Stardew Valley Gift Guide: Instant Friendship Cheat Codes!

In Stardew Valley, building relationships with the townsfolk plays a significant role. This interaction leads to various benefits such as learning new recipes, unexpected presents delivered via mail, enlightening scenes showcasing their backgrounds, and in some cases, finding a suitable partner.

Building friendships gradually with someone through daily conversations may take an excessive amount of time, making it unrealistic for many. A more efficient approach could be presenting them with thoughtful gifts that express your affection. However, in the game ‘Stardew Valley’, not all items are well-received by every character, and certain days are more advantageous for gift-giving than others.

How to Choose The Right Gift For Everyone in Stardew Valley

In Stardew Valley, as with real life, gifts hold a personal touch. Each villager has unique tastes, ranging from favorites to disliked items, and even things they absolutely despise. Here’s how you can discover each resident’s distinct preferences within the valley.

Check The Gift Log

Every time you bestow a fresh gift upon someone, the game will note their response within the Gift History. To access a character’s Gift History, navigate to the Social tab in the menu, then select their name. You’ll find their preferred gifts listed under the “Character’s Preferred Items” section, and you can view their reactions to every item they’ve interacted with in dedicated sections for each item category.

Find All The Secret Notes

An alternative method to discover preferences among the Stardew Valley characters is by uncovering all the Hidden Memos. These memos become accessible once you finish the quest “A Winter Enigma” and acquire a unique Magnifying Glass. A significant number of these hidden memos detail favorite items for each villager, and after reading these notes, these preferred items will be recorded in their wish lists. For example, Hidden Memo #2 outlines favorite gifts for five characters, including Sam.

Look At Universal Loves and Likes

An effective method to get started involves examining Common Favorites and Affections, which are things that the majority of villagers tend to appreciate, making them ideal gifts for strengthening friendships with them.

Here’s a list of all the Universally Loved items in Stardew Valley (and their player exceptions):

Universally Loved Items Player Exceptions
Haley
Rabbit’s Foot Penny

Gifting someone Stardrop Tea earns 250 Friendship points, equivalent to a complete heart. As such, it’s one of the most thoughtful presents to share within the Valley.

Gifts that are universally cherished often fall under specific categories, typically consisting of unique or premium items. Below you’ll find the list of such items, with some notable exceptions included.

Universally Liked Items Item Exceptions
All Artisan Goods Oil, Void Mayonnaise
All Cooked Meals Fried Eggs, Bread, Strange Bun, Seafood Pudding
All Flowers Poppy
All Foraged Minerals Quartz (vaies by villager)
All Fruit Tree Fruits Banana and Mango (varies by villager)
All Gems Prismatic Shard (it is Universally Loved)
All Vegetables, including Fiddlehead Fern Hops, Tea Leaves, Wheat, Unmilled Rice

The Best Stardew Valley Villager Gift Guide

In Stardew Valley, each character possesses distinct preferences for what they like and love, which can win their favor. Initially, there’s no need to worry excessively about matching gifts perfectly. Even a gift that is merely liked can contribute to strengthening friendships gradually.

To keep things concise, this list focuses on showcasing what each character is particularly fond of: their unique favorites.

