Living at a distance from a close friend can be challenging for a variety of reasons. For me, a long-distance friendship robs me of my ability to enjoy a friendship in a way I had grown to love, trust and depend upon.
When I miss my dear friend, who is now living about a half-dozen states away, I let them know that I think of them often and that I am looking forward to seeing them again.
For the moments I need to let her know I am there for her, I reach out by sending thoughtful and meaningful gifts that I hope will –
- Speak of how much our friendship means to me.
- Lift her spirits in surprising and unexpected ways.
- Show gratitude for our friendship.
- Spark a fond memory we once shared and still treasure.
The great thing about having the freedom (and creativity) to put together a long distance friend care package is that there are absolutely no rules.
Some of the most fun I have had is deciding which care package item will make my best friend’s eyes light up or their heart melt, when she realizes my true message and intention.
Here are a few creative ideas for your bestie:
💖 Table of Contents
1. The Hey – Don’t Forget About Me – Care Package
The truth is a friendship can last at any distance if both proactively choose to stay in each other’s lives. Sometimes a friend who has recently moved may be busy setting up their new life or getting acclimated to their new location.
The Hey – Don’t Forget About Me – Care Package is a great way to let your bestie know that you will always have her back – no matter where or in what direction life takes each of you.
In this care package, send a collection of some of the things she knows you love and a few of the things you have been introduced to (and now love) since she moved. It is a great way to reveal your own growth to your good friend.
This is a highly personalized type of care package but could include an old picture, a shirt your friend loved, a new favorite coffee, a great new band, or an amazing book you think she would like. Throw in some candy that you both used to love to share.
2. The Feel Like Home – Care Package
Reminding someone of the warm and comfortable feeling that only home can offer is among the most touching messages one can send. The good news, as this is your best friend, is that you will know exactly what to send that can help if your old buddy is feeling blue and homesick.
The Feel Like Home care package can include anything (that can be sent through the mail) that would offer an uplifting effect or reminder of those people and places your friend loves. Use your imagination and include items like a picture of your new haircut, a favorite food made locally – like a delicious cookie, or a simple hometown souvenir.
3. The I Hear You’re Not Feeling Well Care Package
When a friend or loved one is on the mend, an unexpected care package from a distant friend can often be quite helpful and encouraging through a lengthy healing process. Giving to your friend in need is also wonderful to help someone who could use the help and encouragement.
Traditional get-well care items include chicken soup, immune-boosting vitamins, a Nalgene water bottle to make sure they remain hydrated (that can be personalized), throat lozenges, CBD lip balm, a variety of soothing teas (honey/lemon, etc.), plus a warm compress, among others.
4. The Nostalgia Care Package
Missing the time you have spent with your best friend can make time seem to move at a slower pace. There are a large variety of ways to share the sentimental thoughts you continue to have with your best friend. The options for this unique exercise-related care package are only limited by your creativity and imagination.
Create a collection of your favorite pictures of past moments together. Make her smile by including the old note and silly letters you have saved throughout the many years that defined your friendship.
These special mementos are the perfect way to show your appreciation for the special time and life lessons your friendship provided. Throw in your favorite munchie or snack that you both shared a love for.
Bring your friendship into the 21st century with Bond Touch’s Long Distance Connection Bracelets. This innovative pair of devices deliver a hello or message of love instantaneously to loved ones, no matter their distance.
The bracelets, which include a USB charger, are available in black or white, and the metal loop is available in three colors.
5. The I Miss Our Summers Together Care Package
Best friends who are fortunate enough to have had time to spend summers growing up often build lifelong and lasting friendships.
If you are missing your summer buddy, send a summer care package with must-haves that include – sunscreen, a pair of matching S’well water bottles, a water misting bottle, a hat from one of your favorite sports teams, a gift card for a new bathing suit or towel, and aloe vera gel – if they forget the high SPF sunscreen.
6. The Our Favorite Junk Food Care Package
No one wants to admit they still crave the junk food of their youth, and I am no different. However, most people indulge in a favorite childhood memory or taste simply because it has the power to transport them – if only momentarily, back to the moment they first savored the crunch or taste.
The good news is that many childhood favorites are easily transportable – especially the almost limitless varieties of candy, chocolate, and chips.
Consider locally made candy or food items (even from your own kitchen) that are not available where your friend lives now.
Do a little snooping and find out some snacks made in your friend’s location as an added surprise.
Older friends may enjoy this retro candy with a beloved and huge following in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s –
- Andes Mints
- Applehead Gum
- Gobstopper
- Broadway Strawberry Rolls
- Banana Splits
- Now & Later, to name a few.
7. The Tea or Coffee Lover’s Care Package
Coffee is considered a delicacy for any coffee connoisseur. There are so many coffee varieties and growers offering amazing coffee and coffee lovers’ accessories and tools – across the globe.
