Gifts for Your Best Friend
- 20 gift ideas
- From under $25 to under $100
Good gifts for a best friend mix something sentimental with something you can enjoy together. Start with a fill-in book about your friendship, a long-distance friendship lamp, a conversation card game or a pocket photo printer, then add a cozy treat such as a silk sleep mask or a chunky knit throw for everyday comfort.
Quick picks
- Most sentimental: A fill-in book about your friendship Lets you write down why your friendship matters, in your own words. Idea 1
- Best for long distance: A long-distance friendship lamp A tap on one lamp lights the other, wherever you both live. Idea 3
- Best under $25: A book of open-when letters you write Notes you write now for the days your friend needs them later. Idea 5
- Best for a night in: A conversation card game for deep talks Puts phones away and starts the kind of talk you rarely get to. Idea 6
- Best splurge: A pocket photo printer for your camera roll Turns your shared camera roll into prints you can hang or tuck in a card. Idea 7
A best friend already knows your taste, so the best gifts for a best friend say something only the two of you would get. We sorted these 20 ideas into sentimental gifts, things to do together, cozy treats and everyday upgrades, so you can match the gift to how your friendship actually works.
Each idea says who it suits and what to check before you order. They work as Christmas gifts for a best friend and as birthday gifts for a best friend, and you can add a handwritten note to any of them. If your friend is hard to shop for, try our Gifts for Someone Who Has Everything guide.
Ideas 1 to 5
Sentimental gifts about your friendship
Matching gifts for best friends and keepsakes with a story behind them. Add a note about the moment that made you choose it.
1. A fill-in book about your friendship
A guided fill-in book gives you a place to write down why your best friend matters, in your own handwriting, which suits a friend who keeps cards and notes. It takes about one evening to finish, so start a few days before you plan to give it. Mention a memory only the two of you would recognize, and your friend will probably read it twice.
Tip: Fill it in with a pen you like and add one real memory on every page you can.
2. Matching bracelets for the two of you
Matching bracelets are a small daily reminder of a friendship, and you both get to wear one. They suit a best friend who likes simple jewelry and does not mind a sentimental touch. Choose a style that goes with what your friend already wears, and check how many bracelets come in the set you pick so each of you gets one.
Tip: Check how many bracelets the option you choose includes before you order.
3. A long-distance friendship lamp
Wi-Fi touch lamps light up on one side when the other person taps theirs, a quiet way to say hello across time zones. They suit a best friend who moved away and misses the daily check-ins. Each of you needs a lamp and a Wi-Fi network, so plan to order two and set yours up together on a video call.
Tip: The listing is for one lamp, so order two to make a working pair.
4. A candle that smells like home
A state-themed candle is a thoughtful nod to where your friend grew up or where the two of you met, especially after a move. It suits a best friend who gets homesick or loves a good story about hometown spots. Pick the state or city that means the most to you both and add a note about the memory it brings back.
Tip: Each state is its own listing, so confirm the one you want before you order.
5. A book of open-when letters you write
Open-when letters are notes you write now and seal for later, for moments such as a bad day or a big win. They suit a best friend who values words, and they work especially well across distance. Write a few for the hard days and a few for the good ones, so the stack feels like a pep talk and a party in one.
Tip: Write a couple of letters for happy moments too, not only the hard days.
Ideas 6 to 10
Things to do together
Gifts that come with a plan, so the present turns into a night out or a night in.
6. A conversation card game for deep talks
A question deck gives you a reason to put phones away and talk about the things you usually skip. It suits best friends who can talk for hours but rarely get to the bigger topics. Plan a quiet evening with snacks, and let your friend pick which questions to skip so the night stays comfortable.
Tip: Agree up front that anyone can pass on a question, then pour something warm.
7. A pocket photo printer for your camera roll
A small printer turns the photos you take together into prints for a journal, a mirror or a fridge, which suits best friends with years of shared pictures. Check that it works with your friend's phone, and that refill paper is easy to find. Print a few of your favorites and give them with the printer.
Tip: Print a few favorites ahead of time and tuck them in the box.
8. A Bluetooth karaoke microphone
A wireless karaoke mic turns a night in into a sing-along, with the music coming from a phone. It suits the friend who is always first on stage on karaoke night, or whose car concerts could use a real microphone. Pair it with a playlist of the songs you both know every word to.
Tip: Make a shared playlist of your songs and send it with the gift.
9. A pickleball paddle set for two
A paddle set gives you a standing plan to get outside together, and pickleball is easy for beginners to learn. It suits a best friend who wants a weekly activity that is more fun than a gym. Look for a set that includes balls, and choose the option with two paddles so you can play right away.
Tip: Choose the set of 2 and book a court for the first game.
10. An escape room game for two
A boxed escape room game gives you an evening of puzzles to solve together at the kitchen table. It suits best friends who love a challenge and would rather play than watch a show. Most can be played once, so treat it as an event: clear the table, make snacks and set a timer for extra suspense.
Tip: Play once and pass it along, since these boxes are usually one-time games.
Ideas 11 to 15
Cozy and pampering gifts
Small comforts for the friend who always looks after everyone else.
