39 Most Meaningful Gifts for Best Friends in 2024

Are you looking for a fantastic gift for a best friend who deserves something truly special? A study published by the National Library of Medicine suggests that having strong social connections and friendships is essential for our mental health. If you have a special long-term friend in your life, they may be making you healthier!

Finding the perfect gift for a best friend isn’t always easy. What do you get for a friend who has everything and asks for nothing? Let’s talk about it. Read on to learn all about some of the top gifts for best friends.

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• Creative Gifts for Best Friends
• Foodie Gifts for Best Friends
• Unique Gifts for Best Friends
• Touching Gifts for Best Friends

Creative Gifts for Best Friends

1. A Paint and Sip Night

Who doesn’t love enjoying a glass of wine while being creative? A paint and sip night is a great gift for a best friend who loves art, so find a paint and sip near you and get ready for a fun experience together.

Paint and sip in Tampa with a nice malbec, paint and sip in Washington, D.C. with a Riesling or paint and sip in Atlanta with a cabernet. Regardless, it will be a great time.

2. Fun Pottery Classes

Pottery classes near you are a great gift for a best friend who loves to craft things. Pottery is fun, and relaxing, and your friend will leave class with a fun new craft (and a newfound skill).

Pottery classes are also incredibly easy to come by. There are pottery classes in Minneapolis, pottery classes in San Diego, pottery classes in the Bay Area and elsewhere. 

3. Energizing Dance Classes

If your friend has rhythm, consider signing them up for dance classes. They can samba in dance classes in Chicago, salsa in dance classes in Houston and ballroom dance in dance classes in Las Vegas. Browse dance classes near you to find the best type of dance class for them.

If they’re shy and they’d rather learn at home, online dance classes are a perfect alternative. 

4. Art-Inspired Jewelry

Jewelry always makes a great gift for a best friend, and if your friend is an art lover, art-inspired jewelry is a safe choice.

Etsy is a great resource for finding jewelry inspired by famous art pieces by artists such as Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo and other major names in the art world. Your best friend will love wearing her favorite artwork. 

5. A Watercolor Set

Are you looking for a gift for a best friend who loves to paint? Look no further. A portable watercolor set, like this one from REI, is a great gift idea. Your friend can take their art with them while they travel and create tiny masterpieces. 

6. A Paint-by-Numbers Kit

Paint-by-numbers kits aren’t just for kids. They make great gifts for best friends of all ages. You can send a photo to a custom paint-by-numbers creator who will turn it into a paintable picture.

There are plenty of creators on Etsy who can do just that. Choose a meaningful photo of you and your friend together or any photo that they’re fond of. 

7. A Trip to a Museum

If you’re looking for a great gift for a best friend who loves artwork, why not take them to an art museum or gallery? They’ll love walking around and viewing all of the fantastic artwork, and they may even be inspired to work on their own projects. If there’s no “real” art museum in your area, look for local gallery shows.

8. Custom Art Framing

If your friend is an artist, they likely have a lot of unframed personal artwork lying around. Framing can be expensive, and many people never bother to frame their own work.

Have your friend’s artwork custom-framed for them so they don’t have to worry about it. This is a fantastic gift for a best friend who’s an artist. 

9. A Custom Portrait

What is the best gift for a best friend? Consider gifting them a custom portrait (either of themself or their pet). Custom portraits are incredibly meaningful friendship gifts, and it’s not likely that your friend would commission one for themself. 

Find an artist that draws in a style your friend likes, or book a paint and sip event. Whether it’s realistic, anime or anywhere in between, this fun gift for your best friend is too cute to pass up!

10. A Favorite Art Print

Does your friend have a favorite artist? Maybe won’t be able to get an original piece of art, but you can likely find a fantastic high-quality print. Buy and frame the print (and get it signed if you can for an extra touch). 

Foodie Gifts for Best Friends

11. Tasty Cooking Classes

Even the best cook has room to learn new things. Cooking classes near you are a great gift for a best friend who loves to cook.

Your friend can learn how to make pasta dishes in cooking classes in Pittsburgh, tacos in cooking classes in Dallas and even sushi in cooking classes in St. Louis. If there are no cooking classes near you, online cooking classes are always an option. 

12. A Fancy Wine Tasting

Looking for a great gift to give your best friend for her birthday? Why not sign her up for a fancy wine tasting? She’ll get to sample several delicious wines and truly relax. 

If she’s more of a homebody, but still wants to experience a wine tasting, a virtual wine tasting is perfect. Bring some bread and cheese to make it even better. This is also one of the best bridesmaids' gifts because you can do it in a group and have a blast.

