10 Cool Gifts to Give Your Boyfriend on Your First Date That Won't Freak Him Out

Should you give gifts on first dates? A tricky question that has no correct answer. Many feel that since you barely know the person it’s a little odd. Others feel that a small gift on the first date helps to make a good impression. Perhaps the answer is that it depends. It depends on things like the connection you share, the amount of time you have known each other and the kind of first date you have planned. If you feel a gift is a good idea, then go ahead. And it doesn't matter that generally it’s the guy who gives the gift. Its 2018 and such rules have no place. So surprise him with a cute gift if that what you want!

First dates can be awkward and stressful. A small gift is a great way to break the ice between the both of you. It helps to kick off conversation and ease up. It can also be used as a natural starting point to chat about interests, share fun anecdotes or even interesting trivia! As you open up, the date will get off to a comfortable start.

A thoughtful gift when done right, makes the date, and by extension you, memorable. The gift is a wonderful way to subtly tell your date that you are interested in them and have paid attention to what they say. You'll make a great first impression and the gift will act as a reminder of the time spent together.

So you are all set for the first date with your crush? Yay! Naturally You want to make it memorable and a gift is one of the ways to do it. But your gift needs to be a carefully thought out one, as it is easy to go wrong. If you misjudge, you might end up giving a gift that makes the other person uncomfortable. We have gathered a few guidelines that you can follow while considering a gift for your boyfriend on your first date.

You may be meeting your date for the first time ever. Or perhaps friendship was pre-existing but the romantic vibes are new. Whatever the scenario, a gift on first date needs to be low-key and simple. Don’t get anything that is too personal, too sentimental or too over the top romantic. You barely know each other so stick to small keepsakes that communicate that you have thought of them. Nothing more. Definitely stay away from stuff that has 'I love you' on it or anything heavy like that.

Don't go overboard while picking out the gift. Keep away from items that are too expensive as it can put off your boyfriend. Expensive gifts often invoke a sense of obligation that can ruin the mood. But remember, low price does not mean poor quality. Don't buy a tacky cheap item as that will definitely leave a poor impression. Look for stuff that’s high quality but not pricey.

One way to convey to your date that you have paid attention to him is by gifting a small something that references your previous conversations. Maybe you have talked about a book or discussed a video game. A cute gift that’s related tells him that you have listened to him and are interested in knowing more about him.

If you are struggling for ideas for the right gift, why not look through your boyfriend’s Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat feed. That should give an indication of the topics he is passionate about or the things he likes to spend time on or even important events of his life. Perhaps he has posted about a TV show or he is excited about a sports event. Or maybe he has recently purchased a new car. Use these posts to figure out what would be the gift that'll best connect with him.

Get your boyfriend a cool T-shirt featuring his favourite TV Show or movie. This is a perfect casual gift that won't strike a wrong note with anyone. Thesouledstore.com offers official merchandise from a range of TV shows, movies, comic shows and more. This Big Bang Theory Doodle Shirt available on the site is a great gift for someone who likes to say Bazinga! A pure cotton T-shirt, it can purchased for Rs. 499 at the site. Just take an educated guess if you are worried about getting the size right.

Stickers are another low-key idea that makes for a good first date gift. They are low budget but are very effective in showing your boyfriend that you remember his interests. For example, if he is a Deadpool fan then this quirky Merc With A Mouth Deadpool sticker will be a hit. The vinyl sticker comes with lamination and is easily removable. These stickers can be applied on any surface. So your boyfriend can flaunt it on his phone, his laptop or his backpack. Available for Rs. 49 at thesouledstore.com

Small, inexpensive and practical - keychains also make sense for first dates. Again, the idea is to find something that gives your date the feeling that you have paid close attention to him and his likes. This Thor Hammer Metal keyring is perfect for a Marvel Comics fan. Available on amazon.in, it can be purchased for Rs. 199. The choice in keyrings is virtually limitless, so you can find the one that matches your boyfriend’s interests. You can appeal to his funny bone with a humorous keyring or gift him a crafty ethnic keychain.

