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.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Learn more.
“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.”
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 or 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. 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.
Whether they’re turning in for the night in their own bed or getting some shuteye on an overnight flight, this beautiful eye mask promises a glamorous rest. Made from rust-colored cotton velvet on the front and polyester velvet on the back, this light-blocking mask features an embroidered sun motif. It’s also filled with dried lavender for some gentle aromatherapy as they drift off into dreamland. It comes with a drawstring carry bag, allowing them to pack it easily in a carry-on.
For the times you’re not there to give your bestie a warm hug, this is the next best thing. The Dreamweave Waffle Blanket from Brooklinen made our best blankets list for good reason. Shopping editor Mary Henn says, “This one makes frequent trips between my sofa and bed. When I’m not cozied up on the couch with it, I lay it across the foot of my bed. Sometimes it’s all I cover up with during the summer months when even my lightweight comforter is too hot.” Choose from more than a dozen colors and patterns in sizes twin/twin XL , full/queen and king/California king.
If they’re not drinking water from a Stanley bottle, are they even hydrated? Encourage them to keep tabs on their favorite drinkware with the All-Day Quencher Carry-All. Aside from securing their mug with a handy crossbody strap, it’s got pockets for their phone, earbuds and more. Choose from 10 colors to match or complement their Stanley.
When they need their cup of coffee stat, the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer will come in handy. It makes one to three servings of espresso-style coffee in just two minutes (five minutes for cold brew). It features a built-in stainless steel filter and a compact design that eliminates the need for a plug or charger, making it perfect for travel.
Your favorite cookie baker will love this silicone cookie dough freezer tray that makes it easy to mold and freeze the next batch. These BPA-free containers are similar in design to an ice cube tray, so they won’t take up a ton of freezer space. The tray holds 10 cookies, and it comes in a pack of two.
Books are always a good choice for a reader, and they are sure to love this curated Books & More Box from Crate Joy. Each box contains one or two books with three bookish items they’ll love. Send a single box or set up a subscription to keep their to-be-read pile full.
If a tarot deck is part of your friend’s daily routine, they will be charmed by this beautiful necklace from Uncommon Goods. The brass cage pendant hangs from a 30-inch antiqued-bronze chain and contains a mini full-color set of the Major Arcana cards. This striking jewelry also comes with a pocket guide to interpret the cards.
Whether they’re just getting started with charcuterie or they’ve got many boards under their belt, they’ll love this charcuterie kit from Platterful. Everything they need to create an Instagram-worthy charcuterie board is in the box, from cured meats and cheeses to crackers and other small bites. Charcuterie newbies will appreciate that there are step-by-step instructions to guide them through creating their board. Gift them a single box or make it a subscription with Crate Joy.
Hitster is sure to be a hit with the music lover in your life. This interactive party game has 300 music cards with QR codes that you scan with the Hitster app that connects to Spotify. Listen to each song, then place it in the right spot on the musical timeline. The game is designed for 2 to 10 players to laugh and sing along as they reminisce about hits from the past century.
For the friend who is a fount of football knowledge, they’ll love this fast-paced electronic trivia game. Ultra Pro Fanzone features 500 true-or-false questions covering various game topics, from famous plays and players to Super Bowl matchups. Set the virtual game master on easy or hard modes for gameplay with two to five players.
Whether it’s for their birthday, a holiday or just because, they’ll love this hand-designed bouquet from Fresh Sends. “The Send” bouquet comes in three colorful sizes—mini (10 stems), regular (15–18 stems) and full (24–27 stems) with an option to add on a vase. It ships overnight via FedEx in a box with a custom card.
Celebrate your adventure-loving friend with the Adventure Challenge Solo Edition. This fun gift features 30 challenges for them to take on in various categories, including food, travel, self-care and self-discovery. Some activities involve doing it solo while others involve getting out there and meeting new people, but all promise to be exciting.
For the person who makes their campsite feel more like a party, the Adventure Ready Bundle from High Camp Flasks is sure to delight. It contains the Firelight Flask 750 plus a wool carry case and a pair of tumblers. Your friend can fill it with cocoa, coffee or something stronger. This flask makes it easy to keep beverages hot or cold and ready to be enjoyed, whether they’re camping in the woods or hanging out by the fire pit in the backyard.
DedCool’s Xtra Milk Fragrance is a gender-neutral fragrance anyone on your friends list will love. The scent notes are bergamot, white musk and amber. They all combine beautifully in a vegan-friendly, carbon-neutral formula that comes in a recyclable glass bottle.
