Things to Give Your Best Friend for Christmas: Gifts That Show You Know Them

Your best friend is the person who knows you best, and they’re also one of the easiest people to shop for, because you know them best too. The problem is that most people either play it too safe (a gift card) or overthink it and buy something too expensive. The right gift is one that’s personal, thoughtful, and shows you know them. This guide covers things to give your best friend for Christmas, what to skip, and how to choose.

Things to give your best friend for Christmas covers the gifts that are appropriate for a close friend during the holiday season, including personal touches, experiences, quality items, consumables, and DIY gifts. The best gifts are personal, thoughtful, and show you know them. The worst are generic, impersonal, and feel like an afterthought.

The right Christmas gift for a best friend is one that shows you know them. Here’s what to buy, what to skip, and how to choose.

Things to Give Your Best Friend for Christmas by Category

Personal Touches

Personal touches are the gifts that show you know them. They’re the gifts that reference shared memories, inside jokes, or personal details.

Good picks:

• A personalized photo book (of photos from the year, or of a shared trip)
• A custom piece of jewelry (a necklace with a meaningful charm, a bracelet with initials)
• A custom mug (with a photo, a quote, or an inside joke)
• A framed photo (of the two of you)
• A custom piece of art (a print of a meaningful place, a custom illustration)
• A custom playlist (a curated list of songs that remind you of them)
• A handwritten letter (telling them what they mean to you)
• A custom ornament (with a meaningful date or a shared memory)

What to skip:

• A personalized gift that’s too cheesy
• A personalized gift that takes too long to make (it won’t arrive by Christmas)
• A personalized gift that’s too small to be seen

Experiences

Experiences are the gifts that create memories. They’re the gifts that say “I want to spend time with you.”

Good picks:

• A dinner at a nice restaurant (or a home-cooked meal, with a promise to cook)
• A movie night (at a theater, or at home with a rental and snacks)
• A day trip (to a nearby town, a museum, or a park)
• A cooking class or a wine tasting (together)
• A concert or a show (a band or a show you both like)
• A weekend trip (if you can afford it)
• A subscription (a streaming service, a beauty box, or a book box)
• A game night (with a new board game and snacks)

What to skip:

• An experience that’s too far away (they won’t go)
• An experience that requires a lot of planning (it’s too much pressure)
• An experience that’s too expensive (it makes things awkward)

Quality Items They’d Never Buy for Themselves

Quality items they’d never buy for themselves are the gifts that are a treat. They’re the items that are quality but that they wouldn’t splurge on.

Good picks:

• A quality candle (in a scent they like, from a luxury brand)
• A good book (a book they’ve mentioned, or a book in a genre they read)
• A quality notebook or a journal (if they write or take notes)
• A good pen (a quality pen, if they write)
• A quality water bottle (Hydro Flask, Yeti, or a brand they like)
• A quality throw blanket (for their couch)
• A good pair of socks (a quality brand, or a fun set)
• A quality skincare item (from a brand they use)

What to skip:

• An item that doesn’t match their style (check what they use)
• An item that’s too cheap (it feels like an afterthought)
• An item that’s too expensive (it makes things awkward)

Consumables

Consumables are the gifts that get used up and don’t add clutter. They’re the gifts that are practical and enjoyable.

Good picks:

• A box of quality chocolates (not a generic box, choose a quality brand)
• A bottle of wine (if they drink wine, choose a quality bottle)
• A bag of quality coffee (from a roaster they like)
• A set of artisanal teas (if they drink tea)
• A box of premium cookies or a gourmet treat
• A set of artisanal jams, honeys, or sauces
• A subscription box (a monthly coffee, snack, or beauty subscription)

What to skip:

• Food or drink they don’t like (check before you buy)
• Food that will expire before they eat it
• Too much food (a giant basket is too much)

DIY and Handmade Gifts

DIY and handmade gifts are the gifts that are the most personal. They’re the gifts that show you put time and effort into it.

Good picks:

• A baked good (cookies, fudge, or a cake, homemade)
• A handmade card (with a personal message)
• A DIY craft (a painted mug, a knitted scarf, a photo frame)
• A homemade treat bag (with their favorite snacks)
• A custom playlist (a curated list of songs)
• A scrapbook (of photos and memories)

What to skip:

• A DIY that’s too complicated (it’s not worth the time)
• A DIY that’s too cheap (it looks cheap)
• A DIY that takes too long to make (it won’t be ready by Christmas)

Gift Cards (with a Personal Touch)

Gift cards can be a good gift for a best friend if you add a personal touch. They’re the gifts that give them choice.

