I used to be in a casual relationship and each time we approached his birthday, I was never sure if it was okay to get him a present. I am certain we have other people in this situation asking, should I get my FWB a birthday gift?
Whether or not to get your friend benefits a birthday gift is ultimately up to you and your personal feelings towards them. If you have a close and comfortable relationship with your FWB and want to show them that you care, a small gift or gesture of goodwill on their birthday could be a nice way to do that.
However, if your relationship with your FWB is more casual and you’re still determining if they would appreciate a gift, it may be best to refrain from giving one. It’s important to consider your feelings and the feelings of your FWB in this situation and make a decision that feels right for both of you.
12 Birthday Gifts Ideas for Your FWB
1. A gift card to the local hardware store
For the man who’s more at home with a wrench than a wine glass, giving him a gift card to his local hardware store will show how much you care. If he has any major repairs or projects, this is an excellent way to help him out. A good rule of thumb for buying tools for your man is that if he has one tool in particular that he uses constantly and it’s getting worn down from overuse, buy him a replacement.
If you want to be extra thoughtful, get him something special, like an adjustable wrench or socket set, and include instructions for how best to use them so that the next time he needs them again, he’ll be able to figure out what he needs very quickly.
2. A bottle of fragrance you love
If the two of you have gotten close enough to share scents, this is a great way to show your affection. It’s also a thoughtful gift more likely to be remembered than a bottle of cologne at the supermarket.
If you’re not sure what fragrance would smell good on your guy, plenty of online resources can help.
3. A gag gift, like novelty boxers printed with nudes
Gag gifts are a great way to break the ice, spice up a relationship, show you care, and make him laugh. The perfect gag gift will do all of these things, plus it’ll be something that he’ll wear once in a while, not just once and then never again.
Finding something funny and appropriate for your relationship with your FWB is key. If this is someone with whom you have some serious emotional connection and whom you deeply care about, try getting him an item that reminds him of his favorite hobby or pastime, so he sees how much thought went into selecting it for him.
4. A pack of condoms
A pack of condoms is a great gift for anyone, not just your FWB. Sure, it’s more fun to give them to the person you’re sleeping with, but if you have any friends who are single or looking for love and they’re planning on having sex soon, it’s an easy way to show you care.
When choosing condoms, make sure they fit correctly. They won’t do their job as effectively if they’re too small. And don’t forget about the expiration date. If the condoms aren’t fresh enough, there could be serious consequences down the line that could ruin your night.
5. Make reservations at his favorite restaurant
If you want to make your FWB’s birthday bash extra special, then booking a reservation at his favorite restaurant is a great way to do it. The key here is not being too predictable, if he mentions that he loves Japanese food, don’t book him at the sushi place next door. Instead, ask him which restaurant he’d like to visit and then make reservations. If there’s one thing guys love more than anything else in this world, it’s getting exactly what they want when they want it
If you really want to get creative with this birthday gift idea, ask the waiter if there’s any special birthday menu with dessert on top of their regular offerings. Everyone can sing “Happy Birthday” when dessert comes out before enjoying their delicious desserts together.
6. Crack open a bottle of whiskey
Consider giving your guy a whiskey gift. Whiskey is an excellent choice for any man who enjoys drinking or interacting with other people while drinking. You can get him his favorite brand. If your friend is particularly fond of Jack Daniels, then there’s no better gift than a bottle of that Tennessee whiskey. And if he likes something more unique, you can try one of these lesser-known brands.
7. Play his favorite drinking game
It doesn’t have to be a particularly competitive game, but it should make you both feel silly. The rules should be easy to remember and not too hard on the stomach. And if you’re the type who gets competitive with your drinking games, this is a great way for him to get an idea of how good he’s got you.
8. Buy him a coupon book with sexy coupons he can redeem at his leisure
If he’s a few years older than you are, consider giving him a coupon book filled with sexy coupons he can redeem at his leisure. This gift allows him to continue acting as if this were just a fun night out together. The best part is that you control what kind of activities he gets rewarded for. These “coupons” can range from simple things like dinner dates or movie tickets to weekend getaways or massages.
9. Give him a gift card to a sporting goods store
If he’s a sports fan, consider getting him a gift card to a sporting goods store. You can’t go wrong with this kind of gift because it gives him the perfect opportunity to buy whatever he wants. Men love to shop for gear, so let him go nuts and find something that will make watching games on TV more fun.
10. Invite him to go shooting with you
You know him better than anyone else, so you’ll be able to decide how much time and effort he will put into learning to shoot. Try inviting him along for a day at the range with you and your friends. He’ll learn useful skills, have fun shooting guns and making jokes about it all, and get comfortable around guns.
11. Take him to a spa for the day
Spas are a great way to relax and unwind, especially in a stressful city like New York. Spas offer services such as massages, facials, and manicures, but they also provide other perks such as steam rooms and saunas.
12. Help him plan his next vacation.
If you’re in an FWB relationship, you can help him plan his next vacation by sharing your experiences with the places you’ve been. If he’s unsure where to go, offer to help him plan his next vacation. Ask him to share his favorite travel destinations and list options based on those locations. You could also offer to go on a trip together.
Final Thoughts
Getting your FWB a birthday present should depend on your relationship with him. Make sure you’re not overstepping. Be on the same page with him so it doesn’t become awkward.
