be worth it. Make a book of about 12-20 date night ideas for the coming year. Plan it all out: where you’ll go, what you’ll eat, etc.
Make a book out of it on the computer or hand-make it if that’s your thing. Throughout the year, she can pick whichever date she wants; then she has to give you 24 hours to get it together before you have the date. [Read: Top 50 amazing date ideas to wow your girlfriend]
18. Smartphone printer
Printing out photos seems to be a thing of the past, but it shouldn’t be. Hard copies of photos are so nice to have, and make great decor for her bedroom or office. They’re great reminders of happy times, with you, her family, and her closest friends.
If she had a convenient printer for the photos she has on her phone, your girlfriend would be way more likely to actually print them instead of scrolling through thinking about how she should print them one day. You might even start seeing little photos of you turning up around your house. Adorable!
19. A coupon book
Yes, the coupon book you made your mom when you were a kid will also go a long way with your girlfriend. When you’re thinking of the perfect gifts for your girlfriend, this coupon book should be on the list.
If you give her a coupon book, make sure it’s customized to her and your relationship. Some general ideas would be a massage, you make dinner and do the dishes, a movie of her choosing, her favorite takeout, a trip to Target, etc.
But don’t make them all chores; make sure you include some fun stuff too. And don’t forget sex! [Read: 25 sweetest romantic gestures for every day that your girl will love]
20. Something nice for her home
There are tons of unexpected but beautiful gift ideas for your girlfriend’s home. If she’s into Instagram trends and wants to make her house beautiful, she could jazz up her kitchen with some copper kitchen utensils. Or, if she loves scented candles but her landlord doesn’t allow naked flames, get her a candle-warming lamp.
Look into her living circumstances, and choose something that suits her lifestyle. Or, pick something well-built that’ll last for your whole life together.
Bad gift ideas for your girlfriend
While we’re here, we should also talk about what you shouldn’t buy. There are some gift ideas for your girlfriend that are really bad ideas. They suggest your girlfriend’s ugly, needs to lose weight, or even make a sexist statement about your relationship.
It’s easy to accidentally pick out something that upsets your girlfriend without realizing it.
Of course, you don’t want to make your girlfriend feel bad with your gift. You want to get her something as perfect as she is! So, here are some things you should avoid:
1. Premade body care sets
These are a cop-out. They often have low-quality ingredients, don’t smell great, and show you put little to no effort in.
If you want to buy her some kind of body care items, pick out some things you know she would like and put them together in a personalized decorated hamper. Take note of her favorite brands, too.
2. Perfume
Unless you know her favorite, stay away from perfume. It’s usually really expensive, and you don’t know if she’ll like it until she’s smelled it on her skin. Worst of all, some women take being gifted perfume as a suggestion that they stink!
3. Vacuum
Don’t buy her vacuums, kitchen equipment, or anything for cooking and cleaning unless she specifically asked for it.
A lot of women will take this as a statement that women belong in the kitchen, and you don’t want to make those kinds of sexist suggestions.
4. Clothes
Now, unless you trust your knowledge of her size, avoid clothes. Of course, there are some exceptions, but this is such a touchy subject for a lot of women.
Society is constantly picking on women about their size, so many girls are quite insecure. Getting the wrong size could imply that you think she’s bigger or smaller than she actually is. So it’s best to avoid clothes.
[Read: The worst gifts you should never, ever, ever buy for your girlfriend]
If you are still unsure, even with all this expert advice, do not be afraid to ask her friends and family for ideas.
We know it is intimidating, but it is the best way to get something you know she’ll like. And trust us, she will find it sweet that you asked to make sure she’s happy.
Thinking of gift ideas for your girlfriend doesn’t have to be as hard as it sounds. You just need to pay attention and have a little creativity. So go out there and get her the perfect present!