Gifts can say so much. They can say everything from, "I forgot about you until 10 minutes ago and clearly just bought you some crap at Walgreens" to "I did not get the memo that this was a casual relationship and spent $80 on you." The holidays are such a complex minefield that it can make you want to say "Screw it" and give everyone $5 bottles of antibacterial hand soap from Bath & Body Works. But don't give in! We've created a handy guide full of hand-selected gifts for whatever it is you want to say this season. Just look for the message you want to communicate to your recipient, and you're ready to go.
'I like you even on bad hair days.'
This quirky hat by former Minneapolis designer Annie Larson, now of Brooklyn, says "The weirder your head looks, the cuter." Aww.
$70 • Askov Finlayson or www.allknitwear.com
'I want to do more than just eat pizza with you.'
Trying to get your favorite TV marathon buddy into your bed? You needn't look further than this adorable painting of BMO from "Adventure Time." It says, "I think about you as more than a fellow couch groove-maker."
$15 • I Like You
'I got you something fairly expensive but I want it to seem inexpensive in case you only got me a crappy bear from the gas station.'
Not quite sure where you stand in a relationship with a dapper man, but want to give a gift just the same? This smart, warm-scented Fulton & Roark solid cologne is the perfect mix of small and stylish, so it won't freak out a guy who may have thought you were "too cool to do gifts on holidays," whatever that means.
$42 • MartinPatrick3 or www.fultonandroark.com.
'I want you to have my children.'
Jewelry is overrated. Instead, tell a woman she's the one with this classy "Make Your Own Bitters" kit from Easy & Oskey. It says, "I want to spend a lifetime with you enjoying fine cocktails." Perfect for couples who have grown out of the "getting drunk at brunch at dive bars" stage of life.
