Your No. 1 pal deserves nothing but the best. These gift ideas from Owala, Barefoot Dreams and Drew Barrymore's popular Walmart line are exactly that. (Getty)(Amanda Garrity/Yahoo)
True friendship is one of life's greatest gifts. Speaking of gifts, when is the last time you've spoiled your nearest and dearest with a little something? Consider this list of best friend gift ideas an invitation to do so, whether they're celebrating a birthday, major milestone or simply another day being your ride-or-die pal.
But really, you shouldn't wait for the big moments to tell your bestie how much they mean to you. The gifts on the list below range from under $10 to right around the $100 mark, so you can tailor your pick to the moment at hand. Could she use a little self-care? The Patchology foot mask is the perfect pick-me-up (and only $9!). Or are you looking for a thoughtful gift for her that conveys how proud you are of [insert latest accomplishment here]? Matching Kate Spade bangles are grown-up friendship bracelets and a sweet reminder that you'll be by her side during whatever lies ahead.
From sentimental picks to more practical buys, this list of best friend gifts has range — kind of like you and your bestie.
The best gifts for best friends by category:
She'll have to wait a few more months until she can get her hands on the coveted Bonne Maman advent calendar, but for now, this jam sampler will do. Get 10 mini jars, including honey and fresh, fruit-forward jams in flavors like blueberry and cherry.
Candle warmers are one of the most novel inventions in the last decade or so. Place any candle underneath the lamp, then crank on the light and breathe in the aroma as the wax slowly melts. No flames, soot or smoke here. "I love that this lamp has an adjustable height to work with any size candle and that it helps my candles last longer than traditional burning," one fired-up fan raved. "I also love the timer feature because if I forget to turn it off before I leave for the night, I know it will shut off on its own!"
Sandal season will be here before we know it, so snag this pair of hydrating booties to make sure her feet are summer-ready. It just requires 10 minutes of idle time to work its moisturizing magic, which is also an excuse to kick her feet up and do absolutely nothing (a rarity these days!).
You never let a day pass by without telling your best friend how much they mean to you. That said, you should go the extra mile by handing them a card with an extra-special touch. This one comes with a 5" x 7" sun catcher to symbolize all the ways you love has grown over the years, but Lovepop has plenty of other options for birthdays, hard times and all the "just because" moments in between.
If food is the way to your best friend's heart, then spoil them with a box of 30 (!) Japanese snacks. I'm talking a sweet and salty mix with everything from spicy rice crackers to fruit jellies. Want to really go big? Then spend an extra $4 to get the 40-piece assortment.
Sure, this hands-free neck light is made with readers in mind, but it can do so much more than illuminate a page. "I’ve refrained from knitting with dark yarn because my eyesight isn’t what it once was. Since purchasing this, I can clearly see my stitches," one cheery crafter commented.
Another five-star fan uses it for needlework, raving that it's "not heavy around the neck and doesn’t give me a headache." Reading, crafting, tinkering, you name it — they can switch between three different color temperatures and brightness modes depending on the task at hand.
Nope, the price isn't too good to be true. "I love how light these are on my ears," one stylish shopper raved, adding that the mixed metals "go with everything." Look familiar? That's because these two-tone dazzlers rival the trendy Heaven Mayhem earrings that cost upwards of $90.
Mel Robbins convinced us all to stop saying we're fine. Then she boosted our productivity with her five-second rule. And now, the beloved author and motivational speaker is encouraging millions to "let them" in her latest bestseller. It's racked up thousands of five-star reviews since its December release, with one writing that Robbins' "thoughtful and healing approach" is like "coffee with a good friend."
This pastel-colored vase is beautiful on its own, but it'll really make a statement once it's filled with pretty stems. Wrap it up as-is or arrange her favorite flowers inside, so she'll feel compelled to put this stunner on display stat.
Perhaps, the best gift you can give your pal is something that'll actually change their life. I know, I know, that seems like a tall order, but take a cue from Amazon reviewers and pick up this "game-changing" compression cap. "I deal with a lot of headaches and this thing is pure magic," one five-star fan wrote, adding that they love how "you can cover your eyes or just wear it on top of your head."
It's simple: Bees make a garden grow. These colored cups look like flowers, ultimately tricking the tiny pollinators into stopping by and sipping on some water before continuing on with their journey.
A standard bouquet will get the job done, but this pre-planted bulb garden is better suited for your best bud (get it?). It won't look like much when it arrives at her doorstep, but the bulbs will blossom into a cheery mix of tulips and hyacinths in a few weeks time.
Her love for tea will bloom one cup at a time. Stick a flowering tea blossom in a glass mug or teapot (snag one from the same brand!) and watch it slowly unfurl as it steeps. The best part: Each tea blossom can be steeped three times, which means she can sip on 250 cups of tea from this set!
If loving water bottles is wrong, then your bestie probably doesn't want to be right. She's been waxing poetic about all of Owala's finest features, from the dual-proof spout to the leakproof lid, but this bow-tiful Urban Outfitters exclusive will give her something else to talk about.
Truer words have never been spoken. Give your bestie this gold-plated bangle as a nod to all the fun moments you've shared and the ones bound to happen.
The pool is calling! She can stash all of her warm-weather essentials in this waterproof, washable tote. Opt for the largest size, if she's the type to carry around everything but the kitchen sink — I'm talking a sampling of different sunscreens, a grocery store's worth snacks and enough activities to last the entire vacation.
Your best friend's a star in your eyes, so it's only fair that she lives like one. Tons of celebs swear by Barefoot Dreams — Hilary Duff, Kate Hudson, to name a couple — and right now, you can snag a striped version of the brand's signature blanket for over half off. It's lightweight, breathable and as cozy as it gets. Plus, she can throw it in the washer and dryer, which is rare in the throw blanket world!
The magic of Mahjong has gone global. The rummy-like tile game originated in China in the 1800s and eventually made it's way to the states in the early 1900s, but it's recently taken on a life of its own. This travel version is a nice introduction to the American version — she'll get 166 colorful tiles, dice, mini wooden racks and a coordinating pouch to store it all in. Add her monogram for an extra $15.
Your go-to shopping guide: See all of our gift guides in one spot. We've got gift ideas for all the different people in your life — men, women, teens, kids, you name it.
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