50+ Christmas gift ideas for friends

An illustration of two women exchanging holiday gifts.

I’m known for quite a few things in my friend group, including random outbursts, spontaneous solo karaoke sessions and being obsessed with giving the perfect gifts. There’s just something about finding something you KNOW a friend will love, whether it’s silly, sentimental or both.

If you also love finding gifts for the people you love, I’m guessing Christmas is one of your favorite times of year. It can be tough to find something special for all of the friends in your life, though—from besties to new buds you just met. That’s why we put together the ultimate list of Christmas gift ideas for friends, no matter what your bond or budget looks like.

Now, let’s get to giftin’!

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Christmas gift ideas for your best friend  

There are two types of best friends: the kind you grew up with who’ve met every version of you and the kind you meet later in life and instantly feel at home with. These gift ideas have both categories covered!

  • Something practical you know they need and wouldn’t get themselves. Ex: a nice blender to finally start making their favorite acai bowl at home.
  • A cookbook for a type of cuisine they enjoy.
  • A Hallmark+ gift subscription for them to binge-watch rom-coms even when you’re not together!
  • A book of photos that celebrate your history together. 
  • A funny gag gift that only the two of you will understand. Ex: a T-shirt featuring a band they hate or a giant poster of a movie character they can’t stand.
  • Plan a road trip for the two of you! Add a few friendship milestones, like the place you met or that vintage bookstore you’ve always wanted to visit together. 
  • Tickets to a seasonal show like The Nutcracker. 
  • A personalized bookmark and a book you think they’ll enjoy. 
  • An ornament with a photo from a shared experience that year. 
  • Offer to take them on a shopping spree at their favorite store. You pick the budget, they pick the place.  
An illustration of different gift ideas for friends, including socks, a knit hat, an ornament, candle, a book, a mug, etc.

Christmas gifts for friends based on their favorite hobbies  

One of my favorite ways to find great Christmas gifts is by starting with a hobby or activity I know that person loves. This is especially helpful for friends you don’t know super well but still want to get them something that’s meaningful.

Gifts for musicians/music lovers:

  • Concert tickets, of course!
  • A scrapbook dedicated to any concerts you’ve been to together.
  • If they’re going to a concert soon, a T-shirt or piece of merch to wear that features that artist.
  • A musical snow globe.
  • A great pair of headphones to tune the world out.
  • A portable fan for those outdoor music festivals.
  • A poncho.

 

Gifts for athletes/gym rats:

  • A food scale.
  • A tote bag for the gym.
  • Hand sanitizer to keep in said gym bag.
  • Cute workout headbands.
  • Fitness gear—hydration tablets, running socks, lifting gloves, phone arm band, wireless earbuds, etc. 
  • A cute water bottle.
  • Extra socks. Because sweaty feet are NOT fun.

 

Gifts for self-care (these work for pretty much anyone, because who doesn’t need more self-love time?):

  • Perfume/cologne or a gift card to a place where they can make their own.
  • Cute throw pillow. 
  • A candlemaking kit. 
  • A Hallmark+ gift subscription for me-time movie marathons.
  • Travel watercolor painting set. 
  • Nail polish in fun colors. 
  • Slippers or fuzzy socks. 
  • Splurge on a really nice mascara, lipstick or other makeup item. 
  • Upscale grooming supplies, like fancy body wash or shaving supplies. 

 

Gifts for jewelry fanatics:

  • Jewelry with a story behind it. Ex: a bracelet with a starfish charm because they love the ocean.
  • An initial necklace.
  • A personalized jewelry box.
  • A jewelry holder.
  • A gift card to a local jeweler.
  • A gold chain necklace they can wear with anything and everything. 
  • A handmade friendship bracelet.

 

Gifts for writers and bookworms:

  • A nice stationery set.
  • The full collection of their favorite book series.
  • Personalized bookmarks.
  • A cute bookend. 
  • A wearable reading light. My godmother gifted me one of these a few years ago, and they’re great for cutting back on-screen time before bed and getting better sleep. A 2-in-1 gift, I’d say.
  • A personalized book stamp.
  • A journal to keep track of their reading list.

