What do guys want for their birthday from their girlfriend

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

Giving gifts as a couple is always a lot of fun. Not only is any gift that comes from you super special, but you also know your girlfriend better than anyone else: What brings them the most joy, what hobbies they want to get into, and what they secretly want but will never buy for themselves.

No matter the occasion, it's a safe bet that you'll want to get her something she'll cherish — whatever your budget. We put together a list of over 70 gift ideas to get the ball rolling, from personalized perfume to a cozy weighted blanket.

A board game version of Wordle

Wordle: The Party Game, available at Amazon and Target, from $19.82

If your girlfriend sends you her Wordle score every day, she'll be thrilled with the physical board game version. You can play against each other or have up to four people racing against the clock to guess the word first.

A cookbook for movie night dinners

"Eat What You Watch Cookbook" by Andrew Rea, available at Amazon, Uncommon Goods and Barnes & Noble, from $22.49 

Dinner and a movie: a classic pairing. Inspire future date nights with the "Eat What You Watch Cookbook." It has 41 as-seen-on-the-big-screen recipes — think hazelnut gelato from "Roman Holiday" and double-decker New York-style pizza inspired by "Saturday Night Fever" that you can prepare together for movie night.

A pasta maker you can use together

Imperia Pasta Machine, available at Amazon and Williams Sonoma, from $59.99

Bring the pasta maker and the fixings to make a delicious meal together. It's relatively easy to get the hang of, and you can enjoy quality time with the bonus of incredible ravioli or fettuccine on the other end of it. 

A small, portable movie projector

Anker Nebula Capsule Smart Mini Projector, available at Amazon and Walmart, from $299.99

This is one of the most portable (and affordable) projectors. It's about the size of a soda can, weighs one pound, and has crisp image quality and 360° sound. Use it at home or bring it with you on your travels. Find a full review of the Anker Nebula Capsule here. 

An expertly designed planner

BestSelf Co. Self Journal, available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and BestSelf, from $31.99 

The Self Journal is an undated, 13-week planner that's designed for daily use and quarterly planning. It helps its owner break projects and goals into manageable chunks. We love it.

If she's working towards a big goal, this could be a really thoughtful resource — especially if it's the kind of goal you can't help her achieve otherwise.

A custom birth chart book

The Birthdate Book, available at Amazon and Birthdate, $95

If your girlfriend happens to be extremely into astrology (like, consistently asks for your exact time and location of birth so she can compare charts), surprise her with this thorough birth chart book. It comes bound in a hardcover book with beautiful illustrations that tell her zodiac story. The only caveat is you'll need to know when and where she was born, so you might need to sneakily text some friends and family first!

A waterproof Kindle for reading anywhere

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, available at Amazon, Best Buy and Target, $139.99

If your girlfriend is a reader, we'd suggest looking at Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite; it's the company's thinnest and lightest yet, with double the storage. Perhaps the best features are that it's waterproof and has a built-in adjustable light for the perfect reading environment indoors or outdoors, day or night. If she loves a nice, relaxing bath, pair this with a caddy, bath bombs, and a glass of wine for a relaxing night in that you've already taken care of.

An elaborate charcuterie board

Compact Swivel Cheese & Tapas Board, available at Amazon and Uncommon Goods, from $65

For the girlfriend who loves entertaining, help them live their biggest hosting dreams with this cheese and charcuterie board. With fold-out sections and cheese knives included, it has everything to create a truly stellar spread. Plus, for an added $10, you can get it personalized.

A dainty nameplate necklace

Tiniest Name Necklace, available at Catbird, $298

Nameplate necklaces consistently stay in style, so this piece is bound to become an everyday staple. You can pick her name, nickname, or even just a place she loves.

A soothing bath salt set

Maude Tub Kit No. 3, available at Maude and Sephora, $36

If you love your girlfriend but hate to see her burn out, you can treat her to this luxe bath set, which comes with two types of soaking salts and a coconut milk bath. You can choose from three different scent profiles — this one has notes of eucalyptus, sandalwood, cassis, and Haitian vetiver.

