20 Birthday Gifts for Every Type of Boyfriend
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Whether you’ve been together for six months or six years, choosing abirthday giftfor a boyfriend can be a tall order. And even if he claims he “doesn’t need anything” or “wants for nothing,” it’s probably best not to begin the day empty-handed — especially considering thatthis yearthere probably won’t be a big night out to lift his spirits. To help you find the right gift — whether that’s something he can enjoy the day of, or a present he can use throughout the year ahead — we’ve gathered a bunch of options for pretty much every boyfriend, frombiker boyfriendstofitness boyfriendstocooking boyfriends. While all of the things on this list are available on Amazon, we’ve found some of them elsewhere, too, for those who like to shop around.
For the boyfriend who’s only in it for the cake

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Give him the tools to get that perfect slice. This elegant stainless-steel set is dishwasher-safe, yet has something of a family-heirloom quality to it.
For the boyfriend who loves sports … and cake

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It will take a little bit of work, but you can use this pan to bake a truly impressive cake that looks like a volleyball, basketball, or baseball — one Strategist writer has even used this to bake a cake shaped like the planet Earth.
For the boyfriend who hates cake

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An assortment ofstatus chocolatebars with wrappers as festive as any birthday cake.
For the boyfriend who prefers savory to sweet

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A handsome bottle of olive oil, from our guide to thebest olive oils, according to people who consume a lot of it. James Beard Award–winning chefJonathan Waxmansays the quality of Tuscan olive oils is hard to beat, and recommended this oil specifically, from the region’s famous Frescobaldi estate, which he loves to use for salads, with seafood, and on vegetables.
For the boyfriend who collects wine

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When we wrote about the bestgifts for wine lovers, we discovered a new way to display a nice bottle on the table: this elegant-looking but surprisingly affordable coaster that can hold a bottle. It will make his at-home birthday dinner feel a little fancier, but it isn’t all aesthetics: Like any other coaster, its design keeps drips off of the surface beneath it.
For the boyfriend who collects cheese

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A lovely cherry cutting board worthy of only the finestfromage. Boos boards are so good, in fact, that chef Eden Grinshpan told us she put one on herwedding registry, and chefMissy Robbins told usshe uses them as a surface for making the pasta at Lilia.
For the boyfriend who bikes

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New York City bike messengerPaul Solistold us these bike tires are a must for anyone who rides over cobblestones, flat ground, and dirt on the regular. “I like a good tread, because the NYC streets are gnarly. There’s glass everywhere, too,” he says, telling us that the tires go months without getting flat because of their thick wall and lining.
For the boyfriend who blends

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Magic Bullet Personal Blender Set
Whether your boyfriend makesprotein shakesorpesto, he might be looking for a fresh piece of gear to do it with. When we askedchefs and wellness expertsabout the best blender, several raved about this affordable model, giving it almost as much praise as they did the $550 Vitamix Series 750. Among the compliments paid to what one expert calls the “mightiest little blender”: It’s “portable,” “gets the job done without occupying too much countertop space,” and “easy to clean but still has great blending ability.”
For the boyfriend who gets nostalgic on his birthday

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A photo album is a timeless, thoughtful gift — and recently, a new crop of actually nice-looking ones have emerged. Strategist writersLiza CorsilloandNikita Richardsonare particular fans (and happy owners) of this thick, cloth-bound album, which holds up to 300 photos.
For the boyfriend who’s not on Instagram

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AStrategist-approveddisposable camera for the boyfriend who’d rather keep his memories to himself. (It would also be charming to bundle in with the photo album.)
For the boyfriend who’s losing track of time

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This sleek, under-$100 watch will help him keep track of the time (and date), and its mesh metal band won’t get sweaty in the heat. It got the nod of approval from James Stacey, a senior writer atHodinkee, when we asked him about thebest men’s watches for under $200. “For the Apple crowd that isn’t into an Apple watch, this kind of Dieter Rams aesthetic — clean and minimal, but not to the extent that it’s not functional — works really nicely,” Stacey says.
For the boyfriend who prefers a pizza party

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If he doesn’t have access to a brick oven, this steel sheet will help him make pizzas that rival Speedy Romeo–level crispness at home. When researching thebest sheet pans, according to bakers and chefs, Great Jones’s came in at number one, in part for its pizza-making abilities. “Just preheat it in your oven for 30 minutes or so and slide your pizza right on it,” cookbook author Molly Yeh told us.
For the boyfriend who’s stressed about turning 30 (or 40 or 50)

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Some Roman numeral candles can turn the big 3-0 into a much more sophisticated (and sexier?) “XXX.”
For the boyfriend who likes coffee with his cake

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This Bonavita number was a favorite of the experts we asked about thebest coffee makers, thanks to its ability to brew at the proper water temperature.
For the boyfriend who prefers tea

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A Strategist-favoriteelectric kettlethat will look much more stylish on the counter than his old Hamilton Beach one.
For the boyfriend who loves slip-ons

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If he wears slides all summer, he can consider these a cool-weather alternative. Their hard sole is durable enough for quick runs to the bodega, and the cozy interior is warm enough that he can even do so sockless.
For the boyfriend who doesn’t want to wake up with a hangover

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When we talked to experts about thebest items for stocking a nonalcoholic bar, the U.K.–based Seedlip’s nonalcoholic spirits came recommended by all of them. According to one, they “add flavor and viscosity” to alcohol-free mixed drinks, and this flavor, Garden 108, has lovely notes of hay, spearmint, rosemary, and thyme.
For the boyfriend who spends his weekends at the park

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A portable charger will ensure he has enough battery left to call you and say he’s staying out for another hour. This one is among thebest reviewed on Amazon, and also the charger longtime beachgoer Bianca Buchanan told us she always bringsto the Rockaways.
For the karaoke-obsessed boyfriend

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One Strategist contributor says this portable microphone isas much fun as getting a private karaoke room.
For the board-game-obsessed boyfriend

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Days of Wonder Ticket to Ride
The board game that more than2,500 five-star reviewers(quite convincingly) call “fun.”
The Strategistis designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the bestacne treatments,rolling luggage,pillows for side sleepers,natural anxiety remedies, andbath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.




