How long should you date someone before giving them a gift?

Question

This could be any holiday, birthday, etc. Don't get too crazy with specifics.. in your gut.. when should you fork out some change for someone you are dating?

GoodManDave · Accepted Answer

Hard to say. I think that if I know someone who would get a kick out of something, and I can easily afford it, I might very well get it as a thank you, or a "just because" kind of thing. Once in a while, my mom would do that for me, so it was always sort of normal.

I know it's considered too much if you get something like flowers on a first date... the theory is you're trying to bribe them. I get it. If it's someone I don't know, then sure, it's odd; it's creepy if the person went into debt to give me something and we don't know each other... but I wouldn't be creeped out if I knew her for six months, and we went on a first date, and she got me a 50 cent thing she thought I'd get a kick out of because we had talked about it...

I think a more serious gift, like birthday or Christmas, I think if it's like it's supposed to have some thought, research and a lot of consideration, and you're attempting to "go big" then it has to be at least six months. But if it's a card and a movie pass for birthday, then it can be three months in and not weird. Three months in and you're planning a surprise trip to Disneyworld... then it's too much.

Of course, I've known people who have gotten married after 4 months of dating/knowing each other, (buying each other huge rings after 2 or 3 months) so maybe I'm way off, but that's my own guideline.

Friendship_7 · Accepted Answer

For me, as soon as a girl agrees to give some of her life to me ( Gives up her time to go out with me. ) I will enjoy buying her a gift. The more time she gives to me, the more I feel The better the gift should be. Money is one thing, but the meaning is everything - It must mean something to her.

Kitty22012 · Accepted Answer

Depends on the time and the relationship.
If you just started dating someone and its the week before Christmas, then get them a gift. But if nothing special is happening, don't randomly get them a gift out of nowhere. I think its cheesy to get a gift for "Our first month together" or whatever.
But whatever you think would be the best decision personally, your the only one who can make the decision for yourself.

jennifer_bloom · Accepted Answer

I don't know if "should" is the right word because I never give gifts out of obligation - I always do it because I want to. If you ask when I would be expected to give a gift - I would say after 6 months but if you ask when I want to give a gift - I would say after 30 days.

PrincessGrail · Answer

Once you’ve been out with someone a couple times, you should at least buy them a card.

Logorithim · Answer

Well, gifts send a positive and thoughtful message so certainly within 30 days.

DivaMonae · Answer

I said 1-3 months because that's just from experience but I believe it can vary whenever you and/or them feel it's right.

I know you said don't get crazy for specifics but about 2 months in my ex gave me a necklace that he once owned/was meaningful to him and it was also very meaningful to me because he was willing to give it to me, and the token on it had a lot of significance.

... I definitely cherished it over many of the other more expensive gifts he gave me later.

1truekhaleesi · Answer

Any time is good but the question is how serious is the relationship. If you've been dating 30 days or less, you can get them something small like cookies, coffee, or tea. And if you've been in a serious relationship for a while, a really nice watch would be a good gift.

MimiHashima · Answer

I’ve been given gifts after maybe 2 or 3 dates which weren’t all that long in days? We shared gifts with each other from great appreciation to even bigger things and closer. We don’t celebrate holidays, but we do other things for fun too and consider other occasions as important together. This is jus a personal experience of mine.

TripleAce · Answer

I wouldn’t say it’s a time frame thing
I’d say it’s a relationship bonding thing

If after 1 years you are still on the rocks. You shouldn’t be buying each other gifts really

I’d say in 1 month you are madly in love. I’m sure you are already buying each other stuff at that point lol

SarahVanRensburg · Answer

Whenever it feels right for you.
Having to "fork" out money would be one's own choice. Gifts don't have to be expensive. It's like $15 for flowers at the supermarket and they're free if you have any in your garden so please.

Anonymous · Answer

Haha, you guys like to put rules and guidelines on everything don’tcha? Lol!!! This is a matter of how YOU FEEL!!!

There’s no timeline or deadline on when to give a gift mate. If You FEEL like giving your mate a gift, give em a gift!!! Don’t overthink it as too early or too soon... it’s just a sign of how you feel, savvy?

crazy8000 · Answer

There's no time frame on that.
Think little on it. do you want to, does it feel right, are you going to be something in the long run, do you want to invest in you two no matter what the relationship gonna be, why do you give, is to get something out of it or just to give.

