My son has a relatively new GF…maybe 3 or 4 months. He is struggling with what to buy for her birthday. I told him get her a bracelet or purse, or both. Where do they shop? What kind of accessories do your girls like? He says she wears leggings…I told him there are tons of cute ones out there…but where should he shop where she’d probably go to? All I know is Alter’d State or Urban Outfitters. I’d like to offer him some help,…so reaching to you!
Jewelry is very individual. My D has always liked necklaces, but rarely wears bracelets or earrings. As for handbags some young women love them and some rarely carry one.
How about tickets to an event (concert/theater) that she would like?
I would stay away from clothing or accessories, like leggings or purse, because they are very personal. A pair of earrings (he can see what kind of earrings she wears, if any) may be nice. Perfume if he knows what she wears. I think a scarf would be nice too, my girls wear them all the time. D2 just received a book of Whitney museum from a new admirer - nothing too personal, but it showed he was thinking of her. In the OP son’s case, he probably wants to get something a bit more personal.
No matter what he gets her as a present, there is nothing more romantic than getting flowers and a nice dinner.
Thanks for all of the help so far. He is struggling. So, I will advise him no jewelry, but maybe a scarf. He’s thinking of a backpack as hers is all torn up, but I thought that wasn’t personal enough. Maybe that, with a scarf inside?
I think a backpack and a scarf would be very nice. A backpack shows he is caring enough to know her backpack is all torn up and a scarf to keep her warm (and she will think of him every time she wears it).
The brand Dogeared makes some nice necklaces that come on a card with a theme. There are birthstone ones which might be welcome but not sending a Message he’s not looking to send. These are very popular among the college girls we know. They are pricy for costume jewlery but well under the price of a backpack plus scarf. A perfect gift since they might not be something one would get themselves. http://www.dogeared.com/november-citrine-birthstone-necklace%2C-sterling-silver/844923037879.html#start=21. Plus he could still spring for a romantic dinner
My girls have asked for a Love Your Mellon hat for the holidays. So cute and the brand supports pediatric cancer. But maybe the message is wrong?? Lol!
If she needs a backpack, that’s a great idea. HE can fill it with some of her favorite snacks. When I was that age, a backpack filled with Tab and chocolate chip cookies would have made me excessively happy. The scarf is a nice idea too.
3 or 4 months? I’d buy something small they can do together. Like a gift certificate to a restaurant she likes.
A backpack is also nice if he can figure out what she’d want.
I personally wouldn’t give clothes or jewelry but that’s because I wouldn’t want to recieve it.
My daughter loves the backpack idea.
If they have only been dating less than 4 months, a nice dinner out and a very small gift would seem appropriate, certainly nothing personal. A decent backpack these days can go around $100 and IMHO that is just too much money to spend for a new bf/gf. I guess it also depends on their ages somewhat. Tell him to keep in mind that he’s setting a precedent for future gift-giving lol.
He mentioned letting her pick it out herself, but I don’t know…I think that puts too much pressure on her. I think he should pick one out and giver her a gift receipt.
I too like the backpack idea, as long as they shop together. He doesn’t have to buy it just then, but he needs to know what kind and color she likes. I’d say the same if it was a purse.
People have raised good issues. Is this too much to spend? How old is he? Does she live in an apartment (that opens other ideas)
He is in his last semester of college and works PT. He makes about $800 a month and that takes care of all his food, gas, fun. We just pay for his tuition and rent. He is 23, she is 20. I like the idea of shopping with her and she can give him ideas. It is a long distance romance, but he’s seeing her next weekend.
I’m sure you can get a backpack for under $50, but some people are brand conscious. See if you can get more clues from your son.
North Face backpack $80 Amazon Prime
Herschel is a brand of backpacks that is very in vogue right now
@maya54, one of the Love Your Melon founders was from my kids’ HS. 
Birthstone jewelry was mentioned above. I don’t think that would be to everyone’s taste – my Ds would kind of roll their eyes, honestly. I think taking her out to dinner and a gift like a fashion scarf (not a winter scarf – a college boy might need that clarification) would be good.
https://www.amazon.com/backpacks/b?ie=UTF8&node=360832011
Lots of choices on Amazon. And lots for under $50.
I am a Jansport fan…and my kid has taken two of mine!
Tastes are very personal. He could check see if she has a pinterest account. Many people do and it could give him an idea if she has pinned things she likes.
I like the gift of experiences at this stage in the relationship - something they can do together like concert tickets.