The Best Long Distance Relationship Gift Ideas

Sometimes, life can take us away from the ones we love. This can be a short-term arrangement like a business trip or a longer-term one in the case of family emergencies or job relocation. Visiting one another becomes more difficult the longer the distance, leading to the need for each person to put additional effort into the relationship.

One partner may work a job that requires frequent travel. This can lead to a sense of loneliness even when both partners are secure in the relationship. This travel can be domestic or take one person out of the country for a few days up to a few months depending on the type of business. When you can't be there physically with one another, it often helps to have some form of physical keepsake or gift to help you feel connected to one another.

Anyone who is active military - or has dated someone in the military - knows how difficult it can be to maintain relationships once you leave for active duty. Deployment usually lasts anywhere from six to twelve months. That’s no small amount of time to be away from the people you care about – friends and family alike.

Sometimes that deployment may take servicemen and women out of the country for this length of time, making visits difficult (especially in combat-based deployment scenarios). While we often think of deployment in terms of combat positions, soldiers often see deployment for training purposes, on subs or other naval vessels, and even administrative work.

While you might hear jokes about “empty nest syndrome,” having a child leave for college isn’t always easy for either parents or the child! When our children move out of the house, we can find ourselves missing them as much as we enjoy the newfound quiet in the home.

It may also be that your kids miss being home as well! Moving out of your childhood home can be scary and intimidating. Whether it’s moving into a new apartment to work or a dorm room to study, it’s a huge change from everything a young adult has ever known. If they move far from home, it can be difficult to maintain the same level of contact with friends and family.

As parents, you’ll want to maintain that connection you’ve always had with your kids. As a young adult,you may find comfort in getting calls or gifts from parents who live far away.

Some of the most important relationships in our lives are not necessarily romantic in nature. Some friendships last decades, often through major life changes and geographic distances. However, having a close friend move away after many years of being able to plan dinners or last-minute get-togethers can leave you feeling unsettled in a friendship. Big life changes can take people to new places, whether it’s a new job, marriage, or even just the need for a change in scenery.

It changes the nature of your relationship in some very real, and sometimes difficult-to-navigate ways. Long-distance friendships – like any other kind of long-distance relationship – work differently than those close to home. Sometimes, enacting a habit of sending one another gifts can help make it feel like you aren’t losing touch.

Sometimes, sending one photo just isn't enough – especially when you know your loved one will be away for a longer time. Digital picture frames are more popular than ever, especially with an older demographic. These frames allow you to share an album's worth of photos with one display on a photo-quality LED screen. Most of them are wi-fi compatible and can play video as well. Most range anywhere from $60-200 depending on the features you want.

You can pre-load these frames with dozens (or even hundreds) of photos to help keep them connected with you, their families, and other loved ones. Even better, you can update them in real time if they are connected to wi-fi! Digital frames are great for families with children when one parent has deployed. Your loved one won't miss any big family moments!

If you are counting down the days until you see your loved one again, a fun way to make the time pass quickly could be to create a custom advent calendar for them. You can purchase a blank calendar with multiple small boxes you can fill with snacks, photos, trinkets, and even hints about what you have planned for the next time you visit! It’s a cute DIY way to keep you both excited about spending time together again soon1

If you want an inexpensive alternative, My Advent allows you to create an online version for free using photos, videos, and more!

Great gifts don't have to cost a lot! Who doesn't love the modern equivalent of a mixed tape? This DIY idea is one of the simplest ways couples have shared their feelings for decades. While you once needed to create a physical tape or burn a CD (yes, some of us are that old!), today it’s so much easier!

If you are missing your significant other, you can create a collection of songs with Apple Music, Spotify, or Youtube and then send them a simple link to the list. As long as they have internet access, they should be able to listen to it anywhere! And if they don't, you can always download your favorite songs to a USB drive (like this one shaped like a cassette tape) and physically mail it to your loved one.

You’ve likely heard of The Boyfriend Pillow. This oddly shaped pillow resembles the chest and arm of a person, giving you something to snuggle with at night. While the original shape might be a little too close to a gag gift, you may find that gifting your loved one with another oversized pillow to sleep with at night can help if they feel lonely – or have trouble sleeping alone.

A classic body pillow is always a good choice if you want to make sure it's something practical but you can have a little fun with it, too. We really like this cuddly tiger plush for a cute option or this l-shaped pillow if you want something for a side sleeper.

If you are familiar with the infinity symbol – which resembles a figure eight on its side – you likely know what it represents: the limitlessness of eternity. It's been around since the Ancient Greeks and is still used regularly today! What better symbol to represent the promise of life and togetherness?

You can find many types of jewelry with infinity symbols either engraved upon them or incorporated into the design. You may also find pieces that combine the symbol with other elements like birthstones or accent gems. With a piece like the Personalized Two Name Infinity In Goldyou can have both your names shaped into the infinity symbol for a custom jewelry piece your partner is sure to love.

