Grip
In addition to protecting a phone, many cases are designed to be easy to hold. Speck’s CandyShell Grip case is popular for a reason: Texturized silicone strips ensure that the phone remains in the user’s hands during vigorous group-texting sessions, while a dual-layer and raised bezel physically safeguards the device. Another contender is the Knucklecase, which has an imposing look but actually offers a stellar way to keep a device safely in hand.

Protection
Another aspect to consider: What are you protecting the phone from? If your gift recipient is worried only about dropping their precious cargo, many cases will do, and some, such as Incipio’s Silicrylic line, are designed for shock absorption.
For safeguarding against dust, dirt, or water, consider something a little more hearty like the Otterbox Armor series or the Incipio Atlas ID waterproof case, which is constructed with five defensive layers to protect against water, shock, dirt, and dust. It also features a fingerprint scanner, which provides an additional layer of security in the event that a phone is lost or stolen. Speaking of which….

Security
Smartphone theft is a huge problem—help your loved one stay safe with a case that offers extra security features. For example, the Yellow Jacket case doubles as a stun gun (and can charge the phone should it run low on battery power). Kensington’s BungeeAir case securely tethers the phone to a small fob; if the owner walks too far away from the phone, the fob triggers an alert (and the companion app automatically password-locks the phone). Meanwhile, the Coyote Case comes equipped with a 100db siren that the user can deploy in emergencies.