For the second season in a row, we're counting down the crucial pre-Christmas shopping days with a series called Gifted Givers, in which friends old and new share their thoughts on stylishly spirited giving and receiving. New this year: the Pop-In@Nordstrom x Opening Ceremony Holiday Shop edition. Adam Selman self portrait

Perhaps you know fashion designer Adam Selman from his his much-ballyhooed position on Rihanna's speed dial. Or maybe you've been shopping his all-purpose capsule collection on our site.

For the uninitiated, Selman occupies a Warhol-esque place in pop culture, has designed costumes for Britney Spears and Michael Jackson (RIP the K.o.P.) and imbues his work with a natural sense of play which is refreshing without being hokey.

He has an unusually straightforward approach to gifting. Here he is talking about Jenga, Brita filters and the fruitful agony of self-sacrifice.

Shop: Pop-In@Nordstrom x Opening Ceremony Holiday Shop

The Thread: What stands out as the best gift you've ever given?

A few years ago, before my boyfriend and I lived together, I was rummaging at a flea market and a found piece of art that I loved. It wasn't expensive, but it was handmade and the subject was just too good to be true. But I knew my boyfriend would love it even more than I did. I kept it hidden in my apartment for months. I wrapped the gift days before Christmas, and shed tears while I was wrapping it by myself knowing that I was about to give it away. When Christmas rolled around I finally gave him the gift. I cried! I cried in front of him as he pried the wrapped gift out of my hands, not wanting to let go. But when he opened it, he jumped up and down and screamed about how perfect it was. Through my tears, I could see how happy he was, and I knew I had given the perfect gift. (It's sad that this is a true story.)

Do you have a holiday shopping strategy? Do you make plans and spread sheets, or fly by the seat of your pants at the last possible minute?

It just depends from year to year. Sometimes if someone mentions something they want, I write it down and have a running list of what friends or family have mentioned in passing. But usually, I resort to something useful, like a 12-pack of paper towels, a roll of quarters for laundry, a six-pack of briefs, socks, Brita filters, booze, or expensive face lotion. People like useful (and disposable) things at the end of the day, and these are always easy to get last-minute if I'm in a pinch.

What's the weirdest or most extreme thing you've ever done to create or secure the perfect gift?

I think one year I didn't know what to get for one of my best friends, and I was really poor, so I stole something from her house a month before, wrapped it up and gave it back to her without her noticing. At least I knew she would want it.

What is "the perfect gift," anyway? What makes for the ultimate in giving or receiving?

The perfect gift is giving away something you want, or covet for yourself. If you don't want to part with it, but you know the person you're giving it to will love it. That's the ultimate gift. See heartbreaking story above.

What would you get for your BFF?

Again, I would go for something useful: tech-y cleaning supplies like those screen wipes or cans of compressed air. Anyone loves these as a gift. I don't try to buy them something I don't know anything about. If I'm still at a loss for what to get, screw it. I'd buy them Jenga and a fancy bottle of booze.

Feel free to allow us to alert your friends and family in this very public format: what would you love to unwrap this year?

All I want are Barry's Bootcamp classes, a collapsible bike helmet, and Sonicare replacement brush heads.