Gift ideas by who she is
Gifts for your best friend
Gifts for a best friend can be playful, cozy or sentimental. Inside jokes count.
76 ideas, cheapest first. Price bands are typical; prices vary, so check before you buy.
Quick tips
- Something for her favorite hobby.
- A small luxury.
- An outing for the two of you.
A little luxury Something she would not buy for herself
$25 to $50A little luxuryArtisan chocolate boxSmall-batch chocolates beat the drugstore box every time.
$25 to $50A little luxuryAt-home spa gift setBath soak, body scrub and a lotion in one box: an evening off, wrapped.
$25 to $50A little luxuryCozy reading setA soft blanket, a mug and a bookmark: an invitation to slow down.
$25 to $50A little luxuryGourmet olive oil and vinegar setA treat for the kitchen she wouldn't buy for herself.
$25 to $50A little luxuryLoose-leaf tea samplerA world tour of teas in a pretty box.
$25 to $50A little luxuryLuxury scented candleA good candle is a small luxury most people won't buy for themselves, and it makes a room feel finished.
$25 to $50A little luxurySilk pillowcaseIt feels like a hotel upgrade every night, and a lot of people find silk gentler on hair and skin than cotton.Useful every day Upgrades to things she uses all the time
Under $25Useful every dayLarge makeup bagOpens flat so she can see everything.
Under $25Useful every dayLingerie wash bagsSmall, practical and protects delicate clothes in the wash.
Under $25Useful every dayMemory foam travel pillowMakes long flights bearable.
Under $25Useful every dayMilk frotherLattes at home for very little money.
Under $25Useful every dayRechargeable book lightRead in bed without keeping anyone awake.
Under $25Useful every dayReflective running vestMakes early-morning and evening runs safer when it's dark.
Under $25Useful every dayRunning beltHolds her phone and keys without bouncing.
Under $25Useful every dayRunning compression socksA small treat for long runs and long days on her feet.
Under $25Useful every dayTea infuser mugLoose-leaf tea at her desk with no teapot needed.
Under $25Useful every dayTravel jewelry caseKeeps necklaces untangled and earrings together on trips.
Under $25Useful every dayUndated daily plannerUndated pages mean she can start any day.
Under $25Useful every dayWindproof travel umbrellaSurvives a windy day and fits in her bag.
$25 to $50Useful every dayBike accessories bundleA good light set, a lock and a comfortable saddle cover.
$25 to $50Useful every dayBluetooth item trackerFor keys, bags and suitcases that like to wander.
$25 to $50Useful every dayCompact power bankNever stuck at 2% again.
$25 to $50Useful every dayCookbook from a chef she lovesA beautiful cookbook is a gift she'll use and display.
$25 to $50Useful every dayEssential oil diffuserA calm scent and soft glow in the bedroom or office.
$25 to $50Useful every dayHandheld garment steamerSmooths wrinkles in a minute, at home or in a hotel.
$25 to $50Useful every dayHanging toiletry bagHangs on a hotel door and keeps everything visible.
$25 to $50Useful every dayInsulated water bottleCold water all day at her desk or on a hike.
$25 to $50Useful every dayLarge insulated tumbler with strawIce still in it at the end of the day, and a handle to carry it around.
$25 to $50Useful every dayLeather gardening gloves and prunerProper gloves and sharp pruners are the two tools every gardener wears out.
$25 to $50Useful every dayLeather journalFor lists, plans or writing the day down.
$25 to $50Useful every dayPacking cubesThey turn a messy suitcase into neat drawers.
$25 to $50Useful every dayPour-over coffee kitTurns the morning cup into a small ritual.
$25 to $50Useful every dayWine glasses setThin, elegant glasses make an everyday bottle feel special.
$25 to $50Useful every dayWine preserverLets her open a nice bottle for one glass without rushing to finish it.
$50 to $100Useful every dayCharcuterie board setFor the friend who always hosts.
$50 to $100Useful every dayFitness tracker bandSimpler and cheaper than a smartwatch, with days of battery.
$50 to $100Useful every dayHiking daypackA light pack with a hip belt makes long walks far more comfortable.
$50 to $100Useful every dayMeal kit deliveryDinners planned and shopped for, for a few weeks.
$50 to $100Useful every dayNew mom care basketComfort items for her, not the baby: robe, snacks, lip balm, water bottle.
$50 to $100Useful every dayPremium yoga matA good mat grips well and cushions knees, which makes practice more comfortable.
