Home › Miscellaneous › Miscellaneous › Birthday gift for a new relationship—is it too much?

Birthday gift for a new relationship—is it too much?

Started by Michelle Murphy68 · Oct 31, 2013 · 👁 4 views · 46 replies

📡 Subscribe to replies

Participants

…

Michelle Murphy68 NewcomerOP

1 message
joined Oct 2013

#1 · Oct 31, 2013

So, I’ve found myself in a bit of an awkward spot... I grabbed drinks with this guy yesterday—he’s actually a friend of my brother’s, so we’ve crossed paths before, but yesterday was really our first time hanging out as actual acquaintances. Anyway, his birthday is coming up in a week, and I’m sitting here wondering if I even need to get him anything, or if there’s some unspoken rule about how much you should spend in a situation like this...🤷
Just for context, he’s turning 23... so if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions on what might be appropriate, I’m all ears...🙂

Carol Rodriguez34 Newcomer

3 messages
joined Oct 2013

#2 · Oct 31, 2013

Michelle Murphy68 said:It’s a slightly awkward situation. I just started seeing this guy—he's actually a friend of my brother's, so we've crossed paths before, but yesterday was our first official date. His birthday is in a week, and I'm stuck on whether I even need to get him something, or how much I should spend...🤷
Just for context, his birthday is on the 23rd. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.🙂

Of course you should. As for the budget, you don't need to drop millions... maybe something around $50? $33 It really depends on his interests and what's actually available. I wouldn't suggest clothes, maybe some nice grooming products, but just be careful with what you pick out.

slycrane16 Newcomer

1 message
joined Oct 2013

#3 · Oct 31, 2013

A massive Hershey’s bar is simply too good to pass up.

ruggedmaker43 Newcomer

9 messages
joined Mar 2008

#4 · Oct 31, 2013

A little something to say congrats, along with a bottle of some decent Napa Valley red 😍

Christian Miller11 Newcomer

6 messages
joined May 2010

#5 · Oct 31, 2013

ruggedmaker43 said:Congrats! I'll bring over a bottle of decent Cabernet.😍

I'm with you on that one!

Sophia Thomas7 Active Member

183 messages
joined Aug 2015

#6 · Oct 31, 2013

Jack Hammer is easy, cheap, and totally fine—honestly, he’s someone you can actually look forward to seeing.

Nicole King38 Newcomer

1 message
joined Oct 2013

#7 · Oct 31, 2013

ruggedmaker43 said:Just grabbed a bottle of cheap red and a card to go with it. Simple, right? Sometimes you don't need all that fancy, overpriced stuff from a boutique winery—just something easy to pour while you're hanging out. 😍

Matthew Anderson said:Jack Hammer is fine—it’s cheap, easy, and honestly, he’s always down for it.

Both of them. 😍

Steven Sanchez28 Newcomer

4 messages
joined Oct 2013

#8 · Oct 31, 2013

Michelle Murphy68 said:So, I’ve got this slightly awkward situation on my hands. Yesterday, I finally went out with this guy—he’s actually a friend of my brother’s, so we’ve crossed paths before, but yesterday was our first official date. His birthday is coming up in a week, and honestly, I’m overthinking it. Do I really need to get him something? And if so, how much should I actually spend?🤷
Just for context, his birthday is on the 23rd. I am wide open to any advice or suggestions you guys might have!🙂

I’m stumped on what the perfect gift would be. Personally, I feel like even a tiny little gesture counts as a thoughtful move, regardless of how much cash you drop on it. But man, this whole topic just reminds me of that one classic answer from back in the day:

Just give him a Jack Hammer and call it a day.👍

🤣

Eric Gray2 Regular

254 messages
joined Jul 2014

#9 · Oct 31, 2013

Matthew Anderson said:Jack Hammer is fine—it’s cheap, easy, and honestly, he’ll probably be pretty happy about it.

Yeah, you can't really argue with that. Unless they view sex as some sort of chore they have to "perform" or "provide"—which is a depressing way to look at things—they'd much rather just have a good mixed tape and a keychain. Maybe even a funny fridge magnet if we're feeling fancy.

edit:

Steven Sanchez28 said:dick

So, which store carries that?

brightraven27 Newcomer

6 messages
joined Jan 2015

#10 · Oct 31, 2013

Michelle Murphy68 said:The whole situation feels a bit surreal—I finally started seeing this guy yesterday. He’s actually a friend of my brother, so we’ve crossed paths before, but yesterday was the first time we officially made things "exclusive."

