Building friendships in Stardew Valley is one of the best parts of the game. It offers heart events, recipes, discounts, and even marriage if you feel like it. But this all hinges on your social game. In this guide, I’m going to show you not only how to befriend the most popular villagers, but also give you a powerful gift strategy so you’re always armed with the right item at the right moment. Let’s dive in!
Quick rules (what actually affects friendship)
Before we dive into each character, learn the mechanics since they do matter. Speak to a villager once per day, and you get a small friendship boost. You can give up to two gifts per villager per week (three on their birthday week), and gifts are the fastest way to boost friendship.
Gifts have categories (Loved, Liked, Neutral, Disliked, Hated) that change how many friendship points you earn. Loved gifts are the big wins. On birthdays, friendship gains for gifts are multiplied, so those are the best days to hand someone a loved gift.
- Concrete numbers you’ll want to memorize: loved gifts give dramatically more points than liked or neutral gifts (they’re the engine of fast progression). The standard point values commonly used by the community are: Loved = +80, Liked = +45, Neutral = +20 (and negative values for disliked/hated). Use loved gifts on birthdays (they’re multiplied) to get the best bang for your time.
- For romance: to propose you must first give a Bouquet at 8 hearts, then the Mermaid Pendant at 10 hearts (you can only buy the Mermaid Pendant from the Old Mariner after certain conditions are met), and you must have upgraded your farmhouse at least once.
Finally — there are dozens of villagers and each has unique routines, tastes, and heart-event requirements. The Villagers page on the Stardew Valley Wiki is extremely useful if you want to look up exactly where someone will be on which day.
Universal Gift Preferences
If you’re ever in doubt or short on time, here’s your cheat sheet of gifts that are “safe bets” for basically everyone or totally toxic so you can avoid missteps.
- Universal Loved Gifts (worth ~ +80 friendship points; Stardrop Tea bonuses are huge)
- Golden Pumpkin
- Magic Rock Candy
- Pearl
- Prismatic Shard (except Haley hates it)
- Rabbit’s Foot (except Penny hates it)
- Stardrop Tea (ignores weekly gift limit; birthday multiplier)
- Universal Liked Gifts (worth ~ +45 points) — Most fruit tree produce, common vegetables, and root crops—basically farm staples unless a character specifically dislikes them.
- Universal Disliked Gifts (~ –20 points; awkward) — Cave Carrot, Driftwood, Field Snack, Jack-O’Lantern, Oak Resin, Solar Essence, Spring Onion, Tea Set, Unmilled Rice.
- Universal Hated Gifts (~ –40 points; avoid entirely) — Junk, most combat loot, artifact troves, seaweed, slimes, weird items like Mystery Box, Seafoam Pudding, warp totems, and dozens of others—best not risk it.
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Abigail
Abigail is one of the easiest and most fun romance options: she’s moody, into the occult and video games, and often found in the general store or graveyard at night. You should mine and forage things she likes (amethyst and other gems, pumpkins, and cooked sweets), visit her in the evenings to trigger heart events, and bring loved gifts on her birthday.
Talk to her daily, give a loved gift when you can, and make sure to trigger her 2–8 heart events by being where she’s hanging out (often Backpack or town spots at night). If you want a quicker route, craft or buy her favorite cooked items — but mining early-game for gems is both cheap and lore-appropriate.
Abigail Gift Guide
Loved Gifts:
- Amethyst
- Blackberry Cobbler
- Chocolate Cake
- Pumpkin
- Spicy Eel
Liked:
- Quartz
- Tigerseye
- Pufferfish
- Salmon Dinner
Neutral:
- All other gems (common/emeralds), cooked dishes not in loved list
Hated:
- Quartz (only disliked by a few, but she’s neutral to most common foraging items)
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Alex
Alex is sunny and sporty, though quieter than he first appears. Find him either at home or at the beach in summer, or playing football with Sam near the bus stop. He loves hearty, protein-rich gifts (think eggs, meats, certain cooked dishes). He’s grateful for encouragement in early-game dialog, so complimenting his goals in conversation often nudges event triggers forward.
Give one small liked gift often (easy to craft/raise on your farm), and save loved gifts for birthdays and special heart event windows. If you want to speed-date your way to 8 hearts, prioritize loved gifts and talk to him every day he’s available.
Alex Gift Guide
Loved:
- Complete Breakfast
- Salmon Dinner
- Steak
- Eggs (once farm producing)
Liked:
- Fried Egg
- Omelet
- Pancakes
Neutral:
- Most cooked meals not matching protein-heavy vibe
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Elliott
Elliott is the dramatic writer on the beach — one of the game’s most literate romance options. He’ll naturally respond well to refined gifts: wine, truffles, and crafted items that feel “artsy.” Visit him at the beach, especially in the rain or on afternoons when he writes.
