34 Best Friend Gifts for Any Occasion
Updated: Jul. 12, 2024
Sometimes, a "just because" gift can mean the most. We've rounded up the best gifts for your best friends to celebrate your friendship and brighten their day, no matter the occasion.
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Gifts are one of our favorite love languages with friends, especially when it comes to treating those we love to things that we know they’ll love. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a holiday or giving them a little something just because (honestly, one of our favorite reasons!), we collected some of the best gifts for your best friend.
When it comes to gifting, what matters most is that you select something personal—what speaks to their hobbies, lifestyles and passions? What’s something that’s special and useful?
“Gifts are a way to celebrate, honor, and recognize that you’re grateful for your friends. My favorite tip for coming up with the perfect gift for your best friend is to think about the small things that get them excited,” says Leah Inman, creator of Leah’s Gift Guide. “It doesn’t have to be elaborate! As long as it’s thoughtful, they are going to love it.”
Our picks span a range of price points (we kept most of our selections below $100) and interests, whether they love to spend time in the kitchen or they love to enjoy food without having to spend much time in the kitchen, whether they have an artistic side or they want to kick up their heels and unwind.
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Microplane
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For the One Who Loves Brunch
Chai and Bundt Cake Gift Basket
Bring the hottest spot in town to their kitchen with this chai and Bundt cake gift basket. It’s stocked with six mini Bundt cakes and chai concentrate, so they can quickly make their favorite morning drink. The cake flavors include cinnamon coffee cake, lemon poppyseed and vanilla cake with strawberry inclusions. It’s all packaged in a charming basket that they can reuse for other gifts or storage around the house.
For the One Who Loves a Spa Day
Aromatherapy Diffuser
When I first encountered aromatherapy diffusers, I was a bit of a skeptic, but I was quickly converted. Having essential oils drift through a room, with the oil selected to match the mood, is one of the easiest relaxation hacks I’ve ever encountered. This one lasts for up to 7 hours when you fill it with water and a few drops of essential oil, and it has soft lighting for a stress-relieving glow. They can use it in their bedroom, living room or office to channel a more peaceful state of mind.
For the Poet
Embroidered Notebook
They can unleash their imagination and capture the wonders of the world around them within the pages of this hand-embroidered floral notebook. You can personalize the gift by selecting the paper used on the inside, the type and color of the flower that appears on the cover and the text that appears on the cover, too. It’s a touching tribute to their creativity and your friendship.
For the Wellness-Loving Chocoholic
Chocolate Collection
Sometimes the basics are best, and that’s certainly the case with these Hu chocolate bars. They have a tiny list of ingredients and, as a result, a really spectacular creaminess and flavor. They make an ideal snack or can be great for those who love to bake (I’m a fan of chopping them up in pancakes or muffins). This pack of eight includes a mix of dark and milk chocolate options, many stuffed with nut butter.
For the Busy Bee
Gourmet Meals
Their schedule is always packed, so give them the gift of gourmet meals on demand. CookUnity delivers chef-prepared meals in a wide variety of cuisines, from Mediterranean to Thai to Mexican and more, so they have something nutritious and delicious on nights they’re too busy to cook themselves. You could get them a gift card or select the meals to be sent to them!
For the Tea Drinker
Vahdam Tea
Treat them to an assortment of herbal teas. This set includes six types of teas sourced from India (with ten bags of each flavor). They’ll receive flavors like hibiscus rose, turmeric ginger and classic chamomile, and all teas come in individual pyramid-shaped tea bags designed for better infusion and flavor. It’s a nice “I’m thinking of you” gift.
For the Coffee Drinker
Driftaway Coffee
There are lots of fantastic coffee gifts out there, and this Driftaway coffee sampler is a strong addition to the lineup for friends who take their coffee seriously. What makes this extra fun is that the five bags they receive—which cover the gamut of different roast levels—don’t reveal what the beans are. Tasting cards accompany the box, but your friend can taste and explore new types of coffee without any preconceived expectations. The bags come in multiple sizes, the smallest with 2-ounce bags and the largest with 1-pound bags.
For the Happy Hour Fan
Margarita and Snack Gift Basket
Sometimes, a happy hour at home is just what the day calls for, and no better way to kick back than with this margarita and snack gift basket. It includes a margarita mixer, limes and sea salt to make a salt rim. Cheese makes everything happier, and this gift comes with sharp cheddar and olive oil flatbread crackers. Note that glasses are not included (but could make a fun bonus gift!)
For the One Who Accessorizes
Friendship Bracelet
A more sophisticated spin on friendship jewelry of years past, this 14-karat gold-fill bracelet is an elegantly minimalist addition to their accessory collection. Handmade, it features two different chains as a subtle reminder of your friendship—and a testament to their sense of style. You can purchase it in a pack of two so you both can match or send them one to celebrate all the good years together and what they mean to you.
