Gift Guide For When You're Dating
For him, her and the hope-to-be-in-laws.
It’s the holidays, and whether you’ve been together a couple of months or longer or spending the holidays with his or her parents, sometimes how to shop for the less defined relationships of our lives (and the defined ones too) is tricky. Be it for him or her or your sort-of/kind-of in-laws, here’s what to get.
For The Guy You Just Started Dating
Looking for a gift that, like your relationship status, is casual-ish? At this point, it's all about the gesture and need not be expensive or super-personal. Think playful or something you can do together, like a mixology class, flying lessons, or a card game to elevate your connection. Below are a few of my fave low-key yet thoughtful gifts that'll have them wanting to go the distance with you.
Bring wood ($45) or brass candle stick holders ($30) with candles to his house - chances are he doesn’t have them and it both warms up the place and sets the tone for making dinners together.
Are you down to shuck? Spend a night in with White Stone Oysters ($115).
Play a sexy game together like Esther Perel’s Where Should We Begin Game ($32) or this intimacy deck of cards ($40). I also love a simple set of cards too ($175).
Note: This one’s spendy and not meant for a situationship. Give this Brushed Alpaca Throw ($425) with a promise of a Sunday night winter sofa cuddle session to follow.
Suggest a night of cocktail making (and making out) with this Crafthouse by Fortessa Shaker Set ($111) or this Mixology Bartender Kit ($32) and Bemmelman’s cocktail napkins ($45).
If cocktails aren’t their thing try at-home wine tasting ($69.
How about Grown Alchemist ($64) lotion with a night of massages? Yes!
If nothing else, they say food is the way to a man’s heart (true of mine at least). Send Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa’s famous Beatty's Chocolate Cake ($99) and tell him to save a slice for you to lick off his fingers ;)
Have a sports enthusiast on your hands? Get this leather bound greatest hits of an NFL book ($245).
For The Girl You Just Started Dating
This simple Craighill brass keyring ($30) with the keys to your place is both super chic and says: ready for the next step! This version is a little spendier but WOW ($390).