Amy Poehler once said, “Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you; spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.” We all aspire to find that one friend who we can laugh about anything with, like Tina Fey and Amy. Squad goals for sure.
From personalized photo bracelets to festive hair accessories, we’ve found several unique presents for your bestie that put the classic friendship bracelet to shame (but you’ll find some elevated bracelet selects below).
Whether your best pal is a total fashion girl, artist or huge foodie, keep reading as we’ve found the perfect gifts for your ride or die.
Best friend gifts under $25
Made from high-quality glazed ceramic, this friendship-themed dish is the ideal option for the BFF that is sparkling from head-to-toe in diamonds. With this tiny contraption, she can easily store her rings, necklaces and more without forgetting where she left them. This ceramic dish is rated nearly five stars based on over 26,000 Amazon reviews, so it’s safe to say you can’t go wrong!
"I just gifted my friend this journal for her 25th birthday so she can look back on the best memories from her twenties at the end of this decade," says associate partnerships editor Lauren Witonsky. This journal gives users the chance to jot down a single line every day for five years, giving them the perfect opportunity to look back on a period of time.
“My friend has the most enviable book collection and she kindly lets everyone borrow her books,“ says writer Emma Stessman. “A few years ago, I gave her this stamp so people will never forget who they borrowed from. Every time I borrow a new book from her now, she takes out the embosser to stamp it and it makes us both so happy.”
"I gave this as a hosting gift recently to a friend who's into making cocktails at home and boy did his eyes light up!" says deputy managing editor Jess Bender. "Beyond being an easy way to elevate a libation, it's also a nice little extra treat for when you're finished every last drop of your drink."
If your bestie is a wizard in the kitchen, they’re sure to love this mini Le Creuset cocotte. Production coordinator Camryn Privette has gifted countless of these to friends and family and they’re always happy to receive.
Nothing says "I love you" like gifting these cozy, fuzzy socks during the colder months. Earn some extra bonus points if you pair this gift with a movie or spa night.
Best friend gifts under $50
Is your best friend feeling stressed? There’s nothing better than this rejuvenating gift box to help her relax and unwind. This heartfelt box includes a lavender soy wax candle, peppermint-shea lip balm, bath bombs and much more.
“Gourmet chocolates are one of earth’s greatest pleasures,” said basically every woman ever. If you’re looking for a little taste of luxury, search no further. These fine chocolates combine classic European-style ganaches and pralines in a foil-stamped packaging so elegant it will leave your bestie speechless.
Surprise your BFF with a set of these chic, gold-plated earrings she can dress up or down daily. Crafted from hypoallergenic, water-resistant 18K gold-plated stainless steel, they are lightweight and come in three sizes for your choosing.
It doesn’t get more elementary than friendship bracelets! Showcase your love for them in this simple way: a custom bracelet that proves to be more elevated than your normal braided pieces of string. With the option to customize the color and pattern, you can also choose up to 12 letters to either stamp their last name, first name or nickname on it.
A lady can never have too many bracelets and this one is sure to be her new favorite. With an on-trend paperclip chain design, the bracelet includes a bead that can hold a photo of your choice. You could add your favorite photo of the two of you, a pic of their fur baby or whatever you wish.
Who doesn’t love a sweet treat?! These cupcakes are a favorite in our office for being bite-sized pieces of joy. The flavors are delicious and if the have a sweet tooth, they will love this gift.
“I bought a similar plate for my friend a few years ago whose grandmother had passed,” says Stessman. “She had a cake recipe that was famous in their family and within our friend group, so I secretly took a photo of the handwritten recipe and ordered it. The seller will even send you a proof to review if you want, but mine was perfect. My friend cried when she got it and I love knowing that it’s something she can eventually pass down in her family.”
Best friend gifts under $100
Upgrade their phone case with a cute new style from Burga. They have so many fun new prints and you can even customize the case with a name or photo. Their cases are designed with two layers of protection, according to the brand, to make sure your phone stays safe.
"I gave this to my best friend (and big fan of puzzles) for her birthday a few years ago, and she loved it," says writer Danielle Murphy. "We used it every day and it was really helpful to separate pieces and storage away when we needed a break.
Associate editor Annie Shigo says Steele bags are “so sturdy. I can carry so many things inside them and this new mini one is perfect for the beach, work and travel.” If your BFF is long distance, this bag can help make those trips easier.
Splurging on a friend never looked so good or so chic. This eye-catching dish comes in a range of colors. Just pick your bestie’s initials for a gift they’ll not only love, but also use, especially if they wear a lot of jewelry.
While it might seem odd to gift a friend some glasses, Shigo has found this to be a pretty great gift. “I have gifted multiple of my friends new prescription glasses,” says Shigo. “They never want to splurge on getting new frames and always love the ones I pick out for them.”
If they’re near one of Quay’s retail stores, they can take advantage of the Eyebot, a machine that can provide doctor-verified prescriptions in minutes.
Sure, these pajamas are a bit of a splurge, but they're worth it, according to former associate editor Sierra Hoeger.
"These look like your basic pair of pajamas — but for someone who often wears American Eagle boxers and an old t-shirt to bed, this set from Lake Pajamas is a game changer," she praises. "Not only does it help me feel like I have my life together (especially after an everything shower), but they've remained as soft as the day I've received them, even after a year of wearing and washing them!"
Splurge-worthy gifts for best friends
If they love to accessorize their outfits, this flower pin from Olah is such a fun gift. It is basically three gifts in one (a necklace, a pin and a hair accessory). They can wear it with a blazer to work, in their hair for a birthday party or as a necklace for a special event.
"I received a Hedley & Bennett apron as a gift last year and absolutely love it, so I bought one for my best friend this Christmas," says deputy managing editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil. "It's a bit of a splurge, but the quality materials and chef-approved design make it worth it in my opinion. This one in particular caught my eye because it's made with fabric from Liberty, a London-based fabrics designer that my friend loves."
Every iconic duo needs an iconic matching bag. Grab this new Kate Spade mini shoulder bag that comes with a detachable small pouch. The green color is on trend and great for fall.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Many of our editors are fans of Amazon's Kindle, a travel-friendly e-reader. Not only can you download books straight from the Amazon app and read them immediately, but you can also rent e-books from your local library at no cost.
"In the two years since I bought it, my reading goal has skyrocketed and I've read so many more books than I have in previous years because it makes it easier to read on the subway, while traveling, etc," says Stessman. "And I can fit it in my belt bag! I love that I don't have to think about charging it for weeks at a time."
"My friend came over and tried this at mine and has been 'joking' that she wants to steal it," says commerce editor Vivien Moon. "It’s a great hair tool that’s similar to the Dyson/Shark/T3 multi-styler but comes with an easier bag to tote things in and a better round brush than the other brands which is good for those with long/thick hair she has tried."
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team works hard to find the best products and coolest gifts out there for BFFs. We use our own personal experiences with brands and shopping to find the most unique gifts on the market that are sure to be a hit.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides for everyone on your list including boyfriends, wives, in-laws, couples and more.
Paid for by Sam's Club
Paid for by Sam's Club
