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Original poster

Good present for DS (16) to give his new girlfriend

65 replies

HairyMaclary · 13/05/2023 21:02

DS has his first girlfriend (aah!), they’re very sweet and taking things v slow, not least as GCSEs start next week!

It’s her 16th birthday soon and he does not know what to get her. We know no other teenage girls (male heavy extended family) so I thought I’d ask MN! I was thinking a small bracelet but he thinks that might be too ‘coupley’ as they are so new together. Is jewellery too much? Any other suggestions? Help please!

OP posts:
Slavica · 14/05/2023 08:06

My DDs boyfriend gave her a hoodie (as she wears his all the time), some sweets and a body spray he knows she likes for her birthday. He decorated the inside of the present with some photos of the two of them; the whole thing was very sweet and she really loved it. They are 15, it's a first relationship for both of them.

runningonberocca · 14/05/2023 08:08

Definitely not a soft toy! She’s not 4!! I’d have been horrified to get one from a boyfriend at 16. It’s one of those gifts teenage girls are conditioned into being grateful for whilst inwardly thinking WTF.
Bracelet ( not expensive) is lovely. I’d have loved a book or music.

Delphigirl · 14/05/2023 08:17

What shared interests? My 17yo has been going out with her first bf since 16 and they give each other exclusively vinyl records and band /tour T-shirts because their shared interest is music. Searching for and finding a good second hand album is really appreciated by both. He could give her a meaningful nice hardback secondhand book if they are into reading, for example. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Otherwise maybe tickets to a gig or show or exhibition they can go to after exams? That is a great present because it shows an interest in the relationship continuing. If not, something like a succulent or cool cactus in a pot, or a hoodie off depop? I agree don’t go straight into jewellery yet.

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Toddlerteaplease · 14/05/2023 08:19

A voucher for a coffee shop. Since it's very new. I would t spend too much.

rosiebl · 14/05/2023 08:24

22 years ago, my 15 year old BF, bought me a bottle of perfume for my 16th birthday. We still talk about it now (he's my DH now).

FizzyTango · 14/05/2023 08:25

runningonberocca · 14/05/2023 08:08

Definitely not a soft toy! She’s not 4!! I’d have been horrified to get one from a boyfriend at 16. It’s one of those gifts teenage girls are conditioned into being grateful for whilst inwardly thinking WTF.
Bracelet ( not expensive) is lovely. I’d have loved a book or music.

I know I’d have been delighted (and was) with a cuddly toy! To be fair I’m in my 30s and I’d still be happy with one now. And I don’t think I’m a total weirdo…
Although with a toy if it has some meaning rather than just a generic toy then it can be quite thoughtful E.g. if my boyfriend got me one that looks like my dog I’d love it. My partner really loves otters (random I know) and I bought him a “adopt an otter” from the wildlife trust which supports the reintroduction of wild otters in the uk. That comes with a little otter cuddly toy and he loved that.

TeaDrinker247 · 14/05/2023 08:28

What about a day out somewhere for after her exams? Bowling / theme park / cinema / picnic?

Lcb123 · 14/05/2023 08:34

determinedtomakethiswork · 14/05/2023 07:23

I'm really surprised that people saying that 16-year-olds would like a soft toy from their boyfriend.

Me to! I’d have been disgusted with that age 16, or since then
instead of gift he should plan a date day or evening like dinner and bowling

Bathroomlove · 14/05/2023 08:40

When I was 15 my first boyfriend gave me a nightshirt with a cute saying on it (that was relevant to us- no idea how (pre Internet) he found it! I still have it, though it wouldn't fit me now, unfortunately!!) my Dad was a wee bit 🤔with it being nightwear, but ...

I wouldn't bother with a hoodie, because it's not the hoodie she likes, it's that it's 'his' hoodie.

tbh whatever he gets her will be 'amazing' because HE gave it to her 🤭

t shirt (band/cute/something in it)
tote bag & notebook etc
her favourite chocolate
something she can leave in his room if she wants to (mug/glass/cushion/phone charger/stand) just something that makes life easier/nicer when they're studying.

oh to be their age again.... 😍

Cas112 · 14/05/2023 08:40

Definitely not a teddy/cuddly toy

They are 16 not 6

Bathroomlove · 14/05/2023 08:41

Lcb123 · 14/05/2023 08:34

Me to! I’d have been disgusted with that age 16, or since then
instead of gift he should plan a date day or evening like dinner and bowling

Show quote history

Well, we're all different. I loved the soft toys I got from boyfriends.

they all say 'hello grumpy lady'.

