Birthday Gifts for Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend: 20 Meaningful Ideas for Him and Her, Every Budget, With Prices
Looking for a birthday gift for your boyfriend or girlfriend? Start with three questions: will they use it every day, what is your budget, and what do you want it to say?
Below are 20 ideas for him and for her: 12 handmade by us at Macrame by Nicha, from 350 to 1,790 baht or on quotation, and 8 classic ideas. Each one also works as a gift for your boyfriend or girlfriend on any day of the year.
One piece is made for the birthday itself: our garland in the colour of the day they were born. You can see it here with all our garlands.
What to Give for Their Birthday: 3 Questions
Three quick questions narrow the list. Each answer points to ideas further down.
Will They Use It Every Day?
A gift they touch every day keeps you with them. Think of a bracelet worn all day (idea 1), a keychain for their keys or bag (ideas 2 and 3), or a small bag for a phone and a lipstick (ideas 10 and 11).
What Is Your Budget?
Our handmade pieces run from 350 to 1,790 baht, or on quotation for the custom red malai (idea 16). The budget table below sorts them by price, and each list ends with picks for a smaller budget.
What Do You Want It to Say?
Some gifts carry a meaning: the colour of the day they were born (idea 9), the Muay Thai mongkol (a boxer's headband, ideas 2 and 3), or rose quartz, believed to be the stone of love (idea 14).
An engraved letter or message makes it theirs alone. The meaning table and the engraving section below cover both.
Birthday Gifts for Your Boyfriend: 8 Ideas
For him, four of our handmade pieces come first, then four classic ideas.
1. Signature Bracelet, 390 Baht
The Signature Bracelet is handmade in cotton with a 1 cm silver medallion. We engrave one or two letters on it: his initial, or both of yours.
Its product page says it is machine washable, so he can wear it swimming, in the shower and through every activity. It works alone or stacked.
It is made on pre-order: send us the letters on LINE, and it is ready in about 5 to 10 working days.
2. Premium Muay Thai Mongkol Keychain, 390 Baht
A มงคล (mongkol, the headband a Muay Thai boxer wears) is worn on the head for good fortune before a fight.
Our Premium Muay Thai Mongkol Keychain brings that headband to his keys: 12 cm of red, white and blue cotton, with a premium hook and our brand label. It is ready in 5 to 10 working days.
3. Muay Thai Mongkol Keychain, 350 Baht
A real mongkol is blessed, and traditionally a boxer receives it from his kru (teacher). The Muay Thai Mongkol Keychain is a keepsake in its shape for a fan of Thai boxing.
It is handmade in cotton, 12 cm long, with the same premium hook and label, and ready in 5 to 10 working days.
4. Malai Glin Rak, 499 Baht
The Malai Glin Rak is a small พวงมาลัย (phuang malai, Thai garland) in cotton and wood. Its product page calls it a Thai diffuser, for intimacy wherever you are.
The page suggests hanging it in the car, on a door or at a desk, so it rides along on every drive he takes.
It measures 3 x 6 inches, comes in eight colours with a wooden box, and is made to order in 5 to 10 working days.
5. A Watch
A watch is a classic for him: something he wears every day, picked to match his style.
6. Sneakers
If he lives in sneakers, a new pair in the style he loves is an easy win. Check his size first.
7. A Wallet
A wallet is another piece he carries daily. Pick one that fits the way he keeps his cards and cash.
8. A Grooming Set
A grooming set for skin, hair or beard suits a man who likes to take care of himself.
For Him on a Small Budget
Our first three ideas all sit under 400 baht: the Muay Thai Mongkol Keychain at 350, then the Signature Bracelet and the Premium Muay Thai Mongkol Keychain at 390.
All three are ready in 5 to 10 working days, and the bracelet carries his letters.
Birthday Gifts for Your Girlfriend: 12 Ideas
For her, eight of our handmade pieces come first, from a garland in her birth-day colour to macrame bags and dreamcatchers, then four classic ideas.
9. Malai Petite, Colour of Your Birth Day, 1,590 Baht
Our product page puts it simply: in Thailand, each day of the week has its own colour, and everyone carries the colour of the day they were born.
The Malai Petite, Colour of Your Birth Day is a small cotton garland, 10 x 22 cm, with a belt in the colour of her day of birth. Seven colours, from red for Sunday to purple for Saturday.
We can engrave her name or a birthday message on the box for 100 baht. It is made on pre-order in 10 to 20 working days.
