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30 Thoughtful Gifts For Friends (For Those 'Just Because' Moments)

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thoughtful gifts

Showing our friends we love them doesn't have to be about spending a ton of cash or getting an outrageously unique gift. It really is the thought that counts. Giving them something that shows you care and are interested enough to pay attention can go a long way. You need thoughtful gifts, but may not know where to start.

What that gift may be depends on your friend. Perhaps they are always cold and would love a blanket. Or maybe they love their morning coffee and would really appreciate a fun new coffee mug with a witty saying. Perhaps they like to cook, or really love their pet. Maybe they are into crystals, or chocolate, or love beauty products.

These thoughtful gifts we rounded up come at a variety of price points, and a bunch of different topic areas, but are sure to be perfect for that thoughtful person on your gift list.


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For the friend who likes to get cozy at home...

1. Thread Talk Blanket

There's nothing better than the comfort and warmth of a good throw. Wrap up your bestie in a cozy blanket that also gives back. For every beautiful blanket sold, Thread Talk donates a portion of the proceeds to DomesticShelters.org to help provide a safe haven for victims of domestic violence.

(Thread Talk, $119)

2. Energy Muse Agate Wish Bowl

Show your loved one how grateful you are to have them in your life by providing them with the tools to achieve their dreams! The energy of these agate bowls will fill you with all the right qualities to transform your ideas into realities.

Write down your wishes on small pieces of paper, fold them up and place them in the bowl. It’s a fun ritual to do with your friends and family.

(Energy Muse, $140)

3. Jamber Coffee Mug

The Jamber Mug has been engineered to help you feel good. It’s an exceptionally comfortable mug to hold, with a handle that allows virtually any user to pick it up, and it is the coolest looking mug you’ll ever see.

(Jamber, $12.50)

4. SensaCalm Weighted Blanket

Weighted blankets have been scientifically proven to help reduce anxiety and promote better sleep. If you can give a friend the gift of less stress and more rest in the form of a comfy, stylish blanket, you've pretty much transcended to superhero level friend.

(SensaCalm, prices vary based on size and fabric, which the average ranging from $200-$250)

5. The Classic Lilac Purple Towel Essentials Bundle

Wrap yourself in the most luxurious towel, loomed from the finest long-staple Turkish cotton to a decadent 700-gram weight. Finely combed for a smooth and soft feel, Crane & Canopy’s premium Lilac Towel Collection is sumptuously soft and uniquely absorbent, a true luxury for any bath, and perfectly suited for the Pantone Color of the Year.

(Crane and Canopy, $90)

6. Jemma Sands Sunset Beach Candle

Just as we love those cinnamon spice candles during the winter, the smells of summer never get old. This sunset beach scented candle is the perfect gift for your friend that needs a mini getaway!

(Jemma Sands, $68)

For the friend who is super into beauty...

7. Pestle and Mortar Serum

This TSA-friendly serum will give your skincare enthusiast BFF the hydrated boost she needs — in-flight! The smooth concentrates targets dullness, fine lines and dehydration, restoring a healthy glow. Easy to pop into any handbag to ensure this velvety smooth serum is on hand whenever she might need it.

(Pestle and Mortar, $34)

8. Lauren B. Beauty 'Sun Kissed in St. Tropez'

Bronzer — for your nails! Give your best friend the gift of liquid gold-drenched nail couture with Lauren B. Beauty’s new summer shade, "Sun Kissed in St. Tropez." It's vegan and cruelty-free, so grab your girls for a guilt-free mani-pedi night.

(Lauren B. Beauty, $18)

9. PUR Creator Palette

The perfect gift for your jet-setting BFF. Twelve versatile eyeshadows in warm washes of color with soft and metallic finishes to shades that are velvet matte, a light-catching highlighter, and neutral bronzer glide on buttery soft and smooth for blendable, day-to-night looks that wow.

Portable, artist-inspired Creator Palette is magnetic, which allows each of the shades to be easily removed or rearranged, making it easy to try new shades or refill the ones your BFF loves. The oversized mirror easily folds out and stands like a vanity for hands-free application

(PUR Cosmetics, $42)

 

10. Masque Bar Sheet Masks

Grab a few of these metallic sheet masks for a fun girls night. This glam face mask provides hydration while helps to calm and soothe irritated skin. Also available in metallic rose gold silver, so make sure to pick up a few to share with your girl pack.

(Amazon)

11. Teasäne’s Calm Kit

Teasane’s Calm Kit is a 28-day stress relief regimen that offers natural remedies to help relieve everyday anxiety. The kit’s two teas, AM Calm and PM Calm, are packed with herbs that are rich in antioxidants like Nettle, Fennel, and Rose hip, to rid the body of toxins and promote healthy brain function.

Like a deep tissue massage in a cup, this kit is the perfect way to show your friend that you value their personal wellness.

(Live Teasane, $59)

12. HydroPeptide Nourishing Glow Body Oil

Nourishing Glow infuses skin with instant radiance and hydration, capturing the sultry effect of a healthy-looking, sun-kissed summer glow. If you have a friend who really could use a day in the sun, this will let her at least look like she has had that time! 

(Hydro Peptide, $78)

13. ManiGlovz

If your friend loves her gel manicures, this is a new glove for SPF protection during the UV drying portion. It'll protect her against the risk of skin cancer during her salon visit. What better gift than that?

(ManiGlovz, $25)

14. Tory Burch Nuit Azur Perfume

If you want that Mediterranean vibe and smell then look no further, this perfume captures the essence of the summer by the sea scent. Think a bouquet of flowers next to the fresh air and ocean wrapped in a sunny beach kind of smell. Yes, it's that good. Everything you could want for the summer season in a perfume, or in other seasons when you want that summer scent to be endless. 

