You’ve probably spent hours mining for copper ore or fighting off those annoying Boxing Jacks, only to realize your relationship with the townspeople of Sandrock is about as dry as the Eufaula Desert. It happens. You get caught up in the grind. But here’s the thing: if you aren't paying attention to what people actually want, you're missing out on major gameplay perks like shop discounts, stamina boosts, and, ya know, someone to actually go on a star-gazing date with.
Navigating the My Time at Sandrock gift guide logic isn't always intuitive. Why does one person love a literal piece of scrap while another gets offended if you hand them a diamond? It’s weird. It’s specific. And honestly, it’s what makes the game charming.
Why Gifting in Sandrock is Different
In Portia, you could basically spam everyone with roses and call it a day. Sandrock is pickier. Pathea Games leaned hard into the "desert survival" vibe, meaning the residents value things that make their hard lives easier or remind them of a world that isn't covered in sand.
Don't just throw items at people.
If you give Pen something "weak," he’ll literally judge your muscle mass. If you give Burgess something that violates his weirdly strict water-conservation rules, you’re losing points. It’s about personality. This isn't just a list of items; it's a breakdown of how to stop wasting your precious resources on people who won't appreciate them.
The Heavy Hitters: What the Main Cast Actually Craves
Let's talk about Logan first, because let’s be real, that’s who half the players are trying to marry anyway. He’s a simple guy in some ways but tricky because he’s not around for a huge chunk of the early game.
Logan and the Monster Hunter Vibe
Logan likes weapons. Big surprise, right? If you can craft a Refined Desert Warrior Vest or high-end daggers, he’s your guy. But if you're early on and don't have the materials for a Chromed Iron Sword, look for Specialized Antidote. He spends a lot of time in the ruins; he needs the meds. He also surprisingly appreciates Mapo Tofu. It’s spicy. It fits his "dangerous outlaw" aesthetic.
Fang: The Toughest Nut to Crack
Fang is a nightmare for beginners. He won't even accept gifts at first. You have to trigger his clinical trials on Wednesdays and Fridays. Don’t even bother trying to hand him a gift until you’ve built up that basic "acquaintance" level through his weird medicine experiments.
Once he's actually talking to you, stick to Mapo Tofu (again, a desert favorite) or Cantonese Style Steamed Fish. He also likes Bird’s Nest, which you can occasionally find while kicking trees, though it’s rare. Honestly, Fang is a long-term investment. Don't expect him to love you after one week of gifts. It's a slow burn.
Nia: The Botanist’s Heart
Nia is your childhood friend, so the stakes feel higher. She loves plants. Obviously. But specifically, she loves Desert Mushroom Brisket and Cantaloupe. If you’re into gardening, save your high-quality seeds for her. She also has a soft spot for Rose Stone.
The "Universal" Gifts (And What to Avoid)
Most guides will tell you that Diamonds are a girl's best friend. In Sandrock? Not necessarily. While most people like gemstones, they aren't always the "Best" gift.
- The Safe Bets: Almost everyone likes Water. In a desert, it's literal liquid gold. It's a "Liked" gift for almost the entire town. Is it boring? Yes. Does it work when you're broke? Absolutely.
- The Traps: Avoid giving Manure or Scrap unless you're intentionally trying to make an enemy. Also, be careful with Animal Skeletons. Some of the more "refined" characters like Catori or Grace will be thoroughly grossed out.
- The Jewelry Strategy: If you have the Worktable upgraded, Amber Earrings and Full Moon Bracelets are high-value items that most female NPCs (and some male ones like Arvio) will appreciate.
Turning Trash into Treasure: Gifting for the Budget Builder
You don't need to spend all your Gols at the Blue Moon Saloon to make friends. Use your machines. The Tailoring Machine is a friendship powerhouse. Making a Silk Scarf is relatively cheap once you have a regular supply of cocoons from kicking trees, and it’s a "Loved" gift for several characters including Heidi and Mabel.
Speaking of Heidi, she’s the backbone of your construction life. If you want those building prices to drop, give her Marble Slab or Orchid Extract. She’s practical. She likes materials that help her build things.
