Friends who just get you are hard to come by. It’s even harder when one of you moves away! Coffee dates, binge-watching nights, and meeting up for a drink becomes much more difficult when there are hundreds or thousands of miles between you.
Fortunately, thanks to tech like video chatting, and cool new gadgets, you can still hang out with your bestie in real-time. There are also other ways to let your friend know you’re thinking of them!
From high-tech ways to stay in touch to old-school ways people have used for a hundred years – we have tons of ideas for how to brighten your bestie’s day. Check out these 40 long distance friendship gifts for presents at every price point and every style!
40 Cool Long Distance Friendship Gift Ideas
They may be far in distance, but show your friend they’re close to your heart with one of these long distance friendship gifts!
Coffee Sampler
Just because your bestie is far away doesn’t mean you can’t still meet for coffee! Set up a video chat, grab your mugs, and settle in for some time to chat and catch up. Send your friend this specialty coffee sampler to make it feel even more like you’re at an artisan coffee shop instead of at your computer in the basement.
You’re My Person Wine Glass
Meredith said, “You’re my person” to her BFF Cristina on “Grey’s Anatomy,” and those two needed each other to survive the stressful environment! Give this glass to the person who helps you get through hard times, and get one for yourself as well. You guys can think of each other anytime you have a glass of wine to unwind at the end of the day.
Friendship Necklace
The two infinity circles on this necklace symbolize a friendship that won’t be broken just because one of you moves away. The necklace also comes with a poem reminding your friend that no matter what, you have each other. You can buy two necklaces – one for her and one for you to remember each other when you’re not nearby!
BFF Photo frame
This photo frame acknowledges with a sweet quote that even if you’re not physically near to your friend, you two still hold special places in each other’s hearts. Put in a picture of the two of you hanging out together, and it will be a fun reminder until the next time you can see each other.
Long Distance Mug
These customizable mugs make great personalized long distance friendship gifts! Show the state where your friend lives and the one where you live, and have them printed on the mug with a dotted line and a heart showing that you’re not too far apart to still be bosom buddies.
Do-it-Yourself Therapy Table Topics
Let’s face it – your bestie is probably already part-therapist to you. Lean into it with these cards that have topics to help friends share what makes them tick. Set up a video chat time, grab a glass of wine, and get ready to dish with the person who has talked you through most of life’s problems.
Best Friends Map
This map shows your state, your friend’s state and draws them together with a dotted line and hearts. Frame it to hang in your home or office to remind you that although the distance between you may be big, you’re still close friends.
Coffee & Book Club Subscription
If your bestie is a book lover, sign up for this subscription service! It delivers a 12-oz bag of gourmet coffee beans (whole or ground) and two new hardcover books in a genre that you choose. You and your friend can pick one of the books to read, then brew up some coffee and sit down for a video chat about the book.
Popcorn Sampler
Don’t miss out on binge-watching your favorite show together, even if you can’t be in the same city! Set up a shipment of popcorn for your pal, get comfy, and fire up Netflix or settle in for your program. You can chat on the phone, text each other, or video chat while you watch so you guys don’t miss each other’s reactions to whatever happens next!
Fall Forest Friend Plants
Have you ever dreamed of parenting at the same time as your friend? Do a practice run with these adorable plants – one for you and one for them! You can share updates on their progress and send pictures of their growth to each other.
Wooden Memory Box
This large wooden box is a beautiful way for a friend to preserve memories of your times together! You can present it to them empty or fill it with pictures, ticket stubs, seashells, or other mementos from your adventures together.
‘Nobody Gets Me’ Friendship Card
One of the best ways to let someone know you’re thinking of them is also one of the cheapest – by sending a good old-fashioned card. This one says, “Nobody gets me like you get me. There might be something wrong with you.” It’s funny…but they’ll also be moved that you took the time to write.
Digital Photo Frame
Keep up with each other’s activities long-distance with this photo frame! You can program it with pictures of the two of you together, but the WiFi connection also means you guys can send new photos to each other’s frames as well. Share in all the special days with pictures, even if you can’t be there in person.
A Dozen Reasons You're My Friend
This gift is customizable in several ways – begin by having your friend’s name printed on the top of the box. Then choose 12 wooden heart messages from the 50 options to tell her why she’s such a great friend…from funny to sweet.
Friendship Lamp
You can let your best bud know you’re thinking of them with these matching lamps. Touch your lamp and your friend’s lamp will light up at the same time. The lamps can change color and be connected to your home’s WiFi as well.
Anne & Diana Wall Art
If you have a book-loving bestie, she’ll love this artwork of one of literature’s most famous sets of best friends. In “Anne of Green Gables,” Diana Barry is perhaps the first person to ever love Anne Shirley unconditionally and to befriend her without question. This poster shows their friendship, which lasts through the years just as yours has.
Long Distance Connection Bracelets
These bracelets come as a set of two – one for you and one for your BFF. Choose a color, and when you touch your bracelet, your friend’s bracelet will light up. Send them a smile after a hard day or an important milestone to let them know you’re thinking of them.
Friendship Keychain
Keychains make great best friend long distance gifts – get matching ones for you and your friend! This one says, “To My Best Friend. Because of You, I Laugh a Little Harder, Cry a Little Less and Smile a lot More. I Love You” and comes with a jewelry bag to protect it.
