Your best friend is literally the best. Like, the greatest of all your other friends. So giving them a gift that’ll make them go ‘meh’, is completely out of the question. After all, this isn’t just any old gift, like one for your boss or a Secret Santa exchange or even a family member. This is a present for your partner in crime. Thankfully, we could think of a few Latino-inspired gifts that are perfect for your comadre or compadre.  From hats to clever mugs, accessories, candles and more, you’ll definitely find something he or she will love this holiday season! And you’ll get rep your Latinidad while you’re at it. 

‘Annoyed in Spanish’ Dad Hat

If your friend is bilingual, then you know they can get annoyed in both English and Spanish (lucky you). We feel their pain, so we made this [Annoyed In Spanish] Dad Hat to wear on the days when we simply can’t with people. Stay strong, amigos, we feel you.

‘Pa qué highlighter’ Makeup bag

This little gift set would be a lifesaver for the makeup obsessed person in your life. Remind that makeup queen that she doesn’t need any highlighter with that brown shine of hers. This vegan leather bag is perfect for holding all her day-to-day essentials. Take this with you and SHINE!

Apt. 512 keychain

Ideal for that Selena fan in your life. Or maybe send it as a hint to that special ‘chico del apartamento 512’ who has the key to your heart. 

‘Mejor Sola’ Necklace 

For that queen who maybe has just gone through a breakup, or who just doesn’t settle for anyone she’s not 100 percent sure about. Remind her that ‘mejor sola que mal acompañada’ and empower her to live her best life with this little sumthin. 

‘Y la dieta?’ hat 

For the fit friend who always keeps track of everyone else’s calorie count. Gift her this hat so she can remind everyone to keep on with la dieta without saying anything. 

‘Fierce Graduate’ pin

For that recent grad in your life. Let her know; girl, you’re someone who knows what she wants and you’ll never stop working until you reach your goals. The “Fierce Graduate” Pin will help her show the world, she’s a force to be reckoned with.

‘Qué Cozy’ candle set

Fall is here, and winter is just upon us, so why not get cozy with some candles? As you know, Latinos don’t do basic —we’re looking at you Pumpkin Spice— so this Holiday Candle Collection comes with three Latino-inspired scents including Tamales de Dulce, Arroz con Leche, and of course, Cafecito! So grab a blanket and a lighter and enjoy!

‘That’s my Prima’ pin pack

You know your prima always has your back, so why not show her how much you love and support her too, with this matching pin set! So cute. 

‘Tragos’ party game

Made with pure Latino pride, Tragos is the drinking card game that your abuela will not approve of. Perfect for the friend who loves hosting fiestas at his place. Each box holds 110 ridiculously true Latino reference cards, designed with unique game rules to get the fiesta started. 

Play with different card categories like: Vote — Tostones or maduro? Losers take 2 sips. Jinx — Pick a person in the room. On 3, both of you call out the best Latino dessert. If you have different answers, drink. Most Likely To —On 3, everyone points at the person you think watches the most telenovelas. Pick Two—Pick two types of Latino cuisine. Everyone votes on which one is better. Losing team drinks. And then ask them to invite you to the drinking party. 

‘El Jefe’ hat

Sorry, this hat is for boss Latinos only*. If you are not one, please hit the back button on your browser immediately. But if you or one of your friends is the perfect guy for this hat, go ahead and add to your cart because there’s no better gift for that carne asada king. 

‘Fierce’ sticker set

If your BFF is one of those stationery lovers, then this sticker pack is for her. Featuring our fave poderosa phrases, she’ll be able to stick little reminders of her greatness anywhere she wants. The perfect gift to stick it to the patriarchy where it counts —literally and figuratively.

READ: Show Your BFF How Much You Care With These Super Thoughtful Gifts

A key element of celebrity culture is our near obsession with how stars relate to each other. From knowing exactly who Miley Cirus is dating now to feeling like we have the right to know the sexual orientation of figures like Vero Castro (go ask your mom or abuelita if you don’t know who she is. And you should, by the way), celebrity culture is increasingly chismosa and based on knowing about every single detail of other people’s intimate lives. 

But sometimes this is a good thing and we discover great stories of decades-long friendships that survive everything, even death. One of such amistades eternas was the one shared by two of the greatest Mexican icons of all time: Vicente Fernández and José José, who died a few weeks ago, sending a whole country (one could even say that most of Latin America will miss him) into mourning. It’s a friendship that started in the 1980s, when they both consolidated their careers and released their most successful records. 

Just look at them, sharing the stage when they were both young… and healthy.

Chente recently shared this performance on Instagram. Our heart aches when thinking of José José in his deathbed, consumed by cancer, his prodigious voice just a ghost of times past. Better to remember him like this, healthy, even a bit chonchito but happy. 

They are of course singing the classic ranchera “Pa todo el año”

This is just such a wonderful and heartfelt performance in ranchero style. You can see it here. 

This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship, as they say in “Casablanca”.

Just look at that Mexican bromance. Mejor, imposible. 

And what about this 1990 rendition of “Ya lo pasado pasado”?

The classic ballad sounds surprisingly amazing with Chente’s deep mariachi voice. And look at JJ in his best times, with that tuxedo that made more than one compare him to the great Frank Sinatra.

Well, Chente recently unveiled a sculpture in the Plaza de los Mariachis in Guadalajara, Jalisco. 

He was celebrated for his long and fruitful career. But he was still mourning the loss of his dear friend, so he did not turn the event on an ego trip, but rather turned the event into an homage to the Prince of Song (wow, the moniker sounds good in English, eh, mijos?). 

This is what Chente had to say about his dear, dear carnalito…

Chente said: “This might not be the right time, but I cannot forget all the times we sang as a duet and our days in the United States, I am talking about  ‘El Príncipe de la Canción’ and myself. I kindly ask for a minute of applause for my great friend. I think he is suffering more now that he is dead because of what is going on than what he suffered while he was alive” (come on, practice your Spanish and read the original Chente speech:

“No es el momento, pero no se me olvida las veces que cantamos juntos a dueto y días en Estados Unidos ‘El Príncipe de la Canción’ y yo, y quisiera un minuto de aplausos para mi gran amigo que yo creo que ha sufrido más ahora que murió por lo que está pasando, que en vida“). 

Chente was of course referring to the real Shakespearean fight among José José’s children after the singer died.

As we reported, there was a level of uncertainty about the whereabouts of the singer´s body after he died, which sent his heirs into an all out battle that has since been resolved. It must have been so deeply hurtful for Chente, however, to see his friend´s memory being tarnished by chismes that would be right on the mark for a telenovela. 

Spanish-speaking media were quick to acknowledge Chente’s gesture.

Mexican TV network TV Azteca reported from Miami, where José José died, and cut back to Guadalajara, where Chente was having his celebration. They said that Chente did what the great ones do… recognize other great ones. Even in death, the two friends are joined even a country away. They both remain alive in the hearts of millions of fans the world over. 

Chente is one of the last remaining greats of Mexican popular music.

With the sad passing of El Príncipe de la Canción we have few remaining Mexican stars of the golden age of pop music, when the show Siempre en Domingo showcased talents like these two amigos and others such as Emmanuel and Rocio Durcal. Chente, now retired from the stage, is one of the last great ones to survive. We wish him many more years.