Because sometimes the thought isn’t enough.

Still agonizing over what to get your mother’s brother’s high school roommate or the girl who sometimes opens the door for you when you sneak into work late? Here, a comprehensive guide on whom you will likely be shopping for, and what to get that person that he or she will not end up giving back to you next year.

The Design Snob

She wrinkles her nose at the thought of hitting the shopping mall. She loves Ingmar Bergman films and talks endlessly about Mark Newson. Her hangouts are Club Culture and the nearest art gallery. She even knows Le Corbusier’s real name. This person is difficult to shop for, but not impossible. Instead of pricey, go for playful, or imaginative. And if nothing else works, you can at least go for kitsch. Check out the suggestions below.

Stratospheric: Design freaks will love the glossy coffee table chic of Vogue Covers: On Fashion’s Front Page (B2,100, Asia Books), which features covers of the iconic fashion magazine from the early 20th century to today. Alternatively, she’ll appreciate the understated cool of Jim Thompson’s “JJ” weekend bag (B3,600)—and she can carry all her shopping in it too! Or if you really love her, you can’t go wrong with an iPod touch—the style and wifi of the iTouch without the not-very-convincing phone functions (8GB B12,590, 16GB B16,750, iStudio, Power Buy).

Middling: What design is cooler than this takoyaki maker (B1,175, Verasu) courtesy of Homemate? Who else would have something like this? Just too, too cool.

Thrifty: She’ll love the Art Box (B750, Asia Books), a collection of 25 greeting cards, each featuring a different image from The Art Book.

The Straight Guy Everyone Thinks is Gay

You haven’t heard? No, really, he really is straight. No, I’m not kidding. It’s hard for this guy to catch a break, since he is so metrosexual that...well, people get the wrong idea. You really want to help him. And he really needs your help. Get him stuff that butches him up a little bit, and maybe things will look up for him. Maybe.

Stratospheric: Even straight guys drink coffee from cool little gadgets. Check out the Bodum original French press (B2,385, Verasu), one of the coolest designs ever. If you’re feeling especially benevolent, get him the Krups Espresso Machine, which also comes with a foam stirrer (B39,900, Central Chidlom). Alternatively, indulge his healthy eating habits with this Buono blender (B2,390, Verasu)—perfect for making those protein shakes and wheatgrass smoothies he’s so fond of.

Middling: Get him something fancy but not too girly. These Anita Silk cufflinks (B550, Anita Thai Silk) fit the bill nicely. Or sign him up for a month of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to beef him up and teach him to fight like a man (B1,200/month, EMAC).

Thrifty: Haven’t you heard? Chicks dig guys who are, like, intellectual and stuff. Get him a drama-packed, critically acclaimed bestseller like Anne Enright’s The Gathering (B350, Asia Books) and encourage him to read during his lunch break at the nearest café.

The Drunk Girl Who is Always the Last to Leave the Party

This girl has tons of potential: she’s smart, funny, and attractive. But put a beer in front of her and she becomes an insufferable, blithering idiot who pukes in the hedges and nags at people to have “just one more.” Aside from a stint at Promises with Britney Spears (what are we, made of money?), these options can maybe relay the message in an oh-so-subtle way that she could stand to lay off the sauce a bit.

Stratospheric: That hard living can really take its toll on a body. Detox your friend by splurging on a half-day “cleansing package” (B5,000) at Rasayana Retreat. It is 3.5 hours of detox fun, including infrared sauna, lymphatic massage and a colonic. You can also emphasize her health by bringing her the Homemate “Soy Master” (B4,160, Verasu)—a machine producing nutritious, therapeutic, and, most importantly, non-alcoholic soy milk. Settings are “full bean, five cereals.” and “mung bean.” 

Middling: Clean her up after a big night out with this shower set from Oomph, complete with body gold sparkling lotion (B995), shower scrub (B880), healthy smoothing foot scrub (B450), smoothing foot lotion (B550) and bath towel (B1,990).

Thrifty: Sometimes, it’s a different kind of guidance she needs. For a lesson on life, get her Monk in the Mountain: Simple lessons you can use from a Western Buddhist monk (B495, Asia Books) by Ajahn Sumano Bhikku, and work out her mind instead of her beer-raising biceps.