Pair gifting with long-ish conversations. Elliott’s heart events are cinematic; you’ll want to see the whole sequence, and they’re triggered reliably if you’re talking and gifting properly.
Elliott Gift Guide
Loved:
- Crab Cakes
- Duck Feather
- Lobster
- Pomegranate
- Tom Kha Soup (added in 1.5+ update)
Liked:
- Clam
- Truffle
- Wine
- Duck Mayonnaise
Neutral:
- Generic seafood
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Harvey
Harvey, the town doctor, appreciates thoughtful, calm gestures. He’s usually at the clinic or hospital/library in the mornings. He has a more reserved arc, so consistency matters: talk daily and give thoughtful, liked gifts (not random spam). Save loved gifts for birthdays and major milestones.
Harvey’s storylines are subtle and gradually reveal depth. Slow and steady beats quick bombardment for meaningful outcomes.
Harvey Gift Guide
Loved:
- Coffee
- Pickles
- Super Meal
- Truffle Oil
Liked:
- Cactus Fruit
- Cranberry Candy
- Grape
- Pepper Poppers
Neutral:
- Most vegetables, except disliked processed or sugary stuff
Treat him like he’s on a doctor’s diet: thoughtful and minimal makes him happiest.
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Haley
Haley begins as shallow-sounding but has surprising depth. She frequently hangs out near Pierre’s or at home. She appreciates fashionable and aesthetic gifts — flowers, certain cooked foods, and such. Don’t dismiss her initial flakiness; her best heart events unlock once you show up reliably.
Give liked gifts early to avoid negative reactions, then aim for loved gifts on birthdays or after unlocking her deeper events.
Haley Gift Guide
Loved:
- Coconut
- Pink Cake
- Sunflower
- Fruit Salad
Liked:
- Daffodil
- Sunflower (also Loved—something to note!)
- Meg (maybe seasonal items, flexible)
Neutral:
- Most floral foraged items
Her tastes are aesthetic—something pretty and sweet keeps her attention.
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Leah
Leah is a nature-loving artist who hangs out at her cottage and around the river area. She loves things produced by the land: salads, goat cheese, artisan goods, and foraged items. Her events reward you with artful, narrative payoffs.
Give artisan or crafted gifts she likes and spend time outdoors — take her to the craft fair, complete her quests, and visit during weekends to trigger events.
Leah Gift Guide
Loved:
- Goat Cheese
- Salad
- Stir Fry
- Truffle
- Wine
Liked:
- Dandelion
- Spring Onion
- Common mushrooms
Neutral:
- Most artisan/farm goods
She’s an earth-mama at heart — homegrown artisanal gifts are your best friends.
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Maru
Maru is the tinkerer and scientist — you’ll find her at the clinic, home, or working on projects. She loves techy/lab-like gifts (electronics, batteries, and certain artisan items). Maru responds particularly well if you help with community or tech-minded gestures.
Pair gifts with helpful actions (fixing things, completing community center bundles) and don’t miss hospital/clinic visits where events fire.
Maru Gift Guide
Loved:
- Battery Pack
- Cauliflower
- Gold Bar
- Iridium Bar
- Pepper Poppers
Liked:
- Cheese Cauliflower
- Quartz
- Rhubarb Pie
- Pepper Poppers (also Loved—bonus)
Neutral:
- Generic metals/artisan
Tech-savvy meets farm flair—give her shiny stuff or spiced pies.
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Penny
Penny’s a bookish teacher and often at home or near the library. She loves reading, quiet thoughtful gifts, and simple homey items. She’s one of the most emotionally moving arcs in the game; bring loved gifts on birthdays and make showing-up a habit. Don’t skip her lower-heart events — they build slowly but reward you with some of the best writing in Stardew.
Completing quests for Penny and doing community-oriented tasks shows you care about the life she’s trying to schedule around. That helps trigger those delicate later-heart cutscenes.
Penny Gift Guide
Loved:
- Diamond
- Emerald
- Melon
- Poppy
- Root Platter
Liked:
- Wheat
- Common Flowers (like poppy, also loved if poppy qualifies)
Neutral:
- Most basic crops
Quiet, bookish, but she loves shiny precious gems and homely veg — efficient and sweet.
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Sam
Sam is upbeat and social — he’s usually lounging near the bus stop or skatepark areas. He likes music, skate culture stuff, and fun meals. He’s not demanding: consistent daily talk + a few liked gifts gets you a long way. Use loved gifts on birthdays for big jumps.
Style tip: Sam’s events often tie into the festival/teen life scenes (e.g., dances), so show up at those and participate.
Sam Gift Guide
Loved:
- Cactus Fruit
- Maple Bar
- Pizza
Liked:
- Tigerseye
- Tigerseye (yes common again, but consistent)
He wants snacky, laid-back kind of gifts. Keep it casual.
