15 First Valentine Gifts For Your Boyfriend He'll Legitimately Use (2024)

You have a new boyfriend.

This is an exciting time in your life. You’re learning so much about this wonderful new person in your life and you can feel yourself starting to fall in love. These early stages of the relationship are some of the most fun.

But there’s a problem.

Valentine’s Day is coming up.

While this special day presents the possibility of more fun, it can also be pretty stressful. That’s especially the case when you’re in a new relationship because you have to figure out what valentine gift to give your boyfriend.

That’s where this list comes in.

Think of this list as a curated collection of new boyfriend valentine gift ideas. Each gift strikes a balance between sentimentality, practicality, and the budget you’re likely going to want to stick to for a first gift.

Gift Ideas He’ll Love

What makes the best boyfriend Valentine’s gift?

You may already have a few cute boyfriend valentine gift ideas floating around in your head. But when making your choice, you need to think about the fact that most men like to receive things they can use. Every idea we share in this list is a possibility for that all-important first Valentine’s gift.

Epic Strips Wagyu Beef Jerky

Who doesn’t like a nice bit of meat to chew on? Of course, you don’t want to go with any old gas station jerky for Valentine’s Day. You want to make it special, which is where Epic Strips Wagyu Beef Jerky comes in.

Wagyu beef comes from Japanese cattle raised in Kobe, Ohmi, or Matsusaka Ushi. These cattle produce intensely marbled beef, which is considered a rare delicacy in its native Japan. The cattle are 100% grass-fed, making this jerky a healthy snack featuring a type of beef your boyfriend may never have tried before.

Each pack contains 10 0.8-ounce strips, with each strip containing 6 grams of protein. If your boyfriend is an avid gym-goer, this jerky could offer the perfect little protein boost.

The only issue is that it’s a touch on the pricey side. Expect to pay about $50 for a pack of 10 strips. But that money will be well spent because this is a type of jerky your boyfriend has likely never tasted before.

The Umbra Prisma Picture Frame

You could go with a bog-standard picture frame for your first Valentine’s gift. Or you could get the Umbra Prisma Picture Frame, which offers a unique take on the standard frame.

It’s the cool 3D effect that sets this gift apart. This is a floating picture frame that features an interesting geometric wire pattern The floating effect gives the frame additional dimension and depth, with the picture being protected by a pair of tough glass panes.

The frame measures 8 x 6 x 2.75 inches and weighs less than a pound, making it easy to move around the house. It’s a great sentimental gift if you already have a special photo to include with the frame. For example, you may have a fun picture from your first date that you can include.

There are some disadvantages to this gift, with the main one being that your boyfriend needs a table or stand to place it on. This isn’t a hangable frame, which may create a challenge if your boyfriend’s place doesn’t have a lot of spare space. You may also feel that giving such a sentimental gift could be going overboard if you’re in the very early stages of your relationship.

You can grab this picture frame from Amazon or the Umbra online store for about $20.

The Ridge Wallet

Every guy loves a good wallet.

But if you want to get a more unique gift for your boyfriend, think past the typical leather bifold wallets most guys use. Instead, why not go for a Ridge wallet? These clever wallets are made using carbon fiber, aluminum, or titanium. They’re available in a range of colors and styles. Plus, their slimline design makes them perfect for minimalist men who don’t like carrying chunk wallets around.

These wallets are practical too.

They’re made using conductive materials, which means they block radio-frequency identification (RFID) signals. In a modern world where credit cards, debit cards, and ID cards use RFID, having a wallet that blocks these signals protects your boyfriend from identity and financial theft. So, you’re protecting your man in addition to giving him something he’ll love.

The only real drawback to these wallets exists in their minimalist design. While that’s a huge plus for many guys, those who prefer a chunky wallet may not be huge fans of Ridge wallets.

You can find these wallets in the Ridge online store or at one of the company’s many physical retail outlets. Check the Ridge Store Locator if you want to find a store near you. Expect to pay between $95 and $150, depending on the type of wallet you go for.

Stamen Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Blue light is produced by both the sun and digital screens. In a tech-heavy world, your boyfriend is exposed to both of these things regularly. The problem here is that extended exposure to blue light can increase the possibility of eye disease and lead to computer vision syndrome, which causes irritation and blurred vision.

The stylish Stamen blue light blocking glasses solve that problem by providing resin stylish lenses supported by a TR90 frame. They’re scratch-resistant and durable, making them ideal for long hours at the office or those bumper gaming sessions your boyfriend enjoys so much.

