My best friend and I live 5,733 miles apart. We grew up just towns away, always close enough for spontaneous hikes and breakup ice cream runs. Then I moved to Italy, and learned how tough long-distance friendship can be.
Whether your bestie is off to college, chasing a dream job, or studying abroad, keeping in touch isn’t always easy.
That’s why I created this gift guide filled with meaningful long-distance friendship gifts to help your connection stay strong, no matter the distance.
#1 Bond Touch Bracelets
These sleek bracelets send a gentle buzz to your friend’s matching bracelet with a tap, like a secret code only you two share.
#2 Friendship Lamps
Friendship lamps light up in matching colors when you tap them, so your friend knows you’re thinking of them. I love these for students abroad or friends who’ve just moved away because sending glowing colors back and forth feels surprisingly comforting.
#3 Friendship Pillow
Forget generic “hug me” pillows. This one can be customized with a world map showing where you and your friend are. Add linked cities, colors, and even a personal saying for a pillow that’s truly one of a kind.
#4 BFF Journal
When time zones make phone calls tricky, a BFF journal keeps the conversation going.
Write notes, doodles, or stories in yours, then swap them later when you meet up. These handcrafted journals come in different colors and designs so you can match without being too matchy.
#5 Flower Delivery
Brighten your friend’s new apartment or celebrate a win from afar with a surprise flower delivery.
Amazon has multiple flower retailers that make a last-minute gift easy, or you can support a local florist near your friend for something more personal. Either way, fresh flowers never fail to make someone smile.
#6 Jewelry with Coordinates
Put a creative spin on classic friendship bracelets with jewelry engraved with meaningful coordinates. Choose the place you met, your favorite hangout, or the city you call home.
#7 Friendship Rings
Friendship rings are like sending a virtual hug when you can’t be there in person. These adjustable hugging rings come in silver or gold finishes and will remind your bestie how much they mean to you every time they look down at their hand.
#8 Ticket Stub Diary
This Ticket Stub Diary is a fun way to collect all the adventures you’ve shared. Fill it with photos, concert tickets, or souvenirs now and save space for new memories later. It’s small enough to pack for a move and makes a great coffee table keepsake.
#9 Custom Map
Give your friend a decorative map of their city (or a place they dream of living) to brighten up their space. These prints are on museum-quality paper with optional framing and can even include special coordinates for a personal touch.
#10 Star Map
Freeze a moment in time with a custom star map showing the night sky on a meaningful date. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate the idea that no matter how far apart you are, you still share the same sky. Choose one for a birthday, anniversary, or any milestone that matters to your friendship.
#11 Squishmallows
Give your best friend a Squishmallow to hug when the distance feels tough. They come in sizes from tiny keychain cuties to giant 24-inch plushies (basically a stand-in for you). I love the variety of characters you can choose, from rainbow parrots to pink axolotls.
#12 Fuzzy Blanket
Throughout college, I kept a fuzzy blanket from my best friend on my bed, and it always made me feel closer to home.
A soft blanket is one of those long-distance friendship gifts that never fails. It’s perfect for late-night studying, Zoom movie nights, or just getting cozy. And shipping one directly is way easier than trying to send it yourself.
#13 Affirmations Mug
Help your bestie start the day with a boost by gifting them an affirmations mug covered in bold sayings like “I am strong AF” and “My needs matter.” These mugs always make me laugh and feel encouraged, which is exactly what you want as a daily reminder of your friendship.
#14 Lego Keychain
Skip the boring best friend keychains and go with something fun like a Lego figure. There are options for every fandom, from Star Wars to superheroes, and they’re quirky daily reminders of your friendship.
I like the idea of sending each other silly snaps of your Lego keychains to stay connected.
#15 Macrame Photo Display#
Why choose one favorite photo when you can display them all? A macrame wall display is a stylish way for your friend to decorate a dorm or apartment, and it’s easy to swap in new pictures when you see each other next.
I always like gifts that grow with your friendship, and this one does exactly that.
#16 Local Experiences
Give your friend something fun to look forward to with an Airbnb Experience in their city. They can book a food tour, kayak trip, or dance class whenever it fits their schedule.
I love this gift because it’s like giving them an adventure and a memory all in one.
#17 Massage Gift Certificate
A massage gift certificate is a simple way to help your friend unwind after a stressful week. I like picking out a specific spa so they don’t have to do the research themselves. It makes it so much more likely they’ll actually go.
#18 DoorDash
True friendship is sending food when you can’t be there in person. Surprise your bestie with a DoorDash gift card, or if you know their address, send their favorite order straight to their door.
#19 Gather Notes from Loved Ones
This one takes a little extra effort but is so worth it. Ask friends and family to each write a note, then bundle them into a card set or care package. I love how special it feels to open a stack of handwritten messages all at once.
