- LDR Christmas gift
- A holiday gift designed for long distance couples that emphasizes physical comfort, ongoing connection, and shared virtual experiences—acknowledging that while you can't be under the same tree, you can still make the season meaningful together.
Christmas apart is hard. There's no way around it. Everyone's posting family photos and couple shots, and you're video calling between holiday chaos trying to find a quiet moment to say "I love you."
The gift won't fix the distance. But the right gift can create a moment of connection that makes the holiday feel a little less lonely.
Here are 16 Christmas gifts organized by what they offer—comfort, connection, or experience.
Cozy & Comfort Christmas Gifts
The holidays are about warmth and comfort. These gifts help fill the physical absence you're both feeling.
1. Weighted Blanket — Best for Physical Comfort
The closest thing to a hug when you can't hug. Weighted blankets (12-20 lbs based on body weight) activate the parasympathetic nervous system, creating genuine physical calm. On Christmas morning, they can wrap up in something that feels like comfort. Available in various colors and weights.
$50-120
2. Matching Holiday Pajama Sets
Open presents in the same outfit, just on video call. Quality flannel or cotton sets in coordinating holiday patterns. Creates adorable video call moments and becomes a yearly tradition. Some couples order the same exact set; others get complementary patterns.
$50-100
3. Quality Slippers + Fuzzy Socks Bundle
Cozy things that keep them comfortable all winter. Quality slippers last years, and fuzzy socks feel like a small luxury. Include a note about how you wish you could warm their feet yourself. A practical gift that shows you care about their daily comfort.
$30-60
4. Blanket with Your Scent
This one requires planning: sleep with a quality blanket (fleece or cotton work best) for a week or more before shipping. Spray lightly with your cologne or perfume. Ship it in a sealed bag to preserve the scent. Include a note explaining that when the scent fades, they can spray it again with your fragrance. Emotionally, this is one of the most meaningful gifts possible.
$30-70
5. Personalized Holiday Ornament
Something for their tree that represents your relationship. Custom ornaments with your photo, meaningful coordinates, or "First Christmas Apart" messaging. Becomes part of their holiday tradition year after year. Every time they decorate, they think of you.
$15-40
Tech Connection Christmas Gifts
Christmas is a great time to invest in connection tools you'll use throughout the year.
6. Touch Lamps
The classic LDR connection tool. Touch your lamp, theirs lights up anywhere in the world. Christmas morning, tap to say "I'm awake thinking of you." Set up color meanings—red for love, green for holiday spirit, blue for "call me when you can." No subscription fees, just WiFi.
$85-170
Our complete touch lamp comparison →
7. Digital Photo Frame — Pre-loaded
A digital frame that displays a shared photo stream. Pre-load it with your favorite photos from the year before wrapping. Either of you can add photos via app, creating a continuously evolving memory wall. Their Christmas gift becomes an ongoing reminder of your love.
$100-200
8. Quality Webcam Upgrade
Better video calls, better connection. If your partner is still using a laptop's built-in camera, an external webcam transforms every future call. Better lighting, better focus, sharper image. A practical gift that improves every holiday call going forward.
$80-150
9. Touch Bracelets
The wearable version of touch lamps. Tap yours, theirs vibrates. Feel their "touch" on your wrist throughout Christmas day, even when you can't be on video. Subtle enough to wear during family gatherings. A private connection that's always with them.
$70-150
Experience-Based Christmas Gifts
10. Flight Credits Toward Next Visit
The ultimate LDR Christmas gift: money toward seeing each other. Put funds toward airline gift cards or directly book the next trip. Nothing says "I love you" like reducing the time until you're together. Wrap a card showing the dates you've booked or credits you've loaded.
Variable
11. Couples Retreat Booking
Book something for the future—a weekend getaway, a nice hotel, an experience you'll share when you're reunited. The gift is the anticipation as much as the trip itself. Include reservation details wrapped in a pretty card.
Variable
12. Date Night Subscription (3-6 months)
Services that send coordinated date night activities monthly. Some include virtual options designed specifically for long distance. Christmas gift becomes months of planned connection. Takes the "what should we do?" planning pressure off future video calls.