$50 to $100Useful every daySunrise alarm clockWakes her with slowly brightening light instead of a jarring beep, which makes dark winter mornings easier.
$50 to $100Useful every dayTemperature-control kettleGreen teas, oolongs and pour-over coffee all taste better at the right temperature, and this makes it a button press.
$100 to $200Useful every dayMassage gunFor sore muscles after a run, a class or a long day on her feet.Sentimental Photos, words and memories
Experiences Something to do, ideally together
$50 to $100An experienceAmerica the Beautiful national parks passA year of entry to national parks and federal lands: a gift that becomes trips.
$50 to $100An experienceArt or pottery classA wheel-throwing or painting class: hands busy, phone away.
$50 to $100An experienceBook subscription boxA new book (and often tea or chocolate) in the mail each month.
$50 to $100An experienceCooking classA night out learning to make something new, ideally for two.
$50 to $100An experienceRace entrySigning up for a race she has talked about gives her a goal, and you can cheer at the finish.
$50 to $100An experienceSpecialty coffee subscriptionFresh beans from a new roaster each month.
$100 to $200An experiencePet photo sessionProfessional photos of her dog or cat are the kind of thing pet owners treasure for years.
$100 to $200An experienceWine club membershipA few new bottles every month or quarter turns into a small event each time the box arrives.
$100 to $200An experienceWine tasting experienceA day at a vineyard or a guided tasting in town.Personalized Made just for her
Under $25PersonalizedPersonalized canvas toteUseful every day for books, groceries or the gym.
Under $25PersonalizedPersonalized pet ornamentHer pet's name on the tree is a small thing she'll unpack every year.
$25 to $50PersonalizedPersonalized book embosserStamps "From the library of..." into her books. Charming and useful.
$25 to $50PersonalizedPersonalized cutting boardEngraved with her family name or a handwritten recipe.
$50 to $100PersonalizedCustom house or pet portraitA watercolor of her home or her dog by an independent artist.
$50 to $100PersonalizedCustom pet portraitHer dog or cat as a painting or illustration.Fun Small surprises and hobbies
Under $25Fun1,000-piece jigsaw puzzleA cozy weekend project with beautiful artwork.
Under $25FunCustom pet face socksSocks printed with her own pet's face always get a laugh.
Under $25FunEmbroidery or craft kitEverything to make something pretty in an evening or two.
Under $25FunInsulated wine tumblerKeeps wine cold on the patio or at the beach, and it won't shatter.
Under $25FunPhone tripod with remoteGroup shots and videos without asking a stranger.
Under $25FunScratch-off world mapShe scratches off each country she visits. Fun to hang, fun to fill.
Under $25FunWine aerator pourerOpens up a young red as she pours, with no decanter to wash afterwards.
$25 to $50FunBluetooth karaoke microphoneInstant party at sleepovers and road trips.
$25 to $50FunBoard game for game nightAn excuse to get friends together.
$25 to $50FunCamping hammockSets up in minutes between two trees.
$25 to $50FunHouseplant in a beautiful potSomething living for her desk or windowsill.
$25 to $50FunIndoor herb garden kitFresh basil and mint on the windowsill all year.
$25 to $50FunMatcha setThe whisk, scoop and bowl make the daily matcha a small ritual.
$25 to $50FunSnack box from around the worldA box of snacks from a different country each month.
$25 to $50FunWatercolor paint setArtist-quality paints, brushes and paper to get her started or keep her going.
$50 to $100FunMatching athleisure setLeggings and a matching top she can wear to class, then to coffee.
$100 to $200FunPet camera with treat tosserFor the pet owner who misses her dog all day at work.No ideas in that budget here. Try another band or the gift finder.
Choosing a gift for your best friend
Start with what she does every week, not what is popular. Think about the things she uses daily, the hobbies she makes time for and anything she has mentioned wanting. Then decide on your budget before you browse, so you compare ideas at the same level. A modest gift with a handwritten note about why you chose it nearly always beats an expensive guess. If you are torn between two ideas, pick the one she is less likely to buy for herself.
Frequently asked questions
What do you get a best friend who has everything?
An experience together, a luxury version of something she uses every day, or something sentimental like a photo book. Consumables (candles, coffee, chocolate) are also safe.
How much should I spend on a gift for my best friend?
There is no rule. A thoughtful gift under $25 often means more than an expensive guess. Our ideas are sorted into budget bands to help.