Stardew Valley has many goals for players to fulfill during their time on the farm. As well as making money and exploring far and wide, the game wants players to have a special someone in their lives and eventually have a family.
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Luckily, there are twelve potential marriage candidates in the village. Courting them will require building up their friendship levels enough with the person of their choosing. After talking to them every day and gifting them the best possible gifts twice a week, players must gift them a Bouquet at 8 hearts to start a relationship and gift a Mermaid Pendant at 10 hearts to propose marriage.
However, getting to that level is no easy feat, as each villager has their own loves, likes, dislikes, and hates that must be navigated.
One of the more down-beat characters, Shane is a man of simple pleasures, and pleasing him isn't too difficult. Beer is the easiest of these items to obtain, as players only need a Keg & some Wheat to craft it, which grows during both Summer and Fall, making it easy to stockpile.
During other times of the year, Hot Peppers are a strong love of Shane's, especially when combined with some Cheese for Pepper Poppers. Failing that, Pizza is a sure-fire hit. When those more complex items are in short supply, Shane also likes all types of eggs & fruits, which will keep your friendship growing.
Described as a "rebellious loner", Sebastian doesn't make much of an effort to open up to people. That said, some of his most beloved items will change his tune. Frozen Tears & Obsidian are hard to get in the early game but will slowly become easier as time goes on.
His favorite dishes are pretty simple to make. Pumpkin Soup requires just a Pumpkin and some Milk, while Sashimi can be made with almost any fish in the game. Gifting him a Flounder or some Quartz will do in a pinch but won't give the biggest possible boost.
While Sam may seem like the kind of person to fall for anyone who looks sweetly in his direction, he's no pushover when it comes to romance. Finding something he loves may prove difficult in the early game, but once things are up and running, recipes like the Maple Bar & Pizza should be no problem.
Once players get out to explore the Desert, bringing back some Cactus Fruit will please Sam very much, and if they can reach the depths of the mines, Tigerseye is a big hit. Thankfully, his likes are a lot simpler, as he is pleased with any gem or some Joja Cola.
A woman who was somewhat emotionally boxed in by her upbringing, Penny has a love for a wide variety of items. Diamonds & Emeralds are her most expensive loves, but fish up a Sandfish, and she'll love that just the same.
She likes a variety of foods too, with Melons, Tom Kha Soup, Red Plate & Root Platter all ranking among her favorites, not to mention Poppies and Poppyseed Muffins, items hated by most. When it comes to likes, any type of milk or artifact will turn her head.
Maru is an extremely smart person, and what she loves in gifts are things she can put to use in her work. Unfortunately, these tend to be quite rare & expensive things. A Battery Pack is hard to get hold of, as are Diamonds, Gold, Iridium & Radioactive Bars, but Maru will be very pleased if you can get them for her.
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She does have some more simple loves, though. In the Spring, a Strawberry will bring her joy, and throughout the year, players can make Rhubarb Pie, Pepper Poppers, and Cheese Cauliflower to win her over. Alternatively, she likes Copper & Iron Bars, Oak Resin, Pine Tar, and Quartz.
An artist lacking self-confidence, Leah loves anything nature provides. All of her loves are food-based, with a wide variety of recipes for all seasons. Goat Cheese and Truffles are the easiest items to get hold of, but they will require investing in a barn and some animals as early as possible.
Other than that, Poppyseed Muffins, Salads, Stir Fries, and Vegetable Medelies are the way to go to win Leah's heart, not to mention a nice and simple bottle of Wine. Leah has a lot of likes too. Any type of milk, fruit, or egg will please her, along with almost all of the items players can forage in each season.
The medical expert in the town, Harvey is one of the older bachelors. He doesn't have many loves, but most of them are quite simple. Coffee and Wine are both straightforward to make, and he will absolutely adore them.
Producing Truffle Oil will be good for Harvey too, and players can Pickle just about any vegetable for Harvey to enjoy. Then, when all else fails, just throw together some vegetables of a Super Meal. While all of those items are very easy to get, in the very early game, Harvey likes almost any forgeable item, as well as all fruits.
A woman who was popular in high school and held onto her cheery (if judgemental) attitude, Haley loves bright colors and pretty things. Her loves can be quite difficult to cater to early on, but growing Sunflowers isn't tricky come the Summer.
Once players access the desert, foraging Coconuts is the easiest way to provide for Haley's love. Finally, Fruit Salads and Pink Cakes are Haley's favorite foods. To win her affections in the early game, picking up any Daffodils and giving them to her will be a good place to start.
A spiritual and friendly person, Emily is arguably one of the easiest people to please. Her loves include all kinds of different gems. Specifically, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Emerald, Jade, Ruby & Topaz are what makes her happy.
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However, once players can payout for a barn and some sheep, giving some of their Wool to Emily will quickly win her affection. Alternatively, gather together some Bread, Cave Carrot, and Eggplant for a delicious Survival Burger.
True to where he lives, Elliott is a fan of all things sea life. His loves mostly echo this, Crab Cakes and Tom Kha Soup are among his favorite foods, and Squid Ink is a sea-themed item that also plays into his hobby of writing.
Not all of his loves can be found in the ocean, though, as he has a fondness for Pomegranate. Additionally, if you can afford one of the more expensive animals in the form of a Duck, its Feathers will make some wonderfully flamboyant quills for Elliott. Failing that, he like Octopus, Squid, and any fruit in a pinch.
Definitely just a regular jock with no complex emotional baggage; Alex's loves are as simple as they get. He loves to work out, and he wants to get stronger, so aiding him in those interests are the only things he's interested in.
He only has two unique loves, those being a Complete Breakfast, fit for an athlete, and a healthy & hearty Salmon Dinner. His likes are somehow even simpler, with no unique likes at all. However, giving him any type of egg will do just fine.
Whether she's playing a video game, her flute, or going down into the mines, Abigail doesn't play by anyone's rules. When it comes to her loves, she has a great variety. An Amethyst is perfect for her aesthetic, as is the Banana Pudding, in a weird way.
She has a great love for many foods. Blackberry Cobbler, Spicy Eels, and Chocolate Cake are easy wins, but come the autumn, she'll be pleased with a simple Pumpkin. Finally, she has a strange love for Pufferfish, which she hopefully doesn't try to consume. As for early-game likes, Quartz is the best choice, although she weirdly states she wants to eat it.