Understanding the Point System
It’s not just about the item; it’s about the day. If you give a "Loved" gift on a character’s Birthday, the points are multiplied by three. This is huge. You can jump an entire friendship tier in one day if you play your cards right.
Check your calendar constantly.
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Also, holidays matter. During the Day of the Bright Sun, the gifts you drop into the airship have a wide-reaching effect, but the one-on-one gifting during the Winter Solstice is where you can really narrow down your focus on a specific romantic interest.
Detailed Preferences for Common NPCs
| Character | Loved Gifts (+10 to +20 points) | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Amira | Rose Stone, Wind Chimes, Sand Tea Table | She has an eye for aesthetics and "old world" beauty. |
| Arvio | Diamond, Large Storage Box, Sandberry Crate | He’s a businessman; he likes high-value or high-utility items. |
| Burgess | Large Water Tank, Ribs with Glazed Chestnuts | He lives for the Water World and hearty, rule-abiding meals. |
| Catori | Golden Bull Totem, Orchid Extract | She wants to bring class and tourism back to Sandrock. |
| Grace | Brisket Rice, Frying Pan, Advanced Tool Kit | She’s a secret intellectual and a "meh" cook who wants to get better. |
| Mi-an | Desert Explorer Waist Bag, Bronze Frame | She’s your rival/buddy; she values gear that helps her work. |
| Owen | Gemstone Mounted Sandals, Salt and Pepper Shrimp | He’s the town’s host; he likes fine food and sturdy gear. |
| Pen | Arm Stretch Device, Power Bracers | He is obsessed with his own "heroism" and physical strength. |
The Social Skills You Actually Need
Don’t ignore the Social Tree in your Knowledge menu. There are specific perks that increase the amount of friendship points you get from gifting. If you’re serious about completing the My Time at Sandrock gift guide collection, you need to invest points into:
- Bonus Points: Increases the base points for every gift.
- Happy Birthday: Massive boost when gifting on birthdays.
- Discovery: Sometimes reveals a character's likes on the map/menu without you having to guess.
Dealing with the "Hated" Gifts
Some characters have very specific triggers. For example, Rocky hates anything that feels like "lazy" work. Ernest hates stuff that's dirty or unrefined. If you accidentally give someone a "Hated" gift, you lose points. If you hit a negative threshold, they might even stop talking to you for a bit.
If you mess up, the best way to recover is through Sparring or Critters. Winning a game of Critters gives you a small boost without costing any items. It's the "free" way to build relationships if you're a master of the card-matching game.
Advanced Tactics: The Power of Commissions
Gifting is only half the battle. If you really want to fast-track your standing in town, you have to prioritize Civil Commissions. If Nia or Heidi puts up a request, do it immediately. Completing a commission gives you more relationship points than a standard gift ever will, and it pays you in Gols. It’s the most efficient way to play.
Also, pay attention to the "Chat" option. Talking to an NPC once a day gives you +1 or +2 points. It seems small, but over a month, that's 30 to 60 points for free. Combine that with a weekly "Loved" gift, and you’ll be Best Friends by the end of the first year.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Play Session
- Morning Routine: Check the calendar immediately upon waking up. If it's a birthday, stop everything and find a "Loved" gift.
- Hoard Your Gems: Don't sell all your Rose Stone or Opals. Keep a small chest specifically for gifting.
- Cook in Bulk: Spend one Sunday cooking 20 portions of Mapo Tofu and Fine Fried Rice. These are "Liked" or "Loved" by almost the entire town and make for easy daily gifting.
- The "Critters" Hack: If you're out of gifts, challenge your target to a game of Critters. It’s 3 free relationship points if you win, and it costs zero resources.
- Upgrade the Blender: Many of the best gifts for the "scientific" characters like Qi involve medicines or compounds made in the Blender or Processor.
Getting the most out of Sandrock isn't just about building the best machines; it's about building the community. Use these preferences to your advantage, and you'll find the game opens up with new quests, better prices, and a much more lively social life. Stop giving everyone sandberries and start giving them what they actually want. It's a game changer.