Birthday gift ideas for long distance friend

The past two years revolutionized the way we travel, socialize, and connect with our best friends. For many, this meant saying goodbye to IRL hangouts and visits and perfecting the Zoom- and phone-call-filled long-distance friendship. Even now, with the world semi-back on its feet, reunions remain tricky to plan and many of us are still staying close to home. So, when it comes to a long-distance BFF, if your platonic love language was acts of service, quality time, or physical touch, it's probably now forced to be gift-giving — so we've crafted a list of worthy ideas that will help you do it right.

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Sending your partner-in-crime a virtual wine tasting invite, sentimental pressed-flower picture frame, or BFF rings can be just as affectionate as a warm hug or one of your casual hangouts. Click on to discover these gifts and more from the most unique virtual gifts around — and get ready to make your faraway bestie feel like you gave them a lovely visit IRL.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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Distance Touch Bracelets

Even if you can’t be side by side, you can still be connected—a pair of Bond Touch bracelets for you and your dearest. When you touch it, they feel it. No matter where they are on the planet. Natural vibration that mimics your partner’s touch. When you send a touch, your good friend’s bracelet will light up in the color of your choice. A truly unique gift!

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Thinking of You Gift Basket

Make her feel like royalty and earn major brownie points on her birthday, Valentine’s day, Mother’s day, or your anniversary with this premium gift box for women! Avoid the embarrassment of cheap-looking birthday gift boxes filled with tacky dollar store items for women. Instead, treat her to a luxurious Queen-themed gift box to say I miss you! The perfect gift for long-distance friends.

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Fujifilm Instant Camera

Meet the INSTAX Mini 11 Instant Camera: the successor to the INSTAX Mini 9 Instant Camera. With its new Automatic Exposure function, there is no need to adjust a dial to take photos based on your lighting. Just snap and shoot. Expressing yourself has never been easier with the Mini 11.

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Long Distance Friendship Bracelets

Believe London®created the “Distance Bracelets” to allow those apart to believe in love, feel connected, and one day see each other again. Distance and time apart from someone can be challenging, but no matter who and where they are, let them know you have a piece of them with you at all times. Black Onyx is an excellent natural stone for releasing negative emotions or stress. The White Howlite is a calming natural stone with an extremely calming energy.

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My Life Would Succ Plant

Grown in a 2. 5-inch grower pot and shipped in white ceramic with a play-on-words message – “life would suck without you” planter, this is such a fun gift to show your love any time of the year for a true friend. Ships fast from our farm to your door. It also makes a perfect long-distance relationship gift.

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Crave Box

Nothing says I love you like a big box of her favorite snacks. This 60-count care package includes a mix of sweet, salty, savory, and healthy snacks—the best essential brands of chips, cookies, candies, bars, popcorn, and crackers. The best variety on Amazon as it includes all of your favorites individually wrapped snacks and goodies. It’s the ultimate, classic, deluxe, best, most significant, value sampler snacks box – bulk, bundle, variety fun pack. Large for a great low price – what a good deal. Wholesale quantity amount of snacks and treats to enjoy!

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Long Distance State Coffee Mug

Friendship knows no distance! This state mug design comes with the quote, “Friends forever never apart maybe in the distance but never at heart.” The perfect best friend gift to let a friend know how much they are missed! Personalize the mug with the states, country, or province of your choice and choose from the available color options. It makes a cute going-away gift too!

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Best Tea Spoon

This spoon is a great gift, especially for a tea lover! This is a great way to express your love to your BFFL. Every day, every time they use it, they think of you.

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A Digital Photo Frame

Love sharing photos? The Nixplay Wi-Fi Cloud Photo Frame gives you control over your images and the power to share them where you want. Gift this frame to your loved one and quickly email photos for instant display from anywhere in the world, anytime. Create & update different photo playlists easily and choose which frame displays each playlist, or send multiple playlists to each frame.

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Pinky Promise Bracelet Set

Pinky Promise Distance bracelets allow you to feel close to your best friend, no matter the distance. It comes with 2 Matching bracelets, one for each to wear as a daily reminder of your infinite love or friendship “One for you, one for me, I promise to be always there for you.” That’s Our Pinky Promise!

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Inspirational Necklace

Wear this as your reminder to keep going despite what may hold you back. It may not be an easy road, and there may be bumps along the way. And you will prevail when everything feels like an uphill struggle; know that the view from the top is worth it. Break the barriers, speak up, and stand tall. Be strong, be bold, and never give up.  Get one for yourself for matching friendship necklaces.

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Friend Like You Candle

Are you looking for a sentimental gift? This candle was designed with a soft color palette and whimsical line artwork; the dandelion wishes to remind us how easy it is to see our lives’ joys and wish the same for our loved ones. Great gift for a friend, desk decoration, or bathroom decor
Comes packaged in a gift-ready decorative box. It can be used as a keepsake after the candle is done. 

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Friendship Keychain

Made from high-quality stainless steel, this keychain won’t lose its shine, just like your friendship. Although apart in the distance, you won’t be in your hearts. 

