Gifts for your best friend
The best gifts for a best friend are about the two of you: a custom illustration from a favorite photo, a print of a place that matters, a journal to fill in together, or a camera for your next trip. Here are eight ideas from about $15 to $130.
The short list
- Custom illustrated portrait of you two $30–60
- Custom map print of a shared place $20–45
- Instant film camera $70–90
- Fill-in friendship journal $12–20
- Matching friendship bracelets $15–35
- Portable photo printer $80–130
- Gourmet snack box $30–50
- Two-player card game $15–25
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Custom illustrated portrait of you two
Typically $30–60
Why it fits
Send an artist a favorite photo and get back a drawing of the two of you. Personal, funny or sweet, and it ends up framed on a wall.
Custom map print of a shared place
Typically $20–45
Why it fits
The city where you met, the street you lived on, the beach you always go back to. A minimal map print says “our place” without words.
Instant film camera
Typically $70–90
Why it fits
For the next trip or party together. Instant photos are made for sharing, and you’ll both end up with the prints.
Fill-in friendship journal
Typically $12–20
Why it fits
Prompts about your memories, inside jokes and plans. Fill it in before you give it, and it becomes the most personal gift on this list.
Matching friendship bracelets
Typically $15–35
Why it fits
Simple, handmade and a little nostalgic. A small thing you both wear that reminds you of each other.
Portable photo printer
Typically $80–130
Why it fits
For the friend with 20,000 photos on their phone. Print the good ones for the fridge, the wall or the next card.
Gourmet snack box
Typically $30–50
Why it fits
Their favorite thing, upgraded: fancy chips, chocolate, candy from somewhere new. Best shared on the couch with you.
Two-player card game
Typically $15–25
Why it fits
For lazy evenings and long train rides. A good two-player game becomes your thing.
Make it about the two of you
You know your best friend better than any gift guide does. The best gifts use that: a shared memory, a place, an inside joke, a plan for something you’ll do together.
Or give exactly what they asked for
Best friends often mention what they want, just not when you’re ready to write it down. On Giver, friends keep a running list of things they’ve been wanting and things they’d love but feel guilty buying for themselves. When their birthday comes around, you’ll know.
Add an experience
Concert tickets, a cooking class, a day trip. An experience you do together can be the gift, or a lovely addition to a small one. Put it in a card with a date.
Questions people ask
What do you get your best friend for their birthday?
Something about the two of you, like a portrait, a map print of a shared place or a filled-in journal, or the thing they’ve been talking about wanting for months.
How much should I spend on my best friend?
Whatever feels right between you. Many people spend $30 to $75 on a best friend, but a personal $20 gift often means more than an expensive generic one.
Shopping for one person in particular?
Giver suggests gifts from what your friend says they’d love, with a reason for each. Free on iPhone and Android, in closed beta in the US.
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