Letters to Open When…
This gift comes with some homework for you! These letters all come with a prompt for you to write. Compose notes for occasions like “Open when you’re looking for inspiration” or “Open when you need a good laugh.” Then, send your friend off with all of them to be opened when the occasion calls for it.
Matching Pajamas
Watching shows together is even more fun when you’re wearing matching PJs! These flannel pajamas are a whole lot of fun – buy two matching sets, or buy two sets of the same style but different patterns.
Photo Clip String Lights Holder
These string lights are interspersed with clips for hanging pictures, making a charming wall decoration. Your friend can get creative and hang them up behind her bed or string them along a wall, and then fill the clips with pictures of you two together.
Friendship Trinket Dish
Your friend can keep earrings, jewelry, keys, or other trinkets on this tray. It says, “A true friendship is a journey without an end” and is a simple, understated piece for a dresser or bedside table.
‘I’m Watching The Bachelor’ Socks
Another fun way to watch your shows together is with matching socks! These “Please do not disturb, I’m watching the bachelor” socks are perfect with a nice glass of wine and some friend time in front of the TV.
Best Friend Infinity Ring
This infinity ring symbolizes a friendship that will last forever. It’s made from real sterling silver and is adjustable between sizes 4 to 6. The inside is engraved with the words “Best Friend.” Get two – one for you and one for your bestie.
A Good Bottle Of Wine
All this talk of watching shows together and video chatting means there should be one very important ingredient on-hand – a good bottle of wine! This Argentinian wine has some unusual tasting notes and will likely spark as much conversation as the shows. Grab a bottle for each of you for your next Girls Night In.
Royal Gift Basket For Her
Spoil your friend on her birthday, or just because! This gift basket includes a coffee mug with lid, a notebook, a trinket tray, a lavender candle, a makeup pouch, bath bombs, and shower steamers. All of it is beautifully packaged to make her feel special and pampered.
Macrame Hanging Photo Display
This macrame photo wall art is a beautiful way to display photos! Your friend can clip pictures to the yarn and display this wall hanging in her living room, bedroom, office, or anywhere she wants to be reminded of good times with you.
Distance Bracelets
These “Distance Bracelets” were made to help people who are apart feel connected. The black onyx used in the bracelets is supposed to release negative emotions and stress, and the white howlite is said to have calming properties.
Mini Succulent With Pot
This cheeky little planter says, “Life would succ without you,” and features a little echeveria plant. You can give your friend the plant so they remember you when they care for it. You could also get one for each of you and raise them at the same time.
Golden Girls Hoodie
Sophia, Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose are the original girl gang. They’re also a great reminder that best friends can love you to pieces…and brutally cut you down with a good zinger every so often, too. Whether she’s a Blanche or a Rose, your bestie will love this Golden Girls hoodie!
Friendship Is Like This Candle
Some friends appreciate sweet, heartfelt messages of love and support. Some think it’s hilarious when you threaten to burn down their house. This gift is for that second group. The citrus and lavender-scented candle says, “Our friendship is like this candle. If you forget about me, I’ll burn your house down.” For those of you who have trouble expressing your feelings.
You’re My Bestea Teaspoon
This cute little teaspoon is a fun little gift to send in the mail, just to let your best bud know you’re thinking about them. Not every gift has to be a major one – sometimes the best are little surprises sent for no reason at all.
‘Friends’ Frame
What better gift for a friend than a frame that looks like it came off the set of the TV show “Friends”? This frame looks just like the frame around Monica’s peephole on the door of her apartment on the show. Your friend can put it up to frame her own peephole…or tape a picture to the back, or just hang it on the wall as it is.
The Best Friend Game
What’s your friend’s least favorite food? What’s the most fun you’ve had together? Team up with your buddy and see if you can match their answers to these questions and more. The closer you get to their answers, the more points you win. Who knows their friend the best?
Love You Trinket Dish
These botanical-themed dishes feature painted flowers and botanical puns like “Love You A Bunch,” and “Buds For Life.” They’re handmade and fired in a kiln using real flowers pressed into clay. When the flowers burn off, the artist paints flowers in their place on the trays. Since no two are the same, they’re a gift as unique as your friend!
Tea Sampler
Tea makes great long distance friendship gifts for anyone who likes to start or end their day with a delicious cup. This sampler includes a variety of blends, including citrus and chamomile flavors. They all come packaged in a beautiful box to keep them organized.
Partner In Crime Bracelet
Celebrate the shenanigans you and your friend get up to with this bangle that has “Partner in Crime” engraved on the inside. The cuff bracelet is made of stainless steel and is hypoallergenic. Grab matching ones for you and your badly behaved BFF.
Best Friend Makeup Bag
This make-up bag has a definition of a best friend printed on the side, starting with “A close friend who means the world to you” and continuing on. It would be fun to purchase this pouch and then fill it with snacks, candy, or other small treats for your friend who lives far away.
Head-to-Toe Home Spa Gift Set
You may not get to have a spa day in person with your best friend right now, but you can send her one to enjoy at home! This spa set includes a facial mask, body scrub, shea butter, foot salts, and cream. They all smell heavenly and your friend will feel properly spoiled.