 

Gifts for people who love to cook:

  • An apron. Bonus points if it features their favorite show, fandom or a food pun.
  • A fancy food platter. Fans of Gilmore Girls and Disney will love these!
  • A gift basket from their favorite bakery.
  • A subscription to a food magazine. As someone who can barely cook oatmeal on the stove, I love flipping through these. You can’t help but be inspired by how good some of that food looks!
  • If possible, get a favorite food from out of town shipped in.
  • A new oven mitt. We even have some themed ones they might like from franchises like Star Wars™, Peanuts®, Harry Potter™ and more!

 

Gifts for travelers:

  • Sunhat and fancy, non-oily sunscreen.
  • A travel journal.
  • If they’re traveling to a country where they don’t speak the language, a handheld dictionary to help them translate.
  • Comfy sweatpants set. Sleeping on the plane is hard!
  • A scrapbook or photo album.
  • A passport holder decorated with cute stickers.
  • If they wear glasses, get them a gift card to get a backup pair before their trip. Trust me, they’ll appreciate it!

Wanna send holiday magic to a long-distance friend? Try one of these Christmas care package ideas!

Unique Christmas gift ideas for friends  

These out-of-the-box ideas are sure to get a reaction out of your lucky recipient. Whether that’s a belly laugh, tears of joy or something else entirely…we can’t predict.

  • Socks or a pillow with their pet’s face. 
  • Can the gift solve a problem for them? Like something you’ve specifically heard them complain about, like their cheese grater is terrible but they just won’t get themselves a new/better one for whatever reason. 
  • A digital frame preloaded with lots of fave pictures together. 
  • Tickets to a unique activity you’d both enjoy doing—indoor rock climbing, skydiving, etc.  
  • Cool charcuterie board.  
  • Fancy drinkware set. 
  • Cute vintage salt and pepper shakers. 
  • A new craft kit.
  • Robot vacuum. 
  • Framed artwork—by you or a local artist. 
  • A nightlight, like this Star Wars™ Rotating Nightlight With Music. Is it still socially acceptable for me to have a nightlight at 24? Debatable. Do I still plan on having one literally forever? Absolutely.
  • Tickets to a museum. 
  • Fun virtual album with photos and video clips of the friendship. 
  • A donation to an organization or cause they love (animals, literacy, environment, etc.). 
  • Gift basket for at-home movie night with Hallmark Channel merch. 
  • A plant in a cute pot—or a new pot for one of their existing plants. 
  • Apron, grill mitt or grill tools for the one who grills. 
  • Merch from their fave podcast. 
  • Video game gift card, with a card to match. 
  • A poster that features the “movie” of your friendship. What would the title be?
  • Mini driving range to go in the backyard or basement, etc. 
  • Make-your-own-beer or wine kit. 
  • Something to tinker with and/or build, like a model kit.
  • Outdoorsy stuff: trail snacks, survival kits, fishing lures or accessories, etc. 
  • Vinyl record find—used or new. 
  • Subscription to their favorite news source or online newsletter.
  • Subscription to their favorite magazine.
  • Gift basket with beard or hair products that are locally made. 
  • Small replica of their favorite car or superhero. 

DIY Christmas gift ideas for friends  

If you have a little time, personalized gifts are always a great route! You don’t need to be a craft expert to put these sweet ideas together:

  • Cocktail-in-a-jar: All the spices, seasonings and citrus you need for a cocktail plus a little bottle of their favorite spirit. Tie a bow around the lid with a tag that includes instructions for making. 
  • Custom T-shirt with an inside joke or other shared memory/reference/nostalgia. 
  • Scrapbook of memories together—especially fun if you’re childhood friends and have pics to prove it! 
  • A handknit scarf in their favorite colors. 
  • A good, old-fashioned playlist! Be sure to include songs that have meaning for you both and ones that jog favorite memories. 
  • Jars of homemade pumpkin spice latte mix. 
  • Sew an easy tote bag in a fabric you know they’ll love, like a favorite color or patterned with a favorite character.
  • Their favorite cookies/brownies/bars, whether homemade or store-bought. Here’s a cute way to wrap them!
  • Create a cookbook of your favorite meals you’ve eaten together along with photos of the two of you inside. 

