Clueless Boyfriend Gifts That Miss the Mark

We’ve all been there — sitting across from our boyfriend as he hands you a brightly wrapped gift box, barely able to contain his excitement. You plaster a smile across your face while desperately trying to prepare your reaction for when you unveil…a boyfriend gifts that totally misses the mark.

Maybe it’s sports memorabilia from his favorite team when you’re not even a fan. Perhaps it’s a random kitchen appliance you have zero use for. Or the dreaded thoughtless last-minute gas station flowers that trigger your allergies.

When it comes to gift buying, even the most well-intentioned boyfriends can seriously flop in execution. But hey, it’s always the thought that counts…right?

Sports Fan Jerseys galore

My college boyfriend Jason was a huge basketball nut. Like most boys his age, he was obsessed with players like LeBron James and Steph Curry.

So when my 19th birthday rolled around, Jason could barely contain his grin as he gifted me…a gigantic Cleveland Cavaliers jersey. An XXXL LeBron James shirt that quite literally hung to my knees (and I’m a petite size 2!).

I delicately held it up, subtly wondering if he still had the receipt for us to make an exchange. Jason enthusiastically suggested we both wear the jerseys to the next Cavs and Warriors game. I somehow choked out a “sounds fun!” while attempting to stretch the shirt over my shoulders.

Suffice to say, I’ve never actually worn that jersey out in public. But hey, it was a hilariously memorable gift I still laugh about years later! Even if it was more about matching his Ohio sports fan vibe.

Last-Minute Letdowns

Other times, boyfriend gifts feel like total last-minute afterthoughts. Especially with serial procrastinators struggling to remember key dates and occasions.

Take my ex Robert who considered himself quite the romantic. But when my birthday rolled around, his execution was less than impressive.

Evidently while driving home from work the evening of my birthday, Robert suddenly remembered his oversight. He quickly swung by a gas station, grabbed the only sad bouquet in the fridge and tossed it in a dirty coffee mug from his car. Voila! Beautiful birthday present?

When he gave me the makeshift “vase” of wilting flowers, I had to force a touched expression. All while subtly popping antihistamines because surprise…I’m actually allergic to cheap gas station roses!

Moral of the story — don’t wait until the absolute last second guys. A little advance planning goes a long way to impress your leading lady! Even just remembering key dates is an achievement for any man.

Overcompensating Gifts

Then we have the overcompensating gifts after past forgetting fiascos. Take my ex Ajay who completely blanked on my birthday the prior year. He genuinely felt awful about it and was determined to make up for the oversight this time around.

Only when the special day rolled around, Ajay took overcompensating to a whole new level! He gifted me an insane luxury kitchen appliance — a high-tech Thermomix food processor that literally had preset menus and fancy buttons for every cooking technique imaginable.

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate his thoughtfulness. Especially considering cooking is one of my hobbies. But this complex gadget was just too over-the-top! Between the space-age features I couldn’t even decipher and the hefty price tag, it was simply too much. I almost preferred when he innocently forgot last year!

I much rather would have appreciated heartfelt attention on remembering important dates. Or even just a sweet, meaningful card with his loving words of appreciation!

Ladies — am I right? We’d choose simple effort and genuine care over expensive overcompensation any day!

Here You can find past post about, how everything goes wrong with my love.

Forgetting It’s Not About You!

Other times, boyfriend gifts end up being super thoughtful…just for the wrong person! This usually happens when they plan based on their own interests rather than yours.

When my ex Tyler found out I had never been to a football game, he was dumbfounded. So for my next birthday, he excitedly gifted me tickets to the Jets season opener…and a signed jersey to match of course!

Except here’s the thing — I hate football. And jerseys. Tyler’s the sports nut who should be enjoying these gifts! I weakly pretended to be interested for a few games to appease him. But after falling asleep by the third quarter while Tyler was on the edge of his seat, we both realized these were more his ideal presents.

Moral here, gents — make sure you’re gifting something relevant for her passions and interests too! Don’t just project your own preferences.

It’s the Intention that Counts!

At the end of the day, even the most woefully misguided boyfriend gift attempt still comes from a place of love. As much as we’ll poke fun at their cluelessness, their intentions are sweet.

I can’t even count how many times I’ve faked a smile while subtly hiding an eyesore gift at the back of my closet afterwards. But ultimately what matters most is that your partner tries their very best to make you happy. Even if the execution totally faceplants!

Those hilariously off-the-mark gifts actually make for some of the most unforgettable memories down the road too. So I’ll cheers my $8 wilted gas station roses and bursting-at-the-seams basketball jersey to that any day. All while I lovingly poke fun at the well-meaning guys who gifted them!

So next time your boyfriend or husband totally trips up on an occasion, cut him some slack. And maybe gently point him in the right gift direction for next year!