A card game to deepen personal connections

We're Not Really Strangers Card Game, available at Amazon, Target, and Urban Outfitters, from $25

This card game, from the popular Instagram account We're Not Really Strangers, is designed to enhance connections between people with different levels: perceptions, connection, and reflection. Not only is it a card game you haven't played before, but it's also a thoughtful activity you can enjoy with your girlfriend.

A bestselling lip mask

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, available at Sephora, Laneige, and Amazon, $24

If your partner always complains of chapped lips (especially in the winter), this bestselling lip mask is a great, low-key gift that will leave their lips feeling smooth and nourished come morning. 

A framed keepsake of a favorite memory

Framebridge makes custom framing a bit more affordable. You can print or paint something on your own and have it framed, or have them print and frame it, and you can take advantage of the team of designers for help deciding what frame to get. 

A stunning puzzle that doubles as decor

Garden Party Puzzle, available at Piecework Puzzles, $38

Piecework makes beautiful puzzles out of vibrant, creative photos — so much so that when you're finally done with them, your girlfriend will probably want to glue it all together and hang it up.

A custom phone case of her pet

Custom Pet Portrait Phone Case, available at West & Willow, $50

If your girlfriend loves her dog or cat more than anything, this sleek custom portrait of their pet printed on an iPhone case will absolutely floor them. It's perfect for anyone who wants any excuse to look at their furry friend even more.

An 8-in-1 pan that helps declutter her home

Always Pan, available at Our Place, Anthropologie, and Goop, $145

The Always Pan from startup Our Place is a frying pan, saute pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan, non-stick pan, spatula, and spoon rest in the space of a single pan. In other words, a clever generalist that's extremely convenient for small spaces or minimalist cooks. You can read our review here.

A weighted blanket for better rest

YnM Weighted Blanket, available at Amazon, Target, and Walmart, from $32.37

Weighted blankets help create more restful sleep by "grounding" the body, and YnM makes some of the most popular and affordable weighted blankets on the internet. There are multiple sizes and weights for the ideal fit and width (they recommend picking whichever is about 10% of your body weight), and the segmented design allows you to move around without displacing all the weighted beads inside. 

Personalized cartoon couple mugs

Personalized Family Mugs, available at Uncommon Goods, from $32

These cute mugs can be personalized for what you're like as a couple, making for a special weekend morning coffee routine or just a nice reminder in the kitchen cabinet. On the back, you can add a family name and the year the couple was established if you'd like. 

A video message from someone she loves

Cameo Video Messages, available at Cameo, from $1

Whether it's your girlfriend's favorite actor, comedian, or athlete, you're likely to find someone she admires on Cameo. Cameo allows celebrities to send custom video messages to recipients for nearly any occasion, and a personalized video is a gift that she'll never forget. 

A houseplant that arrives already potted

Silver Evergreen, available at Leon & George, from $149

Leon & George is a San Francisco startup that will send beautiful plants — potted in stylish, minimalist pots — to your girlfriend's door. All she has to do is to occasionally add water. Flowers are wonderful, but houseplants have a much longer shelf life, and most of Leon & George's options are very easy to care for. 

We'd also recommend checking out Bloomscape for small plant trios under $70.  

16 highly-rated sheet masks

Dermal Sheet Mask Set, available at Amazon and Walmart, from $22.99

Grab 39 sheet masks to make it easier for your girlfriend to have a frequent and well-deserved "treat yourself" day. These are highly rated and have both vitamin E and collagen included for healthy, happy skin.   

A high-quality scented candle

Kacey Musgraves and Boy Smells Slow Burn Candle, available at Nordstrom, Boy Smells, and Sephora, $46

Kacey Musgrave's collaboration with Boy Smells, a popular emergent candle brand, is woody and dark, with hints of smoked papyrus and amber with ginger and black pepper.

