Confession time: I'm a professional gift-giver. That's literally been my job for the past five years—first at a lifestyle publication, now here at PRESENCE.
I've written about gifts for every occasion you can imagine (and some you probably can't). But LDR gifts are different. They're not just presents—they're stand-ins for your actual presence. They have to do more than look nice in an unboxing video. They have to actually mean something.
My Gift Philosophy
Here's what I've learned after writing approximately one million gift guides: the best gifts are specific. Not expensive—specific.
A $200 generic necklace says "I bought you jewelry." A $25 keychain with the coordinates of where you first met says "I remember the exact moment this started."
That's what I look for when putting together recommendations. Not "will this photograph well?" but "will this actually make someone feel loved?" Those aren't always the same thing.
My LDR Story
Two years during grad school. Austin to Chicago. My boyfriend (now husband) got into a program in Chicago right when I was starting mine in Texas. Classic timing.
We saw each other about once a month—sometimes more, sometimes less depending on deadlines and bank accounts. The gifts we sent each other became these little highlights in otherwise stressful weeks. Nothing huge, usually. A care package with his favorite coffee. A silly card for no reason. A Spotify playlist when I couldn't find the right words.
Those small gestures added up. They were how we said "I'm still here" when we couldn't actually be there.
What I Write About
Gift guides are my specialty—but not the kind where I just list 50 products I've never touched. Every recommendation comes from actual use or thorough research. I'm especially focused on:
- Budget options — Not everyone has $100 to spend on a gift. I find things that work for real budgets.
- Occasion guides — Valentine's Day, anniversaries, random Tuesdays. Different moments call for different gifts.
- DIY ideas — Sometimes the best gifts are the ones you make yourself, even if you don't consider yourself crafty.
Background
- Background in lifestyle and culture writing
- Focused on gift guides, product recommendations, and relationship content
- Two years personal LDR experience (now married, finally in the same city)
- Based in Austin, TX