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45 Best Long-Distance Relationship Gifts for When Your Presence Can’t Always Be *the* Present

*flexes love language muscle*

By Daisy Maldonado, Brooke Shunatona and Katherine J Igoe
donuts spelling out i love youpinterest icon
Gold Belly

Fact: Long-distance relationships kinda suck. So if you're in an LDR right now, know that we feel for ya. Planning trips and having marathon FaceTime calls can make the distance feel a lil less sucky, but if you really wanna let your boo know that they're on your mind, the best way to do so is with a thoughtful gift that they can have around when you’re, well, not. Whether you're after a gift that commemorates an S.O. going away, a gift that also celebrates an anniversary, or a cute just-because prezzy, the best long-distance relationship gifts tend to be something that'll remind your S.O. that you're always there for them, no matter the distance (all together now: awwwww).

From genius tech gifts (seriously, what did people in LDRs do before the internet?!) to heart-melting romantic gifts for the sappy types, we've got ALLLL the best long-distance relationship gift ideas for couples, no matter what stage of the relationship you're in. A bunch of these have free and rush shipping options too, considering you're prob mailing it far away!

Now scroll on for even more unique and sweet gift ideas for your long-distance partner, 'cause if they can't have your presence, then they deserve a few presents. (And btw, some of these items also make great gifts for long-distance friendships and parents who live far away, too. You're welcome!)

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This modern messenger

Lovebox Love Note Messenger

Amazon’s Choice
Love Note Messenger
This modern messenger

Lovebox Love Note Messenger

$100 at Amazon$100 at Saks Fifth Avenue
Credit: Amazon

Sure, you could wake up and text them, but where's the fun in that?! With this gadget, you can send them a message or a drawing that feels extra special.

These touching bracelets

Bond Touch Long Distance Connection Bracelets

Amazon’s Choice
Long Distance Connection Bracelets
These touching bracelets

Bond Touch Long Distance Connection Bracelets

Credit: Amazon

With just a touch, your loved one can send a little light-up alert and vibration to let you know they're thinking of you. The bracelets also connect to an app for you two to send sweet lil messages back and forth.

These little love notes

MESSAGE PILL CO. Long Distance Messages in a Bottle

Long Distance Messages in a Bottle
These little love notes

MESSAGE PILL CO. Long Distance Messages in a Bottle

Credit: Amazon

Not crafty or creative enough to put together a DIY LDR gift? Order one of these jars instead. Each comes with 50 prewritten love notes for your loved one to read when they're really missing you.

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this personalized hoodie

CustomTrendyGoods Custom Embroidered Initial Heart Sweatshirt

Best Seller
Custom Embroidered Initial Heart Sweatshirt
this personalized hoodie

CustomTrendyGoods Custom Embroidered Initial Heart Sweatshirt

Credit: Etsy

They can wear your heart on their sleeve wherever they go if ya get 'em one of these precious embroidered sweatshirts (which come in just about every color imaginable).

These love letters

Chronicle Books Letters to Open When...

Letters to Open When...
These love letters

Chronicle Books Letters to Open When...

Credit: Amazon

Few things are more romantique than a handwritten letter, which is what makes this book filled with blank love letters for you to fill out the most romantic gift on this list.

this token of your love

Naveeti Pocket Hug Token with Gift Card

Naveeti Pocket Hug Token with Gift Card
this token of your love

Naveeti Pocket Hug Token with Gift Card

Credit: Amazon

It's the little things, right? Get 'em this token they can keep in their pocket, wallet, purse, or at their bedside, that'll be their constant reminder of you. You can customize it with a sweet message.

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this keepsake journal

Rockridge Press 100 Things I Love about You: A Love Journal

On Sale
100 Things I Love about You: A Love Journal
this keepsake journal

Rockridge Press 100 Things I Love about You: A Love Journal

Now 15% Off
Credit: Amazon

When you’re in a long-distance relationship, you can feel pretty, well, distant. Make it a point to do something every day (like filling out the prompts in this cute journal) to bring you two closer.

this pair of glowing lamps

FriendshipLamps Set of Two Long Distance Friendship Lamps

On Sale
Set of Two Long Distance Friendship Lamps
this pair of glowing lamps

FriendshipLamps Set of Two Long Distance Friendship Lamps

Credit: Etsy

No matter how far apart you two are, you'll feel like your person is right there with you, thanks to these lamps that light up when the other person touches theirs.

This video card

LuguLake Video Greeting Card

On Sale
Video Greeting Card
This video card

LuguLake Video Greeting Card

Credit: Amazon

Again, ya can't beat the romance of a handwritten letter, but this updated version puts all other letters to shame. With this greeting card, you can record a video of yourself that plays whenever they open it up. Uh, how cool??