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Sebastian
Sebastian is the classic brooding coder — often in his room or the abandoned house garage. He likes quiet attention, coffee, and things that match his gothic/tech vibe. He’s high-value for players who enjoy slow-burn relationships; his events reflect inner life, not immediate affection.
Gift consistently (liked items), avoid overwhelming him with sappy flavor. Trigger his late-night hangouts by visiting during evenings — that’s when his heart events usually fire.
Sebastian Gift Guide
Loved:
- Frozen Tear
- Obsidian
- Pumpkin Soup
- Sashimi
Liked:
- Quartz
- Void Egg
- Winter items
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Shane
Shane has one of the best redemption arcs in Stardew. He starts as cranky and slowly opens up. He loves beer, coffee, and certain hearty foods. More importantly than raw gifting: be patient. Shane’s heart events are all about gradual change; talk regularly, bring liked gifts early, and save loved gifts for birthdays. His reward is one of the most satisfying emotional arcs in the game.
Help him with community quests and don’t give up when he’s gruff early on — that’s the whole point of his storyline.
Shane Gift Guide
Loved:
- Beer
- Pizza
- Pepper Poppers
- Poultry Dinner
Liked:
- Coffee
- Pepper
- Omellette
Neutral:
- Most casual cooked dishes
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Emily
Emily is bright, spiritual, and into crafts; she loves sewing-related items, cloth, and unique gems. She spends time at the saloon and sometimes in her home. Emily rewards creative, handmade gifts and festival participation where she often has special lines.
Craft garments or give gems/foraged items that match her vibe. She’s a warm, immediate friend if you show taste.
Emily Gift Guide
Loved:
- Amethyst
- Aquamarine
- Cloth
- Emerald
- Ruby
- Topaz
Liked:
- Cloth (also loved—double love!)
Neutral:
- Other gems/artisan crafts
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Caroline
Caroline is practical and domestic — you’ll find her at home or in the general store area. She appreciates family-friendly gestures: home-grown vegetables and stable, friendly conversation. Don’t ignore the family events (Pierre/Caroline home scenes) since they’re pleasant and easy to trigger.
Give small gifts often show up on weekends, and participate in town events.
Caroline Gift Guide
Loved:
- Fish Tacos
- Parsnip
- Summer Spangle
Liked:
- Daffodil
- Stir Fry
Neutral:
- Most farm crops
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Pierre
Pierre runs the general store and is literally the economy of the town. He appreciates gifts that improve his shop or are high-quality produce; he also values reliable social interactions. If you want faster friendship gains, give one liked gift per week and save loved gifts for birthday windows. Pierre’s shop is also a strategic spot to intersect with other characters, so use it.
When planning gift runs, route the market into your daily chores. Buy his items when needed because friendly merchants get friendly back.
Pierre Gift Guide
Loved:
- Fried Calamari
- Vegetable Medley
- Spice Berry
Liked:
- All vegetables (reasonable)
Neutral:
- Generic processed goods
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Clint
Clint, the blacksmith, values ores, bars, and artisan items tied to his craft. He’s often at the blacksmith or in his shop. If you give him items that reflect his trade (ores, bars, tools you found), he’ll react well. Build him trust with tailored gifts and show interest in his work via dialogue.
Stash a few metals and artisan goods to give him weekly; he’s a steady, practical friend.
Clint Gift Guide
Loved:
- Emerald
- Emeralds, bars—jewel-tier gifts
- Amethyst (liked)
- Frozen Geode
Liked:
- Bars (gold, iron)
- Quartz
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Demetrius
Demetrius is the scientist in Pelican Town; he appreciates intellectual gifts and family-friendly interactions. He often hangs near the greenhouse or at home. Give him thoughtful, “smart” gifts (certain fish, or lab-like items) and participate in any quests that help the town’s research.
Demetrius Gift Guide
Loved:
- Ice Cream
- Strawberry
- Super Cucumber (1.5)
- Cauliflower
Liked:
- Cooked dishes, moderate
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Robin
Robin’s the carpenter and a core NPC. She’s busy but shows up at her shop regularly. She values community improvements (you upgrading your house helps trigger lines), and she appreciates tools/woodwork-related gestures. Help her feel useful by completing farm upgrades and visiting after you get a new room because she’ll take pride and chat more.
Robin Gift Guide
Loved:
- Peach
- Spaghetti
- Wood (weirdly)
Liked:
- Pine Tar
- Any fruit except for hot peppers
She’s workshop-y but maternal—fresh fruits and food, with a dash of woodsy practicality.
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Lewis
Mayor Lewis is civic-minded. He rewards community-focused behavior: finishing bundles, attending festivals, and being politically friendly (choose his side in town dialog when relevant). He’s a narrative gatekeeper for a lot of town activities, so be visible at festivals and community events.
