While walking around Pelican Town in Stardew Valley, you may bump into a blonde-haired guy wearing a blue shirt. That NPC is Sam, and he's one of the game’s limited NPCs that you can befriend and even marry. But first, you must build your friendship level with him, and a great way to do it is with gifts. So, continue reading this Stardew Valley gift guide to reach any of the many Heart Events that give a deeper look at Sam as a character.

Sam: The Musician

Sam is your friendly neighborhood musician, brimming with youthful vigor. He plays guitar and drums but also dreams of starting a band with his friend Sebastian. But you can also find him riding his skateboard or playing video games. You can visit him at his house at 1 Willow Lane, in the southern part of Pelican Town. He also lives with his mother, Jodi, and younger brother Vincent. His father, Kent, also returns to the household after Spring 2.

Preferred Gifts

Like other NPCs you can befriend in Stardew Valley, you can gift Sam up to twice per week. However, the game allows you to give an extra present to him on his birthday in Summer 17. Also, Sam reacts differently depending on the gift given to him. Based on what he says, you’ll know if he loves, likes, dislikes, or even hates the presents you give him.

• Love: “Aw, yea! This is my absolute favorite!”
• Like: “Thanks! I really like this.”
• Neutral: “You got that for me? Thanks!
• Dislike: “Hmm… this is… interesting.”
• Hate: “You really don’t get it, huh?”

Loved Gifts

• Cactus Fruit
• Maple Bar
• Pizza
• Tigerseye

Liked Gifts

• Joja Cola
• All Eggs except Void Egg
• All Universal Likes except Mayonnaise, Pickles, Vegetables, and Duck Mayonnaise

Neutral Gifts

• All Milk
• All Universal Neutrals
• All Fruit except Salmbonberry, Cactus Fruit, and Fruit Tree Fruit

Disliked Gifts

• Chanterelle
• Common Mushroom
• Daffodil
• Dandelion
• Ginger
• Hazelnut
• Holly
• Leek
• Magma Cap
• Morel
• Purple Mushroom
• Quartz
• Salmonberry
• Seaweed
• Snow Yam
• Wild Horseradish
• Winter Root
• All Vegetables except Hops, Wheat, and Tea Leaves
• All Universal Dislikes except Coal, Tigerseye, Copper Bars, Gold Bars, Gold Ore, Iridium Bars, Iridium Ore, Iron Bars, and Refined Quartz

Hated Gifts

• Coal
• Copper Bar
• Duck Mayonnaise
• Gold Bar
• Gold Ore
• Iridium Bar
• Iridium Ore
• Iron Bar
• Mayonnaise
• Pickles
• Refined Quartz
• All Universal Hates except Seaweed and Joja Cola

Heart Events

Sam isn’t difficult to approach even at zero friendship level, unlike other NPCs like Haley. But if you increase your friendship level with Sam by giving him any of his favorite gift items, like other Stardew Valley NPCs, you can unlock his softer side as well. A Heart Event will play when you reach two-, three-, four-, six-, eight-, and ten-heart friendship levels with Sam. There’s also a 14-heart event, but you must marry Sam before seeing it.

Two-Heart Event

Go to Sam’s house and enter his room when he’s there. You should find him and Sebastian jamming to some tunes. Eventually, Sam will ask you about your taste in music. Select any answer that pops up on the screen, as these replies won’t affect your friendship level with him.

Three-Heart Event

Head to the beach any day during any season except winter, anytime between 7 am and 3 pm. It should also be a sunny day to trigger the Heart Event. If successful, you’ll find Sam watching his younger brother play in the sand. Eventually, he’ll ask you about your opinion about his thoughts. Again, choose any on-screen option you prefer since these choices won’t affect Sam’s friendship level. Warning: This Heart Event is missable as it’ll only happen on Year 1.

Four-Heart Event

Go to Sam’s house when he’s inside. A scene will trigger wherein he’s in the kitchen. But he fumbles an egg, and his mom will hear the commotion and enter the room. This time, your answer can affect Sam’s friendship level.

• -10 friendship: “Sam dropped the snack as he was handing it to me.”
• +50 friendship: “Sam handed me the snack and then I dropped it.”
• -50 friendship: “Sam dropped it on purpose. He thought it would be funny.”

Six-Heart Events

Enter Pelican Town any day between 12 pm and 4 pm, as long as it’s not raining. You should see Sam skateboarding, but he’s also creating a public disturbance. Soon, Mayor Lewis will come and scold the young skateboarder. Then, the Mayor will turn to you to ask for your opinion. The answer you choose from the choices won’t affect your friendship with Sam.

Eight-Heart Event

Exit your farmhouse any day between 6 am and 8 am, and Sam should be greeting you at the doorstep. He’ll invite you to see his band play. Go to the bus stop at 4 pm on the same day to leave for Zuzu City. Warning: You can only see Sam’s band play if you triggered his Two-Heart Event.

Ten-Heart Event

Receive a letter from Sam to trigger this event. Next, enter the town any day between 8 pm and 12 am, as long as it’s sunny. You should see Sam outside his house; he’ll confess his feelings for you as the scene plays. His mom will eventually check up on Sam, and he’ll lie about the situation. Two options appear on the screen, but you can select either choice, for these won’t affect your friendship with him.