Character Loves Likes
Abigail
  • All Universal Loves
  • Amethyst
  • Banana Pudding
  • Blackberry Cobbler
  • Chocolate Cake
  • Pufferfish
  • Pumpkin
  • Spicy Eel
  • Monster Compendium
  • All Universal Likes (except Vegetables)
  • Ancient Sword
  • Basilisk Paw
  • Bone Flute
  • Combat Quarterly
  • Quartz
Alex
  • All Universal Loves
  • Complete Breakfast
  • Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Thick
  • Salmon Dinner
  • All Universal Likes
  • All Eggs (except Void Egg)
  • Dinosaur Egg
  • Field Snack
  • Parrot Egg
Caroline
  • All Universal Loves
  • Fish Taco
  • Green Tea
  • Summer Spangle
  • Tropical Curry
  • All Universal Likes (except Amaranth, Duck Mayonnaise, & Mayonnaise)
  • Daffodil
  • Tea Leaves
  • Wild Horseradish
Clint
  • All Universal Loves
  • Amethyst
  • Aquamarine
  • Artichoke Dip
  • Emerald
  • Fiddlehead Risotto
  • Gold Bar
  • Iridium Bar
  • Jade
  • Omni Geode
  • Ruby
  • Topaz
  • All Universal Likes (except Flowers)
  • Copper Bar
  • Iron Bar
  • Mining Monthly
Demetrius
  • All Universal Loves
  • Bean Hotpot
  • Ice Cream
  • Rice Pudding
  • Strawberry
  • All Universal Likes
  • All Eggs (except Void Egg)
  • All Fruit (except Strawberry)
  • Dinosaur Egg
  • Purple Mushroom
Dwarf
  • All Universal Loves
  • Amethyst
  • Aquamarine
  • Emerald
  • Jade
  • Lava Eel
  • Lemon Stone
  • Omni Geode
  • Ruby
  • Topaz
  • All Universal Likes
  • All Artifacts
  • Cave Carrot
  • Quartz
Elliot
  • All Universal Loves
  • Crab Cakes
  • Duck Feather
  • Lobster
  • Pomegranate
  • Squid Ink
  • Tom Kha Soup
  • All Universal Likes (except Amaranth, Pizza, & Rainbow Shell)
  • All Books
  • All Fruit (except Pomegranate & Salmonberry)
  • Octopus
  • Squid
Emily
  • All Universal Loves
  • Aquamarine
  • Cloth
  • Emerald
  • Jade
  • Parrot Egg
  • Ruby
  • Survival Burger
  • Topaz
  • Wool
  • All Universal Likes (except Fish Taco, Fried Eel, Ice Cream, Maki Roll, Rice Pudding, Salmon Dinner, Spicy Eel, & Sashimi)
  • Daffodil
  • Quartz
Evelyn
  • All Universal Loves
  • Beet
  • Chocolate Cake
  • Diamond
  • Fairy Rose
  • Raisins
  • Stuffing
  • Tulip
  • All Universal Likes (except Fried Eel, Garlic, Maki Roll, Sashimi, Spicy Eel, & Trout Soup)
  • All Milk
  • Broken Glasses
  • Clam
  • Cockle
  • Coral
  • Daffodil
  • Mussel
  • Nautilus Shell
  • Oyster
  • Sea Urchin
George
  • All Universal Loves
  • Fried Mushroom
  • All Universal Likes (except Flowers)
  • Daffodil
Gus
  • All Universal Loves
  • Diamond
  • Escargot
  • Fish Taco
  • Orange
  • Tropical Curry
  • All Universal Likes (except Coleslaw)
  • Daffodil
  • Truffle
Haley
  • All Universal Loves (except Prismatic Shard)
  • Coconut
  • Fruit Salad
  • Pink Cake
  • Sunflower
  • All Universal Likes (except Vegetables)
  • Daffodils
Harvey
  • All Universal Loves
  • Coffee
  • Pickles
  • Super Meal
  • Wine
  • All Universal Likes
  • (except Cheese, Goat Cheese, Rainbow Shell, and the following cooked dishes: Blueberry Tart, Chocolate Cake, Cookie, Cranberry Sauce, Fried Mushroom, Glazed Yams, Hashbrowns, Ice Cream, Pancakes, Pink Cake, Pizza, Rhubarb Pie, & Rice Pudding)
  • All Fruit (except Salmonberry & Spice Berry)
  • Chanterelle
  • Common Mushroom
  • Daffodil
  • Dandelion
  • Duck Egg
  • Duck Feather
  • Ginger
  • Goat Milk
  • Hazelnut
  • Holly
  • Large Goat Milk
