One of the most prominent themes of Stardew Valley is freedom. Removing yourself from the shackles of a sterile and uncaring corporate machine to tend the earth is, on its own, enough to appeal to the most stone-hearted of us. But that throughline touches on much more than growing crops. In Stardew Valley there is no ultimate end-game goal outside of “have fun.” Yes, you can fish, fight monsters in the mine, rebuild the community center, and more, but it’s never a requirement. You can pursue any and all activities at your leisure.
Freedom.
This philosophy extends to romance, as well. There are 12 single villagers in Pelican Town that you can romance and eventually marry via the game’s Friendship system. In order to do so, you’ll need to bring them gifts. Everyone has their own preferred gifts, and in this guide, we’ve organized them all into one convenient spot. Below, you’ll find a list of every date-able character in Stardew Valley, the gifts that are sure to woo them, and how to get them.
Universal Loves
Before we get going, you ought to know that Stardew Valley includes a list of items that nearly everybody will like. They’re called Universal Loves and Universal Likes, and tend to be safe choices for gifts. Here are the lists:
- Golden Pumpkin – Obtained by navigating the maze during the Spirit’s Eve Festival.
- Magic Rock Candy – Earned by donating 90 items to the museum. Can also be dropped by the Haunted Skull enemies in the mines, and purchased from the Desert Trader on Thursdays for three Prismatic Shards.
- Pearl – Obtained during the Night Market Festival. There’s a small chance to catch it while fishing on the Fishing Submarine. You can also get it inside the Mermaid Boat by clicking the clam shells int he correct sequence.
- Prismatic Shard – Gained from Omni Geodes, Iridium Nodes, Mystic Stones, Gem Nodes, and Fishing Treasure Chests. Also a rare drop from Serpents, Mummies, Shadow Brutes, and Shadow Shaman. After reaching the bottom floor of the mine, there’s a small drop chance from any monster.
- Rabbit’s Foot – Obtained from a rabbit with sufficient Friendship, Mood, and Luck. Can also occasionally be bought from the Travelling Cart, and has a small drop chance with Serpents in the Skull Cavern.
Exceptions
There are two exceptions to the Universal Loves rule:
- Haley hates Prismatic Shards
- Penny hates Rabbit’s Foot
Universal Likes
These are the gifts nearly all villagers will enjoy:
- All Artisan Goods – These are items that require Artisan Equipment to craft. Things like Mayonnaise, which require an Egg and a Mayonnaise Machine, or honey from a Bee House. Oil and Void Mayonnaise are not considered Universal Likes, however.
- All Cooking Recipes – These are the dishes you can cook with the cooking skill. Fried Egg, Bread, and Strange Bun are not Universal Likes.
- All Flowers – You can farm and forage flowers. Poppies are not considered a Universal Like.
- All Foraged Minerals – You can find these scattered throughout the mines and the quarry. Quartz is a Universal Like, but its appeal varies from villager to villager.
- All Fruit Tree Fruits – It’s fruit. That’s grown on trees. On your farm.
- All Gems – These are found by breaking open mining nodes in the mines. The Prismatic Shard is not a Universal Like, but it is loved by everyone.
- All Vegetables – Both farmed and foraged. Hops, Tea Leaves, Wheat, and Unmilled Rice are not Universal Likes.
- Life Elixer – A crafted item you learn to make at combat level 2.
- Maple Syrup – Made with a Tapper and a Maple Tree.
Now, onto the villagers!
Abigail
The Gifts Abigail Loves
- All Universal Loves
- Amethyst
- Blackberry Cobbler
- Chocolate Cake
- Pufferfish
- Pumpkin
- Spicy Eel
The Gifts Abigail Likes
- All Universal Likes except vegetables
- Quartz
Alex
The Gifts Alex Loves
- All Universal Loves
- Complete Breakfast
- Salmon Dinner
The Gifts Alex Likes
- All Universal Likes
- All Eggs except the Void Egg
Elliot
The Gifts Elliot Loves
- All Universal Loves
- Crab Cakes
- Duck Feather
- Lobster
- Pomegranate
- Tom Kha Soup
The Gifts Elliot Likes
- All Universal Likes except Amaranth and Pizza
- All Fruit except Pomegranate and Salmonberry
- Octopus
- Squid
Emily
The Gifts Emily Loves
- All Universal Loves
- Amethyst
- Aquamarine
- Cloth
- Emerald
- Jade
- Ruby
- Survival Burger
- Topaz
- Wool
The Gifts Emily Likes
- All Universal Likes except Fish Taco, Fried Eel, Ice Cream, Maki Roll, Rice Pudding, Salmon Dinner, Spicy Eel, and Sashimi.
