22 Creative Anniversary Gifts For Your Boyfriend (Ideas for Every Budget)
Have you been dating your man for a couple of weeks, several months, or a few years? Any anniversary is special and a great opportunity to make your boyfriend feel loved and appreciated!
Whether you’re going big with an impressive romantic gift or simple and sweet for a first anniversary, we have plenty of amazing boyfriend gift ideas for you.
Scratching Your Head?
While it’s true that you know your man best, sometimes it’s easy to get stumped! That’s why we’ve gathered our gal pals and come up with a list of things that have dazzled and delighted our guys over the years. And don’t worry – you won’t need to spend a lot of money to make him feel special.
If you’re anything like us, having a plan of attack is a lot better than just picking a random item off a list. To help you create that plan, we want to shed some light on a few of your burning questions. We’ll clue you in on a few things you need to know so you can make an informed decision and get him the best gift ever! If you ask us, it’s a trait that our boyfriends would do well to learn.
What is the most romantic gift for my boyfriend?
We think that romance comes from you, not from a gift. While any of these items would make a wonderful present, your actions can make them super special. Like gifting your boyfriend a personalized throw blanket, then cuddling on the couch to watch your favorite movie. Or, presenting him with a chic duffle bag packed with clothes for a weekend getaway.
How can I make my boyfriend feel special?
Do something sweet! Our guys do a lot for us, and showing him a little extra love and attention is a great way to make him feel valued. Picking a gift that reflects his interests shows him that you care.
How can I surprise my boyfriend on our anniversary?
Do you want the NSFW answer? Just kidding!
If you know your guy’s daily routine, it shouldn’t be hard to surprise him. Be a little adventurous, a touch courageous, and have fun!
How much should you spend on a gift for your boyfriend?
Here at L&L, we strive to find gifts for all budgets. You don’t need to break the bank – if it came from you, he is sure to love it!
Anniversary Gifts for Your Boyfriend
1. Leather Toiletry Bag
by Leatherology
We love this functional gift that your boyfriend will use time and time again. A leather toiletry bag is a perfect way for him to carry all his grooming essentials. The exterior is beautifully made from full-grain leather while the spacious inside features a water-resistant lining.
Choose from eleven different color options, each available in luxurious leather. For an extra special touch, opt for personalization.
2. Photo Box
by Etsy: LovinBox
Say sayonara to traditional gift boxes and bags! This photo box is an amazing way to look back at thirteen of your most cherished memories. As he lifts each of the magnetic flaps he will see a handpicked photo, quote, or illustration. The box folds completely flat and can be framed to uniquely display your photo collage or used to present a small gift.
LovinBox also makes small gifts, should you need some inspiration about what to put in your photo box.
3. Custom Solar System or Star Map
Was it fate, you and your boyfriend happening to meet when you did? Were the planets aligned to bring you two together? Show him how much this day meant to you with a personalized solar system map. Relying on NASA gathered data, a gorgeous illustration of the planets and their alignment on a date of your choosing can be printed on high-quality paper and framed to make a stellar gift.
Or, show him that he’s the twinkle in your eye with a gorgeous star map. It beautifully displays the stars and constellations just as they were on a specific date and location. Choose your color, illustration shape, and include a personalized message. It’s a completely unique and thoughtful gift that will look great on his wall!
4. Custom Map Pillow
by Etsy: FinchandCotter
While your boyfriend’s memory of where he was and what he was doing when the two of you met might be a little fuzzy, we bet you can recall even the most minute details, like what color socks you were wearing!
A custom map pillow featuring a city or nautical chart of the exact place you met will jog his memory and hopefully bring back some of those butterflies! You could also choose to print the site of your first date, first kiss, or just a magical getaway on this sturdy and comfy canvas pillow.
5. Monogrammed Beer/Whiskey/Wine Glasses
by HomeWetBar
What guy doesn’t love a great drink? From wine to whiskey, there’s an ideal glass for each type of refreshment. Offer him the best vessel for his drink of choice with a monogrammed glass set. The high-quality glass is engraved with his name and initial for a refined, stylish appearance. The best part is that these glasses are dishwasher safe, so your beau won’t have to worry about handwashing (or leaving them in the sink until you wash them).
Looking for more cool drinkware options? Check out our post on unique whiskey and scotch glasses here. Your boyfriend will love showing them off to his bros!
6. Music & Drinks Book
Great music and good drinks – the perfect pair, just like you and your man! Play to his interests with this wickedly cool book. It contains a brief but thorough look at a variety of songs from different genres, complete with photos and illustrations. Then, it tells you how to set the mood for each listening experience by pairing the music with two signature drinks, recipes included. From old-time favorites to trendy concoctions, each cocktail takes its cue from the song’s lyrics, mood, or artist.