These blocking glasses are definitely a practical gift, though they’re not for everybody. If your boyfriend hasn’t ever worn glasses before, it may be difficult to convince him to give these a try. And if he already wears glasses, these blue light blockers won’t rectify his existing vision issues.

Still, everybody could use a little extra eye protection. And at just $20, the Stamen Blue Light Blocking Glasses are a simple BF valentine's gift.

Lopnord AirPod Case

If your boyfriend enjoys techy things, the odds are pretty good that he has an iPhone with AirPods. These clever little earphones are completely wireless, giving them a sleek and attractive look. But that wireless quality also means they’re not connected to a device, which makes them easy to lose.

The Lopnord AirPod Case offers a practical solution to that problem by providing shockproof protection and handy storage space. It’s also a cool piece of tech because the case features a charging dock so your boyfriend can recharge his AirPods when he isn’t using them. The case is lockable and comes with a carabiner so it can be attached to a belt, backpack, or keychain.

The only drawback you may find is that the colors shown for the product aren’t always consistent with what you receive. But as a protective case, it does a superb job. And for just $9.99, it makes a great cost-effective gift for your first Valentine’s day as a couple.

Upgraded Keychain

Sure, you could get your boyfriend a standard keychain from Etsy or any number of online sellers. But who wants standard when you can go for a more high-quality key case?

Think of a key case as a sort of wallet for your boyfriend’s keys. It features a pair of protective plates, which are held together by a small screw. Your boyfriend attaches his keys to the screw, tightens the case shut, and gets to keep all of their keys in one easy-to-access place.

This is an extremely practical gift for the man who likes to stay as organized as possible. It eliminates the bulk and jangling of a traditional keychain while featuring a sleek design that makes it easy to fit into a small pocket.

Available at The Ridge, these key cases can hold between two and six keys, which should be enough for most men. You can grab one for between $75 and $95 and they’re available in a range of styles.

Custom Pet Portrait

A custom pet portrait is a great gift for any guy who loves his dog almost as much as he loves you. And if your boyfriend has a good sense of humor, these portraits complement that perfectly by showcasing dogs in funny poses and outfits.

Let’s face it – this idea is a little cutesy.

If your man prefers more practical things, a custom pet portrait may not be a good idea for a first Valentine’s day gift. But if he loves pets and has a quirky sense of humor, this sort of personalized gift will give him a chuckle while providing a little sentimental touch to the special day.

Available in a range of sizes, these portraits use high-definition pictures. You just need to upload a picture of your boyfriend’s pet and let the seller do the rest. And at just $25 or so, you’re not taking a huge financial risk with a custom pet portrait.

Craft A Brew Beer Brewing Kit DIY

If your boyfriend likes getting his hands dirty and enjoys nothing more than a cold beer after a long day, this Craft A Brew kit is a great gift. This clever gift set comes with all of the tools needed to brew a gallon of tasty DIY beer that is unlike anything you’re going to find in stores. That makes it a unique gift that has so much more thought put into it than just picking up a six-pack at the local convenience store.

The kit produces a hoppy and crisp pale ale with light malt notes. Of course, that may not be ideal if your boyfriend isn’t a pale ale fan. But even then, he may take some satisfaction in spending time crafting his own beer. The kit comes with 10 12-ounce bottles, which are reusable, along with over 30 caps and a professional capping tool.

You can pick a kit up from Amazon for about $50, which works out to about $5 per beer.

TOLOCO Massage Gun

If your boyfriend is the sporty type, or he just experiences a lot of muscle-related aches and pains, the TOLOCO massage gun is an extremely thoughtful gift.

The gun comes with 10 nozzles, with each designed to stimulate different muscle groups. Using it promotes blood circulation, reduces muscle fatigue, and gets rid of that pesky lactic acid buildup that makes muscles feel sore after a workout. It also comes with 20 power levels, meaning your boyfriend can tailor his massage as he sees fit.

While the gun doesn’t quite manage to simulate the experience of getting a real massage, it’s a great practical gift for anybody who wants to recover after a lot of physical activity. The gun is a touch pricey, which means you need to be sure your boyfriend is going to use it before you commit to buying.

The TOLOCO Massage Gun is available at an RRP of $199.99. However, there are plenty of deals floating that can help you get it for less than $100.

Jewlpire Stainless Steel Necklace

When you think of jewelry, your mind might automatically go toward gold, silver, and platinum. Stainless steel may not even enter the equation. But with the Jewlpire Stainless Steel Necklace, you can give your boyfriend the best of both worlds.