Consider Uncommon Goods offers Merlot Infused Coffee – which offers a combination of the two best ways to end a meal – wine and coffee. These Arabica coffee beans are aged in oak wine barrels that once held Merlot Wine.
This remarkable coffee, manufactured in Virginia, is caffeinated but has no alcohol content or known allergens.
If your friend is more a tea lover, they will love this stainless-steel teaspoon that is engraved with the words DRINK YOUR TEA & THINK OF ME. The Boston Creative Company, which was established in 2014, industrially engraves this seven-inch-long teaspoon. Its high-quality engraving will last for years – never wearing out.
Any tea or coffee lover will appreciate these gifts from their best friend.
8. The Night at Home Care Package
A care package that includes everything you need for a cozy Night at Home is the perfect gift for your friend who now lives at a far distance. The idea of this care Night at Home care package is to fill it with things you know your best would need to make the night a bit more special.
Send a DVD of her favorite movie, along with a new cozy throw, a favorite candle scent, and some of the best popcorn you can find. If age appropriate, complete the package with a bottle of wine or craft beers that you know your bestie loves.
Take this opportunity to create a yearly ritual that you and your good friend can share moving forward. Consider including this innovative Birthstone Wishing Ball gift from Uncommon Goods.
The Wishing Ball is a great and unique way to capture a memory, moment, or accomplishment each week for an entire year. Although according to its creator, these memories recorded and saved in the Wishing Ball are not retrievable. Like a birthday candle, they represent the past and not the future.
Each Birthstone Wishing Ball, created to align with each month’s birthstone, is handmade in a solar-powered studio and, therefore, unique. These gifts of celebration are hand blown in Rhode Island.
9. The Long-Distance Birthday in a Box
Celebrating your best friend’s birthday has always been a special thing that has been shared for many years. So, when your best friend’s birthday nears, and you know you won’t or can’t be there in person, the next best thing is to curate a long-distance best friend birthday care package that can let her know you are thinking about her on her special day.
Choose items that will help to create a celebratory moment that makes new future memories. But include old pictures of birthdays past. Then find interesting party hats and confetti and even a Tiara for the birthday girl.
Send some amazing cupcakes or birthday cake to arrive on your best friend’s birthday. You won’t be in the same room, but you will definitely be in your friend’s heart on their day.
Don’t forget to include the Mini 11 Instax Camera from Fujifilm. The camera offers a specific ‘one-touch, selfie shutter feature – with a built-in mirror.’ The Mini 11 is automatic and available in five colors.
10. The Just Add Water
If your best friend is away at school, studying, and up all night – make sure they have a variety of instant foods to keep them sustained to finish out the night or the semester.
Fortunately, there are many options of ‘just add water foods’ – some of their old favorites, some even healthy, and still others offer cutting-edge creative cuisine.
- Ramen Noodles
- Oatmeal
- Mashed Potatoes
- Varieties of Soups
- Hot Chocolate
- Tea
- Mac and Cheese Cups
- Rice A Roni, to name just a few.
The above-noted are fast and convenient food options because they do not need even a small kitchen – just a hotpot. They are the perfect gift for a good friend who is away at school.
11. Friendship Encouragement Items Care Package
Friendship at a distance, especially for those who are new to it, can be challenging to negotiate. The closeness and love you both share for one another can last forever – if both work to keep it special.
While you can’t speak as often as you like, you can start a shared diary – use Google Docs (which is free) in which you still can share, in real time (almost) your deepest thoughts, hopes, and dreams.
Send a charm bracelet, key chain, or another trinket as a simple reminder of your friendship. Honor your friendship, and the challenges you have overcome together with Amanda Gorman’s the Hill We Climb.
Sharing Filimin’s Friendship Lights with your best friend is the perfect digital friendship connection – where you can literally touch your lamp and light up your friend’s lamp. These hand-crafted lamps are made in the United States but allow you to connect with anyone in the world.
The Friendship Lights website even offers a live, real-time map of the lamps currently in use throughout the world. The lamp can be programmed to one of the 250 colors or set to the randomizer. All that is needed to set up these lights is a Wi-Fi connection.
12. A Little Bit of Chocolate Heaven Care Package
Chocolate lovers unite – with Burdick’s luscious handmade chocolate. This amazing Spring Collection of 32 carefully crafted bonbons and truffles.
The Burdick Chocolate Company was the brainchild of Larry Burdick – a chocolatier trained in Switzerland who is often considered the pioneer of fine American chocolate. With six locations and a headquarters in New Hampshire, the Burdick Chocolate Company ships out some of the best chocolate in a two-tiered box.
For more decadent chocolate care packages, consider the Cordial Cherry’s Designer Cherries and Designer Truffles, which make any chocolate lover swoon.