For an urgent birthday, its product page asks you to reach us on Facebook, Instagram or email.
10. Pink Lady, 590 Baht
The Pink Lady is a little bag in 100% pastel pink cotton cord, 13 x 15 cm on a 50 cm strap.
It is big enough for a phone, a lipstick and a small wallet, and small enough to take everywhere. Its product page calls it a sweet handmade gift for anyone who loves pink.
It takes 10 to 20 working days. If it shows sold out, contact us.
11. Pursy Lady, 650 Baht
For a girlfriend with a simple, natural style, the Pursy Lady is a timeless bag in 100% natural white cotton cord.
At 13 x 16.5 cm on a 51 cm strap, it fits her phone, make-up and money. It takes 10 to 20 working days.
12. Blue Lady, 490 Baht
The Blue Lady is our little bag to walk light, in 100% blue cotton cord, 13 x 16.5 cm on a 50 cm strap.
Its product page calls it a handmade gift for someone who loves to travel light. It takes 10 to 20 working days.
13. Beachy Mam', 1,790 Baht
If her birthday plan involves the sea, Beachy Mam' is our big beach bag in 100% natural off-white cotton cord, 28 x 40.5 cm, made to carry everything for a day by the water.
Every bag is knotted by hand, so the one she receives is one of a kind. It takes 10 to 20 working days.
Compare sizes across all our handmade macrame bags.
14. Moon Dreamcatcher, 1,250 Baht
The Moon Dreamcatcher is a crescent moon dream catcher for her room, in 100% cotton cord with pearls, real feathers and a natural rose quartz stone.
Rose quartz is believed to be the stone of love, and many believe it helps a couple's love last. Its product page names three meanings: tenderness, love and family.
It measures 30 x 8.5 inches and takes about 10 to 20 working days. Ask, and Nicha adds a handwritten card.
15. Pinky Peace Dreamcatcher, 450 Baht
The Pinky Peace Dreamcatcher is a small room decor piece, 12.5 x 4 inches, in cotton cord with beads and real feathers.
Its product page gives it one meaning: love and humility. Tell Nicha your words, and she can handwrite a personal message on the packaging.
It takes around 2 weeks, depending on our order queue. For an urgent delivery, contact us.
More 450 baht dreamcatchers in other colours are in our handmade dreamcatcher collection.
16. Custom Red Valentine Phuang Malai, Price on Quotation
A red phuang malai, made to order for her and presented in its wooden box. Pick the garland: the Malai Glin Rak in red at 499 baht, or the Malai Petite Purity in red with its wooden box at 1,590 baht.
We engrave I love you on the wooden box, or her name and the date you met.
The price is on quotation, according to your budget. We confirm the text, the character limit and any extra cost with you.
17. Flowers
A bouquet on the day itself is a classic. Pick her favourite flower, or flowers in her favourite colour.
18. Perfume or Lipstick
Choose a scent or a shade she already loves, or one close to it. Her dressing table gives you the clues.
19. Jewellery
A necklace, earrings or a ring, matched to the metal and style she already wears.
20. A Dinner or a Trip
Time together is a gift too: a dinner at a place she likes, or a short trip. Pair it with a small piece from above that she can keep afterwards.
For Her on a Small Budget
Under 500 baht, our picks for her are the Pinky Peace Dreamcatcher at 450 and the Blue Lady at 490.
The Signature Bracelet (idea 1, 390 baht) works for her too: its product page says it suits every wrist and every age.
Meaningful Birthday Gifts for Your Partner: What Each Idea Says
For a meaningful birthday gift, here is what the pieces above carry, and where each meaning comes from.
| Idea | Meaning | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Malai Petite, Sunday: red (idea 9) | Power and life force. The colour of the sun. | Our product page |
| Malai Petite, Monday: yellow (idea 9) | Purity and honour. The most auspicious colour in Thailand. | Our product page |
| Malai Petite, Tuesday: pink (idea 9) | Gentleness and charm. | Our product page |
| Malai Petite, Wednesday: green (idea 9) | Growth and renewal. | Our product page |
| Malai Petite, Thursday: orange (idea 9) | Wisdom and learning. The colour of teachers. | Our product page |
| Malai Petite, Friday: light blue (idea 9) | Grace and harmony. | Our product page |
| Malai Petite, Saturday: purple (idea 9) | Calm strength and dignity. | Our product page |
| Mongkol keychains (ideas 2 and 3) | Something held to bring good fortune and progress, and to keep harm away. | Thai Royal Institute Dictionary |
| Moon Dreamcatcher, rose quartz (idea 14) | Believed to be the stone of love, and of a love that lasts. | A popular belief |
| Pinky Peace Dreamcatcher (idea 15) | Love and humility. | Our product page |
Day colours come from a Thai belief shaped by Hindu legend and astrology. The meanings above are the ones our Malai Petite page gives.
