Gifts for Gus Stardew Valley

Gus is one of the friendly and well-known villagers in Stardew Valley. As the owner and chef of the Stardrop Saloon, he plays a vital role in Pelican Town’s social life. Getting to know Gus and increasing your friendship with him can unlock various dialogue options, special gifts in the mail, and even recipes. One of the most effective ways to build a strong bond with any NPC in Stardew Valley is by giving them gifts they love or like. Knowing the best gifts for Gus and understanding his daily routine will help you become one of his closest friends in the game.

Who Is Gus in Stardew Valley?

Gus is a warm-hearted villager who runs the saloon located at the center of Pelican Town. He can usually be found behind the counter serving drinks or chatting with other townsfolk. Gus is known for his generosity and his culinary skills, often preparing meals for town events. Despite being a business owner, he’s modest and kind, always ready to lend a helping hand. Getting closer to Gus through gift-giving helps bring you into the heart of the community.

Gus’s Birthday

Gus’s birthday is on Summer 8. Giving him a gift on this day multiplies the friendship points gained by 8, making it an excellent opportunity to significantly improve your relationship with him. To make the most of it, try to give him a gift that he loves.

Best Gifts for Gus

When giving gifts in Stardew Valley, items fall into different categories based on how much the recipient likes them. These are: Loved, Liked, Neutral, Disliked, and Hated. Giving Gus a gift he loves gives the highest friendship boost, so focusing on those items is the most efficient strategy.

Gifts That Gus Loves

The following items are considered Gus’s favorite gifts. Giving him any of these will result in the largest increase in friendship points.

• Diamond: A rare and valuable gem that is universally loved by many villagers.
• Escargot: A cooked dish made from Snail and Garlic. It restores energy and health while also being a loved gift by Gus.
• Fish Taco: A delicious meal made with Tuna, Tortilla, Red Cabbage, and Mayonnaise.
• Orange: A sweet fruit that can be obtained from the Orange Tree or found in the desert during certain seasons.
• Pumpkin: A seasonal vegetable grown in the fall. Gus has a particular fondness for it.
• Tropical Curry: A rare recipe that becomes available later in the game. Made with Coconut, Pineapple, and Hot Pepper.

Giving Gus one of these gifts will grant you +80 friendship points, or +640 if given on his birthday.

Gifts That Gus Likes

Liked gifts give a smaller friendship boost (+45 points), but are still a good option if you don’t have access to loved items.

• All cooked dishes (except for Fried Egg, Bread, and Seafoam Pudding)
• Daffodil
• Sweet Pea
• Quartz

These items are easier to obtain and are good to keep on hand if you want to casually improve your relationship with Gus throughout the week.

Neutral Gifts

Neutral gifts don’t give a large friendship boost, but they’re better than giving something he dislikes or hates.

• Eggs (except void eggs)
• Milk
• Fruit (except those he loves or hates)

These items can be given without penalty, but they won’t significantly increase friendship.

Gifts That Gus Dislikes or Hates

To avoid losing friendship points, don’t give Gus gifts he dislikes or hates. These will result in negative reactions and reduced friendship.

• Disliked: Wild Horseradish, Clay, Coral, Salmonberry
• Hated: All trash items, Bat Wing, Bug Meat, Sap, Seaweed, and Unmilled Rice

Avoid giving these gifts unless you’re intentionally experimenting with reactions.

How Often Can You Give Gus Gifts?

In Stardew Valley, you can give each villager up to two gifts per week, plus one additional gift on their birthday. Spacing out your gifts and choosing high-value items will maximize your friendship gains over time.

Friendship Levels and Rewards

As your friendship with Gus grows, you’ll unlock new interactions and benefits:

• At 3 hearts: Gus sends you the recipe for Salmon Dinner.
• At 7 hearts: Gus sends the recipe for Cranberry Sauce.

Increasing friendship also changes Gus’s dialogue and deepens his story, allowing for a more engaging experience with him as a character.

Gus’s Daily Schedule

Knowing where to find Gus on different days makes gift-giving easier. He typically spends most of his time at the saloon, but his schedule changes slightly depending on the season and weather.

General Routine

• Monday to Friday: Gus is at the saloon from noon until midnight.
• Saturday: Visits Pierre’s General Store in the morning, then returns to the saloon in the afternoon.
• Sunday: Walks around town in the morning and heads back to the saloon later in the day.

Rainy weather or special events may change his route, but visiting the saloon is usually your best chance to find him.

Tips for Gifting Gus Efficiently

• Plan ahead: Stock up on his favorite or liked gifts during the right seasons.
• Grow Pumpkins: These are easy to farm in Fall and are one of his loved gifts.
• Check the Saloon: Since Gus owns the saloon, he can almost always be found there during open hours.
• Gift on his birthday: Giving a loved gift on Summer 8 significantly boosts your friendship progress.

Being consistent and thoughtful with gifts will make Gus one of your closest friends in the valley in no time.

Gus is a warm and generous character in Stardew Valley, and building a friendship with him is both rewarding and enjoyable. By focusing on his loved and liked gifts, especially around his birthday, you can quickly gain his favor. Knowing his routine and having a few good gifts ready each week ensures a steady rise in friendship levels. Whether you’re aiming to unlock new recipes or simply want to befriend the town’s kind-hearted cook, gifting Gus the right items is the key. A little effort goes a long way in making Gus a cherished friend in your Stardew Valley journey.