We also love Otherland if you're looking for a gift from another on-the-rise startup she may have seen ads for online. For traditional candles, we'd recommend going with Le Labo, Diptyque, and Byredo if they're within your budget.

A 215-piece art kit for creative projects

Art 101 215-Piece Wood Art Set, available at Amazon, Walmart, and Staples, from $36.71

If your girlfriend loves to create art, this 215-Piece art kit includes everything she'll need for projects: Crayons, colored pencils, oil pastels, fine line markers, watercolor cakes, and acrylic paint.

A mug for hot and cold drinks

Hydro Flask Mug, 12 oz, available at Hydro Flask, REI and Amazon, $27.95

This mug is a common desk companion for the Insider Reviews team. The 12-ounce coffee mug has the company's proprietary TempShield insulation that made its water bottles famous. This mug will keep hot drinks hot for up to six hours, and cold drinks cold up to 24 hours. Read our full review of it here.

Fun, matching underwear

Matching Underwear, available at MeUndies, $46

Get yourself and your girlfriend festive matching underwear — which also happen to be some of the most comfortable pairs we've ever found. MeUndies gives you the option to create your own personalized set — two styles listed for women, two styles listed for men, a mix, and whichever length or cut you and your partner prefer. 

A tracker for finding frequently lost items

Tile Pro, available at Amazon, Target, and Walmart, $33.25

When your girlfriend can't find her phone, all she has to do is click the Tile button to make her phone ring, even if it's on silent. We've found them especially useful for travel. 

A versatile exercise dress

Outdoor Voices The Exercise Dress, available at Outdoor Voices and Nordstrom, from $47.97

Given the popularity of the Exercise Dress, we wouldn't be surprised if this was on your girlfriend's wish list. The Exercise Dress is comfortable, versatile, and cute — which has made it a cult-favorite item. If she's a fan of dresses, Outdoor Voices, or clothes she can wear all day long, this may be a good option. 

Apple AirPods Pro for when she's on the move

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with Charging Case, available at Amazon, Best Buy and Target, from $239

We love Apple's AirPods Pro for Apple users. They're no-hassle, work with Apple products, have decent sound and noise cancellation, are water-resistant, have a wireless charging case, and feel more comfortable than standard AirPods. You'll find more wireless earbuds we love here.

A bottle of Glossier perfume

Glossier You Perfume, available at Glossier, $64 

Gift your girl another opportunity to indulge in her personal beauty with this unique perfume. It has notes of pink pepper, woodsy ambrette seeds, and fresh iris — but also produces a scent unique to the wearer, making it the ultimate personal fragrance.

Comfy, high-end sheets

Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle, available at Brooklinen, from $231.41

Brooklinen is one of our favorite companies, point-blank. We think they make the best high-end sheets at the best price on the market, and most of the Insider Reviews team uses Brooklinen on their own beds.

The Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle comes in plenty of colors and patterns, and you can mix and match them to suit your taste. Grab a gift card if you want to give her more freedom. If you opt for a sheet bundle, she'll receive a core sheet set (fitted, flat, two pillowcases), duvet cover, and two extra pillowcases in a soft, smooth 480-thread-count weave.

A standing desk for a home office upgrade

Fully Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk, available at Amazon and Fully, from $599

If she's working from home, your girlfriend might love a home office upgrade the most. We ranked the Fully Jarvis the best standing desk; it provides the right blend of features and reliable performance. Its customizations for style, height, and accessories make it adaptable to pretty much any need. 

The internet's favorite olive oil

Awake Olive Oil, available at Nordstrom, Crate & Barrel and Brightland, from $36.95

Brightland's olive oils make great gifts for cooks and anyone else who loves to entertain. The white bottles protect the EVOO from light damage and look nice displayed on a countertop. Find a full review here. 

