12 gifts for your kinda-sorta-not-quite boyfriend or girlfriend
LONDON -- So, you've been seeing each other for a while. You're not quite sure if they're your boyfriend or girlfriend and you're not quite ready to pop the question.
As you ruminate your relationship status -- or lack thereof -- the universe deals you a blow. The holidays.
Sure, the holidays are fine when you're loved up and able to casually throw around words like "love", "couple" and "relationship". But, what about your casual lover, fuck buddy, or the person who's kinda-sorta-not-quite your boyfriend or girlfriend?
Why should couples -- and not casual daters -- be the centre of gift-giving?
It's time to reward the casual lovers in your life, even if you're not technically in a relationship with them.
Here are 12 gifts for the person you're oh-so-casually hanging out with...
1. Texting gloves
Now your casual lover has no excuse not to text you back.
Price: £24.95 ($31.60)
2. "You're cute" sticky notes
Words no one ever grows tired of hearing.
Price: £2.95 ($3.74)
3. Texts from your ex
Nothing says "let's go steady" more than a book reminding you that you actually have it pretty good compared to your last relationship. Price: £6.99 ($8.83)
4. Monogamy, the board game
If you fancy being tongue-in-cheek about your nebulous relationship status, this is the way to do it. It might scare the shit out of your casual lover, but hey -- you'll get a good laugh out of it.
Price: £11.99 ($15.10)
5. Beer making kit
This is a thoughtful nod to the beer-lover in your life. And it also doubles up as a fun date idea too.
Price: £39.99 ($50.41)
6. Seductive room candle
Who needs soppy romance when you can buy a suggestive candle instead? Saucy gifts make the best stocking fillers.
Price: £25.50 ($32.13)
7. You are awesome cushion
Saying it is one thing, but if you really want to tell someone you think they're awesome, give them a cushion that will remind them every day.
Price: £20.00 ($25.24)
8. Wordsmithery
Sure, they know you're funny and cute, but do they know the extent of your smartness? Here's one way to show off that vocabulary.
Price: £20.00 ($25.24)
9. Gin botanical cocktail kit
Just because you're not using the word "couple" doesn't mean you can't be thoughtful. If your casual lover is a gin aficionado, this gift is
Price: £16.95
10. Massage candle
Candles are fine and all, but this one doubles up as a massage oil. Saucy.
Price: £14.00 ($17.68)
11. Wine light
When you're smooching in the dark, bright lights are not what you need. But, a nice little glow from a quirky homemade light -- now that's definitely ambient kissing light.
Price: £12.00 ($15.16)
12. Adult charades
Charades is everyone's favourite holiday game. But, adult charades? Well, that's one way to spice up your next date.
Rachel Thompson is the Features Editor at Mashable. Rachel's second non-fiction book The Love Fix: Reclaiming Intimacy in a Disconnected World is out now, published by Penguin Random House in Jan. 2025. The Love Fix explores why dating feels so hard right now, why we experience difficult emotions in the realm of love, and how we can change our dating culture for the better.
A leading sex and dating writer in the UK, Rachel has written for GQ, The Guardian, The Sunday Times Style, The Telegraph, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Stylist, ELLE, The i Paper, Refinery29, and many more.
Rachel's first book Rough: How Violence Has Found Its Way Into the Bedroom And What We Can Do About It, a non-fiction investigation into sexual violence was published by Penguin Random House in 2021.