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Partner In Crime Bracelet

Get one for you and one to gift your closest partner in crime. Joycuffs are fully adjustable and flexible enough by bending to make them tighter or looser, as needed to fit most wrist sizes.

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Homesick Candle

Homesick offers specialized candles that tap into your sensory memory through nostalgic scents that can remind you of the place where you grew up. Homesick’s fragrances capture the most specific nostalgia — making them the MVP of thoughtful gifting. The concept of these candles is genius: For each state, Homesick distilled its signature smells into a nostalgic blend. For example, Michigan calls on tart cherries and rich chocolate, paying tribute to summer on the Great Lakes through honeysuckle, rose, and cinnamon.

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Kitty Planters

Do you have friends or relatives who are crazy about cats? The succulent cat planter is made of high-quality ceramic, is suitable for indoor or outdoor use, and makes excellent home decor. A small drainage hole at the bottom facilitates drainage, providing a good environment for plants. A circular drainage dish will help catch any excess water and is detachable for easy cleaning.

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Trinket Dish

A true friendship is a journey without an end to remind us that you are always there for your friends. An excellent gift for your bestie moving away. It is great to put it in the bathroom or kitchen while you wash your hands, do dishes or prepare a meal. Leave it by the sink or nightstand to place your rings, earrings, and necklaces.

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Friends Frame

Own a piece of your favorite show’s history with the #1 replica from FRIENDS. It is 100% handmade and hand-painted made with very high-quality resin. It will last forever, just like your friendship.

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Book of the Month Club

They find the best new reads—emphasizing early releases, fresh perspectives, and debut authors. Your giftee will get to choose from 5 new books every month. Sign up yourself and have your very own book club.

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In the Company of Women

Over 100 exceptional and influential women describe how they embraced their creative spirit, overcame adversity, and sparked a global movement of entrepreneurship. Media titans and ceramicists, hoteliers and tattoo artists, comedians and architects—taken together, these profiles paint a beautiful picture of what happens when we pursue our passions and dreams.

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Macrame Photo Display

Make your friendship into wall art! Forget the old picture frame. This simple but gorgeous, eco-friendly macrame wall decor makes such a thoughtful gift. This wall decor photo display is casual and artistic to show your favorite photos, pictures, postcards, memos, or artwork with your friends and family.

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Best Friend Makeup Bag

You’ve found it – the perfect gift for your long-distance BFF! Fill it up with her favorite goodies, and you have the ideal gift. You are made of natural beige linen cotton, featuring a golden brass zipper with a fashion pull. 

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Funny Wine Coasters

Don’t fear drink stains; these drink coasters will keep your tabletops free of cup rings and won’t stick to your glass. A hilarious way to spread some joy – get some laughs and share some drinks. Isn’t that what life is about?

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You’re My Favorite Bitch Wine Glass

If you are looking for a funny gag gift idea to surprise your BFF, then the You’re My Favorite Bitch To Bitch About Bitches steamless wine glass is the way to go. What’s better than giving a stemless wine glass to a wino or wine lover. Every time your long-distance best friend drinks their precious wine, they will think of you. It makes a great white elephant gift too!

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Fem Tote Bag Set

This pack of 5 tote bags carries your items while expressing your feminist ideals; it features powerful quotes in big black bold letters. Canvas construction gives the bag durability to hold up to extended use. You were designed with one open compartment inside for better organizing. Each bag features pro-woman quotes, including “Keep Calm & Empower Women,” “Girls Can Do Anything,” “We Should All Be Feminists,” “The Future is Female,” and “Diversity, Equality, Unity.” These canvas totes are perfect for showing off your attitude and beliefs. 

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Bad Girls Throughout History 

You were looking for coffee table books that do more than look great on your table? Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed the World delivers on both counts. Featuring 100 women who made history, it’s a book you can proudly display in your home. The 100 revolutionary women in this gorgeously illustrated book were wrong in the best sense: they challenged the status quo and changed the rules for all who followed. 

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Smash The Patriarchy Pens

These are great for a work bud or close friend moving to a new job. These pens say “SMASH THE PATRIARCHY,” just as the goddess intended. They’re a little bit plain for a reason – so you can use them in the office, and maybe, leave one behind in your boss’s pencil cup. 

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Cute Lunch Bag

Look no further if you’re looking for a bag that can take your lunch and fruits. This insulated lunch bag was designed to take at least two lunch containers. It also has enough space for your snacks and fruits. You could also put your phone, wallet, and keys all in the front pocket. You needn’t to even carry your purse now! Perfect for work and outdoor activities!

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Bath Salts

A Sanskrit term meaning “wheel” or “circle,” chakras represent the seven specific energy centers found in the body. From the crown chakra that assures a calm peace of mind to the root, offering a grounding in positive energy, addressing each point is thought to provide balance and inner peace. Indulge your chakras with this shea butter bath salt set, featuring seven aromatic varieties blended with essential oils and tinted with all-natural micas for a beautiful glow. 

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