It doesn’t matter how many photos of their fur baby they have on their camera—they’ll always love another one, especially if it’s a custom pet portrait from West & Willow. Upload a photo of up to four pets, and you’ll receive a beautiful, hand-illustrated portrait framed and ready for display.
When you live too far away to spend the holidays together, give them something to celebrate your friendship. This customizable tree ornament says, “When you are friends the miles don’t matter,” and it features the silhouettes of your home states.
Give them a gift that allows them to cook and bake with abandon, like a customized apron from Williams Sonoma. This cotton apron has an adjustable strap for a comfortable fit, plus roomy pockets for utensils and recipe cards. Choose from more than 10 colors, and you can customize it with their name.
Add to their shoe collection with something special, like a customized pair from Nike. Whether they lace up for training or for running errands around town, you’ll be able to choose the colors and design of their new favorite pair of sneaks.
Sure, the digital age makes it easier to look up and record recipes. But the home chef with the old soul will love writing ingredients down on these customizable recipe cards from Papier. Whether they document family recipes or write new ones of their own, they’ll make room for cards in their kitchen. Choose from a dozen different designs and colors.
There’s nothing like a long soak in the tub, especially when they’ve got a bamboo bathtub tray to keep everything they need close at hand. This adjustable tray has a spot for their book and phone or tablet, a cup holder and plenty of room for soap and bath accessories to make their “me” time feel even more relaxing.
Goldbelly is a veritable goldmine for foodie gifts, but this sampler box from the iconic Brooklyn steakhouse Peter Luger always catches our eye. This delicious gift box contains a 2-pound Porterhouse steak, half a dozen burger patties and a double pack of the restaurant’s must-order side of thick-cut bacon. It even comes with the signature steak sauce and milk chocolate coins for a sweet treat after.
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 a dozen of Georgetown Cupcakes’ best-sellers, including coconut, cookies & cream, peanut butter fudge and red velvet. You can also opt for special message cupcakes to say “Happy Birthday”, or just a simple “Thank you.”
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.
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.
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.
Their schedule is always packed, so give them the gift of gourmet meals on demand. CookUnity delivers chef-prepared meals in various 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!
Treat them to an assortment of herbal teas. This set includes six types of teas sourced from India (with 10 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.
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.
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.
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 popcorn and popcorn boxes, along with a cotton candy, savory snacks, cookies and more. This works as a great thank you or birthday gift or a fun care package for college students.
Celebrate how much joy a cozy night at home brings them with these smiley face slippers. The memory foam soles will keep their feet comfy, 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 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.
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.
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 8 pounds of pasture-raised meat include dry-aged steaks, pork chops, bacon and chorizo sausage. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
They deserve a dessert as refined as they are. This macaron gift pack includes two 12-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.
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.
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 degrees 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.
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.
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.)
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 6 ounces of liquid.
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.
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.
Whether they start their day with coffee or loose-leaf tea, a stylish French press is what an early start calls for. The classic Le Creuset design pairs nicely with any other cookware you’ve collected from the brand, plus it’s available in many of their famous colorways. Pair it with a coffee subscription for an even more decadent gift.
Anything that shows you know them well—personalized items, experiences or useful everyday essentials—can make a great best friend gift.
Meaningful gifts are often sentimental, like custom keepsakes, photo books or experiences you can share together.
A thoughtful gift reflects attention to your friend’s interests, needs or memories you share, showing care and personal connection.
They’re a curated mix of timeless crowd-pleasers—think cozy blankets, personalized jewelry, gourmet treats, tech gadgets, self-care essentials and other universally loved picks.
Kim Bussing has over a decade of experience writing about food, drink and gift-giving. She has authored numerous guides on wine, cocktails, holiday entertaining, and thoughtful gifts, often interviewing experts to uncover what makes presents truly meaningful. As a writer for outlets like Taste of Home, Reader’s Digest, and Modern Farmer, Kim combines deep product knowledge with a passion for making every occasion feel special. Her background as a creative consultant for hospitality and food companies further informs her expertise. Whether curating the best gift baskets or spotlighting the latest wine trend, Kim’s goal is to help readers find gifts that delight.
Paul Rankin, Content Updates Editor at Taste of Home, updated and contributed research to this article. Paul is also a product tester and writer at Bob Vila and has written shopping guides since 2021.
Barbara Bellesi Zito, freelance contributor to Taste of Home, also contributed to this article.