13. Cool Mixology Classes

Is your best friend a budding bartender? Buy some liquor and mixers and sign your friend up for online mixology classes. They can learn all about how to make their favorite cocktails without even having to leave home.

Taking the classes together (and tasting the results, of course) is a lot of fun, and it’s always good to learn a new skill! 

14. A Private Chef Experience

Looking for a gift for a best friend who’s a girl who loves fantastic food? Get her the gift of a private chef cooking her favorite meal in the comfort of her own dining room. Personal chefs are expensive, but they’re worth it.

This is also one of the best girls night ideas. Who wouldn’t want to start a girls night with a great meal? 

15. A Five-Star Restaurant Meal

Treat your best friend to the gift of fantastic food by taking them out to a five-star restaurant. This is one of the best gifts to give your best friend for her birthday, but it’s also a good “anytime” gift that you can enjoy together. 

16. A Fancy Charcuterie Set

Charcuterie boards are totally in, and they don’t seem to be going away anytime soon. A foodie friend who loves to entertain will also love a charcuterie set (either for themself or for their next party).

You can buy a pre-made gift basket from a company like Harry & David or assemble a totally custom unique gift for a friend by buying each item individually. Don’t forget to pair it with a bottle of wine for a final touch! Consider giving this gift alongside the wine tasting!

17. A New Dutch Oven

Elegant dutch ovens make fantastic gifts for best friends who love to cook. They’re incredibly useful and some of them are gorgeous, but many people won’t buy the pretty ones for themselves!

That makes them perfect gifts for best friends and loved ones. Consider picking up a pretty Le Creuset dutch oven for your bestie.

18. The Perfect Small Appliance

If your best friend loves to cook, they may benefit from a small kitchen appliance. Small appliances make great thank you gifts, birthday gifts, or even “just because I’m thinking about you” gifts, and they’re super practical.

Whether your best friend would love a simple singing rice cooker or a handy Instant Pot, there’s definitely at least one small appliance that will make their cooking easier. 

19. An International Snack Box 

This is the ideal gift for a best friend who loves to snack. Order them an international snack box (or even an international snack subscription) from a site like SnackCrate. They can receive boxes full of snacks from all over the world so they get to try new things. Any snack-loving foodie would love this gift. 

Unique Gifts for Best Friends

20. Fun Flower Arranging Classes

Are you looking for a fun activity to do together? A great gift for a best friend who’s super crafty is flower arranging classes. You can even choose virtual flower arranging classes so you can enjoy them together from the comfort of one of your homes. Make a whole night of it. You’ll both be making fun bouquets in no time.

21. A Cozy At-Home Game Night

This is a fantastic gift for a best friend who loves games, and it’s also one of the best last-minute gift ideas that’s always a hit. Virtual game nights are great for long-distance friends and close friends alike.

You can play online trivia games, enjoy a fun virtual scavenger hunt and even navigate virtual escape rooms. This is such a good way to connect and have fun with friends near and far. 

22. A Hand-Sewn Project

Sewing may be an under-appreciated skill, but your best friend will definitely appreciate a hand-sewn gift. Make them a sweet embroidery project, a soft plush toy or even a custom outfit after taking some sewing classes. Before you know it, you’ll be making hand-sewn crafts for everyone on your shopping list. 

23. An Awesome Woodworking Craft

Make a heartfelt gift for your best friend after taking woodworking classes. You can learn how to make small decor items, crafts and even furniture if you keep taking classes for long enough.

Not only can you make a great gift for your best friend, but you can also learn a practical skill and make gifts under $50 for all of your loved ones in the future.

24. Unique Glass Blowing Classes

Do you need a gift for a best friend who’s a girl who loves glasswork? Give her the gift of a lifetime (and a potential new hobby) by signing her up for glass blowing classes.

Glass blowing is an increasingly rare skill, and your friend may be under the impression that it’s impossible to learn. Show her that isn’t the case by signing her up for classes as a unique gift for your best friend.

25. A Fun Photoshoot

Who doesn’t love getting all dolled up for a photoshoot? This is a unique gift for a best friend who loves to be in front of the camera. Book them a photoshoot with a professional photographer.

You can book a solo shoot, a friends shoot, or a shoot for them and their family or partner. Regardless, they’ll have a few hours of feeling like a model (and the photos to show for it).

26. Tickets to a Concert

Are you looking for a great gift for a best friend who’s a guy or girl who also loves music? You can’t go wrong with concert tickets. See when one of their favorite musicians is touring nearby and surprise them with tickets to a show they’ll never forget. 

