A long distance relationship gift has a strange job. It has to stand in for a person. It sits on the nightstand when they can't, and it fills the quiet after the video call ends. The good ones carry a bit of the other person across the miles. The great ones give you something to look forward to.
Below are six ideas in two groups: gifts for the time apart, and gifts for the time together. We make one of them, and we've been honest about where it fits.
What a long distance relationship gift needs to do
Distance changes what a gift is for. At home, a present is a nice moment. Across three time zones, it's proof you're thinking about each other on an ordinary night. That shifts the checklist.
- It should be touchable. Texts are constant. Something you can hold is rare.
- It should be about the two of you. Inside jokes beat anything from a catalog.
- It should point forward. The next visit is the light at the end of the tunnel. A gift that leans toward it helps.
One gift rarely does all three. That is why the list below is split in half.
Gifts for the miles in between
1. A stack of open-when letters
Write a handful of sealed letters, each labeled for a moment. Open when you miss me. Open when you had a bad day. Open when you can't sleep. Tuck a printed photo into each one, so every envelope has a face inside.
Good for: anyone who loves words. The catch: writing ten heartfelt letters takes real time. Start early and write one a night.
2. A hoodie that smells like you
Wear it for a week. Spritz your usual scent on the collar. Mail it off. It sounds silly until you see how often it gets worn.
Good for: the partner who steals your clothes anyway. The catch: the scent fades, so plan a swap on every visit.
3. Two copies of the same book
Buy two copies and read a chapter each night, then talk about it on your call. Write little notes in the margins of theirs before you send it. A book of short poems works well, since one poem a night is easy to keep up.
Good for: couples who run out of things to say on calls. The catch: one of you will read ahead. Agree on the rules.
Gifts for the time together
4. A memory card game of your relationship so far
This is the one we make. Matchy Matchy Memory turns your photos into a matching card game, from $19.99. Fill it with the airport hellos, the first visit, the screenshot of a midnight call where you both fell asleep. On the next visit, play it over breakfast.
Good for: couples who like a slow night in when they finally share a couch. The catch: it's a game, so it shines when there's someone to play with. Between visits it waits on a shelf, a little stack of your best moments.
5. A map of both cities joined by a line
Print the two maps side by side, one for each home, with a line drawn between them. It turns the distance into something you can point at. Add the number of miles in small print beside the line.
Good for: couples who like a visual reminder on the wall. The catch: when you finally close the gap, the map becomes history. Many couples love it for exactly that reason.
6. A planned weekend in an envelope
Pick a city halfway between you. Plan the route, the food and one silly activity. Seal the plan in an envelope and hand it over on a call. Even a plain motel feels like a holiday after a long stretch apart.
Good for: couples who need something on the calendar to count down to. The catch: it takes real planning and travel money, so it suits a big occasion.
Why a photo game fits a visit
Visits are short and oddly high stakes. You want every hour to count, and sometimes that pressure makes the hours awkward. A game gives the evening an easy shape. You sit across from each other, flip two cards, and every match is a story you both lived.
The best part might be the arguing. Who said what at the airport. Which visit had the snowstorm. It is a way of telling your own story back to each other, one card at a time. For a playful twist, Matchy Matchy Magic re-draws your photos in 3D Film, Watercolor or Anime, from $29.99.
A deck travels well too. It fits in a carry-on, so it can fly back and forth with whoever is visiting. Some couples split the cards and keep half each between visits. On the next trip, the pairs get reunited along with the people.
Collecting photos from two phones
Long distance couples have a funny photo library. Lots of selfies, lots of screenshots, a burst of pictures from every visit. Use all of it.
- Screenshots count. A frozen video call face is part of your story.
- Grab the airport shots. Arrivals and goodbyes are the big moments.
- Start a shared album. Set one up and let the other person add a few favorites without knowing why.
- Pick clear faces. Close shots read best on a card. Skip the wide crowd photos.
Make one for your next visit
Pick the photos of the two of you. Choose real photos or re-drawn ones. Choose 12, 24 or 48 cards. You upload from your phone, and you see your first card before you pay. Shipping is $5, and free when you order 2 or more decks. US only, ships in 3 to 5 business days. Order early if a visit is coming up.
Start with Matchy Matchy Memory for your real photos, or Matchy Matchy Magic to see the two of you re-drawn. Questions? Write to us at hello@matchygame.com.