Friendship Gifts for Your Bestie

We all have that one friend who has been by our side through thick and thin, celebrating our victories and commiserating with us during our lowest moments. This person is more than just a friend or a companion; they are family by choice. So when it comes to commemorating special occasions or milestones in your friend’s life, a simple gift won't suffice. Your bestie deserves a thoughtful, personalised gift that captures the spirit and depth of your unbreakable friendship.

49% of consumers plan to spend more on gifts for close friends compared to previous years. - Retail Me Not

This statistic highlights the importance that people place on nurturing and appreciating their closest friendships, but finding the perfect gift can be a bit daunting.

We've compiled this useful guide to help you select the perfect friendship gift.

Finding the Right Gift for Your Bestie

Gifts come in all shapes, sizes and designs - but how can you find something that is truly special or meaningful for your best friend? This is the person whom you have shared your success, trials, and tribulations with, and standard gifts while nice, sometimes don’t quite make the grade. For the person that is the closest to you outside of your immediate family, birthdays, celebrations, and special occasions may warrant something more than the standard bunch of flowers or bottle of aftershave.

Honing in on the perfect gift for your bestie means understanding their passions, desires, and preferences. What do they enjoy? How do they spend their time? What makes them laugh? If you have spent a reasonable amount of time in your best friend's company you should know the kind of clothing or accessories they prefer and what their style of decor is. Realistically you should be able to answer these questions about your bestie and that will help you to select the gift that will make them feel like a truly important person in your life.

Birthdays, Christmas, and Beyond

Birthdays and Christmas are annual events that present the perfect opportunity to shower your bestie with appreciative gifts. Every annual occasion is a great chance to get your bestie a meaningful gift. While traditional gift options like clothes, accessories, and gift cards are always welcome, adding a personal touch will make your present a bit more special and truly unique. Design a gift that contains a name, a memorable date or a special message to create a one-of-a-kind gift that is just as unique as your best friend.

According to data, 58% of people admit to spending the most on gifts during the holiday season - Gallup.

Something that always makes a special present is a personalised photo gift featuring memorable images of you and your bestie’s experiences together. Collect images from your childhood or school days to make a fantastic birthday or Christmas gift. Feature photos from your best trips and holidays. Or compile pics of your best nights out. Not only does this make a heartfelt and a keepsake gift, but it also creates a tangible, lasting reminder of fun times and the journey you have shared.

If you would like to make a best friend gift that features a single special picture, there are lots of options. Choose a custom mug or a keyring featuring a favourite photo, or even create a photo canvas to ensure that your bestie starts every day with a smile.

Milestones and Life Events

Beyond the traditional annual events, your bestie's life will be filled with achievements and celebrations that deserve recognition. This offers a great opportunity to get them a special and memorable present and share in the celebration. Whether your bestie has landed a new job, is about to graduate, or gets engaged, these significant milestones give you a chance to express your support and joy for their success with a thoughtful gift.

For a new job or graduation, consider gifting them something they can use every day like a personalised luxury notebook or a diary to help them stay organised and motivated as they begin their new journey. You could even include a heartfelt message or quote that resonates with their goals and aspirations.

If your bestie is getting married, a custom wedding box or silver drinks flask could be the perfect way to commemorate their special day. Add your special heartfelt message and well-wishes to create a cherished keepsake that your friend can treasure for years to come.

What NOT to Buy Your Bestie

There is a ton of information online about what you SHOULD buy your best friend, but did you know there are also some items you SHOULDN’T buy as they may send the wrong message?

Here are some types of gifts you should avoid for your best friend:

Overly Personal Grooming Items

Unless your best mate has specifically requested things like soaps, lotions, and deodorants, give these items a miss. Even if they are well-meaning they can come across as insulting. Or like you are hinting that they need to improve their hygiene. Your bestie likely has their preferences for these types of products so unless they ask for them, take a pass.


Alternative suggestion: Personalised Hamper

Exercise Equipment or Weight Loss Items

You may have the best of reasons behind these gifts, but giving things like workout videos, gym memberships, or diet supplements can be wildly insulting - especially if your friend carries a few extra pounds. It can be seen as an insult. Or as though you are commenting on their appearance or making judgements about their physical appearance. It’s a quick way to hurt your friend's feelings or worse, lose the friendship altogether. So avoid anything that could be interpreted as body shaming.

Alternative suggestion: Engraved Glass Gift

Self-Help Books

While potentially intended to improve their life, self-help books on topics like dating, career, personal habits, or marriage do not make the best gifts. These books can be interpreted as though your friend is failing in certain aspects or areas of life. They might feel that you are trying to make them change their behaviour, get a better job, or work on communication. It is not the best way to further your friendship, so to be safe, leave the self-help books on the shelves.

Alternative suggestion: Personalised Game Set

Inside Jokes

This one is tricky. An inside joke that only the two of you understand can make an extremely special and funny gift. It can feel like a secret that only you share and the fun comes because no one else gets it. But, be careful, make sure that the joke is well understood. If it is a gift that references an experience make sure that the two of you actually shared it. If not, it will likely confuse and alienate your friend. If in doubt, don’t risk it.

Alternative suggestion: Luxury Pen

Extremely Extravagant Gifts

An overly lavish or expensive gift can make the recipient uncomfortable like you're trying to show off your wealth or put them in your debt. You may love your friend dearly and want to show that using a special gift, but spending too much can have the opposite effect and make them feel a bit icky.



Alternative suggestion: Engraved Jewellery

Personalised Items Make Unique Gifts

There is no shortage of gift ideas and items on the market, but while the gift itself is important, any present can be elevated from ordinary to extraordinary by adding a personal touch. With laser etching, printing, and embossing techniques, everyday items can be turned into treasured keepsakes by adding a sentimental message, special dates, or even initials.


Custom gifts are not expensive to make and in many cases, you can design a special gift for your best for just a few extra pounds. Nothing makes a deluxe gift quite like a soft leather handbag or a luxurious rucksack embossed with stylish gold or silver initials.

Casual gifts like blankets and doormats can also be personalised to make a unique gift for the home, and things like candles and cushions can also be customised with photos or text to make a great home gift.

The possibilities for original and meaningful gifts are endless. Get creative and incorporate memories, shared interests, or cherished moments into your designs.

Final Thoughts

The true value of a gift lies not in its monetary worth but in the care, thought, and effort that you put into selecting or creating it. So, go above and beyond, and tap into shared experiences and memories to create a thoughtful, heartfelt gift for your bestie that they can keep. Celebrate the incredible bond that you share and create even more lasting memories.

It doesn’t matter whether you are buying your bestie a gift for an annual celebration like a birthday or a life milestone like a marriage or engagement. You may simply want to give your friend a gesture of love or appreciation. The key is to make it thoughtful, personal, and as meaningful as possible. With the right approach, your bestie will be left feeling cherished and appreciated and reminded of the unbreakable friendship bond that you both share.