7. Custom Cartoon Portrait
by Sock + Key
Would your boyfriend jump at the chance to become a Simpson character and live a day in Springfield, or join the delivery team of Futurama’s Planet Express?
We thought so. Make his dreams come true with a customized cartoon portrait. The options to choose from are nearly endless, from Disney and Pixar to The Office and Rick and Morty. You and your man can be turned into any cartoon character from his childhood (or present, because we know bae still watches adult swim). It’s guaranteed to be a unique anniversary gift!
8. Beard Grooming Set
by Nordstrom: Jack Black
We don’t know if this gift is more for you or your boyfriend, but if taming his facial hair leads to more smooching, he’ll approve. A beard grooming set makes washing, trimming, and conditioning so much easier. It contains a specialty beard wash, beard oil, and more – everything he needs to streamline his routine.
9. Cologne
by Nordstrom: Tom Ford
We can’t help it if you benefit from his anniversary gift…everybody loves a great smelling gentleman! This spicy and warm cologne has a brawny but subdued scent. Notes of tobacco, vanilla, sweet wood sap, and tonka bean even sound masculine, so you know this cologne will be the perfect addition to his office power suit.
10. Leather Wallet
Guys go through a lot of wallets. Don’t act like you don’t notice the frayed fabric that will forever hold the imprint of too many loyalty cards.
Treat him to a quality wallet crafted from full-grain leather and handcrafted in Spain. It has a place for cards, a zip coin pocket, and a super slim design. Plus, you can’t go wrong with a practical gift. He’ll appreciate the thoughtful gesture every time he goes to pick up the check.
11. Duffle Bag
by J. Crew
This duffle bag is the ideal gift for travelers, gym aficionados, or when your guy spends the night! Made of rugged materials like water repellent Twill and leather, it can stand up to be tossed in the overhead bin, thrown in the trunk, and much more. Available in tan or otter green, this handsome duffle will quickly become his go-to bag.
12. Personalized Throw Blanket
by Etsy: YouNiqueDesignsStore
While most boyfriends may not admit it, they definitely have a soft side.
This cozy personalized throw is the perfect gift for couch cuddling. Constructed from microfiber fleece, it is incredibly soft, super warm, and easy to care for. The printed top features a couple sitting at the end of a dock looking out on a mountainous landscape. You can customize the appearance of the couple from head to toe. The top reads “You’re My Person”, just in case he had any doubts!
13. Bottle Opener
by Etsy: VintageBrandingCo
We love the simple style and durability of this sleek bottle opener. It’s a finely crafted piece of kitchen equipment that he’ll have for decades. You can also personalize this gift with engraving – choose from a handwritten copy or from a variety of generic fonts. The passage on the bottle opener can say whatever you like! Maybe an inside joke, a sweet quote, or a special phrase. It’s a wonderful way to remind him how much you love him each time he goes to crack open a cold one.
14. Fancy Candle
by Nordstrom: Diptyque
Why yes, there is a fancy candle on our boyfriend’s gift list. That’s because guys deserve nice things too, and there is nothing wrong with him enjoying a delicious scent in his home (it’s better than it smelling like sweaty gym clothes).
This sophisticated candle is crafted in France, infused with a wood fire aroma, and poured into a handsome clear glass. It won’t look out of place in his man cave and will fill the room with a delightfully warm and familiar scent.
15. Custom Record
by Etsy: YourMusicOnVinyl
The best gift for music fanatics, we are obsessed with this custom record. Choose the music and the artwork to create a completely unique and personal vinyl record. The process is simple and the results are absolutely amazing. Whether your man is a musicophile or you just want to make him a rockin’ playlist of “your” songs, this sentimental and sweet customized record is the only way to go. Such a unique gift!
16. An Experience
Do you want to go big this anniversary? Sometimes the best gifts aren’t things at all. This year, take him on a sailing trip, a brewery tour, or even a race car drive. It will be a great anniversary gift that he soon won’t forget. Share something special that will create memories to last a lifetime!
17. Custom Concert Ticket Stub Pillow
by Etsy: StuckeyAtHome
Concerts, movies, and fairs all are popular first dates. And we usually love to hold onto those ticket stubs that mean so much!
What if I told you there was a better way to display a ticket from a meaningful event – like this sweet cotton pillow printed with a replica of your stub? You send in the ticket, playbill, or invitation and they’ll print it onto this classic pillow. It’s a sentimental piece of decor that would look right at home in his game room.