For the One Who Loves the Oscars
Movie Night Gift Basket
They always see the latest releases and have the best picks for movie night. This gift basket is filled with all of the sweet and savory treats that they’d pick up at their favorite theater, conveniently packaged for enjoying at home. Of course, it includes microwave popcorn and popcorn boxes, along with a bottle of lemonade, Sour Patch Kids, Twizzlers and more. Several of the items come with little notes that you’re thinking of them, so it’s far more personal than just a bag of candy. It’s also a great care package for college students.
For the One Who Loves a Night In
Smiley Face Slippers
Celebrate how much joy a cozy night at home brings them with these smiley face slippers. They’ll keep their feet comfy with memory foam soles, and the retro-style smiley will bring a little bit of brightness to their evening. They can even be worn outside for quick errands (and some reviewers say they even bring them when they travel) and can also be a thoughtful addition to care packages.
For the One with All the Cookbooks
Salt Gift Box
For friends who love to cook and know that salt isn’t created equal, this gift box offers a sampler of Icelandic sea salts. It includes flaky sea salt (pro tip: sprinkle it on baked goods), black lava salt, birch smoked salt and floral Arctic thyme salt. Each has a use case where it excels, which makes it ideal for those who love to tackle a new recipe. I first tried this salt over a year ago, and thanks to the caliber and variety in the four jars, it remains a go-to gift.
For the Bookworm
Personalized Book Valet
Upgrade their favorite activity with a personalized book valet. It has a space for them to put their book upside down without losing their spot, along with room for their glasses, phone and, of course, their beverage of choice. At the top is a steel “book plate” (a stamp often put into the front cover of a book to show who it belongs to), which can be customized with their name and a decorative icon. Make it even more special by sending along a great new book with it, as well.
For the Protein Lover
Meat Box
They always make sure they get in their protein intake, and this collection of high-quality meat will keep their fridge and stomach full. The eight pounds of pasture-raised meat include dry-aged steaks, pork chops, bacon, chorizo sausage and more. As a fellow meat-lover, I’m a personal fan of Porter Road for its quality and for its support of smaller farms. Read more about meat delivery.
For the One with a Sweet Tooth
Gourmet Cupcakes
Honestly, a sweet treat is always a welcome gift, especially when those sweet treats are part of this bestselling pack of gourmet cupcakes. They’ll receive four of each flavor: a vanilla-frosted birthday cake with rainbow sprinkles (of course), blackout chocolate cupcakes with chocolate fudge custard inside and squiggle chocolate cupcakes stuffed with vanilla buttercream. For an extra cost, you can upgrade the cupcakes to jumbo size (birthday gift idea, anyone?)
For the Bubble Tea Lover
Boba Tea Kit
They always want to go out for bubble tea, so bring the bubble tea to them with this boba kit. It includes black and rooibos chai teas, along with the classic tapioca pearls and two stainless steel straws for easy sipping. It simplifies the process of making boba tea at home while letting them enjoy their favorite drink on demand.
For the Stylish Host
Tiled Snack Tray
If your friend loves to serve in style, this tiled snack tray adds beauty and design to everyday snacking and sipping. The ceramic tiles are hand-painted by Tunisian artists, and the base is carved from olive trees. The tray transforms an afternoon coffee or post-work glass of wine into a brief trip to the Mediterranean.
For the Life of the Party
Party Coupe Glasses
These stackable (yes, stackable!), squat and slightly retro coupe glasses bring the party, made for happy hours in the backyard or desserts that demand a chic way to be enjoyed. The glasses are hand-blown and durable, meant to protect against chipping and fading, so they remain colorful and eye-catching. They’re also great birthday gift ideas because they can be enjoyed the night of.
For the One Who Always Orders 'Za
Pizza and Wine Pairing
You two are best friends—and so are pizza and wine. This pairing collection lets them whip up a pizza while savoring a range of different wines. It includes Neapolitan pizza dough, a savory and herby red pizza sauce, and spicy pepperoni, though they can definitely get creative with the toppings. They’ll also receive eight different wines (in mini bottles), which they can combine with different pizza toppings (we’re eying a white truffle mushroom pizza and pinot noir night).
For the Artist
Clay Art Kit
They can unleash their creativity while enjoying a meditative art practice with this clay kit, designed to be both craft and relaxation. Along with a pound of air dry clay and the tools and instructions they’ll need to get started, they’ll also receive guided meditations and journal prompts for a truly mindful practice. Check out other gifts for crafters of all levels.
For the One Who Craves PB&J
Peanut Butter Sampler
Peanut butter excels in many culinary situations, and whether they love it on oats in the morning or as a snack with some apple slices, this peanut butter sampler sets them up with six blends of honey-roasted peanuts. Flavors include peanut butter with cherries and milk chocolate and peanut butter with white chocolate and pretzels…the list goes on.