Interested in an infinity necklace? Check out The Complete Guide to Buying a Personalized Infinity Necklace.

At its core, couple necklaces are designed to show off the love that you share for another person or the love shared between two people. These necklaces come in a variety of styles, from the infinity necklaces we mentioned above to a combination of names and birthstones.

We love this Engraved Unisex Dog Tag Necklace With Birthstones that features two birthstone accents and a brilliant blue background. If you want more information about our pendants, check out this guide to Couple’s Necklaces.

If there's a place important to your relationship, then a matching pair of these Wanderer Coordinate Bracelets may be just the thing you need. It could be the location of your first date, your shared hometown, or even the spot where one of your proposed.

These bracelets are great for romantic partners or sharing something with your BFF. You can choose the color, style, and coordinates, then you'll be able to always bring such a special place with you.

Can’t wait until you’ll see your loved one again? Why not gift them with a countdown clock that can be programmed to give them something to look forward to when they might be feeling down (or when you’re both missing one another?

This cute Reusable Countdown Clock is inexpensive, easy to set, easy to use, and can countdown to any date as far as 999 days in the future. It’s the perfect way to save the date for the next time you’ll get to see your loved one in person. Even better, you can reset the clock and reuse it for your next visit.

Sometimes, practical gifts are the best, especially if you are buying something for a loved one with minimalist and more masculine tastes. Slim metal wallets have become more popular over the years compared to their bulkier leather or canvas counterparts.

Metal wallets, like this Slim Money Clip Metal Wallet, are a nice, durable alternative to a traditional style. Many of these can even be engraved with your loved one’s name, initials, or a personalized quote.

If your partner is a member of the armed forces, you may spend months without seeing them while they are deployed. It can be difficult to find any gift that is practical in that situation. They likely won’t be able to carry many non-essential items with them depending on where they are sent and their job in that location. What about a customized dog tag they can wear?

If you have a family together, one great option is to gift them a tag with the names and birthstones of the family members on them – like this Personalized Dog Tag Necklace with Birthstones. This is especially great for young families with children, as it gives them a piece of the whole family to take with them wherever they go.

These days, it's easy enough to do a quick video chat through your cell phone. While not as good as seeing your loved one in person, it offers a good way to catch up with those you're missing the most. But cell phone video chatting can be of questionable quality and often difficult to hold for long periods. With a webcam, you can both sit down for a long chat any time of the day with little more than a computer and the right piece of equipment.

If you want a webcam that offers fantastic quality and for a decent price, you really can’t beat the Logitech C922 Pro Stream Webcam. It’s one of the most highly rated models that will give you a clear image and pretty good sound!

Who doesn’t love flowers? They are ubiquitous when it comes to meaningful gifts for your loved ones. You can send them just about anywhere in the world and for any occasion, including “Just Because.” A beautiful bouquet is a lovely surprise for someone after a long day and will always make your loved one think of you. Services like 1-800 Flowers deliver anywhere across the continental United States and many international locations as well.

Flowers aren’t only for women, either! While many men want to admit to enjoying conventional arrangements. There are other options. You can also consider gifting them a plant if you’d rather give them something that lasts a bit longer. House plants liven up living spaces and provide the recipient something to care for.

Nothing beats cuddling with your loved one in real-time. However, if you can't be with them when the nights start getting colder, you may want to think about getting them a substitute in the form of a heated

blanket! These are generally portable, easy to use, and will make your loved one feel cozy and warm even when they are all alone. The options for heated blankets are endless. You can find machine-washable options, blankets made of a variety of materials, and even battery operated.

If your loved one is traveling to a cold climate, you can’t go wrong with getting them an electric blanket to keep them warm on those chilly nights!

Are you missing your gym buddy? Here’s a great option for you to keep each other on track and accountable despite the distance! Maybe you can’t make that gym date with your bestie if they’ve moved out of town, but you can still keep up with one another with a pair of gym fitness trackers.

One of the most popular brands is Fitbit, which makes several different types of trackers. If you each have one, you can keep up with each other's workouts and physical activity. This can be especially fun if you are both into physical fitness and exercise. It’s a great way to do something “together” with a friend or a significant other even if you aren’t close!

We don’t necessarily mean engagement rings for this idea (though if you’re ready for that step – congrats!). There are many types of rings popular for couples. For long-distance couples, they may be a great way to feel close to the other person even when you are far away.

If you are in the market for a unique style of ring, you can always get one that is engraved as well. You can have your names engraved on the inside of both if you want a matching set. Another option is sending one to your significant other with a special quote, a significant date, or simply a few words expressing your feelings.

One option is this Sterling Silver Open Cuff Finger Ring made of anti-tarnish .925 Sterling Silver. The subtle design may not seem obvious but once you have the piece engraved, it becomes a one- of-a-kind item.