Last-minute Christmas gift ideas for friends  

It’s hours before the Secret Santa party, and you totally forgot to find your recipient a gift. No need to hang your head in shame—I’m not the elf patrol! We’ve got ideas below approved by our most trusted, professional procrastinator (don’t look at me like that…):

  • A gift card to their favorite bookstore. 
  • A gift card to a local movie theater. 
  • Better Togethers or any adorable stuffed animal. 
  • Merch from their favorite local restaurant or bar (T-shirts, coozies, etc.). 
  • A gift basket full of things from their fave fandom or franchise.
  • A Hallmark+ gift subscription! You can get it in minutes.
  • Flowers or a small plant. 
  • A mug from a favorite show, movie, etc., filled with their favorite candy or treat. 

Christmas gift ideas for work friends  

Share some holiday spirit with trusted managers and mentors, co-workers or the forever friends who started as your desk neighbors.

  • A plant or gift card to a local plant nursery. 
  • A pound of coffee beans from a local roaster/coffee shop. 
  • For school friends, find some funny socks that are almost too ridiculous to wear, like a dare. 
  • A basket of meats, cheeses and crackers from a local restaurant or artisanal market. 
  • A class pass to a local yoga or fitness studio you know they enjoy. 
  • Admission to a local museum. 
  • A handmade coupon or gift certificate for a few homemade meals from you (if you’re a good cook, that is). 
  • An indoor s’more kit. 
  • A “get some good sleep” kit: eye mask, ear plugs, white noise machine, essential oil. 
  • A nice planner for the new year. 
  • Gift card to a local lunch spot. 
  • A custom notebook (yes, I’ve been gifted this). 
  • A 12-pack of ramen or a basket of ramen in a bunch of different flavors.
  • Personalized stationery, nice pens and sticky notes in fun shapes and colors. 
  • A Hallmark All-Occasion Card Box. 😉 
  • School or alma mater merch—hats, sweatshirts, etc. 
  • A funny mug for their office. 
  • Premium pencils, especially if they’re an artist or designer. 
  • Coffee gift card—or surprise them by bringing them their favorite (non-alcoholic) beverage at school or work. 
  • Take them out to lunch to a spot of their choice. 

Inexpensive Christmas gifts for friends  

A gift doesn’t have to be expensive to be special or meaningful. These gifts pack all the feels without stealing all your pennies. 

  • A used book, either thrifted or from your personal library and inscribed by you. 
  • Interesting, weird or favorite snacks/treats. 
  • Mini ornaments they’ll love! 
  • itty bittys® that speak to their fandom. 
  • A Hallmark + Venmo card with $ for coffee.
  • Tea towel with their favorite animal or character on it or a beloved vacation destination/bucket-list-type locale represented. 
  • Fancy cocktail garnishes, like a jar of nice olives or cherries. 
  • Pineapple corer, avocado slicer or other specialized kitchen gadget you think they’d use. 
  • A really nice candle with a cozy, seasonal scent. 
  • A few pairs of premium socks. 
  • A picture of you two together in a nice frame. 
  • Some cozy Christmas PJs. 
  • A silly seasonal sweater. 

I can’t tell if it’s from too much eggnog or all these great Christmas gift ideas for friends, but I’m ready to start my holiday shopping IMMEDIATELY. No promises, but this just might be the year I stop procrastinating on that. Or maybe I’ll save it for a New Year’s resolution. 😂

 

Still need Christmas presents for more people on your list? Check these out: