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Marnie, Stardew Valley's beloved rancher, is known for her affection towards animals and her secret relationship with Mayor Lewis. Despite her occasional absence from her store's register, her kind and gentle nature makes her a favorite among players. Befriending Marnie can be highly beneficial, especially early in the game, as she provides recipes, free hay, and even a chance to sneak into her bedroom for Lewis's purple shorts.
Updated on January 4, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: Stardew Valley's enduring appeal is largely due to its rich cast of characters, including Marnie. With the release of the 1.6 update across all platforms, this guide has been refreshed to include the latest information on Marnie's preferences, helping players foster a strong friendship with her.
What Gifts Does Marnie Like?
Like any villager in Stardew Valley, gifts are key to winning Marnie's heart. Some gifts are more cherished than others, while certain items can actually offend her. Remember, gifts given on her birthday, Fall 18th, will boost friendship points by 8x. Below is a detailed list of gifts Marnie loves and likes.
Loved Gifts
These are the top gifts for Marnie, each worth 80 friendship 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 annually by navigating the Spirit's Eve festival maze.
- A Rabbit's Foot can drop from happy rabbits in your coop.
- Pearls can be found by correctly playing the Mermaid's song at the Night Market or in a Blobfish Fish Pond.
- Prismatic Shards, the rarest gem, can be obtained through various methods; click here for a complete guide.
- Magic Rock Candy is available at the Desert Trader on Thursdays in exchange for three Prismatic Shards, though this may not be cost-effective if you're using the shards as gifts.
- Stardrop Tea boosts friendship by one full heart and can be acquired 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, often found in the lower levels of the Mines.- Cooked Meals:
Pink Cake, made with Wheat Flour, Egg, Sugar, and Melon. Recipe available from the Queen of Sauce on Summer 21, Year 2.
Pumpkin Pie, crafted from Pumpkin, Wheat Flour, Milk, and Sugar. Learn the recipe from the Queen of Sauce on Winter 21, Year 1.
Farmer's Lunch, a combination of Omelet and Parsnip. Recipe unlocked at Farming Level 3.
Liked Gifts
These gifts earn 45 friendship points and are more common, increasing your chances of having them on hand:
Egg, excluding Void Egg, collected from chickens in the Coop.
Milk, obtained from cows and goats in the Barn.
Quartz, commonly found in the Mines.- Flowers, except Poppy. Crocuses and Sweet Peas, foraged in Winter and Summer, are good choices.
- Fruit Tree Fruits:
Apple, 
Apricot, 
Orange, 
Peach, 
Pomegranate, 
Cherry, grown from Saplings bought at Pierre's store. - Artisan Goods, excluding Oil and Void Mayonnaise. Items like
Wine, 
Jelly, 
Pickles, and 
Honey are great choices. - Other gemstones like Ruby, Emerald, and Topaz, found in the Mines.
- Stardew Valley Almanac, a Farming skill book. It can be obtained through various means, with the most reliable being a purchase from the Bookseller.
Disliked & Hated Gifts
Avoid giving Marnie these items, as they will negatively impact your friendship:
- Salmonberry, Seaweed, Wild Horseradish, Holly
- Crafting materials such as clay, coal, and ores
- Raw fish
- Crafted items like fences, bombs, sprinklers, floors, bait, fertilizers, etc.
- Geodes and geode minerals
Movie Theater Preferences
Once the movie theater is operational, inviting Marnie with a movie ticket can earn up to 250 friendship points, depending on her enjoyment of the film and snacks. Marnie is easy to please at the cinema, as she enjoys all movies:
- Loved Films (200 points): The Miracle at Coldstar Ranch, shown in Winter during 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 may post Help Wanted quests on Pierre's bulletin board, rewarding 150 friendship points for completed tasks. Additionally, she has specific quests:
Cow's Delight
On Fall 3, Marnie sends a letter requesting a bunch of 
Amaranth, her cows' favorite treat. Completing this quest earns 500g and increases friendship by one heart. Purchase Amaranth Seeds from Pierre's for 35g; they take 7 days to grow and are harvested with a scythe.
Marnie's Request
At three hearts, Marnie asks for a 
Cave Carrot to train her goats. Completing this earns 100 friendship points and triggers a charming cutscene. Cave Carrots can be found in the Mines by digging with a Hoe.
Friendship Perks
Befriending Marnie offers several benefits, including recipes and hay:
Pale Broth: Sent at three hearts. A profitable dish that turns White Algae into an energy source, restoring 125 Energy and 56 Health.
Rhubarb Pie: Sent at seven hearts. A lucrative recipe and a loved gift for many villagers, made from Rhubarb, Wheat Flour, and Sugar. It restores 215 Energy and 96 Health.
Additionally, Marnie may send 30 
Hay through the mail, which is particularly helpful in Year 1's winter when feeding animals can be challenging.