The dictionary also gives the Muay Thai sense of mongkol: a ring of thread worn on the head for good fortune, used in the boxing ring.
Engrave a Letter or a Message: One of a Kind
An engraved gift belongs to one person only. We engrave on four pieces in this guide:
- The Signature Bracelet medallion (idea 1): one or two letters, on pre-order via LINE.
- The Malai Petite box (idea 9): a partner's name or a birthday message, 100 baht.
- The Malai Glin Rak box (idea 4): a message, by quotation.
- The custom red phuang malai box (idea 16): I love you, or her name and the date you met, by quotation.
For a softer touch, Nicha can write by hand: a card with the Moon Dreamcatcher (idea 14), or a message on the Pinky Peace packaging (idea 15).
Send us the letters or the message with the birthday date, and we will get back to you with the details.
Gift Ideas by Budget
Here are our pieces by price, from 350 to 1,790 baht, with the custom malai and the classic ideas in the last row.
| Budget | Ideas |
|---|---|
| 350 to 450 baht | Muay Thai Mongkol Keychain 350 (idea 3), Signature Bracelet 390 (idea 1), Premium Muay Thai Mongkol Keychain 390 (idea 2), Pinky Peace Dreamcatcher 450 (idea 15) |
| 490 to 650 baht | Blue Lady 490 (idea 12), Malai Glin Rak 499 (idea 4), Pink Lady 590 (idea 10), Pursy Lady 650 (idea 11) |
| 1,250 to 1,790 baht | Moon Dreamcatcher 1,250 (idea 14), Malai Petite, Colour of Your Birth Day 1,590 (idea 9), Beachy Mam' 1,790 (idea 13) |
| Your own budget | Custom red Valentine phuang malai, on quotation (idea 16); a watch, sneakers, a wallet or a grooming set (ideas 5 to 8); flowers, perfume or lipstick, jewellery, a dinner or a trip (ideas 17 to 20) |
Everything in the 350 to 450 baht row is ready in 5 to 10 working days, except the Pinky Peace Dreamcatcher at around 2 weeks.
Add 100 baht to the Malai Petite for her name or a birthday message on the box.
We are Macrame by Nicha, and our pieces are handmade by Akha women through Akha Ma-De, our social program that creates jobs in Asha village, Mae Yao district, Chiang Rai, and empowers the Akha community.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I spend on a birthday gift for my partner?
Whatever feels right for the two of you. Our handmade pieces sit in three bands: 350 to 450 baht, 490 to 650 baht and 1,250 to 1,790 baht, and the custom red malai (idea 16) is on quotation, according to your budget.
What can I give my partner for 500 baht?
For him: the Muay Thai Mongkol Keychain (350), the Signature Bracelet or the Premium Muay Thai Mongkol Keychain (390), or the Malai Glin Rak (499).
For her: the Signature Bracelet (390), the Pinky Peace Dreamcatcher (450) or the Blue Lady (490).
How many days ahead should I order?
The Signature Bracelet, both mongkol keychains and the Malai Glin Rak take 5 to 10 working days. The Pinky Peace Dreamcatcher takes around 2 weeks, depending on our order queue.
The bags, the Moon Dreamcatcher and the Malai Petite take 10 to 20 working days. For an urgent birthday, contact us about the Malai Petite or the Pinky Peace Dreamcatcher. For the custom red malai, we confirm the timing in your quotation.
What if I'm unsure of their birth-day colour?
Ask them which day of the week they were born, or look up their birth date on a calendar for that year.
You can also choose CUSTOM on the Malai Petite for their favourite colour, then send us a message.
Their birthday is close to 14 February. What should I give?
Keep the birthday gift personal, with their letters or their birth-day colour, and save something for the two of you on the day itself. For that side, see our Valentine's Day gift ideas for your partner.
Still choosing? Tell us about your partner, their birthday and your budget on LINE, and we will help you pick.