Gifts for Long-Distance Friends: 7 Ideas

Young woman with headphones waving at a video call

When a good friend lives far away, the friendship runs on calls, letters and the next visit. These seven gifts help with all three: a print with both of your states, a candle for the place they miss, a letter-writing set, a pair of cups for your calls, postcards to keep the mail going, a pair of lamps that light up for each other, and a photo book of the time you've spent together.

Great Friends Two State Print, Long Distance Map Gift

1 A Two-State Friendship Print

This map print marks both of your states with the line 'TRUE FRIENDSHIP knows no distance', plus your own text. It's printed with archival inks on luster paper, unframed in 8 x 10, 11 x 14 or 16 x 20 inches, or framed in white, brown or black with a mat.

Best for:

A friend who moved away, or the one you left behind when you did.

Why choose this:

It puts both places on one wall, a reminder of where each of you is.

Good to know:

Choose a physical print; the listing also sells a digital file. Put the states, cities and text in the personalization box; the listing doesn't mention a proof. The 8 x 10 and 11 x 14 frames have glass, the 16 x 20 polystyrene. Returns are not accepted.

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When You Miss Maine Candle, State to State Gift

2 A 'When You Miss [Their State]' Candle

This soy wax blend candle is labeled for the state they miss and poured with a cotton wick into a glass jar with a metal lid. It comes in a 4 oz amber jar or a 9 oz clear or amber jar, in 10 scents or unscented.

Best for:

A friend who moved away from the state you both shared.

Why choose this:

It's a small piece of the old place on their shelf, labeled with its name.

Good to know:

You can replace the title and description on the label with your own; there's no proof. Returns are not accepted.

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Celestial Letter Writing Set with Wax Seals

3 An Illustrated Letter-Writing Set with Wax Seals

This letter-writing set has eight sheets of cotton paper, about 5.5 x 8.5 inches, with printed illustrations, four lined envelopes and four self-adhesive wax seals.

Best for:

A friend who'd rather get a real letter than another text.

Why choose this:

It's everything for the first few letters, which makes it easier to start writing back and forth.

Good to know:

The envelopes have no adhesive, so the wax seals close them. The seller suggests gel or white-ink pens for writing on the envelopes. Returns are not accepted.

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Handmade Ceramic Mug Set of 2, Stoneware, 5 oz

4 A Pair of Small Striped Stoneware Cups

These two wheel-thrown 5 oz (150 ml) stoneware cups have white slip stripes and are glazed white on the inside only. Each is about 7 cm tall and 6 cm across, in red or black clay.

Best for:

Two friends who catch up over coffee or tea on video calls.

Why choose this:

Order the set of two, keep one and send the other, and you each have the same cup for your calls.

Good to know:

Choose the 'Set of 2' and pick red, black or one of each. The seller says they are dishwasher, microwave and oven safe and made with food-safe, lead-free, non-toxic materials. They ship from Türkiye. Returns are accepted within 14 days.

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Vintage Nests and Eggs Postcard Set of 20

5 A Set of 20 Vintage Nest and Egg Postcards

Each of these 20 postcards shows a different vintage illustration of birds' nests and eggs. They're 6 x 4 inches, printed in the USA and sealed in plastic, with a postcard back ready for a stamp.

Best for:

A friend who likes nature, birds or old illustrations, and likes getting mail.

Why choose this:

Twenty cards means twenty short notes to send, or a stack to trade back and forth.

Good to know:

Returns are accepted within 21 days.

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6 A Pair of Wi-Fi Friendship Lamps

These touch lamps come as a pair, each about 3.5 x 4.7 inches. You keep one and send the other; when either of you taps your lamp, the other one lights up in the same color.

Best for:

Two friends in different places who'd like a small way to say 'thinking of you' between calls.

Why choose this:

A tap needs no words and no time zone check, so it fills the days when neither of you gets around to writing or calling.

Good to know:

Both of you need Wi-Fi and the LuvLink app to set them up. The listing doesn't state the plug type, so check before sending one abroad. These are the shop's own branded lamps, not handmade.

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Hard Cover 12x12 Photo Book, Standard Pages

7 A 12 x 12 Hardcover Photo Book of Your Pictures

This 12 x 12 inch hardcover photo book has 30 standard pages designed from the photos you share, press-printed and delivered in a box.

Best for:

A friend whose best photos with you are still sitting on two different phones.

Why choose this:

It collects the trips, visits and years you've had together into one book they can pick up.

Good to know:

Share your photos through Google Photos, Google Drive, Dropbox or WeTransfer, and use clear, good-quality pictures. The seller emails a preview to approve before printing. Returns are not accepted.

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Created with AI assistance.