This first valentine gift for boyfriend works because it’s cost-effective and comes with silver or gold plating. The chain is simple and stylish, making it ideal for the fashion-conscious man who doesn’t want extravagant jewelry. It’s made using 316L stainless steel, which creates a textured look and offers a bright shine. It also has an advanced hypoallergenic finish so it shouldn’t cause any rashes.

At just $15, this necklace is a nice little early relationship keepsake, though it may not be the best choice if your boyfriend is a jewelry connoisseur or dislikes wearing it altogether. It’s available on Amazon in lengths ranging between 18 and 30 inches.

Carhartt Beanie

A stylish beanie never goes out of fashion. And with this cool Carhartt Beanie, you get a choice of 21 colors to ensure you find something that your boyfriend is going to love.

These cuffed beanies feature the Carhartt logo front and center and are made using tough and weather-resistant acrylic fibers. Unfortunately, this means they’re not machine-washable.

Even so, the rib-knit construction gives these beanies an outdoorsy style that’s perfect for a man who likes to explore. That makes it one of the best valentine’s day gifts for the adventurous type who’s always looking for something practical to take on his trips.

Available on Amazon, these beanies retail for between $20 and $25 and are available in one-size-fits-all sizes.

Sony SRS-XB13 Bluetooth Speaker

Combining the best of both worlds between tech and practicality, the Sony SRS-XB13 Bluetooth Speaker produces a bass-heavy sound. It’s compact, durable, and rechargeable thanks to its USB Type-C connector. The speaker is also certified as waterproof to IP67 standards, with its battery lasting for 16 hours.

Granted, it’s not going to give you the same sound quality as a more permanent speaker. Its portable nature also means that it may not provide a ton of volume, though it makes up for that with its ability to double as a speakerphone.

This clever tech gift is available for about $60.

Date Night Bucket List Gift Box

This romantic gift is the perfect way to say “I love you” to a man who loves going out on dates. It comes with 100 date night ideas for couples that include a good mix of indoor, outdoor, and food-based dates. If you ever find yourselves struggling for ideas about what to do on date night with your boyfriend, valentine gift box ideas come thick and fast from this gift.

Of course, you’re taking a little risk with this gift idea because you and your boyfriend may not like the date night suggestions on the cards. But if you’re willing to get a little experimental, this bucket list gift box can be yours for about $35.

Cologne

You’ll seldom go wrong with cologne because almost every man likes to both look and smell his best. A nice cologne can also be a personalized valentine gift because it shows that you pay attention to what your boyfriend enjoys.

Unfortunately, that’s personalization can create some challenges. If you’re in a brand-new relationship, you may not know what fragrances your boyfriend enjoys. And if you ask him, you’ll ruin the surprise. But if you know enough to know what he likes, we’re sure he’ll appreciate a top-up of his favorite cologne.

But what if you want to take a risk and try something new? In that case, the Tom Ford Costa Azzurra Eau De Parfum Spray is a great choice. Coming in a 1.7-ounce spray bottle, this is a unisex fragrance that costs about $120. It features notes of vanilla, oak, cypress, lemon, and celery, among many others.

Dowan 15-Ounce Coffee Mug

This gift is perfect for the coffee lover who wants to keep his beverage warm for as long as possible. It features a clever cork base that gives it a unique look while serving as an insulator. Plus, each pack comes with a pair of mugs, making this an ideal his and hers gift.

The lids are dust and splash-proof. Plus, the mugs feature large handles that make them easy to use. Unfortunately, they don’t come with any personalization options, making this a gift for the practical man rather than the sentimental one.

Available for about $20, this mug set is perfect for the office or for men who enjoy exploring the great outdoors.

First Valentine’s Gift FAQs

What do you get someone you just started dating for Valentines Day?

Finding the perfect first Valentine’s Day gift is a challenge. If you haven’t known each other long, focus on gifts your boyfriend can use. After a few months into the relationship, gift-giving can be a bit more personal.

What do boyfriends like for Valentine's Day?

If it’s something your boyfriend can find a practical purpose for, it’s likely going to be a good idea. Men tend to like practical or tech-related gifts, though something personalized can show that you know a lot about them.

What do you get someone for Valentine's Day when you don't know what to get them?

You have a lot of options when it comes to your first Valentine’s gift for boyfriend. Cheap gift ideas are available in this article if you don’t know what to get for your man.