Chocolates are the favoured gift for first dates.. But don't overdo it and buy a large box of expensive chocolate! Get a box of something special rather than a run-of-the-mill chocolate gift pack that anyone can buy. Look out for unusual flavours, exotic blends – or if you know his favourite type of chocolates then buy him a box of it. The idea is to give him a pleasant surprise . The gourmet Biscuit & Berry Dark Chocolate from Toska Chocolate is an interesting blend of dark chocolate mixed with several types of berries and biscuits and could be an exciting choice. Available from thegourmetbox.in for Rs. 395.

If your boyfriend is the kind to rock trendy jewellery, then why not give him a classy leather bracelet. You can find a lot of designs at reasonable prices online, and they make for a cute yet understated gift. Have a look at the range available at sites like myntra which feature several options. This Black Leather Silver-Plated Handcrafted Wraparound Bracelet available on the site for Rs. 349 is an extremely elegant design.

As gifts, books are an evergreen option. If your boyfriend is a book lover, try to find out about his favourite authors or subjects he likes to read on. You can also gift books that relate to his other hobbies. Perhaps he is likes to paint, or admires a sportsperson. As an example, if your boyfriend is a cricket fan, then he might enjoy receiving the autobiography of Sourav Ganguly which is available for Rs. 452 from amazon.in. If you want to play it even safer, gift charming bookmarks to avid readers rather than books.

Funky badges are a cool way to express your personality. They don't cost much and are easily available. Find the one that best encapsulates your boyfriend’s attitude or style. Choose from comic book characters, movie dialogues, TV show characters etc. Want to strike a more serious mood? Then pick ones with famous quotes or thoughtful symbols. Or go for humour with funny or witty messages. Something like this badge from beawara.com which features a quote from the mega bad guy of Agneepath. Priced for Rs. 49, the sticker is a part of the Super Villain badge series which includes iconic characters like Mogambo and Crime Master Gogo.

A puzzle book or a puzzle game is a fun gift for the guy who likes intellectual things. Simple brain teasers or puzzles will acknowledge his personal tastes without being sentimental.

For example this sudoku puzzle book will work well as a gift if he has talked about enjoying newspaper Sudoku puzzles. Available for Rs. 125 from amazon.in

A card is a cheesy gift that can work if done right. Buy a simple non-romantic greeting card and write down a few witty lines. Or make a simple one yourself. Remember nothing overly romantic or sappy as it can make things awkward. Check out online for inspiration for messages to put on your cards. For example, this card on redbubble.com has lyrics to a song by Blink 182 that says, 'You make me nervous so I really can't eat'. Although women don't usually give flowers but you can always break unspoken rules and give a single rose with the card, if that's your style.

Quirky fridge magnets are an uncommon gift idea for first dates. A simple gift that will help brighten up his fridge door. It will also remind him of you every morning ! Look for offbeat fridge magnets or ones that have funny messages so they bring a smile to his face. Take a look at this one available on chumbak.com for Rs. 295.

Finally a chance spend time with your crush! Excited, nervous, worried about how it will go? Well here are a few tips to make your first date a cherished memory

You may already know your date as a friend or you may have recently matched online. Whatever the scenario, the first date is the time to get to know each other better. To make it easier, prepare a list of interesting and witty questions to ask. There are several online resources that offer advice on the kind of questions you can talk about during the first date. Have fun drawing up a list of questions but remember to keep in mind your individual personalities. With a good list, you can avoid uncomfortable silences and also the dreaded conversational lag.

The romantic in you may well start dreaming up a love story, but hold your horses. Keep your expectations for the first date and also of your crush reasonable. The first date is all about spending time with someone you find interesting and getting to them know better. Don't have expectations of movie-style gestures during your first date and after. Keep the focus on having fun with each other

Although you should be talking about your life, don't start venting all about your horrible boss or sharing every small detail of your work on your first date. Keep it short and interesting. If they ask for details share a little, but don't give in to the temptation of dominating the conversation. Remember to ask questions, and to listen attentively so there is a feeling of mutual connection.

As we have said, the focus of the first date is to have fun. Plan out the date carefully. Pick an activity that you'll both enjoy or keep it simple like a coffee or dinner date. Make sure you have time to talk, especially if you are doing an activity– and be sure to find a place to chat in peace. Spending quality time on the date will help you discover more about each other and help you judge if you are hitting it off enough for a second date.