FAQ
What is the Five Gift Rule for boyfriends?
This concept seeks to help gift-givers pick out a gift that their significant other (in this case, their boyfriend) will truly appreciate and cherish. It asks the gift-giver to consider five factors in their search to determine if a gift is a good pick for their boyfriend. When shopping, ask yourself if the gift you’re considering is something they want, need, wear, read, and experience. If the gift fits all five criteria, it’s likely to be a big hit of a gift.
What small gifts do guys like?
Ultimately, this will depend mainly on the person you’re shopping for, but there are some things you can keep in mind to ensure the gift is a hit. For instance, picking out something they might use—a guy with a wallet that’s practically falling apart would probably appreciate a new replacement—is always a good start. That being said, make sure you’re not getting them something entirely different—if they have been using the same bifold wallet forever, swapping that out for a much smaller cardholder might not offer the storage they need, and a tri-fold might be far too bulky. In short, stick with things you know they will likely use based on what they already use. Lastly, you can always ask.
What are the gifts not to give your boyfriend?
There is no hard and fast rule about what gifts are a bad idea to give. Largely, what makes a good and bad gift will depend on too many factors to list, including how far into the relationship you are, what your shared likes and dislikes are, their own personality (as well as yours), etc. That being said, some gifts may seem like a slight to your partner if they appear to suggest that something about them needs to change. For instance, if your boyfriend has a bushy beard and you buy them a razor, this could be taken as you wanting them to shave it off, which may not be taken the right way (unless you’ve discussed it previously). Just ensure you keep lines of communication open, especially if you’re unsure.
Why You Should Trust Us
Madi Koetting is a shopping editor at Reader’s Digest and a pioneer of the brand’s social media shopping team. With more than five years of editorial experience, Madi has reviewed hundreds of products across home, fashion, beauty and lifestyle categories. Her work also appears in Taste of Home, Family Handyman, Better Homes & Gardens, The Everygirl and Stylecaster.
Madi specializes in testing viral “internet-made-me-buy-it” finds, curating gift guides and sharing honest product reviews across digital and social platforms. Whether she’s evaluating vacuums, mattresses or thoughtful gifts, her goal is always the same: to help readers find reliable, well-loved products worth giving.
Paul Rankin, Content Updates Editor at Reader’s Digest, updated and contributed research to this article. Paul also writes for Family Handyman, Bob Vila and Taste of Home and has written shopping guides since 2021.
Additional reporting by Julianna LaBianca