A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Jun. 11, 2024
Your significant other isn't the only one who deserves some love on Valentine's Day. From sensational-smelling lotions to the latest tech, here are some of the best Valentine's Day gifts for friends.
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Valentine’s Day celebrates love in all its forms, from epic romances to familial bonds. And, of course, there’s the platonic love between friends. An entire holiday celebrates the BFFs who’ve been with you through it all—Galentines Day on February 13. But what qualifies as perfect Galentine’s Day or Valentine’s Day gifts for friends?
The key is to find something thoughtful, fun and sweet—just like them. You don’t have to spend a fortune on these little presents. From scented candles to beautiful dresses to eco-friendly gifts, show your pals how much you appreciate them by finding gifts that suit their personalities.
The best-ever Valentine’s Day gifts don’t have to be hard to shop for, and you can even get some great last-minute gifts when the clock is ticking. In short, we’ve got you covered, just as a good friend should.
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Practical Valentine’s gifts for friends are always a hit. These Cozy Earth bamboo pajamas are some of the best pajamas known to humankind. If she’s already a fan, she will be thrilled to see they’re now available in a perfect-for-Valentine’s-Day blush and lilac color.
Our editors reviewed Cozy Earth pajamas and decided they’re the absolute softest, snuggliest option out there. Made of breathable, moisture-wicking viscose from bamboo, they’re so smooth and cozy. You’ll also be happy to know that they wash well and won’t shrink in the dryer. In other words, these pajamas are so perfect that you’ll want to get a matching set for yourself.
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Help her add a pop of style with fun sunglasses. These unisex glasses are affordable, comfortable and stylish. They even come in pink, making them an obvious choice when searching for Valentine’s Day gifts for friends.
These shades liven up any look and feature polarized lenses which will give her the best UV protection. Your friend will appreciate the special grip coating that prevents slippage when sweating and the snug lightweight frame which fits comfortably on all face shapes. It’s also a great gift for golfers who need to keep the sun out of their eyes to play a great game.
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Friends who love feeling organized will love this customized monthly planner. It features beautiful graphic artwork on a cover made from heavy and durable fine art paper. It also has 80 customizable pages inside that are made from high-quality, 24-pound journaling paper. In addition to the monthly calendars, this planner has other useful features including goal pages, weekly agendas, and a month-in-review page.
Each planner is made to order, so you can expect to receive your gift in about two weeks. Pressed for time? Our list of last-minute gifts will make sure you impress with a special gift just in time.
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Tulips symbolize pure and eternal love, much like the love you have for your best friend. That’s why it’s only fitting you send her this arrangement of vibrant pink peony tulips. She’ll receive 25 healthy stems that will brighten her day. And, like your friendship, these flowers won’t wither overnight. With proper care and attention, she can expect to enjoy this impressive bouquet for up to two weeks. And in case you were wondering, here’s the meaning behind your 50 favorite flowers.
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If your friend is always cold or simply loves to accessorize with hats and warm winter scarves while she’s out and about in the cold, this fur beanie is the perfect Valentine’s Day present. Made from cozy mink fur and topped with a plush fox fur pom, this hat will keep her warm all winter long. There are several colors to choose from, though we think the hot pink adds the perfect pop of color.
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Help your crafty friend start a new hobby or hone their current skills with these embroidery kits. These intermediate-level craft kits for adults come with everything they need to create a cheerful bunch of flowers. Inside the box, they’ll find a wooden hoop, cotton fabric with a pre-printed design, an embroidery needle, 10 skeins of embroidery floss and written instructions.
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Treat your friend to a private cooking class for two. The two of you can travel around the world and learn to create an authentic dish from a country of your choice from the comfort of your very own kitchen (it’s like a wellness retreat right from home). You’ll have a live video call with a chef who will teach you how to make three delicious dishes. They’ll even recommend a playlist as well as wine and cocktail pairings to make it the ultimate girl’s night.
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When you’re looking for Valentine’s Day gifts for photographers, choose this portable smartphone printer for your BFF who still loves to hold a good old printed photo in her hand. The small contraption—which is slightly larger than your phone—prints old-school Polaroid photos that will take them back to the good old days. Except these polaroids are infinitely cooler than the ones from back in the day. That’s because the app offers editable templates, collage layouts and sketch options to add fun details to your favorite snaps. The printer easily connects with Bluetooth and can have high-quality prints ready in just a few seconds.
