Forever rad

Dead men, Steve Martin once observed, don’t wear plaid. Golfers, bagpipers and punk rockers do. And around this time of year, so do our living rooms, dining tables and beds. With designs both subtle and stark raving, plaid crisscrosses our consciousness, adding color and pattern, along with a seductive snuggly comfort, to our homes.

If you’ve reached your wits’ end before the end of your holiday shopping list, a Christmas plaid makes a great gift -- plus, you’ll probably never forget when you gave it.

From the mountain cabin ruggedness of a Pendleton plaid to the urban chic of a Burberry check, tartan evokes the great outdoors. Even when it is printed on a suede-finished down-filled throw or plates and mugs, the unexpectedly harmonious combination of green and red looks inviting.

Be warned, it can be a bold choice. Unless you’re shopping for someone who lives in an English country manor or a 1970s time warp, plaid is deployed most effectively in small, decorative doses.

Pillows, plates, picnic blankets, hot-water bottles? Absolutely.

Large pieces of furniture? Not recommended.

When in doubt, look for the details that exhibit quality, such as whether the pattern matches at the seams. And also consider the source. Loomed in fine fabrics, plaid can reveal the craftsmanship of the weaving process with an air of luxury and a high-altitude price. Honestly, though, who could resist a mohair lap warmer or a cashmere teddy bear?