18. Subscription Box
by Cratejoy: The Man Box
The ladies are all about subscription boxes, and it’s time we introduce our boyfriends to the joys of hand-picked products delivered right to your door! He’ll be like a kid on Christmas day each time this Man Box is delivered. Every crate is bursting with manly things he can really use, such as tools, snacks, survival items, and cool gadgets.
19. Margarita Gift Basket
You don’t need to be present to fix your man a snack and a drink! A delicious Margarita Gift Basket is filled to the brim with a mix for a salt-rimmed cocktail and even saltier chips. It also includes ingredients to make guacamole, two types of cheese, and irresistible chocolate desserts. This gift basket is spot-on for get-togethers, a date night in, or just an afternoon chip and dip break for one. You know what they say – “a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”!
20. Vintage Style Bluetooth Speaker
by Victrola
It’s hard not to love the timeless look of this vintage speaker. Don’t let its classic exterior fool you, though – it’s fully equipped with Bluetooth so he can effortlessly pair it with his phone. Perfectly balanced speakers will let the music transport him to the Rockabilly days of the fifties, the grunge of the ’80s, or whichever decade he chooses. All the while, the handsome design allows this speaker to blend in seamlessly with his decor. It’s definitely a cool anniversary gift idea that will take him by surprise!
21. Amazon Gift Card
by Amazon
Don’t let anyone fool you into thinking a gift card isn’t a sweet or special gift. In our book, a gift card says “I love you enough to let you choose whatever you want!”. If he didn’t make a list, or he already has everything he could possibly want, a gift card to Amazon is your ideal gift solution. He can splurge on anything he needs or thinks he needs, like tools, golf shorts, or a life-size cutout of John Cena (you never know what’s going through guys’ heads).
22. Card
by Etsy: ChartreuseOnTheLoose
Do you have your gift picked out but need a little something extra special? How about adding a super cute card? We’re suckers for a good pun, and this cute option is sure to bring a smile to his face. The inside of this adorable card is left blank so you can write a sweet sentimental note. It’s the cherry on top of whatever super sweet anniversary gift you have selected.
Other Gift Ideas That Won’t Cost You
We love a gift that is frugal but still fabulous, and chances are your guy will too! You don’t have to spend a small fortune to show him how much he means to you, just take a cue from one of these budget-friendly anniversary gift ideas.
- Frame your favorite memories. Print some photos and frame them or make an album. It’s so cheap to print out your favorite moments, then DIY a frame or compile them into a vintage thrift store album.
- Breakfast in bed. I mean, who wouldn’t want a tray full of delicious food and a steaming mug of coffee delivered directly to their bed? Remember the whole “way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” thing?
- Cook a special meal. Speaking of his stomach now is the time to show off your culinary skills! Let him sit back and be impressed as you whip up a delicious meal.
- Bake some cookies or cupcakes. He would probably love a sweet treat, but this is also a really fun activity to do together.
- Write a love letter. Sometimes it’s the simple things that mean the most. You don’t need to be Shakespeare, just tell him how you really feel!
- Romantic evening. The options here are endless, and you can likely use a lot of things you already have on hand. Bubble bath, a movie, a delicious meal…whatever you’re into!
- DIY an amazing gift. There are quite a few gifts that you can make completely on your own. Like a mixtape…or I guess now it would be a playlist, but if you’re still down for burning a CD, go for it! You can also make a painting, draw something, scrapbook meaningful moments from your relationship, or hand-make a card. DIY anniversary gifts are often the sweetest and most heartfelt gifts of all!
- Attend a free cultural event in your city. How many free things does your community put on a month? Probably a lot. Go to a pop-up art show, browse a food festival, or drop in on a free concert. Pack a picnic and a blanket and just enjoy each other’s company, completely free of charge.
Fun to Functional and Everything In Between
We feel like giving anniversary gifts to your boyfriend is kind of a new trend, and we’re totally here for it! Usually, the guys are the ones scrambling to come up with thoughtful cards and romantic dates. It’s about time we show him how much we care and how thankful we are for all the times he’s reached the cereal off the top shelf, and changed our car oil, and driven across town to pick up our favorite ice cream.
You know your man best – show him just how well with the perfect boyfriend anniversary gift.
Megan Moore
Megan’s wedding experience began over a decade ago when planning her dream ceremony. Since then, three kids have been added to the mix. Megan wholeheartedly embraces all things baby, childhood, and family. When she isn’t writing or chasing little ones you can find her running, hiking, or reading.
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