Looking for long distance friendship gifts ideas? Well if you are, you probably got here because there are pretty much only ones that cost a lot of money. Which is why we are going to talk about what you can do for free.
It could be argued that all friendships are now long-distance in a way. In my case we went from medium-distance to long distance during the pandemic. Even if I was closer in distance I would still struggle with how to let my friends know I am thinking of them. Below are a few no-cost ways to make anyone’s day, but especially your long-distance friends. (Oh and none of these are Zoom calls, because we are all tired of them. Enough is enough. They remind us of work.)
Long Distance Friendship Gifts
Create a Playlist
I don’t remember exactly why I created a playlist for my best friend Kara, but I remember her playing it when we were together. I never acknowledged how much it meant to me she was playing it. It was a total mix of classics and new songs, no rhyme or reason. The other day she was asking for song suggestions and I sent her along my playlist I happened to have that suited what she was needing. Then it struck me, it means so much to me to know we are experiencing the same music, or playlist, at some point in time. Even if it’s not exactly right then, it helps me feel connected to know Kara can choose to hear what I’m listening to and is bringing me joy.
(At one point I did create a Honestly Relatable playlist so maybe I’ll start updating that one since we are all long-distance friends here.)
Send a Card
If you’ve been around here for a minute, you KNOW my love of cards. There is not an occasion they aren’t perfect for. Not only are cards more personal than a text, they are a tangible part of you. I still have cards from my grandparents and I often gently trace my fingers over the writing I know my grandparents once did just for me. Writing a card is an unexpected, intimate way of saying just how much someone means to you.
Call Them
I get it, video calls are taxing and take a lot of energy. Have you tried just calling? I call my friend Gabrielle when I’m in the same spot almost every single week. It’s become a part of my ritual on Wednesday when I’m picking up Culver’s and heading home to write the blog newsletter. She even knows where I am (despite not actually knowing) when she hears her phone ringing.
Gabrielle lives in Colorado and I’m in Illinois now but we’ve actually reconnected from our college time together. Those weekly, informal calls have been wonderful during the pandemic and something I hope we take into the future.
Make Them a Priority – And Tell Them!
It is a lot of work to be friends, physically close or not. What might feel like monotony of asking how their day is, etc. is probably very important to the other person. When my friends text me that I know they care about ME and truly want to know how I am. Don’t ignore them. Text them and tell them really. Don’t just be lazy and say you don’t want to text it all. Send a video message, voice message, voice-to-text, WHATEVER IT IS, make it a priority.
Watch Something Together
Whether you are hosting a watch party or just watching a series, watch something together! If you aren’t a book club person (I am the furthest form this) try watching something together at your own paces and schedule a call or chat about it daily.
It’s so hard to feel like you know the other person’s life and it’s very grounding in the relationship to know no matter how different your lives are, you know you are experiencing the same show.
Although in some ways all friendships feel like long-distance, something about the pandemic long-distance friendship feels extra-distance. Long distance friendship gifts don’t have to be expensive! In fact, it probably means more to your friend that you spent time, the most valuable commodity, thinking about how to become closer.
Beth
I love these ideas!! It’s the little things that go a long way. I am going to steal your playlist idea. I also have a recurring call with a long distance friend on Saturday mornings. I love that we both just expect it, and we have coffee together and then just start randomly picking up the house and chat for at least an hour lol. We legit look forward to it all week. We have been friends for 30+ years since childhood but as life takes turns you don’t talk as often. During the start of pandemic we started talking more to discuss “is this all really happening” and comfort each other and it’s really the bright spot for me every week. We joke all the time that our weekly calls are the best part of the pandemic. Cheers to you!