(Bloomingdales, $98) 

For the friend who loves to cook and eat...

15. T-fal Color Luxe Cookware Set

The must-have T-fal Color Luxe Cookware Set combines style with superior performance features, making it the perfect multipurpose set for all of your cooking needs. This 12 piece set includes: 8" Fry Pan, 10" Fry Pan, 1qt Covered Saucepan, 2qt Covered Saucepan, 3qt Covered Saucepan, 5qt Covered Dutch Oven, and 2 Nylon Tools.

(Amazon)

16. 4-Slice Belgian Style Waffle Maker

The KRUPS Waffle Maker makes four, thick Belgian waffles in just minutes, perfectly browned to your desired level selected from the 5 adjustable settings. It's a great gift for the friend who loves to host brunch for friends.

(Walmart, $50)


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17. Godiva Wonderful City Dreams Gift Box

For the person who has traveled everywhere and taught you a thing or two about using all of your PTO to enjoy the good life. This limited edition collection IS inspired by five iconic cities around the world: London, New York, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Brussels.

(Godiva, $36)

For the stylish friend...

18. Exclusive Airport Code Sandals

Know where your friend/family loves to go? Show them how much you care by giving them one of Jack Rogers exclusive Airport Code Sandals (locations: NYC, Martha’s Vineyard, Palm Beach, Outer Banks, Key West, Hilton Head and Nantucket).

(Jack Rogers USA, $148)

19. Adornia XO Lariat

A little reminder that hugs and kisses are always available, especially when they're strung on a lariat given to you by your bestie. Plus, a portion of the proceeds from all Adornia pieces are donated to women's causes, because girl power.

(Adornia, $44)

20. John Hardy Bamboo Sterling Silver Ring

Lush sterling silver is crafted into bamboo segments and joined together to fashion this ring. The simple but unique design of this bamboo ring goes with anything in your friend's wardrobe. Perfect for the environmentally-conscious friend, one bamboo seedling is planted with the purchase of this ring. Give your friend the gift of jewelry and sustainability all at once!

(JR Dunn, $150)

21. Lulu DK x We Wore What “Poppy Locket”

The perfect gift to give your best gal pal, this vintage-inspired locket can hold up to two meaningful photos she’ll want to always keep close to her heart. The pendant is made of 14k gold plate/cubic zirconia and the chain has a lobster claw closure.

(Lulu DK, $88)

22. Kukka Jewelry “Be Lovriends Rose Gold Heart Ring”

Rings have been tokens of love and friendship since time immemorial. The pharaohs, seeing that circles have no beginning and no end, chose rings as their symbol for eternity. So if she is your forever friend, celebrate her with this thoughtful modern twist on a classic symbol.

(Kukka Jewelry, $376)

23. Sugar Pool Slide Sandals

Pool slide sandals aren't just for sitting by the pool, they can also be great for wearing to her next pedicure, lounging around the house, or even a beach-side lunch. Sugar’s 'Bless Your Heart' sandals are the perfect way to show your BFF you *heart* her, at a great — and stylish — price!

(Belk, $13)

24. Moth Manifestation Necklace

This piece is crafted from a North American Moth who passed of natural causes, casted in solid sterling silver. The orb within the sphere of moths is an Opalite stone, used as an open for your third eye (the locus of occult power and wisdom).

The orb is not fixed, allowing it, like the light within yourself, to move and rotate catching beautiful colors of light resting on a 20" chain. This piece is truly one of a kind, just like your friends!

(Mercury Hour, $245)

25. Mathematics XO Hidden Message Necklace

These necklaces are fully customizable and one-of-a-kind. The pendant "i-beams" create a hidden message between you and your BFF. The necklace also acts like a charm bracelet and you can continue to buy new pendants to add or swap out for years to come.

(Mathematics NYC, $255)

26. Wren + Glory “Love is Love” Denim Jacket 

These Wren + Glory denim jackets give 10 percent of proceeds from their jacket sales directly to help the LGBTQ community via The Trevor Project. Very thoughtful for that family member or friend who is LGBTQ, and perfect for PRIDE month!

(Wren Glory, $395)

27. The Andiamo Classico

The Andiamo Classico carry-on officially debuted in February 2018 and is offered in three different colorways: Black Onyx, Red Ruby, and Royal Sapphire. With this new collection, Andiamo hopes to inspire travelers to rethink how they view their luggage, seeing it not merely as a carrier for their belongings, but as a fashionable statement piece that is essential to their personal style journey. For the friend that always treats others, but forgets to treat themselves.

(Andiamo Luggage, $300)

28. The Landyn Tote

The Landyn Tote is a collaboration from minimalist handbag maven, HAIST Designs, and the authority on all things style and class, Landyn Hutchinson from Living With Landyn. Got a frazzled gal pal that needs to get her life in check and organize all of her crap? Treat her to crisp canvas, buttery soft leather and clean lines, that make this tote casual enough to schlep on morning errands and certainly chic enough to sashay into date night.

(HAIST Designs, $159)

For the spiritual friend...

29. Design Ideas Current Mood Calendar

Whatever your current mood, this puzzle calendar is sure to put a smile on your friend's face every time she plays with it. These combination puzzles are made of self-aligning magnetic block with pieces of six different images. Begin maneuvering and clicking the four magnetic blocks together to create a single image.

(Design Ideas, $22.50)

30. Ellembee Cheeky Tea Towels

Every BFF will appreciate these perfect little dish rags that make them giggle endlessly with witty reminders like "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. Well, I mean, except for pizza... and tacos. Oh, and wine!"

(Ellembee Home, $12)

 


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Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her at alywalansky@gmail.com.

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