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Top 5 Heartfelt Gifts That Say ‘I’m Thinking Of You’

Thoughtful Picks to Help a Friend Feel Loved and Seen

Written by Contributing Writer

Even if they haven’t said it (and especially if they have), you know your bestie is in a major stress moment. Maybe it was a breakup. Or some old-fashioned career whiplash. Or just a string of rotten days. Whatever the reason, they need a thoughtful pick-me-up. And that means you need to find them a heartfelt gift that’s just right.

The problem is, it’s easier said than done to find something extraordinary enough to cheer up your BFF. Sure, you could scroll for hours, but you might still end up finding “Meh” items. Lucky you, though: You stumbled on this guide to five truly creative and meaningful gift options that will actually perk up someone you care about, whether that’s a partner, friend, relative, coworker, or boss. (Some people really are close to their boss.)

1. Beyond Believable Foodie Care Packages

What says, “I got you” more than homemade food? But if you don’t have hours to spend crafting the perfect care package, complete with a gorgeous presentation, you have options. You can order a beautiful box of edible goodness online.

To start your journey, start with a curated care package from Spoonful of Comfort featuring soups, sides, and desserts. Plus, every single box comes complete with inspirational sayings and a general feeling of warmth and tenderness. Oh, and it’s super-simple to make additions and exchanges.

Think about it: Everyone has to eat, but no one who’s feeling low wants to take the time to nourish themselves. That’s where your insightful gifting will fill the gap, and fill your favorite someone’s stomach with serious goodness.

2. Personalized Mocktail And Cocktail Recipes

It’s the era of the mocktail and cocktail. Just check out social media. You’ll find a mocktail for every occasion, every ailment, and every day. However, you won’t necessarily find a drink that’s named for your best friend there.

That’s why you’ll appreciate the clever “How to Make a [Name Here]” cocktail book. It’s coolness and fun all wrapped into a personalized recipe book. You could even use nicknames; it’s all up to you.

As a side note, one of the benefits of this book is that it’s eye-catching enough to deserve coffee-table status. Chances are strong that it’ll be displayed right beside the highballs and fancy glasses on your bestie’s or relative’s bar.

3. Innovative Individualized Crafts

If you’re in the mood for a little heartfelt gift surfing, start by browsing custom crafts. From jewelry and woodworking to crocheted stuffed animals and totes, you can pretty much find exactly the right item to counteract life’s unpleasant moments.

That said, exercise a little caution when choosing what to buy. A good rule of thumb is to see how long it will take for your gift to be made and shipped. Some online finds are truly brilliant, but they can take weeks to make. If you need a fast gift, you may have to shop around for a different item.

Of course, you can always ask an online seller if it’s possible to speed up your order. Some may have the capacity to move mountains, so you can move a friend’s heart.

4. Sensational Snack Subscriptions

Who doesn’t like some satisfying nibbles when you’re under the weather or just having one of “those” seasons? To scratch someone’s snacking itch, consider one of the many subscription food box packages offered online.

If you have a bestie who is brave or identifies as a foodie, you might try a unique subscription offering snacks from around the world. Think ramen, chili lime plantain chips, or stroopwafels (might have to look that last one up). No matter whether you choose a candy-of-the-month box or something more exotic, a snack subscription can be customized to your preferred frequency, making it budget-friendly.

It’s hard to deny the smile-inducing properties of a salty or sweet munchie that’s delivered right to your home. Bonus points if you add a subscription for yourself (because self-care matters, too.)

5. A Leaf Of Love

Wrapping up this roundup of gift ideas is a little “wild card” suggestion. If your bestie is a proud, self-proclaimed “plant parent,” sending them a unique new green buddy to add to their collection is basically a guaranteed smile-maker.

But how to pick the perfect plant? Try choosing something with an unusual element. Chartreuse-green or deep red leaves, a flowering plant with a pop of color, or one whose leaves have an unusual texture are each a good bet. Online, ready-to-ship gardens make it easy to find and send the “just right” leafy pick-me-up, with options from charming succulents to statement-making tropicals. Bonus points — they note which plants are pet-friendly, so if your bestie has fur babies, you can keep them safe while helping grow their plant family.

When the people you care about hurt, you hurt along with them. But the surprise of a considerate gift can go a long way toward turning a bad day into a memorable and sweet one.

BDG Media newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.