Good picks:

• A gift card to a store they shop at (with a handwritten note)
• A gift card to a restaurant you’ve been to together (with a memory written on the card)
• A gift card to a coffee shop (with a note about your next coffee date)
• A gift card to a bookstore (with a book recommendation)

What to skip:

• A gift card alone (it says “I didn’t try”)
• A gift card to a store they don’t shop at
• A gift card with a small amount (it’s not useful)

How to Choose a Christmas Gift for Your Best Friend

Think about what they talk about. What do they talk about? What are they excited about? What are they struggling with? Choose a gift that matches their current life.

Think about what they complain about. Do they complain about their coffee maker? Their pillow? Their phone? An upgrade is the answer.

Think about shared memories. What’s a trip, a meal, a movie, or a moment that you both remember? A gift that references that memory is special.

Think about what they’d never buy for themselves. What’s a quality item they’d love but wouldn’t splurge on? That’s the gift.

Choose quality over quantity. One $40 item they love beats five $8 items they’ll toss.

Don’t overthink it. A thoughtful gift, even a simple one, is better than an expensive but generic one.

Include a card. A handwritten card with a personal message is the most important part of the gift. Don’t skip it.

What to Skip Entirely

Generic gifts. A plain gift card, a generic mug, or a calendar is a missed opportunity. Choose something personal.

Gifts that are too expensive. A $200 gift for a best friend can make things awkward. Choose a gift in the $25 to $75 range.

Gifts that are too cheap. A $5 gift for your best friend feels like an afterthought. Choose a gift that shows you put thought into it.

Gifts that feel like work. A self-help book, a fitness tracker, or a productivity tool can feel like a hint. Skip them.

Clutter. Your best friend doesn’t need more stuff. Choose experiences, consumables, or upgrades.

Gag gifts. A novelty gift is funny for 10 seconds and then it’s trash. Skip it.

Gifts that are too personal. Perfume, anti-aging products, or clothing in the wrong size can be too personal. Skip them.

FAQ

What should I give my best friend for Christmas? Give them a personal touch (a photo book, a custom piece of jewelry), an experience (a dinner, a movie night, a day trip), a quality item they’d never buy for themselves (a luxury candle, a good book), a consumable (quality chocolates, wine, coffee), a DIY gift (a baked good, a handmade card), or a gift card with a personal touch. Choose quality over quantity.

What are the best Christmas gifts for a best friend? The best gifts are a personalized photo book, a dinner at a nice restaurant, a quality candle in a scent they like, a good book they’ve mentioned, a box of quality chocolates, a movie night (at home or at a theater), a custom piece of jewelry, a handwritten letter, and a weekend trip. Choose one quality item they’ll love.

What should I avoid giving my best friend for Christmas? Avoid generic gifts (plain gift cards, generic mugs), gifts that are too expensive (over $100), gifts that are too cheap (under $10), gifts that feel like work (self-help books), clutter (more stuff they don’t need), gag gifts, and gifts that are too personal (perfume, anti-aging products). Choose something personal and thoughtful.

How much should I spend on my best friend for Christmas? $25 to $50 is appropriate for most best friends. $50 to $100 is appropriate for a very close friend. Choose a thoughtful gift, not an expensive one. A $40 personalized gift is better than a $100 generic gift.

How do I choose a Christmas gift for my best friend? Think about what they talk about, what they complain about, shared memories, and what they’d never buy for themselves. Choose quality over quantity. Don’t overthink it. Include a handwritten card with a personal message.

What are good cheap Christmas gifts for a best friend? Good cheap gifts include a baked good (cookies, fudge), a handmade card, a quality candle ($15 to $25), a good book ($15 to $25), a quality notebook ($10 to $20), a custom mug ($10 to $20), a framed photo ($10 to $20), and a custom playlist (free). These are all under $25.

What are good Christmas gifts for a best friend who has everything? Good gifts for a best friend who has everything include experiences (a dinner, a spa day, a concert), consumables (gourmet food, wine, coffee), a charitable donation in their name, a personalized gift (a photo book, a custom piece of art), and a handwritten letter. These gifts don’t add clutter and they feel personal.

References

• Good Housekeeping. “Gifts for Friends.” https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/gift-ideas/g2601/gifts-for-friends/
• Real Simple. “Gifts for Best Friends.” https://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/gifts/gifts-for-best-friends
• BuzzFeed. “Gifts for Your Best Friend.” https://www.buzzfeed.com/gift-ideas/gifts-for-your-best-friend