  • Leek
  • Magma Cap
  • Morel
  • Purple Mushroom
  • Quartz
  • Snow Yam
  • Spring Onion
  • Wild Horseradish
  • Winter Root
Jas
  • All Universal Loves
  • Ancient Doll
  • Fairy Box
  • Pink Cake
  • Plum Pudding
  • Green Strange Doll
  • Yellow Strange Doll
  • All Universal Likes(except Piña Colada, Triple Shot Espresso, Vegetables and Artisan Goods other than Honey, Jelly, & Oil)
  • All Milk
Jodi
  • All Universal Loves
  • Chocolate Cake
  • Crispy Bass
  • Diamond
  • Eggplant Parmesan
  • Pancakes
  • Rhubarb Pie
  • Vegetable Medley
  • All Universal Likes(except Garlic)
  • All Eggs (except Void Egg)
  • All Fruit (except Spice Berry)
  • All Milk
Kent
  • All Universal Loves
  • Fiddlehead Risotto
  • Roasted Hazelnuts
  • All Universal Likes (except Algae Soup, Piña Colada, Sashimi, & Tortilla)
  • All Eggs (except Void Egg)
  • All Fruit
  • Daffodil
  • Dwarvish Safety Manual
Krobus
  • All Universal Loves
  • Diamond
  • Iridium Bar
  • Monster Compendium
  • Monster Musk
  • Pumpkin
  • Void Egg
  • Void Mayonnaise
  • Wild Horseradish
  • All Universal Likes (except Life Elixir and All Cooking except Seafom Pudding and Strange Bun)
  • Gold Bar
  • Quartz
  • Seafoam Pudding
  • Strange Bun
Leah
  • All Universal Loves
  • Goat Cheese
  • Poppyseed Muffin
  • Salad
  • Stir Fry
  • Truffle
  • Vegetable Medley
  • Wine
  • All Universal Likes(except:
  • Foraged Minerals other than Earth Crystal
  • Gems other than Diamond & Prismatic Shard
  • Carp Surprise, Cookie, Hashbrowns, Ice Cream, Pancakes, Pink Cake, Pizza, Rice Pudding, Survival Burger, & Tortilla)
  • All Eggs (except Void Egg)*
  • All Fruit
  • All Milk
  • Chanterelle
  • Common Mushroom
  • Daffodil
  • Dandelion
  • Driftwood
  • Ginger
  • Hazelnut
  • Holly
  • Leek
  • Magma Cap
  • Morel
  • Purple Mushroom
  • Snow Yam
  • Spring Onion
  • Wild Horseradish
  • Winter Root
Leo
  • All Universal Loves
  • Duck Feather
  • Mango
  • Ostrich Egg
  • Parrot Egg
  • Poi
  • All Universal Likes (except Beer, Coffee, Life Elixir, Mead, Pale Ale, Pickles, Piña Colada, Wine, and Cooking other than Bread, Fried Egg, Poi, Mango Sticky Rice, & Triple Shot Espresso)
  • Dragon Tooth
  • Mango Sticky Rice
  • Nautilus Shell
  • Quartz
  • Sea Urchin
  • Spice Berry
Lewis
  • All Universal Loves
  • Autumn’s Bounty
  • Glazed Yams
  • Green Tea
  • Hot Pepper
  • Vegetable Medley
  • All Universal Likes
  • Blueberry
  • Cactus Fruit
  • Coconut
Linus
  • All Universal Loves
  • Blueberry Tart
  • Cactus Fruit
  • Cocout
  • Dish O’ The Sea
  • The Alleyway Buffet
  • Yam
  • All Universal Likes (except Treasure Chest, Foraged Minerals, & Gems other than Diamond & Prismatic Shard)
  • All Eggs (except Void Egg)*
  • All Fruit (except Cactus Fruit & Coconut)
  • All Milk
  • Chanterelle
  • Common Mushroom
  • Daffodil
  • Dandelion
  • Ginger
  • Hazelnut
  • Holly
  • Leek
  • Magma Cap
  • Morel
  • Purple Mushroom
  • Snow Yam
  • Spring Onion
  • Wild Horseradish
  • Winter Root
Marnie
  • All Universal Loves
  • Diamond
  • Farmer’s Lunch
  • Pink Cake
  • Pumpkin Pie
  • All Universal Likes
  • All Eggs (except Void Egg)
  • All Milk
  • Stardew Valley Almanac
  • Quartz
Maru
  • All Universal Loves
  • Battery Pack
  • Cauliflower
  • Cheese Cauliflower
  • Diamond
  • Dwarf Gadget
  • Gold Bar
  • Iridium Bar
  • Miner’s Treat