The best noise-canceling headphones

Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones, available at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, from $348

If your girlfriend is into music, the best gift is the one that improves her everyday music-listening experience. For that, we recommend our favorite noise-canceling headphones — Sony's WH-1000XM4 — that balance sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort at a solid price.

You can find more good noise-canceling headphone options here.

Delicious sweets from a famous NYC bakery

Milk Bar Treats, available at Milk Bar, from $27

If your girlfriend has a sweet tooth, send her Milk Bar — the company delivers its iconic and decadent cakes, cookies, and truffles to her doorstep.

A stylish carry-on with an external battery pack

The Carry-On, available at Away, from $275

Away's hyper-popular suitcases deserve their hype. Their hard shell is lightweight but durable, their 360° spinner wheels make for seamless traveling, and the external (and ejectable and TSA-compliant) battery pack included can charge a smartphone five times over so she never has to sit behind a trash can at the airport for access to an outlet again. It's also guaranteed for life by Away. Find our full review here.

The Dyson Airwrap she's seen all over the internet

Dyson Airwrap Complete Styler, available at Amazon and Zola, from $599.99

The Dyson Airwrap is a minor internet celebrity — so it might already be on your girlfriend's wish list. It replaces three hair devices (blow dryer, straightener, and curling iron) and uses a technology similar to jet engines. In the end, it's a way to get a salon-grade blowout at home, and different attachments let her achieve different styles. Find a Dyson Airwrap review with photos here.

But, the cost is a whopping $599.99, and there are some decent alternatives on the market for far less ($30-$150). If you're looking for a less splashy gift, the Dyson Hair Dryer is also excellent. 

A gift card to a popular wine subscription club

Gift Card, available at Winc, from $60

Winc is a personalized wine club — and we think it's the best one you can belong to overall. Members take a wine palate profile quiz and then choose from the personalized wine suggestions. Each bottle has extensive tasting notes and serving recommendations online, and makes it easy to discover similar bottles. 

Gift her a Winc gift card, and she can take a wine palate profile quiz and get started with her own customized suggestions. 

A pair of beautiful pearl earrings

Elliptical Pearl Huggies, available at Stone and Strand, $250

Pearls are timeless, but they're also one of the jewelry trends we're keeping an eye on in 2022. This pair, from the women-led startup Stone and Strand, is made with 14K gold with freshwater pearls.

Fancy popcorn for a movie night

Amish Country Popcorn Gift Set, available at Amazon, $21.99

Pop some popcorn, stock up on your girlfriend's favorite movie candy and some fun drinks ahead of time (wrap them for an extra wow-factor), and create your own in-house cinema experience. This set comes with six different types of popcorn, so you can make an experience out of trying each kind together. 

A powerful portable speaker

Sonos Move, available at Best Buy, Target, and Sonos, from $399.99

The Sonos Move is one of the best speakers on the market. It's powerful, can be controlled by voice or an app, and has Amazon Alexa built-in so on WiFi you can play music, check the news, set alarms, get your questions answered, and more, without much effort.

A planned trip for the two of you to take together

Airbnb Gift Card, available at Airbnb, from $100

If you want to gift an experience you and your girlfriend can enjoy together, grab a card, a gift card to Airbnb, and come up with a few location ideas to choose from. 

You can also book a hotel in your city on Booking.com or Expedia for a sweet staycation.

A monogrammed jewelry case

Leather Jewelry Case, available at Cuyana, $98

Keeping track of tiny and delicate jewelry is difficult — but jewelry cases are a pretty and useful solution. This is a thoughtful and personalized gift, especially if you've gotten your girlfriend jewelry in the past, or plan to in the future. It's made from premium leather, comes in many colors, and can be monogrammed with her initials. Cuyana is a cool leather bag startup she may have already heard of. 

A vintage-style crochet scarf

Granny Square Crochet Scarf, available at Uncommon Goods, $78 

This classic, square-shaped accessory brings back everything we remember from Granny's house. Each handmade cube features a detailed star pattern in shades of ivory, brown, and green — complete with yarn tassels to complement any look.