I’m struggling to follow the logic here... you’ve known him for a while, you finally hooked up (or whatever "started seeing someone" implies in this context)🤔 and suddenly you're an official couple?😳

If things move at this kind of breakneck speed for you, you might as well just hand him a spare set of house keys right now.👍

Larry Wilson25 Active Member

74 messages
joined Jan 2018

#11 · Oct 31, 2013

Matthew Anderson said:A Jack Hammer is fine—it’s cheap, easy, and honestly, he’ll be stoked about it.

I mean, since they're basically just learning how to use their hands at this stage, maybe a little five-minute "gift" would work?

But looking ahead a year down the road—pairing a massage with what you suggested is actually a solid move. It makes a guy think you've got some experience under your belt, and let's be real, plenty of guys wouldn't want to be with someone who isn't quite sure of themselves when they're out walking through the neighborhood together hand-in-hand.

amberpilot Member

17 messages
joined Jun 2013

#12 · Oct 31, 2013

So, brightraven27 broke it down

Jeffrey Bennett77 Newcomer

4 messages
joined Jun 2013

#13 · Oct 31, 2013

amberpilot said:So, brightraven27 broke it down here

Honestly, I think you both are totally overreacting😁

amberstag4 Newcomer

6 messages
joined Jan 2014

#14 · Oct 31, 2013

brightraven27 said:I don't really get this... you know that guy from before? I think you guys hooked up yesterday—or whatever "going out with someone" actually means, I guess.🤔So, you guys are officially a thing now?😳

If things are moving that fast on your end, I guess you might as well just hand him a spare key to your apartment.👍

restlesshound172 Newcomer

2 messages
joined Jul 2013

#15 · Oct 31, 2013

...honestly, even just a little something would be perfect. It’d feel pretty awkward to show up empty-handed, wouldn't it? If I were you, I might try picking your brother's brain about it—since they're buddies, he probably knows exactly what kind of music he's into lately. Maybe some tickets to a movie he's dying to see or a game? Anyway, honestly, even a tiny gesture goes a long way because it shows you actually put in the effort to figure out what he likes. To me, that kind of thoughtfulness means way more than someone just grabbing something random just to say they did. I think he'd really remember that.🙂

Linda Morris61 Newcomer

6 messages
joined Aug 2013

#16 · Oct 31, 2013

restlesshound172 said:...maybe some music, or tickets to a favorite movie or a big game..

Now listen here, OP—I have to say, I am quite fond of the idea regarding movies, theater, or similar outings.

Betty Patel52 Newcomer

8 messages
joined Jan 2013

#17 · Oct 31, 2013

Why not? It doesn't have to be anything crazy expensive—maybe just something symbolic, like fifty or a hundred bucks. A nice cologne and that kind of vibe is perfectly fine for a 23-year-old guy.

Grace Gomez46 Member

15 messages
joined Jun 2013

#18 · Nov 1, 2013

Just buy him a cup of coffee and call it a day ☕

wearymaker4 Newcomer

5 messages
joined Nov 2013

#19 · Nov 1, 2013

Nicholas Jones80 said:Just buy him a cup of coffee and call it a day, I guess. ☕

Just a Breaking Bad mug. $10 It’s important to note that there are versions from other shows and movies too, which I think make for pretty cool gifts. Then again, you’ve got those nasty ones where the guy ends up with such a massive reaction to whatever's in his mug that he's practically exposed. But I guess you're buying this for a friend, right? 😁

Emily Garcia3 Member

11 messages
joined Jul 2013

#20 · Nov 1, 2013

Kevin Rivera89 said:Why not? I mean, nothing crazy expensive, just something meaningful in the maybe $30 range... honestly, grabbing a nice cologne or something similar is totally fine for a 23-year-old guy.

A cologne for like $33? 🤔

You must log in or register to reply here.

🔗 Similar threads

Is it even possible to keep a relationship private anymore? in Random / Off-topic · Jul 30, 2026
The "Good Enough" Trap: Are we settling too much with budget tech? in Hardware · Jul 30, 2026
Is it just me, or is everything getting so much more expensive? in Fashion · Jul 30, 2026
Is a single "pillar" player too much of a risk for a championship run? in Fans · Jul 30, 2026
How much do we actually trust modern infrastructure? in The World Around Us · Jul 30, 2026