  • Pepper Poppers
  • Radioactive Bar
  • Rhubarb Pie
  • Strawberry
  • All Universal Likes (except Honey, Maple Syrup, & Pickles)
  • Chanterelle
  • Copper Bar
  • Iron Bar
  • Magma Cap
  • Morel
  • Oak Resin
  • Pine Tar
  • Purple Mushroom
  • Quartz
  • Radioactive Ore
Pam
  • All Universal Loves
  • Beer
  • Cactus Fruit
  • Glazed Yams
  • Mead
  • Pale Ale
  • Parsnip
  • Parsnip Soup
  • Pina Colada
  • All Universal Likes
  • All Fruit (except Cactus Fruit)
  • All Milk
  • Daffodil
Penny
  • All Universal Loves (except Rabbit’s Foot)
  • All Books
  • Diamond
  • Emerald
  • Melon
  • Poppy
  • Poppyseed Muffin
  • Red Plate
  • Roots PLatter
  • Sandfish
  • Tom Kha Soup
  • All Universal Likes (except Algae Soup, Beer, Mead, Pale Ale, Pale Broth, Piña Colada, & Wine)
  • All Artifacts
  • All Milk
  • Dandelion
  • Leek
Pierre
  • All Universal Loves
  • Price Catalogue
  • All Universal Likes (except Corn, Garlic, Foraged Minerals, Gems other than Diamond & Prismatic Shard, Parsnip Soup, & Tortilla)
  • All Eggs (except Void Egg)
  • All Milk
  • Daffodil
  • Dandelion
Robin
  • All Universal Loves
  • Goat Cheese
  • Peach
  • Spaghetti
  • Woody’s Secret
  • All Universal Likes
  • All Fruit (except Peach)
  • All Milk
  • Hardwood
  • Quartz
  • Woodcutter’s Weekly
Sam
  • All Universal Loves
  • Cactus Fruit
  • Maple Bar
  • Pizza
  • Tigerseye
  • All Universal Likes
  • (except Duck Mayonnaise, Mayonnaise, Pickles, & Vegetables)
  • All Eggs (except Void Egg)
  • Joja Cola
Sandy
  • All Universal Loves
  • Crocus
  • Daffodil
  • Mango Sticky Rice
  • Sweet Pea
  • All Universal Likes
  • All Fruit
  • Goat Milk
  • Large Goat Milk
  • Quartz
  • Wool
Sebastian
  • All Universal Loves
  • Frog Egg
  • Frozen Tear
  • Obsidian
  • Pumpkin Soup
  • Sashimi
  • Void Egg
  • All Universal Likes (except Flowers, Complete Breakfast, Farmer’s Lunch, Omelet, Piña Colada, & Artisan Goods other than Coffee, Green Tea, & Oil)
  • Combat Quarterly
  • Flounder
  • Monster Compendium
  • Quartz
Shane
  • All Universal Loves
  • Beer
  • Hot Pepper
  • Pepper Poppers
  • Pizza
  • All Universal Likes (except Pickles)
  • All Eggs (except Void Egg)
  • All Fruit (except Hot Pepper)
Vincent
  • All Universal Loves
  • Cranberry Candy
  • Frog Egg
  • Ginger Ale
  • Grape
  • Pink Cake
  • Snail
  • All Universal Likes (except Piña Colada, Triple Shot Espresso, Vegetables and Artisan Goods other than Honey, Jelly, & Oil)
  • All Milk
  • Coconut
  • Daffodil
Willy
  • All Universal Loves
  • Catfish
  • Gold Bar
  • Diamond
  • Iridium bar
  • Jewels of The Sea
  • Mead
  • Octopus
  • Pumpkin
  • Sea Cucumber
  • The Art O’ Crabbing
  • All Universal Likes except Life Elixir, and All Cooking except for the fish dishes he is neutral towards: Dish O’ The Sea, Maki Roll, & Sashimi and the ones mentioned below:
  • Bait and Bobber
  • Baked Fish
  • Carp Surprise
  • Chowder
  • Crab Cakes
  • Crispy Bass
  • Escargot
  • Fish Stew
  • Fish Taco
  • Fried Calamari
  • Fried Eel
  • Lingcod
  • Lobster Bisque
  • Quartz
  • Salmon Dinner
  • Seafoam Pudding
  • Tiger Trout
  • Trout Soup
Wizard
  • All Universal Loves
  • Book of Mysteries
  • Purple Mushroom
  • Solar Essence
  • Super Cucumber
  • Void Essence
  • All Universal Likes
  • All Geode Minerals
  • All Trinkets
  • Iridium Bar
  • Quartz

