Christmas might be the season of goodwill, but that doesn’t mean you have to like everybody you’re buying presents for. If you’re finding yourself gritting your teeth at the idea of buying presents for certain people, then our Passive Aggressive Gift Guide is for you!

The misbehaving child

Try… How to Be: Six Simple Rules for Being the Best Kid You Can Be by Munro Leaf

Because… We have it on good authority that Munro Leaf has already helped thousands of children learn how to behave.

The new work colleague who hasn’t cracked a smile yet

Try… It’s a Punderful Life: A Fun Collection of Puns and Wordplay by Gemma Correll

Because… This book is a good test for evaluating whether this person has a sense of humour past their exterior; everyone knows puns are hilarious.

The teenager who knows everything

Try… The Big Trip: Your Ultimate Guide to Gap Years and Overseas Adventures by Lonely Planet

Because… This book may just inspire a certain teenager to go on a long, long, long, long holiday.

The person who’s always trying to start arguments with you about politics

Try… Tiny Hats on Cats by Adam Ellis

Because… Nothing shuts down an argument as quickly as a cat wearing a tiny hat.

The person who’s always asking when you’ll grow up

Try… Help! I’m Turning into My Dad by Chas Newkey-Burden or Help! I’m Turning into My Mum by Gina McKinnon

Because… These ‘fun’ gift books will give them something to be paranoid about in their own life instead of yours.

The messy housemate

Try… The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying: The Japanese Art by Marie Kondo

Because… Act like this book is a joke when you present it, but you’ll both know it isn’t.

The pretentious muso

Try… List of the Lost by Morrissey

Because… Some readers have called this the worst book of the year. We’re on the fence.

The ‘not all men’ friend in your life

Try… The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman

Because… This smart, funny novel has an obnoxious ‘nice guy’ at its centre who may just subtly remind the reader of someone they know.

The humble bragger

Try… Up for the Challenge: Take on Over 60 of the World’s Most Gruelling and Spectacular Sports Events by Dominic Bliss

Because… Convince them to take one of these challenges so you can see them suffer. (Fair warning: there is always the risk is that they’ll succeed and you’ll never hear the end of it.)

The friend of your child who won’t go home

Try… Coraline by Neil Gaiman (with illustrations by Chris Riddell)

Because… This creepy story of a girl who’s semi-abducted by a second family may make your child’s friend think twice about spending another night in your house. Bonus points if you include a set of black buttons with the book.

The person who is just TOO nice all the freaking time

Try… The Snark Handbook: A Reference Guide to Verbal Sparring by Lawrence Dorfman

Because… Everyone has to start somewhere.

The ex

Try… The Book of Human Emotions: An Encyclopaedia of Feeling from Anger to Wanderlust by Tiffany Watt-Smith

Because… Setting aside the obvious (why are you even buying them a gift!), here’s a book to aid them in understanding what emotions even are.