What to get a long-distance friend
Gifts that travel well, things you can share across the distance, and how to plan around shipping.
Something delivered locally to them, or sent digitally, avoids most shipping trouble: a treat from a shop near them, an e-book, or a class. If it has to cross borders, order early.
Some of the best long-distance gifts are ones you can share, even from far apart.
Things that travel well
- Delivered from near them
- Many bakeries, florists, and restaurants deliver locally. It arrives fresh, with no shipping delays.
- Books and small items
- Easy to ship, and a book can come with a note about why you chose it.
- Digital gifts
- An e-book, an online class, a music or streaming subscription. It arrives instantly.
Things you can share
- The same book or show
- Read or watch it together, then talk it over on a call.
- A game you can play online
- Plenty of board and word games have online versions for two.
- A dinner, together
- Send them a meal from a local restaurant on a night you order the same, and eat together over video.
Something from where you are
A snack or small item from your city gives them a taste of your life. If they used to live near you, something they miss from there can mean a lot.
Shipping and timing
International packages can take weeks, and some countries restrict food or charge customs fees on arrival. Checking the rules for their country, or ordering from a shop that ships within it, avoids surprises.
If a gift will arrive late, a message on the day — or a digital gift that arrives on time — lets them know you remembered.