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this time zone tracker

ServeWell Bespoke Two Time Zones Square Clocks

 Bespoke Two Time Zones Square Clocks
this time zone tracker

ServeWell Bespoke Two Time Zones Square Clocks

Credit: Etsy

If you two are living in separate time zones, then this genius double wall clock (which you can customize however you like) will help them keep track of the time wherever you are.

these lol-worthy socks

MyPupSocks Custom Printed Photo Socks

Custom Printed Photo Socks
these lol-worthy socks

MyPupSocks Custom Printed Photo Socks

Credit: Amazon

Okay but...if your partner doesn't want a pair of socks with your face printed all over them, then it's probably time to break up. Just saying.

this unique nightlight

PatMadeCrafts Light Up Scannable Music Plaque

Best Seller
Light Up Scannable Music Plaque
this unique nightlight

PatMadeCrafts Light Up Scannable Music Plaque

Credit: Etsy

This light up acrylic frame lets you put one of your favorite photos on display and choose a song that reminds you of your recipient (which they can play on Spotify any time they scan the plaque with their phone). Swoon.

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this smart photo frame

AURA Carver Luxe Digital Picture Frame

Oprah’s Favorite Things
Carver Luxe Digital Picture Frame
this smart photo frame

AURA Carver Luxe Digital Picture Frame

Credit: Amazon

This digital picture frame allows you to email and upload photos directly to the frame's display so you can constantly surprise them with new pictures.

this deck of conversation prompts

BestSelf Co. Couples Game Deck

Couples Game Deck
this deck of conversation prompts

BestSelf Co. Couples Game Deck

Credit: Courtesy Image

If your nightly calls/FaceTimes have devolved into long pauses followed by "Sooo..." then this book of intimate conversation starters is the perfect restart button. Even if you think you know the answers, your partner may surprise you—then you have way more to talk about!

this one-of-a-kind wall art

thePurplePear Custom Moving Away Gift Print

Best Seller
Custom Moving Away Gift Print
this one-of-a-kind wall art

thePurplePear Custom Moving Away Gift Print

Credit: Etsy

If your S.O. is a softie, then you can basically guarantee that this pretty print (which you can customize however you'd like) will make 'em shed a few tears.

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this cute soy candle

SnarkyMermaid Miss Your Face Handmade Candle

Best Seller
Miss Your Face Handmade Candle
this cute soy candle

SnarkyMermaid Miss Your Face Handmade Candle

Credit: Etsy

Nothing says, "Miss u, mean it," quite like a pretty soy wax candle with a message. Choose between three different size options and a WHOLE bunch of gorge scent options.

this super useful phone stand

OMOTON OMOTON Adjustable Cell Phone Stand

On Sale
OMOTON Adjustable Cell Phone Stand
this super useful phone stand

OMOTON OMOTON Adjustable Cell Phone Stand

Now 39% Off
Credit: Amazon

Holding a phone for hours-long FaceTime calls can be exhausting! This handy phone stand will make 'em sooo much easier. They can adjust it to whatever angle is most convenient and comfortable for them. (BTW: It's compatible with all iPhone models and most Androids!)

this couples initial necklace

Brook & York Madeline Two Initial Pendant

Madeline Two Initial Pendant
this couples initial necklace

Brook & York Madeline Two Initial Pendant

Credit: Brook & York

This pretty pendant (which comes in three metal options) is a sweet but subtle way to keep your initials close together...even when you're far apart.

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This couple's sex toy

We-Vibe We-Vibe Chorus App and Remote Controlled Rechargeable Couple's Vibrator

We-Vibe Chorus App and Remote Controlled Rechargeable Couple's Vibrator
This couple's sex toy

We-Vibe We-Vibe Chorus App and Remote Controlled Rechargeable Couple's Vibrator

Credit: We-Vibe

Yes, absence makes the heart grow fonder, but it can also make the sex even hotter. This toy can be controlled from any place using the We-Vibe app *wink wink* for when you’re in the ~mood~ but can’t be together IRL. Did we mention that it has 10 different vibe modes and touch-sensitive receptors? Sold.

this modern cassette tape

TheBlankRecordStore Retro USB Mixtape

Retro USB Mixtape
this modern cassette tape

TheBlankRecordStore Retro USB Mixtape

Credit: Etsy

With this handy mixtape, you can put together a playlist of their fave jams on Spotify or Apple Music that they can listen to whenever they have access to a USB port.

Headshot of Daisy Maldonado
Daisy Maldonado
Associate Shopping Editor

Daisy Maldonado is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan who loves writing about fashion trends, must-have beauty products, and digital culture. When she's not writing, you can almost certainly find her shopping (she knows her credit card numbers by heart) or obsessing over celebrity news. Although she’s acquired an extensive closet over the years, her favorite item she owns is a Harry Styles Love On Tour hoodie she purchased at his concert in Manchester. Daisy's work has appeared on Refinery29, The Daily Beast, E! News, Allure and more. Keep up with all of her chaotic travels, NYC life and fashionable moments on her Instagram. 

Headshot of Brooke Shunatona

Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com.

Headshot of Katherine J Igoe
Contributor

Katherine J Igoe (she/her) was a contributing editor for Cosmopolitan and is a freelancer covering style, lifestyle, culture, and beauty (she's obsessed with gift guides, best-of movie lists, and beauty products). She's been a freelance writer and editor for over a decade, previously working for Marie Claire (2018 to 2021) and Bustle (2021), with bylines in the The New York Times, Parents magazine, and elsewhere. She lives in Boston with her family, and you can follow her on Instagram or Twitte. It's "I go to dinner," not "Her huge ego," but she responds to both.

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