What To Buy For The Person You Just Started Dating Besides Alcohol

Alcohol is the Starbucks gift card of adulthood. It's what you get when you don't really know someone that well and don't feel like figuring out a more creative gift. It's a tempting gift idea when you're in a new relationship, but honestly, you're better than that. You can do more than that.

Even if you've only been dating for a few weeks, it's definitely possible to come up with a present that simultaneously says, "I know you so well!" and "Don't worry, this is definitely still casual; I am not buying you a diamond-studded Rolex to prove my love for you." Weirdly enough, there's actually a lot of middle-ground there, if you know where to look for it!

Because I love you and want your new relationship to flourish, I rounded up 15 gifts that hit the sweet spot between thoughtful and unfussy. And honestly, as long as you stay away from suggesting matching holiday-themed tattoos or a spontaneous 10-day getaway to Cancún, whatever you get your new partner is probably going to be totally fine.

For Proving You're The Coolest Girlfriend They've Ever Had:

Because what are gifts but a thinly-veiled opportunity to prove that you're the best gift-giver of all time?

For The Aspiring Chef:

Suddenly, Netflix-and-chilling at home gets upgraded into a DIY hot sauce date night. Way to spice it up.

For The One Who Definitely Loves Their Dog More Than They'll Ever Love You:

In order to win over bae, first, you gotta win over Fido.

For The Sports Lover:

It's a classic gift for a reason (and slightly cheaper than tickets to the actual game).

For The It-Girl Who Takes Her Skincare Seriously:

You know she's been coveting this for months. (Pssst, borrow it on nights you sleep over.)

For The Nerd With An Old-School Side:

It's not that personal or sentimental, which means there's no reason for the receiver to freak out about what you ~are~.

For The Glamazon:

An easy way to stand out from a string of girlfriends past who simply gave her a boring scarf. This is not a boring scarf.

For The One With Cold Ears:

"Babe, I noticed you don't have a hat! It's getting cold!" Boom, done.

For The Guy Who's Really Proud Of His Beard:

How do you know if a guy is into his beard? He'll tell you. And tell you again. And again.

For The Calabasas Wannabe:

She already knows that Kylie Jenner's lip kits are makeout-proof; it's time to test if Kim Kardashian's cosmetics hold up in the heat of the moment, too.

For The Lost Member Of The House Of Stark:

Pop culture presents are thoughtful, but not too overwhelming in a new relationship.

For The Music Lover Who Doesn't Need Another Pair Of Headphones:

Not to sound like a total snob, but if you've never showered with music coming from inside the shower, you've never really showered.

For The Girl Who Probably Wants To Instagram Her Gift:

This is just so absurdly pretty.

For The One Who Just Started A New Job:

Congrats! Here's a notebook! It's chill!

For The Kind Of Person Who'd Want A 2-Foot-Tall Guy Fieri Cardboard Cutout In Their Life:

If you're dating a very specific kind of weirdo, this is the very specific kind of gift that will light up their life (and/or their desk).

Happy shopping! You got this!

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