Delphigirl · 14/05/2023 08:46

The thing is he should know what she would like. If she is the type who would like a cuddly toy penguin or whatever then that is a sweet present and she will love it. If she is the type who thinks that is childish and inane then he should think again. You can see the two camps clearly on this thread!!! If she is sweet and studious she probably falls into the former camp, but it needs to mean something, like he knows she loves frogs or whatever.

Ilovelurchers · 14/05/2023 08:47

What a sweet thread! Young love, eh? Bless them.

I was going to say earrings if she has pierced ears? With jewellery it's a bit tricky if he doesn't know what style of thing she likes to wear, but to be honest it's more of a keepsake isn't it anyway - even if he gets her something that isn't really her style, it will be something she can keep and look back on - whether or not they end up staying together very long, a gift from your first boyfriend seems to me to be a nice thing to have.

I am much much older (!) but the first thing my current husband ever gave me was some Ted Baker luggage tags in a nice box - totally random and I have never used them and can't imagine doing so - but I still have them and like to look at them occasionally and remember how sweet it was when he gave me them, and the excitement of those early days in our relationship when everything was new.....

As it's a newish relationship, and they are quite young, I would suggest he shouldn't be spending too much on this or it might seem a bit full on and freak her out - maybe £20 tops?

If it's possible for him to speak to one of her close female friends for ideas, that might be his best bet.

Hippolyte · 14/05/2023 08:48

Tote bag and/or a Starbucks cup would be what my DD would love.

Assignedtoworryyourmother · 14/05/2023 08:50

A soft toy is the gift equivalent of a padded card.

DD is 17. Agree the hoody is a nice idea but has to be the bf's rather than new. DD would love a small framed print with a quote from one of her favourite songs (loads of places online do this) or a poster of a favourite film/band. She was also recently v delighted with a necklace from her gf with her initial in it. Not her style at all, so assuming the gf is definitely getting more serious!

MumsnestOfVipers · 14/05/2023 08:51

Agree with a Jellycat! They're expensive (even a tiny one is about £20), but they all love them.

Not jewellery.

On the whole (Jellycats aside), I'd keep it cheap. Little plant or something quirky or funny that he thinks she'd like, based on her interests.

Hottoffeesauce · 14/05/2023 09:00

Oh, the days of receiving a 'mixed music' cassette tape from your boyfriend were soooo good at 16! Sigh!

RetiredEarly · 14/05/2023 09:00

Lcb123 · 14/05/2023 08:34

Me to! I’d have been disgusted with that age 16, or since then
instead of gift he should plan a date day or evening like dinner and bowling

Show quote history

Ds received a cuddly toy from his gf at about that age. He loved it and he cherished for a long time.

However, ds also still had an old cuddly toy in his bed (which she knew). She was the same so it was something they were but comfortable about.

Climbles · 14/05/2023 09:04

I would get a revision hamper. Big bag of sweets, hot chocolate, notebook, a bottle of bubble bath etc

Slavica · 14/05/2023 09:14

Clearly two camps on cuddly toys! I would still be happy to get one, as would my daughter.

QueenBitch666 · 14/05/2023 09:18

These necklaces are lovely. I'm just about to buy one myself ( Amazon )

Good present for DS (16) to give his new girlfriend
chocolateface · 14/05/2023 09:33

DDs boyfriend is really into Lego and he gives her bunches of Lego flowers, which is super cute.

If they've only just got together then I'd say a box of Lush bath bombs because they're probably going to split up by the end of summer

luckylavender · 14/05/2023 16:25

ramonaquimby · 14/05/2023 00:50

I’d get a cuddly toy and some chocs or flowers. Jewellery is too much if it’s a new relationship at 16. In my opinion before anyone jumps on me 😁

Not all girls like cuddly toys, especially not at 16.

luckylavender · 14/05/2023 16:28

I think smellies, or fragrance from somewhere like Hollister

Stationery

Fluffy socks

Books

luckylavender · 14/05/2023 16:29

Hippolyte · 14/05/2023 08:48

Tote bag and/or a Starbucks cup would be what my DD would love.

That's a good shout