Slippers are a useful gift for every type of friend, but homebodies will be especially appreciative of this pair from Cozy Earth. They’re made from sheep fur and lined with shearling for a luxurious, warm feel.
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Whether she loves pour-over coffee or just appreciates the aesthetic of a gooseneck kettle, Saki’s electric gooseneck kettle will be a welcome addition to her kitchen. This kettle features a plastic-free interior, built-in timer and auto temperature hold that will keep their water hot for up to 60 minutes. This kettle also makes a great gift for tea lovers, as it allows them to select the ideal temperature for their tea.
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Your eco-conscious friend probably ditched plastic shopping bags a long time ago, but if they’re battling a massive collection of reusable shopping bags every time they go to the grocery store, it’s probably time for an upgrade. This set of reusable shopping bags is the perfect eco-friendly gift. Each bag is machine washable and has a removable rod that connects to shopping carts and allows shoppers to stay organized while they shop. The largest bag even has specialty pockets for eggs and wine.
Bags come in two sizes: original, which will fit shopping carts at traditional grocery stores like Publix, Target and Stop n’ Shop, or wide. Wide trolley bags will fit the larger carts found in stores like Aldi, Costco and Sam’s Club.
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Tell your friend how you feel about them with an engraved cuff bracelet from Mint & Lily. Available in gold, rose gold or silver, this bracelet features a special message on the inside and two symbolic arrows on the outside. Personalize the outside with your bestie’s name, favorite saying or other special message. Whether you add the extra personalization or not, this is sure to become the best bracelet in her collection.
Homesick Candles are known for its array of unique scents meant to commemorate special moments or fragrances. Ranging from states and cities to moods (think bonfires, snow days or brunch), there’s guaranteed to be a scent they’ll love.
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If your friend can’t seem to go anywhere without bringing their little fur baby, they’ll appreciate the Diggs Passenger Carrier as the perfect gift for dog lovers. This award-winning, five-star crash-rated travel carrier for dogs and cats holds up to 18 pounds. It’s ideal for car and plane travel and fits most airline seats. The carrier includes proper ventilation so they don’t have to worry about their furry friend getting enough air.
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Just a few drops of this illuminating serum mixed in with her face moisturizer will give her a stunning golden glow. And no, not like the body glitter or shimmer spray she rocked back in her high school or college years. We’re talking about a healthy, golden glow akin to the one she has right after a good facial.
Not only that, but this serum is good for her skin too. It contains a blend of 5% niacinamide, glucosyl gallic acid and mulberry leaf extract, which help fade hyperpigmentation, scarring and sunspots and strengthen the acid mantle. It also contains replenishing omega oils that nourish and soothe her skin.
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The best CC creams are those that offer light coverage without settling into fine lines or wrinkles while protecting the skin from harmful UV rays. This CC Screen from Supergoop! checks both boxes. It’s completely weightless and offers 50 SPF sun protection without smelling like sunscreen, making it perfect for those who don’t like the feeling of too much makeup on their faces. She’ll also feel good about wearing Supergoop! which is among the top skin-care brands recommended by dermatologists thanks to its clean ingredients and effective formulas.
This crossbody bag is similar to the brand’s viral belt bag, just a tad bit bigger at a 2 liter capacity. Available in three neutral colorways, the water-repellent fabric is functional with enough space for their daily necessities.
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You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy a box of funfetti-inspired truffles—and let’s be honest, that’s almost the same thing. This box comes with a dozen birthday cake-flavored truffles which are coated in a barely-there white chocolate shell and rolled in “birthday sand.” If you’re lucky, your BFF may even share some with you.
Your tea-loving friend can sit back and relax with a good book and an even better cuppa with this double-walled glass mug in a bright red hue. It includes an infuser and a glass lid that doubles as a saucer.
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Does your friend spend most of her time traveling for work? She’ll thank you endlessly if you gift her the Cabeau neck pillow for her commutes. This neck pillow has raised sides to make falling asleep a breeze. The seat strap system keeps your neck in place without bopping around and the memory foam core is bound to keep her asleep throughout the entire flight.