- Daffodil
- Quartz
Haley
The Gifts Haley Loves
- All Universal Loves except Prismatic Shard
- Coconut
- Fruit Salad
- Pink Cake
- Sunflower
The Gifts Haley Likes
- All Universal Likes except Vetebales
- Daffodil
Harvey
The Gifts Harvey Loves
- All Universal Loves
- Coffee
- Pickles
- Super Meal
- Truffle Oil
- Wine
The Gifts Harvey Likes
- All Universal Likes except Cheese, Goat Cheese, Bluebarry Tart, Chocolate Cake, Cookie, Cranberry Sauce, Fried Mushroom, Glazed Yams, Hashbrowns, Ice Cream, Pancakes, Pink Cake, Pizza, Rhubarb Pie, and Rice Pudding.
- Chanterelle
- Common Mushroom
- Daffodil
- Dandelion
- Duck Egg
- Duck Feather
- Goat Milk
- Hazlenut
- Holly
- Large Goat Milk
- Leek
- Morel
- Purple Mushroom
- Quartz
- Snow Yam
- Spring Onion
- Wild Horseradish
- Winter Root
Leah
The Gifts Leah Loves
- All Universal Loves
- Goat Cheese
- Poppyseed Muffin
- Salad
- Stir Fry
- Truffle
- Vegetable Medley
- Wine
The Gifts Leah Likes
- All Universal Likes except Foraged Minerals (other than Earth Crystal), Gems (other than Diamond and Prismatic Shard), Carp Surprise, Cookie, Hashbrowns, Ice Cream, Pancakes, Pink Cake, Pizza, Rice Pudding, Survival Burger, and Tortilla.
- All Eggs except the Void Egg
- All Fruit
- All Milk
- Chanterelle
- Common Mushroom
- Daffodil
- Dandelion
- Driftwood
- Hazelnut
- Holly
- Leek
- Morel
- Purple Mushroom
- Snow Yam
- Spring Onion
- Wild Horseradish
- Winter Root
Maru
The Gifts Maru Loves
- All Universal Loves
- Battery Pack (gained from the Lightning Rod)
- Cauliflower
- Cheese Cauliflower
- Diamond
- Gold Bar
- Iridium Bar
- Miner’s Treat
- Pepper Poppers
- Rhubarb Pie
- Strawberry
The Gifts Maru Likes
- All Universal Likes except Honey, Maple Syrup, and Pickles
- Copper Bar
- Iron Bar
- Oak Resin
- Pine Tar
- Quartz
Penny
The Gifts Penny Loves
- All Universal Loves except Rabbit’s Foot
- Diamond
- Emerald
- Melon
- Poppy
- Poppyseed Muffin
- Red Plate
- Roots Platter Sandfish
- Tom Kha Soup
The Gifts Penny Likes
- All Universal Likes except Algae Soup, Beer, Mead, Pale Ale, Pale Broth, and Wine
- All Milk
- Dandelion
- Leek
Sam
The Gifts Sam Loves
- All Universal Loves
- Cactus Fruit
- Maple Bar
- Pizza
- Tigerseye
The Gifts Sam Likes
- All Universal Likes except Duck Mayonnaise, Mayonnaise, Pickles and Vetegals
- All Eggs except the Void Egg
- Joja Cola
Sebastian
The Gifts Sebastian Loves
- All Universal Loves
- Frozen Tear
- Obsidian
- Pumpkin Soup
- Sashimi
- Void Egg
The Gifts Sebastian Likes
- All Universal Likes except Flowers, Complete Breakfast, Farmer’s Lunch, Omelet, and Artisan Goods (other than Coffee, Green Tea, and Oil)
- Flounder
- Quartz
Shane
The Gifts Shane Loves
- All Universal Loves
- Beer
- Hot Pepper
- Pepper Poppers
- Pizza
The Gifts Shane Likes
- All Universal Likes except Pickles
- All Eggs except the Void Egg
- All Fruit except Hot Pepper, which he loves
And that’s the best gifts for all 12 romanceable villagers. Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments section!