Jesslin412 · Answer

I mean at least something small! I guess if your not exclusive then no gift. That concept is so weird to me. I’ve always been all in when dating someone. Never dated multiple people

Mitinal · Answer

Its not about the price of the gift, its more about the gift itself. If you buy a girl cheap and yet nice gift she likes its better than to buy expensive shit-looking anti stress ball... at least thats what i think

ZestyWatermelon · Answer

I like buying gifts so if Im exclusive with someone I buy them a gift with a price relative to how much they mean to me.
If I've been dating them for a month or less, I get them something cheap ($20 or less). If its been a 3 year relationship or something very serious, Im gonna spend whatever it takes to get what I have in mind for that person.

tertater · Answer

You should give a gift when you want. This is a dumb question like wondering how soon you should text someone. Just never give a gift for selfish reasons.

BluesheepOwl · Answer

I've made things for my ex's like a week in. Like homemade food, I don't know if that is considered a gift. Everything else that required money wasn't until a month or more in.

Anonymous · Answer

I will give a girl a nice gift anytime she asks me. lol

John_Harvest · Answer

I give gifts to anyone all the time. If I were to day I'd give gifts whenever I have money... which is... maybe once a month XD

Anonymous · Answer

I think for small token gifts, say a card and something handmade, once you’re exclusive that’s fine. But I’d recommend waiting til at least 6 months before buying a proper, this has monetary value, type gift.

LegateLanius · Answer

What would you recommend? I've never been in a relationship

MementoMori_ · Answer

Depends on the gift. A wedding ring on the first date might be a little inappropriate whereas flowers are not.

Saville_Row · Answer

I gave someone a birthday gift after 9 months of dating. He didn't even saw me on my birthday, so he went to hell :)

NicolaD · Answer

There should be no set time, do it when you feel the time is right.

Guido · Answer

If I was dating somebody even for a week and it was their birthday or a special occasion I would give them a gift. The longer the relationship the more elaborate the gift but I couldn't not give them something. The gift of giving says a lot.

Anonymous · Answer

My current girlfriend and I went on our first date around the end of November last year and I bought her something for Christmas. I think I spent less than $50. But she didn’t get me anything, I didn’t care though. This year we’re still together and I think we each spent over $200 on each other. I guess what I’m trying to say is I have no problem spending money on someone within the first month, however, I’m probably not going to spend as much? Haha

jcampbell115 · Answer

Why do you have to be in a relationship to give gifts lol

slatyb · Answer

Any time is fine. Make the cost of the gift match the depth of the connection.

Danny_dan92 · Answer

It shouldn’t be determined based on how long you been with them. It matters on how much they mean to you

Gopnik · Answer

I don't do it based on timing but more when i feel like it

thatguyfromtoronto · Answer

6 months to a year, I’m not giving you a gift knowing you for 30 days or something, sheesh

Dinklex3 · Answer

If I'm dating someone around the holidays im giving them a gift regardless of how long we've been dating, lol.

lexythelou22 · Answer

I give everyone gifts. I could have just met them last week, if it's a holiday or birthday I'm going to try to find them something they'd like 🤷🏻‍♀️

Zimthewrath · Answer

As long as it takes to appreciate them and their existence

John_Doesnt · Answer

Never, if she wants nice things then she should get a job and buy them, don't wait for a man to give her something on a holiday.

Lexachip · Answer

No limit. Give a gift anytime. :)

pepwave21 · Answer

Gifts are good anytime

PinkMichae · Answer

I voted 30 days or less because It felt wrong

softrosie · Answer

I love giving gifts tbh

TohhhruAi · Answer

I hate rules like these, if it feels right then do it

Poormanscomedian · Answer

I might first date, I have about 30,000 pieces of Jewelry , however, nothing really nice

NYCQuestions1976 · Answer

I'm bad at this. A month, maybe?

hansukota · Answer

Preferably after the 6th date

sedrftvgyhujik · Answer

depends how things are going

Anonymous · Answer

I think when your exclusive with them.

JuanFrank7 · Answer

Depending on the situation, when it feels right

stormbreaker06 · Answer

girls don't care as long as its money and dick.

CuriousMufuxka · Answer

Whenever you feel like it.

jensex1 · Answer

Think n gift but gift at your own risk expense

Anonymous · Answer

3 months on average I guess

MakeupFashionLoverr · Answer

A month

OpenWine · Answer

when you feel like you want to.

LeoElias · Answer

I'll give her a gift every day 😉

Sha84 · Answer

match their timing

GayHowellMeme · Answer

One month to three months

EDWINDUNDEE999 · Answer

l am the girls gift from day one

moreno_lili_ · Answer

Gifts are something for everyone 😀

Anonymous · Answer

You're 47. I feel like you should know by now lol.

Lookatmybutt · Answer

62 years

abc3643 · Answer

Planck Time.

Anonymous · Answer

Want to make sure they're committed to you

CoffeeWC · Answer

Pretty early on

Anonymous · Answer

2 hours

How long should you date someone before giving them a gift?

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