$100-250
LDR Advent Calendar Ideas
Create your own 25-day countdown to Christmas. These take time to prepare but create ongoing connection throughout December:
13. Photo Advent Calendar
25 of your favorite photos, one revealed each day. Can be digital (scheduled messages/emails) or physical (printed photos in numbered envelopes). Include captions explaining why each photo matters to you. By Christmas, they've relived 25 moments from your relationship.
Free-$30
14. Reasons Advent Calendar
"25 Reasons I Love You"—one reason revealed each day. Write each on a small card or paper, seal in numbered envelopes. Be specific: not "you're smart" but "the way you explained that movie ending to me when I was confused." Specificity creates meaning.
$5-15
15. Memory Advent Calendar
"25 of My Favorite Memories with You." Similar format, but focused on moments you've shared. Great for couples with longer histories. Can include photos, ticket stubs, or mementos from each memory. Creates a nostalgic journey through your relationship.
$10-30
16. Mini Gift Advent
Small treats, notes, or items for each day of December. Candy, tea bags, small trinkets, love notes, discount codes for things they like. Requires more planning and shipping cost but creates daily moments of connection. Ship the whole calendar early with strict "open one per day" instructions.
$30-75
Virtual Christmas Ideas
The gift is only part of it. Plan how you'll spend Christmas together virtually:
- Open gifts simultaneously on video call. Ship gifts early with instructions not to open until the call. Watch each other's reactions in real time. The anticipation and their genuine surprise is a gift to you.
- Cook the same Christmas meal together. Pick a recipe, buy matching ingredients, cook on video call. Eat "together" even when apart. Some couples do this for Christmas Eve dinner.
- Watch holiday movies together. Use Netflix Party, Disney+ GroupWatch, or similar to synchronize playback. Watch your favorite holiday movies side by side, even across time zones.
- Create a yearly tradition. Something you can do every Christmas, together or apart. Same movie, same meal, same video call time. Traditions create continuity and something to look forward to.
- Play holiday games. Virtual games like Jackbox Party Packs, online board games, or couples trivia with holiday themes. Keep the energy fun and interactive.
Christmas Shipping Deadlines
Don't let your gift arrive after Christmas. These are typical US domestic deadlines—check carrier websites for current year specifics:
| Carrier/Service | Ship By |
|---|---|
| USPS Ground Advantage | December 14 |
| USPS Priority Mail | December 18 |
| UPS Ground | December 15 |
| FedEx Ground | December 15 |
| Express Options | December 21-22 (expensive) |
International shipping: Start 3-4 weeks early, minimum. Customs delays are unpredictable during the holidays.
Always have a backup: A digital gift (playlist, video message, e-gift card) ready in case physical shipping is delayed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's a good Christmas gift for a long distance partner?
- Cozy comfort items like weighted blankets ($50-120) and matching pajamas ($50-100) work especially well for Christmas, as does tech that enables daily connection like touch lamps ($85-170). Consider combining a physical gift with experience gifts like flight credits toward your next visit.
- When should I ship Christmas gifts for long distance?
- For domestic US shipping: USPS Ground by December 14, Priority by December 18. UPS/FedEx Ground by December 15. International shipping should be done 3-4 weeks early. Always check carrier websites for current year deadlines, and have a backup digital gift ready.
- How do you make Christmas special in a long distance relationship?
- Create shared virtual traditions: open gifts simultaneously on video call (ship early!), cook the same Christmas meal together, watch holiday movies via streaming party apps, and establish traditions you can continue every year. The combination of thoughtful gifts and planned shared experiences makes the holiday meaningful.
- What are good LDR advent calendar ideas?
- DIY advent calendars work beautifully for LDR: photo advent (one favorite photo revealed each day), reasons advent (25 reasons I love you), memory advent (25 favorite memories together), or mini gift advent with small treats and notes for each day of December.
- Should I send a blanket with my scent for Christmas?
- Yes—this is one of the most emotionally meaningful LDR gifts. Sleep with or wear the blanket for several nights before shipping so it absorbs your natural scent and cologne/perfume. Include a note explaining the scent will fade over time but they can spray it with your fragrance to refresh it.
More occasion guides: Anniversary · Valentine's Day · Birthday. See all options in our complete gift guide.