Befriend Marnie in Stardew Valley: Tips and Tricks

Quick Links

• What Gifts Does Marnie Like?

• Movie Theater Preferences

• Quests

• Friendship Perks

Marnie is a beloved character in Stardew Valley, renowned for her passion for animals and her intriguing relationship with Mayor Lewis. Despite her frequent absences from the store register, her warm and gentle demeanor makes her a favorite among players. Befriending Marnie can be highly beneficial, especially in the early stages of the game, as she offers valuable recipes and free hay, and even plays a part in the humorous quest involving Mayor Lewis's purple shorts.

Updated January 4, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: The enduring appeal of Stardew Valley owes much to its vibrant characters, including the kind-hearted rancher, Marnie. With the release of the 1.6 update across all platforms, understanding Marnie's preferences has become even more essential for players looking to build friendships. This guide has been refreshed to provide the latest insights into what gifts Marnie appreciates and where to find them.

What Gifts Does Marnie Like?

To win Marnie's affection, choosing the right gifts is crucial. While she appreciates a variety of items, some will earn you more friendship points than others, and certain gifts can even offend her. Remember, any gift given on her birthday, Fall 18th, will be worth 8 times the normal friendship points. Here's a detailed list of what Marnie loves and likes:

Loved Gifts

These are the top-tier gifts that will boost your friendship with Marnie by 80 points. Save these for special occasions, especially her birthday:

• Universal Loves: Prismatic Shard, Pearl, Magic Rock Candy, Golden Pumpkin, Rabbit's Foot, Stardrop Tea
  • The Golden Pumpkin is easily obtained by completing the maze at the Spirit's Eve festival.
  • A Rabbit's Foot can be obtained from happy rabbits in your coop.
  • Pearls can be found by playing the Mermaid's song at the Night Market or in a Fish Pond with Blobfish.
  • Prismatic Shards, the rarest gem, can be acquired in various ways; click here for a comprehensive guide.
  • Magic Rock Candy can be traded at the Desert Trader on Thursdays for three Prismatic Shards, though this trade may not be worth it if you use Prismatic Shards as gifts.
  • Stardrop Tea, which boosts friendship by a full heart, can be obtained from the Prize Machine, high-level Raccoon quests, Golden Fishing Chests, or as a reward for the Helper's Bundle at the Community Center.
• Diamond, commonly found in the deeper levels of the Mines.
• Cooked meals:
  • Pink Cake, made from Wheat Flour, Egg, Sugar, and Melon. The recipe is available from the Queen of Sauce on 21 Summer, Year 2.
  • Pumpkin Pie, crafted with Pumpkin, Wheat Flour, Milk, and Sugar. Learn this recipe from the Queen of Sauce on 21 Winter, Year 1.
  • Farmer's Lunch, made with Omelet and Parsnip. This recipe is unlocked at Farming Level 3.

Liked Gifts

These gifts will earn you 45 friendship points, and there's a wider variety to choose from:

• Egg, except Void Egg. Collect these from chickens in the Coop.
• Milk, obtained from cows and goats in the Barn.
• Quartz, often found in the Mines.
• Flowers, except Poppy. Crocuses and Sweet Peas, foraged in Winter and Summer respectively, are great choices.
• Fruit Tree Fruits: Apple, Apricot, Orange, Peach, Pomegranate, Cherry. These can be grown from Saplings bought at Pierre's store.
• Artisan Goods, except for Oil and Void Mayonnaise. Items like Wine, Jelly, Pickles, and Honey make great gifts.
• Other gemstones not mentioned above (e.g., Ruby, Emerald, Topaz), found in the Mines.
• Stardew Valley Almanac, a Farming skill book. This can be obtained in various ways, but the most reliable method is purchasing it from the Bookseller.

Disliked & Hated Gifts

Avoid giving Marnie these items to prevent losing friendship points:

• Salmonberry
• Seaweed
• Wild Horseradish
• Holly
• Crafting materials such as clay, coal, and ores
• Raw fish
• Crafted items, including fences, bombs, sprinklers, floors, bait, fertilizers, etc.
• Geodes and geode minerals

Movie Theater Preferences

Once the movie theater is operational, inviting Marnie to a movie can boost your friendship by up to 250 points. She enjoys all films, which makes choosing a movie easy, but selecting the right concessions can further enhance your relationship.

• Loved Films (200 points): The Miracle at Coldstar Ranch, available during Winter in odd-numbered years.
• Liked Films (100 points): All other films.
• Disliked Films (0 points): None.
• Loved Concessions (50 points): Ice Cream Sandwich, Stardrop Sorbet
• Liked Concessions (25 points): All other concessions not listed below.
• Disliked Concessions (0 points): Black Licorice, Fries, JojaCola, JojaCorn, Nachos, Salted Peanuts, Truffle Popcorn

Quests

Marnie occasionally posts Help Wanted quests on the bulletin board outside Pierre's store. Completing these can earn you 150 friendship points. Additionally, she has specific quests that can further your bond:

Cow's Delight

On the 3rd of Fall, Marnie sends a letter requesting Amaranth for her cows. Delivering it will earn you 500g and increase your friendship by one heart. Amaranth Seeds can be purchased from Pierre's shop for 35g and take 7 days to mature.

Marnie's Request

At three hearts, Marnie asks for a Cave Carrot to train her goats. Completing this quest will earn you 100 friendship points and trigger a charming cutscene. Cave Carrots can be found by digging in the Mines with a Hoe.

Friendship Perks

Befriending Marnie comes with several advantages, including receiving valuable recipes at certain friendship levels:

• Pale Broth: Sent at three hearts. This dish, made from 2 White Algae, restores 125 Energy and 56 Health and is profitable.
• Rhubarb Pie: Sent at seven hearts. This recipe, requiring Rhubarb, Wheat Flour, and Sugar, restores 215 Energy and 96 Health and is loved by several villagers.

Additionally, Marnie may send you 30 Hay in the mail, which is especially helpful during the first winter when feeding your animals can be challenging.