The Disorganized Slob Boyfriend

He snores and pukes in your hair. He tries to sleep over at your place because he doesn’t want to do his own laundry. He’s chronically late and without fail manages to forget your birthday. He wears the same “Same Same” t-shirt every day. And let’s not even talk about his bathroom. Why are you even with this guy? Good news, girls: he can be changed, at least fashion- and style-wise. You can work on his lying, cheating and emotional unavailability later.

Stratospheric: Let’s face it. There really is no need to pay an arm and a leg to spruce up your guy, since, like a three-year-old, he’s likely to get dirty all over again. But if you need him pretty for a short period of time, like long enough for dinner with the parents, get him the Buono hand-held steam iron (B2,940, Verasu), compact and light enough for travel anywhere. If you really do have some extra change, you can go to the source of his slob-ness and organize his life. This is where the “HTC Touch” personal organizer (B19,900, J Mart) comes in handy.

Middling: It’s time he ditched that boarding school tie he keeps wearing to dinner with your parents. Get him something that will liven up his wardrobe a bit, like these colorful ties from Anita Silk (B1,200/each).

Thrifty: No man over the age of 12 should still be wearing his white athletic socks with his suit. Rush out and get him these Anita Silk men’s socks (B380/pair) in navy blue, black or brown. Guys who have yet to really grow up will also love The Art of Vintage Marvel (B595, Asia Books), 100 collectible postcards featuring the likes of Spider-Man and the Hulk. Beats having to buy him adult-sized Underoos.

The Friend Whose Taste is Too Good

He has everything already: the car, the gadgets, the holiday house. He hangs out at Le Normandie, or at home, which is much nicer (and better stocked) than any nightspot you can think of. And he has shockingly good taste, which makes it impossible for mere mortals like you to buy him anything with confidence. He can barely stand to be friends with you, you lucky schlub. You’d better get him something good.

Stratospheric: Even he will be charmed by this Staub tagine (B5,250, Verasu), modeled after the traditional North African tagines but with a cast iron base that enables cooking directly on your stove. The ceramic cone lid keeps flavors and moisture inside while it’s cooking. Don’t forget to add this ultra sophisticated Kitchenaids blender (B22,950, Central Chidlom) to his already ravishing kitchen.

Middling: Get him this glossy coffee table book Travel: Where to Go When by Craig Doyle (B1,495, Asia Books) and listen to him point out all the places he’s already been.

Thrifty: Really have no idea what to get him? Go with this Jim Thompson pleated wine sack (B650, Jim Thompson)—at least he’ll use it. Or make his home as sweet-smelling as he is with some aromatic candles (B450/candle, Oomph).

The Girly Girl Socialite

Her personal idol is Paris Hilton. Everything she owns is pink. She drives a personalized Mini. Need we say more? Luckily, this girl is pretty indiscriminate about what she likes. (She’s hanging out with you, isn’t she?) Her interests cover a wide range of topics, from Lindsay Lohan to Spinoza, and she’s always open to annual offerings of cheap beauty products or hair clips (for the party photos). Just don’t try to feed her.

Stratospheric: She’s not much of a big eater, but she does drink juice. So why not go ahead and get her the Buono juice extractor (B1,595, Verasu) and help her get some more calories into her system? Or just indulge her girly side with this “Heirlooms” gift set from MAC (B3,000, Paragon), which comprises five basic make-up brushes in a nifty little clutch. Or help her make a splash at her next party by getting her one hour in a classic Daimler (2,500/hr, 12,000/day) or Jaguar (1,900/hr, 10,000/day) from the Eugenia hotel.

Middling: Help her collect all her favorite photos and clippings from the local society pages with this Angela Adams photo album (B1,250, Asia Books), a stylish way to collect memories.

Thrifty: Make her Post-It notes as well-dressed as she is with this Jim Thompson Post-It holder (B350, Jim Thompson). Or make her nighttime ritual that much easier with these MAC make-up wipes (B650, Paragon), so she can take her face off in a flash.