How to Make the Most of Gifting

In my fandom experience, each character is particular about their presents, taking just one gift daily and up to two per week as a rule of thumb. However, there are two unique cases: your spouse can receive an unlimited number of gifts on any given day, while everyone appreciates a present on their birthday, regardless if they’ve received more than the usual within that week.

The points earned or deducted due to a present are influenced by three factors: the recipient’s response, the item’s grade, and when the gift is presented.

Reaction

As a gamer, I can increase a character’s friendship level significantly by showering them with affection and thoughtful gestures. Giving them an adored item could bump up their affinity toward me by 80 points, while a disliked gift might drop it by 40 points. Interacting with the character daily adds 20 points to our bond. So, if I dedicate my attention to one character every day for an entire week, I can potentially boost our relationship by 300 points just by being attentive and giving them gifts they love. Each heart of affection equates to 250 points, so after nine weeks of this strategy, I could bring a relationship from empty to full, going from 0 to 10 hearts.

Quality

A top-notch item amplifies its impact. For example, offering Maru an average strawberry increases her relationship score by 80 points, but presenting her with a premium strawberry boosts it to 120 points. Moreover, superior items can exacerbate relationship deterioration: providing Jas with a premium iridium goat cheese will lower her relationship standing by 60 points.

Timing

As a gamer, I can tell you that special days add an extra layer of excitement to the gaming world. A present given on Winter Star’s day is like striking gold, its value is not just doubled or tripled, but it’s five times more valuable than usual! And if a gift is bestowed on my character’s birthday, well, that’s a celebration beyond comparison. The joy and gratitude I feel when receiving such a present is worth eight times the original value.

Gifting an Iridium-quality rabbit’s foot to any character other than Penny on their birthday will significantly boost your relationship with them. The total increase would be approximately 960 points, or 980 points if you consider the daily conversation bonus as well. This is almost equivalent to filling up three and a half hearts from a single gift.

Another approach to maximizing the impact of a gift is during a Luau potluck gathering. Lewis advises participants to incorporate an item into the communal soup prior to the governor’s tasting, as adding something special and valuable can earn up to 120 relationship points with each character present. Conversely, offering low-quality or harmful items could result in a drop of up to 100 points from every relationship. These benefits and penalties apply universally, so even Harvey would appreciate the inclusion of premium iridium goat cheese.

To summarize, it’s crucial to remember the concept of relationship deterioration. Generally, this decline is minimal (-2 points daily if there’s no interaction), but reaching the highest level of connection will halt this decay entirely. However, a girlfriend or boyfriend’s relationship will decrease by 10 points per day until you reach 10 hearts, whereas a spouse’s relationship decays at a rate of 20 points every single day regardless of circumstances.

Navigating gift-giving can be quite challenging, yet having a thoughtfully selected calendar and a small group of pet rabbits in a hutch might just do the trick to bring joy to everyone, even when they’ve been neglected for much of the year.

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2025-04-22 04:21