A cult-favorite hair repair conditioner

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Repairing Treatment, available at Amazon, Ulta, and Sephora, $30

This is one gift that will have your girlfriend asking you, "how did you know about this?" If Olaplex isn't already in her shower, it might be on her wish list. The Olaplex No. 3 is good for any hair type and is meant to reduce breakage and strengthen hair from within.

A delicate, timeless diamond necklace

Diamond Bezel Necklace, available at Aurate, $320

This is something your girlfriend will wear and own forever. A delicate diamond necklace is an essential piece and will (probably) never go out of style. This option is from one of our favorite startups, AUrate — an ethical fine jewelry startup founded by two women from the Netherlands and Morocco, respectively. 

A hair towel that reduces damage and cuts drying time by 50%

Aquis Rapid Dry Lisse Hair Towel, available at Amazon, Anthropologie, and Bergdorf Goodman, from $30

Aquis' cult-favorite hair towels can cut the amount of time it takes for her hair to dry in half — a claim we're happy to report holds up. The proprietary fabric also means there's less damage to wet hair while it dries. 

A sleek fitness tracker with heart rate monitoring

Fitbit Inspire 2, available at Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart, from $56.30

Fitbit's affordable Inspire 2 tracker has no shortage of useful features to keep someone informed about their physical activity — tracking calorie burn, resting heart rate, and heart rate zones.

A pass to get into a bunch of boutique fitness classes

ClassPass Gift Card, available at ClassPass, from $1

Boutique fitness classes are expensive, which can make trying new workouts — either for variety or to figure out what we like — less appealing. 

ClassPass solves both issues. It's relatively affordable, and members can access a neverending catalog of great workouts with small class sizes. If your partner is getting back into fitness after over a year of at-home workouts, we'd highly recommend a gift card here for whenever they're ready to use it.

A new pair of comfy Birkenstocks

Birkenstocks, available at Nordstrom, Birkenstock, and Zappos, from $110

If your girlfriend wears the unbelievably comfortable Birkenstocks most days, she might appreciate a new, unblemished pair. They're also in style. 

A monthly book subscription

3-Month Subscription, available at Book of the Month, $49.99

If she's a bookworm, Book of the Month is an especially thoughtful and unique gift — it's a book club that has been around since 1926, and it's credited with discovering some of the most beloved books of all time ("Gone with the Wind" and "Catcher in the Rye" to name a couple). 

If you gift her a subscription, she'll receive a hardcover book delivered to her door once a month. Books are selected by a team of experts and celebrity guest judges.

A high-tech yoga towel prevents slipping

Manduka Yogitoes Yoga Mat Towel, available at Amazon, Manduka, and Dick's Sporting Goods, from $45.87

Manduka is known for making the best yoga products, and their Yogitoes towel is one of the most loved. It has tiny 100% silicone nubs on one side that grab yoga mats and keep yogis from slipping around during the exercise. Having a good towel can make a big difference. 

It also comes in 19 great colors and gets eco-friendly points. Each Yogitoes towel is made from eight recycled plastic water bottles, and made with dyes free of azo, lead, or heavy metal. 

An award-winning at-home facial

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial, available at Amazon, Sephora and Ulta, from $69

This is an award-winning mask with a big following in the beauty and skincare community. It's $69, but it's an at-home pro-quality facial your girlfriend can use anytime — which is a fraction of the price required for regular facials.

A great foam roller

Vibrating Pliability Roller, available at TB12, $160

If your girlfriend is very physically active, a foam roller is a nice gift to aid in her workout recovery and soreness. This one is our favorite because it has four levels of vibration, a pattern that targets muscle groups, and a durable exterior. But, if your budget doesn't fit a $160 foam roller, never fear — we like some under-$50 options too. 

Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.

Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at .

LoadingSomething is loading.

Thanks for signing up!

Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go.

More...