11. A silk sleep mask
A silk eye mask is a small luxury that gets used every night and on every flight, which suits a best friend who travels or sleeps lightly. Look for a strap that adjusts and a fit that blocks light without pressing on the eyes. Pair it with a travel pouch or a note about your next trip together.
Tip: Look for an adjustable strap so one size fits most heads.
12. A satin pillowcase with a zipper
A satin pillowcase feels smooth and cool and is an easy upgrade to a friend's bed, which suits a best friend who loves a lazy morning. Check the pillow size first, because standard fits most pillows. A zipper closure keeps the pillow in place, and it pairs well with a sleep mask for a small bedtime set.
Tip: Check the pillow size before you buy; standard fits most pillows.
13. A bath bomb gift set
A box of bath bombs makes a night in feel like an occasion and is easy to share, which suits a best friend who unwinds with a long bath. Check the scents first if your friend is sensitive to fragrance. Add a candle and a playlist for a ready-made spa evening, and send it before a stressful week.
Tip: Check the scents if your friend is sensitive to fragrance.
14. A tea sampler box
A variety box of tea is an easy, cozy gift for a best friend who unwinds with a warm drink, and it lets them find a new favorite one cup at a time. Check for caffeine-free options if your friend drinks tea in the evening. Add a nice mug and a note suggesting you share a pot soon.
Tip: Add a mug and invite your friend over to try the flavors together.
15. A chunky knit throw blanket
A chunky knit throw adds texture to a couch or bed and gets used all winter, which suits a best friend with a cozy corner at home. A neutral color works in most rooms, and beige goes with nearly any decor. Check the size against the couch, since throws look best when they drape over the arm.
Tip: A neutral color fits most rooms if you are not sure of their decor.
Ideas 16 to 20
Everyday upgrades your friend will use
Practical picks that suit a friend who is always on the go.
16. A mini fridge for skincare or drinks
A small desk or vanity fridge keeps skincare, drinks or snacks cool in a bedroom, dorm or office, which suits a best friend with a big skincare routine or a love of cold drinks. Check the inside size against what your friend plans to keep in it, and make sure there is an outlet nearby.
Tip: Measure the shelf or counter where it will sit before you order.
17. A crossbody belt bag
A belt bag keeps a phone, keys and cards close at concerts, on trips and on walks, so it suits a best friend who is always on the go. It works with almost any style, and black or another neutral is the safest choice if you are unsure. Check that the strap adjusts to fit your friend.
Tip: Pick black or another neutral if you are unsure of your friend's style.
18. A clear bag for concerts and games
Some venues allow only clear bags, so a sturdy one is a practical gift for a best friend who goes to concerts or games. Check the venue's size rules before you buy, since they vary from place to place. A crossbody strap keeps hands free for tickets and a drink, and it works well on trips too.
Tip: Check the venue's bag size rules before you order.
19. Lined clogs for cold mornings
Lined clogs are warm, easy to slip on for a coffee run and comfortable around the house, which suits a best friend who is always cold. Unisex sizing can differ from a person's usual shoe size, so check the size chart or ask a mutual friend. Keep the receipt in case an exchange is needed.
Tip: Check the size chart, since unisex sizing can differ from usual shoe sizes.
20. A big, squishy plush pillow
An oversized plush is a playful gift for a best friend who likes cute things, and it doubles as a couch pillow. Pick a character that fits an inside joke or a shared favorite food. It also works as a gift for a friend who is having a rough week and needs something soft to hug.
Tip: Pick a character that fits an inside joke between you two.
Frequently asked questions
What are good gifts for a best friend?
Pick something that reflects your friendship: a fill-in book about the two of you, matching bracelets, a conversation card game or a pocket photo printer for your shared photos. If your friend likes comfort, a silk sleep mask or a chunky knit throw is an easy choice. A handwritten note makes any of them feel personal.
What is a good Christmas gift for a best friend?
Choose something cozy or shared: a tea sampler box, a knit throw, lined clogs or an escape room game for a night in. If you live far apart, a friendship lamp or a book of open-when letters keeps the connection going. Order early if you want time to add a note or wrap it well.
What should I get my best friend for her birthday?
Match the gift to how she spends her free time. A karaoke microphone suits a friend who sings in the car, a pickleball set suits one who wants a weekly activity, and a clear crossbody bag suits one who never misses a concert. Add a card with a favorite memory, and plan something to do together.
What do you get a female friend you are not that close to?
Keep it simple and low-pressure: a tea sampler, a satin pillowcase, a bath bomb set or a plush pillow. These are easy to like and do not carry the weight of a sentimental gift. Save the personal items, such as a fill-in book, for a close friend who will appreciate the effort.
How much should I spend on a best friend's gift?
Spend what feels comfortable and fits both of your budgets. A thoughtful gift under $25, such as a letter book or an escape room game, can mean more than an expensive one. If you and your friend usually keep gifts small, match that habit so nobody feels awkward.
What are good matching gifts for best friends?
Matching bracelets are the classic choice. Two friendship lamps let you each own one half of a pair, and a set of mugs or candles works if you prefer something you both use at home. Check what each option includes, since some listings are for a single item and a pair means buying two.
