Christmas is coming up fast and you’ve been stressing about what to get your kinda boyfriend-ish person as a gift. That is, if it’s appropriate to give him anything at all? Well, you can officially set your worries aside because we’ve compiled a list of low-commitment Christmas gifts for the guy who might be your boyfriend one day soon but isn’t quite there yet.
- A Christmas card No one does Christmas cards anymore! It’s a cheap way to say, “Hey, Merry Christmas, I guess!” It comes off as something you felt you should do so you don’t have to worry about him getting weirded out with your eagerness and overfamiliarity. This is the kind of “gift” you would give your therapist, your dentist, your mailman. It shouldn’t even be considered a gift—it’s a piece of cardstock with a cliche holiday greeting on it. It’s Christmas, so you’re getting him a Christmas card, no big deal. ‘Tis the season, right?
- An iTunes gift card We all have iTunes gift cards from relatives too old to realize that Spotify is a thing now, so why not give him the $10 iTunes card that’s been sitting in the back of your junk drawer so he can buy the new Sam Smith album? When you give it to him, just be like, “I don’t buy music, so I figured maybe you can use it.” Low stakes, totally nonchalant, totally chill. Whew.
- Movie passes The great thing about movie passes is that he’ll probably use them next time you guys go out, so you’re basically just paying for your next date. It isn’t like some mushy-gushy gift, it’s just practical, really. The two of you would have eventually gone to the movies, so why not just pay for it now? Even if he doesn’t use it on you, everyone and their next door neighbor likes movies. (But seriously, he should use it on you.)
- A used book Give him a book that you’ve already read and just be like, “You can keep it, actually.” You didn’t spend any money on it but it’s still super thoughtful—but not too thoughtful. I mean, it was probably like $3 and you originally bought it for yourself, not for him, so it’s just a super laid-back gesture. He’ll appreciate it, but at the same time not get weirded out at how thirsty you are.
- A Christmas ornament When you get him a Christmas ornament, you’re saying “Merry Christmas” and nothing else. It’s not your almost-relationship you’re celebrating, it’s the goddamn holiday season! He’s not even going to like the ornament, per se, but will find it generally sweet that you’re THAT excited about Christmas. As long as it doesn’t have your names monogrammed on it in a heart, you’re in the clear.
- A sexual favor This gift won’t cost you anything… except maybe a sliver of your dignity. But seriously, you’re not giving him these gifts to show how much you care about him—you’re doing it cause giving just feels so good and you guys are probably in that early phase of having constant sex anyway, so why not get into the holiday spirit and give him a gift that will be fun for the both of you?
- Some kind of holiday candy item Throw the guy a candy cane and call it a day. Everyone likes candy. It’s Christmas and at Christmas, you give and receive candy. It’s just something people do. So don’t worry about your chocolate Christmas kisses sending him the wrong message. It’s just part of the whole holiday ordeal.
- Lingerie So this gift actually benefits the both of you. He’ll get to see you in it and you’ll get to keep it even if things don’t end up progressing between you two. It’s actually the perfect present, if you ask me. Go for something that YOU feel sexy in—don’t worry about dressing up just for him. Bonus points if you pick something Christmas-themed.
- Dinner On your next date, pay the bill and tell him it’s his Christmas present. It comes off as a “last minute, why not” kinda idea. He’ll respect you for being an empowered lady, you’ll feel good about yourself, and you both get to have an awesome meal together. You would have pulled this stunt eventually anyway, so why not use it as your Christmas present to him?
- Alcohol The same way everyone loves candy, every adult over the age of 21 loves alcohol. Bring over an expensive bottle of wine, whisky, or whatever spirit he appreciates and then drink it together. It’s like a present for the both of you but you’ll obviously leave the remainder of the bottle at his house because that’d just be tacky if you didn’t. Merry Christmas, kinda boyfriend type person?