For the Interior Decorator
Santal Scent Bundle
Their house is always immaculate; this scent bundle will fill their curated rooms with santal’s sandalwood and cedar smell. It includes one candle, one reed diffuser and one room mist for a beautiful scent that flows throughout the house and gives a sensorial upgrade to their home sweet home.
For the Spicy One
Fly by Jing
Spicy, savory and packed with zing, this gift box features big Sichuan flavors to add some extra oomph to their cooking. It includes the brand’s signature chili crisp and the extra spicy chili crisp, which increases the heat by three times. There are also umami-rich sauces, chili oil, and chili crisp vinaigrette that can be used in a wide variety of dishes to amp up the spice and flavor.
For the Elegant One
French Macarons
They deserve a dessert as refined as they are. This macaron gift pack includes two twelve-packs of macarons from La Fournette, a renowned bakery. Flavors range from lychee to tequila sunrise to classics like vanilla and pistachio. The founder (and World Baking Champion) came from a family bakery in France’s Alsace region that was more than 100 years old, and these macarons bring that legacy of exquisite desserts to the States.These macarons are also a great gluten-free gift.
For the Classy One
Espresso Martini Set
This espresso martini set pours out a touch of 1920s glam for the friend who loves the finer things. It includes two bottles of ready-to-drink cocktails—an espresso martini and a signature martini—and two elegant glasses. All they’ll have to do is shake, garnish and sip. Each bottle makes four drinks.
For the One Who Never Skips Breakfast
Nonstick Griddle
Now, making pancakes, bacon and eggs will be easier than ever. This nonstick griddle lets them sear and fry their favorite foods. This one is heat-safe up to 600°F and can be used on any stovetop. The brand is known for its healthy ceramic nonstick surfaces, which eliminate the chemicals (PFAS, PFOA, lead and cadmium) found in other cookware. Our Product Testing Team named GreenPan Valencia “best overall” in our best ceramic cookware test.
For the Chill One
Mochi Gift Set
Why send them ice cream when you can send them mochi: pucks of ice cream surrounded by sweet, chewy rice flour? This gift set is a mochi lover’s dream, with 32 pieces of mochi ice cream (it could be good for a party…or good to enjoy solo). Flavors include black sesame, cake batter, matcha, purple sweet potato and strawberry, among several others, and all of them use high-quality ingredients for innovative, delectable options.
For the Noodler
Pasta Sampler
Upgrade pasta night with this pasta sampler. The gourmet collection comes from Sfoglini, which uses organic wheat that’s slow-dried for optimal flavor. It includes trumpets, reginetti and Porcini trumpets, and a special box of cascatelli, a type of pasta recently created for maximum “forkability.” (A claim to fame I can attest is well-deserved—it’s become a popular choice in our household.)
For the Aspiring Etsy Shop Owner
Candle Making Kit
This candle-making kit lets your friend tap into their creativity and their entrepreneurial side. It comes with everything they need for an afternoon spent crafting (by themselves or with the kids!) or getting ready for their new side hustle selling scented candles. It includes eight packs of soy wax, eight dye blocks and eight fragrance oils, along with all the other tools they’ll need to create the soothing scents of peppermint, lemon, apple and cinnamon, and more.
For the One on the Go
HydroFlask
An insulated travel mug will keep their drinks warm throughout the day as they tackle their to-do list (although it’s also nice to keep beverages toasty if their to-do list includes relaxing at home). This one is a fan favorite, has a splash-proof lid and is made with stainless steel to ensure the only flavor they taste is from their drink. It holds up to six ounces of liquid.
Microplane
A good microplane is truly a little piece of magic in the kitchen, letting them zest citrus fruit for baked goods, vinaigrettes, salads, you name it, along with making grating ginger far, far easier. It’s one of those tools you don’t know you need until you use it, and it’s well-suited for friends who love testing out new recipes and pretending they’re cooking away in Chicago next to Sydney and Carmy.
For the Traditionalist
Classic Gift Basket
Sometimes, all you need is a good gift basket. And this classic basket from Harry & David is stuffed with decadence and delights, from chocolate truffles and chocolate-covered cherries to fresh pears and sharp white cheddar cheese. Everything arrives in an elegant bronze and gold tin container, ideal for a celebration or to lift the spirits of friends going through a hard time.
For the One Dreaming of Madrid
European Tapas Crate
While they’re planning their next European vacation, treat them to a tapas-style spread at home. Within a hand-crafted wooden crate, they’ll find bruschetta sourdough crisps, vegetable antipasti, farmhouse cheese, toasted pecans and more for snacks that pay homage to evenings in Spain.
For the Early Riser
French Press
Whether they start their day with coffee or loose-leaf tea, a stylish French press is what an early start calls for. This particular model is double-walled and made of brushed stainless steel, so it keeps drinks hotter for up to four times longer than glass versions. It comes in a variety of colors—you can select the one that best matches their decor and preferences. Pair it with a coffee subscription for an even more decadent gift.
Originally Published: July 12, 2024
