What should I get/make for my boyfriend for his birthday/graduation/anniversary/etc?!Ladies, read & absorb. And add your OWN crafty (or not so crafty) ideas and past experiences with boyfriend gifts :]
PHOTOS.What boy
wouldn't love pictures of their girlfriend (or of you two together for that matter)?! This gift is easy and as well as cheap, depending on how much you want to put into it. Albums/scrapbooks are a nice idea -- so long as you go about it CONFIDENTLY and with FULL EFFORT! Making your own book (for which you can find several tutorials here on Craftster) will add to the "WOW!" of your gift and your boyfriend will be in sheer awe of your crafty prowess. Add to the book not only photos, but perhaps snippets of song lyrics, collaged pages, little letters or notes to him, or a cute little story of the two of you
Other ideas:
-wallet sized photos (if you have a good photo printer, or know someone that does, you can do this yourself!)
-framed (with you MAKING the frame yourself, of course)
-adhere a photo to
a clockCLOTHING.Stencil/screenprint/iron-on! For last Valentine's day, I painted a couple of boxers with "Hello, I love you! Won't you tell me your name?" and "All you need is love!" in cute little script. He really appreciated them
If you're going for a t-shirt, skip the plain cheapie craft store types and go for something with a little more character (budget allowing). You could probably find something nice-ish at Target or Walmart or any place similar. Think polo shirts, button down shirts, v-neck, crew cut, what have you. GO CRAZY. Try stencilling/screenprinting/ironing-on on a sweet print or pattern like a tie-dyed shirt (something that you could also do yourself!) or a pin-stripes on a button-down shirt.
Other ideas:
-belts (if you get a plain one, you could
stencil on that, too-hats
-bracelets, wristbands
FOOD.The way to a man's heart. Whip up his favorite dish, find a cute, kitschy picnic blanket, and find a nice spot! This could be a park, a playground, a backyard, by the lake, or just somewhere you two can be alone. Don't forget beverages! Juicy-Juice always works :] Make his favorite dessert, buy one of those HUGE three-pound bags of his favorite candy (try Target or Costco or somethin' like that!), or if he's a chocolate aficionado, make some molded chocolate (you can buy chocolate molds at a craft store, most likely) or
FUDGE. Make sure to stop by the Craftster forum for scrum-diddly-umptiuos recipe ideas. However, it is always advisable that all food should NOT contain garlic, so as not to hinder any fun you may be having later! That, or bring mints.
Other ideas:
-send a care package of good food to a long distance boyfriend
-a romantic dinner, candles, music, and a DVD afterwards!
-or even cuter, BREAKFAST. think pancakes, waffles, fruit, orange juice, crepes, omelettes.
TIME ALONE.A boy's favorite thing, by far. He wants to spend time with
you above all else. Plan a good date (all expenses paid by you, of course), go out to a playground or a park, go out dancing, to a good restaurant, or just rent a bunch of DVDs and snuggle up on the couch with him. You can incorporate this into any gift you give him -- make whatever special day you're celebrating an all day affair.
MISCELLANY.-Coupons! A bit cheesy when done in a cheesy fashion, but it certainly can work if you choose out good things. Say your boy loves his car nearly as much as he loves you; give him a coupon for a free car wash (bikini optional!). Be creative, go WILD.
-Do something together. Go to a dance lesson, cook/bake together, take a walk with his/your dog, go swimming, take a mini road trip, go to a flea market together. The possibilities are ENDLESS.
-Give him a massage :] Or, buy HIM a book on massage techniques. It's a gift that gives back.
-SURPRISE HIM! Decorate the INSIDE of his locker, leave him surprise notes in his school books or in his book bag or in his CD player or slip one in his back pocket..
-For long distance relationships, splurge a bit and get him a train/plane ticket, or find somewhere you two could meet up in the middle. Pre-paid phone cards are also a good idea, especially if you two talk a lot! Think about fun care packages or strange things you could send him in the mail.
-Stuffed animals! Make an adorable
felt monster or buy one that he wouldn't object to cuddling with. Also along these lines are those awesome squishy pillows!
-Speaking of...make him a pillow! Or, if you're REALLY devoted to it, make a quilt, or a blanket.
Whew. I hope that was helpful! Of course, most of these ideas could extend to
any person you're trying to find the perfect gift for. Be creative, use what crafty skills you're good at, and have fun with it!
And remember to post your own ideas so this could be the one-stop-shop for any Craftster in need of a boyfriend gift..