Alternatively, find tickets to a local musician and take them there instead. This is one of the best last-minute gift ideas that won’t cost a lot of money and will help a local artist. 

27. A Relaxing Staycation Day

Not everyone has the time or money for a long-distance trip, but everyone does deserve a break. Staycation ideas are the perfect solution and the best gift for a best friend who desperately needs to rest.

Book a stay at a local hotel with nice amenities and spend the day doing local tourist activities. Trust us, it’s a blast.

28. Tickets to a Broadway Performance

So, you’re wondering “What gift should I give to my female best friend who loves musicals?” Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Give your best friend the gift of a Broadway performance.

If you happen to live close to the Big Apple, try to get tickets for the “real deal” for a fun indoor activity in NYC with your bestie. If not, look for touring musicals. Often, you can see Broadway performances in smaller cities. 

29. Tickets to an Amusement Park

This is one of the most unique gifts for best friends who love a bit of excitement. Take a trip to your closest amusement park together and have a blast!

Ride the roller coasters, see fantastic shows and eat plenty of awesome amusement park food. Don’t forget to play a few games and visit the gift shop before you leave! This is one of our favorite experience gifts.

30. A Cat Café Outing

This is a great gift for a best friend who loves animals. Pay a visit to a local cat café. While cat cafés were once generally a Japan-only thing, they’ve spread across the world due to their online popularity.

It’s likely that there’s one in your city (or at least in a city nearby). Treat your best friend to a day of treats and cats.

31. A Nail Appointment

Does your friend love to have awesome nails, but they don’t ever have the time or money to get them done or do them themself? Book them a nail appointment at a local nail salon.

They’ll get a fresh new set of nails that they can enjoy for the coming weeks. If you book an appointment together, this can also make a great addition to your girls weekend ideas.

32. Clothing With Your Face

This is definitely a silly gift for a best friend, and it’s one that will totally get a laugh. Use a site like Etsy to custom-order a shirt, a pair of socks or any other clothing item with your face on it.

When your friend opens their gift, they’re sure to smile. Whether or not they’ll wear it is another story. This is definitely a unique gift for friends with a sense of humor. 

33. A Spa Day

Who doesn’t love a good spa day? A spa day is a fantastic gift for a best friend and it’s also one of the best Galentine’s day ideas. Your friend deserves to be pampered! Go together to the local spa for pedicures, facials and a relaxing massage.

Touching Gifts for Best Friends

34. Best Friends Jewelry

Best friends jewelry is totally old-school, but it’s also sweet. Buy a pair of necklaces or bracelets to wear with your best friend.

You can choose a classic heart-shaped pendant set like this elevated one from Alex+Ani for a traditional look or just find a cool piece and buy two of them, one for each of you. This is a thoughtful and meaningful friendship gift. 

35. A Sweet Memory Book

This is an awesome handmade gift for a best friend that you’ve been close with for a long time. Gather a bunch of photos and other souvenirs that you have from your years of friendship.

Make a scrapbook with all of those memories and give it to your friend. Don’t be surprised if they cry a little!

36. A Best Friends Vacation

This is such a fun and meaningful gift for a best friend. A best friends vacation will allow you and your friend to spend time together. This is extra special if you normally live far apart. Choose a destination that you’ll both love (that’s still within your budget) and plan a trip you won’t forget. 

37. Custom Glassware

Custom glassware is a fantastic gift for a best friend who is a guy or a gal. You can get custom-etched wine glasses, whisky glasses and so much more.

This is an awesome housewarming gift as well as one of the best gifts for wine lovers. You can find many excellent glassware customizers on Etsy.

38. A Book of Friend Coupons

This is a sweet gift for a best friend that’s great for people on a budget. Create a book of friend coupons for your friend to use whenever they like. It can be full of things like hangout sessions, trips together, dinners out, favors and more.

Of course, you’re always happy to give your friend whatever they need, but the coupons will make it easier for them to ask. 

39. Your Favorite Book

Gifting a favorite book to a friend is incredibly thoughtful. Your favorite book was meaningful to you for some reason, and you’re willing to share that with a friend. Anyone who reads knows that this is an intimate and touching gift for a best friend. 

Find your favorite book at a small bookstore or a major retailer like Barnes and Noble. Alternatively, you could give your friend your own well-loved copy for an extra-personal touch. 

So, what type of gift will you give your best friend? You know them best, so trust your gut! Whatever you get them, they’re sure to love it coming from you.

For even more fun gift ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!