#20 Note from Their Pet
This might sound cheesy, but I’d love to get a note from my dog “writing” about fetch and stealing snacks. Amazon has funny animal cards that make this idea easy to pull off.
Add a paw print or photo and your friend will crack up every time they see it.
#21 Home Recipe Book
Put together a recipe book filled with meals that mean something to your friendship.
Think comfort food from your childhoods, dishes you cooked together in college, or even desserts you both can’t resist. Adding a short story or note with each recipe makes this gift feel extra special.
#22 “Open When” Letters
“Open When” letters are a long-distance classic. Write notes for different moments—like when they’re homesick, can’t sleep, or just need a laugh—and tuck them into labeled envelopes.
It’s a gift that keeps giving because they’ll keep reaching for your words whenever they need them most.
#23 Hand-Painted Greeting Card
You don’t have to be a great artist to pull this one off. A hand-painted card is thoughtful just because you took the time to make it. Add a joke, some stickers, or even tuck in a few extras, and your friend will love it.
#24 Polaroids in Letters
Snap some Polaroids and slip them into handwritten notes to really level up your long-distance updates. Unlike a quick Snapchat, Polaroids feel tangible and nostalgic, like little treasures your friend can keep forever.
#25 Poetry Book With Margin Notes
Sharing a poetry book with your own scribbled notes in the margins turns reading into a conversation. Send it back and forth so you both add thoughts and reactions.
I love how it becomes a slow, meaningful exchange that deepens your friendship over time. You can do this with any genre of book if you and your friend aren’t that into poetry.
#26 Morning Motivation Poster
Remind your friend that she matters to you by sending a motivational poster to hang in their bedroom or bathroom. Every morning, they will look at it and think of you.
#27 Spotify Code
What’s your BFF song? Mine’s Tiny Dancer with my best friend.
Create a custom Spotify code linked to your favorite song or playlist, then print it on a keychain, mug, or card. All they have to do is scan it to get a little “thinking of you” moment through music.
#28 Movie Night Gift Card#
If you miss movie nights together, send your bestie a Google Play gift card. Pair it with snacks or a blanket shipped to their door, then queue up the same film over Zoom. It feels almost like sitting side by side again.
#29 Personalized Candle
Every time your friend lights this personalized candle, they’ll think of you.
Add a funny label like “Unicorn Farts” or something heartfelt like “Smells Like Home.” Choose a scent that fits their vibe, and you’ve got a gift that’s as unique as your friendship.
#30 Unicorn Socks
Forget matching T-shirts, fun socks are the way to go! A pair of unicorn socks is quirky, cozy, and guaranteed to make your friend smile every time they put them on.
#31 Zoom Party with Jackbox Games
Plan a virtual get-together with Zoom and Jackbox Party Games so you and your friends can laugh together from anywhere.
One person buys the game pack and hosts, while everyone else joins in for trivia, drawing games, and more. It’s an easy way to celebrate birthdays or just hang out like old times.
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#32 Wine Subscription Box
Celebrate your friend’s milestones—or just a rough week—with a wine subscription that delivers bottles right to their door. It’s the kind of gift that keeps the love (and wine) flowing.
#33 Snacks Care Package
Send your friend a box of snacks that remind them of home or introduce them to new flavors.
My bestie would send me huckleberry chocolate or saltwater taffy from the Pacific Northwest, while I’d probably send her Italian biscotti. Amazon makes it easy to ship treats directly, so you don’t have to pack them yourself.
#34 Spa Gift Box
Sometimes I wish I could give my best friend a spa day, and this gift box is the next best thing. With bath bombs, candles, salts, and lotions, it’s packed with everything they need to relax from afar.
#35 Custom Friendship Illustration#
A custom illustration of you and your bestie is one of those keepsakes they’ll treasure forever. Etsy artists can turn your favorite photo into a unique drawing that feels personal and thoughtful.
#36 Tea Gift Box
Spill the tea, babe! This herbal tea sampler comes in reusable glass tubes and is perfect for chatting over video calls. It’s a cozy way to share stories and keep your friendship strong from afar.
#37 Coffee Lovers Gift Box
This coffee-themed box is a dream for caffeine fans. It comes with whole beans, a Yeti travel mug, and chocolate-covered coffee beans. Yum!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jodelle Marx
Editor & Content Manager
When Jodelle’s not writing, odds are she’s painting in the woods and tracking down the best hikes with water features. The term “indoors” doesn’t register in her life because she’s always heading out the door. Fresh forest air, snowshoeing in winter, paddle boarding in summer. . . the list goes on. And with all this outdoorsy experience, Jodelle’s ready to help you find that perfect gift for special friends, family—heck, maybe the lady you met at book club last week. From homemade to luxury, Jodelle’s always scheming about the next best gifts.
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