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Toast your BFF with this spiked lemonade. Originally crafted at The Pequot Inn on Fishers Island, New York, this award-winning cocktail is spiked with premium vodka and barrel-aged whiskey. It doesn’t contain any malt, corn syrup, artificial sweeteners or alcohol from cane sugar, and is at its best when served ice-cold. Speaking of ice-cold cocktails, you may also want to check out these top-rated hopsulators to go along with it and create a fun gift basket.
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If books are her one true love, then she’ll enjoy putting together and displaying this book nook. It has everything she needs to create a miniature bookstore that she can display in her library alongside her collection of tomes. The finished look is an eye-catching model with LED lights for added appeal. Here are even more gifts for all of the book lovers in your life.
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Have a best friend who loves floral gifts? This mini succulent comes in a cheeky planter that lets them know how much better your life is because they are a part of it. Choose a 4 to 5-inch Echeveria or Hoya heart, or a tiny 2-inch succulent that they can put on any windowsill. With proper care, these low-maintenance plants will thrive, just like your friendship.
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Help your partner in crime relax with these essential oil-infused shower bombs. All they have to do is drop one into the shower and let it melt away while they wind down with some aromatherapy. You may want to consider these other self-care gifts to go along with it and create a special gift basket.
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If napping is her favorite hobby, she’ll discover that the human dog bed from Plufl is the perfect place for a quick snooze. The Plufl’s built-in 360-degree pillow bolster will gently cradle her head and neck to alleviate tension for a deep, sound nap that will have her feeling rejuvenated in no time. Not to mention it also has a high-grade memory and orthopedic foam base so she’ll feel like she’s sleeping on a literal cloud.
Whether she’s new to crocheting or already has the hang of it, she’ll melt over this bundle from The Woobles. It comes with everything they need to make Pierre the Penguin, Fred the Dinosaur and Gertrude the Llama, along with a custom hook and tin.
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Make it easier for your bestie to come and visit you with this travel bundle from State Bags. It comes with a lightweight, washable, nylon weekender bag that’s loaded with handy pockets and compartments. It even has a designated laptop pocket so she can take her work with her if need be. Also, it has a matching toiletry kit that has an expandable design and can hold full-size products which is important if she decides to stay a while.
Every best friend group needs these Instagram-worthy sweatshirts. These super soft and comfy sweatshirts have a slightly oversized fit and the words “love you mean it” printed across the chest.
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She’ll think of you every time she sips her morning coffee out of this sweet mug. Just choose your preferred size, color and two favorite photos for a personalized gift that she’s sure to use every day. These mugs, except for the gold, are both dishwasher- and microwave-safe. And the pictures won’t fade, so she can use it over and over again.
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Friends who love writing cards and notes will love this heart-themed card set. It comes with 18 gorgeously designed small cards to write letters or also double as place cards at dinner. This card set also makes a perfect gift for writers, both professional and amateur.
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VoChill is here to save your friend from ever drinking a lukewarm glass of white wine or rosé. Available in three chic colors, this personal wine chiller is the gift she didn’t know she needed (and won’t know how she ever lived without). This little gift just might inspire the two of you to plan a trip to one of the most gorgeous wineries in the world. This is also a great gift for aunts who appreciate a glass of fine wine.
Just a dollop of this whipped oil body cream really will leave her skin as smooth as butter. This viral cream comes in a refillable container and features a blend of seven conditioning essential oils that melt into the skin to renew, replenish and hydrate.
Here at Reader’s Digest, we know a thing or two about gift giving. All year long, we keep an eye on the most unique and fun gifts to give the loved ones in your life, ranging from creative art lovers to tween girls. Not to mention, Marisa Hillman has written hundreds of trusted product reviews on vacuum cleaners, heated blankets, mattress toppers and more.
Whether you’re shopping for your childhood bestie or your trusted group of work friends, we’ve compiled some of the best Valentine’s Day gifts we’ve both given and received.
Absolutely! Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic love—you can also spend the day celebrating platonic and familial love, too. If you have a significant other to spend V-Day with, you can even go for Galentine’s Day, which is February 13.
It all depends on what you and your friends like to do, but you can go out for dinner and drinks, take a class together (think cooking or crafts) or have a pajama party with fun movies and snacks.
Flowers and chocolate are some of the most popular gifts to give on Valentine’s Day.
Some of the most affordable options on our list include mini Valentine’s Day cards and soothing shower steamers. You can also make personalized goodie bags or DIY spa kits or plan a fun group activity.