Lewis Gift Guide
Loved:
- Glazed Yams
- Hot Pepper
- Pink Cake
Liked:
- Festival-type foods (like popcorn)
- Corn?
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Marnie
Marnie is warm and animal-focused. If you have livestock, she’ll respond to farm improvements and animal care. She often runs the ranch shop. Give her things that show you care about animals (cheeses, animal products) and she’ll reward you with friendly banter and useful interactions.
Marnie Gift Guide
Loved:
- Diamond
- Farmer’s Lunch
- Pink Cake
Liked:
- Eggs
- Any cooked food
Farm-raised warmth: hearty, homemade treats are perfect.
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Willy
Willy, the fisherman, loves fish — shocker. He’s an easy, low-effort friendship if you fish often (and gift fish he likes). He’s usually at the beach or his shack. If you want to be besties, gift fish he loves and visit during rainy days when he’s more talkative.
Willy Gift Guide
Loved:
- Catfish
- Iridium Bar (okay this is metal, but also loved)
- Sturgeon
Liked:
- Fish (common)
- Sashimi
How to Maximize Your Relationship with the Wizard
The Wizard is delightfully mysterious. He loves mystical and magical items and often hangs out in the tower southwest of town. He rewards curiosity; completing the Community Center and finding magical artifacts helps. The Wizard interacts with some of Stardew’s arcane plot points, so progress storylines that intersect with him.
Wizard Gift Guide
Loved:
- Purple Mushroom
- Solar Essence
- Void Essence
Liked:
- Magic-based items—most arcana-related items
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Linus
Linus lives outside the town and is often avoided by some players, which is one of the great injustices of Stardew. He appreciates foraged items and simple friendship. Be consistent and human with him: talk daily, bring a foraged favorite, and his late-game scenes are extremely rewarding emotionally.
Linus’s arc is a reminder that small kindnesses matter and the payoff is worth the early awkwardness.
Linus Gift Guide
Loved:
- Blueberry Tart
- Cactus Fruit
- Yam
Liked:
- Foraged goods: wild seeds, berries
Neutral/Hated:
- Rejected if city-cultured
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Krobus
Krobus is a lovable shadow-being in the sewer who appreciates rare and unusual gifts (he tends to like items that are related to monsters or rare finds). He’s also generous if you treat him kindly. Crawl the mines for items Krobus will appreciate, and remember his shop offers unique items later.
Krobus Gift Guide
Loved:
- Blobfish
- Pumpkin Soup
- Void Egg
- Void Mayonnaise
Liked:
- Iridium Bar
- Solar/Taurian Essence
Shadow-being likes oddities—cultivated weird is your friendship currency.
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Gus
Gus runs the saloon and loves food-related gifts; he’s also the best source of piping hot social interactions. Give him cooked dishes when you want to fast-track friendship and hang out in the saloon to trigger festival conversations and story events.
Visit early evening, buy a drink or give him a liked item, and keep his cookbook content in mind for themed gifts.
Gus Gift Guide
Loved:
- Escargot
- Fish Taco
- Orange
Liked:
- Any cooked dish, but especially warm
How to Maximize Your Relationship with Evelyn
Evelyn is elderly and adorable, and she appreciates garden-grown gifts and thoughtful small talk. She’s at home often, and small, frequent interactions (and veggie gifts from your farm) are perfect for her. She’s a slow-burn friend who rewards regular presence.
Evelyn Gift Guide
Loved:
- Beet
- Chocolate Cake
- Stuffing (Fall)
- Vegetable Medley
Liked:
- All vegetables
- Baked goods
Final tactical checklist — a short, usable routine
If you only remember one thing: consistency + loved gifts on birthdays = results. Here’s a daily/weekly routine that will get you into the 8–10 heart zone fast:
- Talk to every villager you care about once per day (quick +20-style boost).
- Give up to two gifts per week per villager. Prioritize loved gifts; save them for birthdays if possible. (Birthday gifts are multiplied.)
- Be where they are during their usual hangout times for heart-event triggers (use the Villagers page to check school/festival/seasonal schedules).
- For romance: give a Bouquet at 8 hearts, then the Mermaid Pendant at 10 hearts — make sure your house is upgraded per the marriage requirements.
- Use artisanal and farm-produced goods to impress villagers who are tied to land, and rare/mined/crafted items for those with “hobby” tastes (Elliott, Abigail, Krobus, Wizard). When in doubt, consult the wiki’s gift lists.
Final Thoughts
Here’s a tiny opinion: Stardew’s social system is at its best when you treat relationships like stories, not spreadsheets. Yes, optimized gifting works and is efficient. But the little roleplay choices like showing up to watch the fireworks with someone, bringing the right meal to a character who seems lonely, or simply choosing dialogue you’d actually say often produce the most memorable heart events.
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