Best Long Distance Gifts Under $25

Budget-friendly LDR gift

A long distance relationship gift under $25 that prioritizes thoughtfulness, personalization, and emotional resonance over expensive technology or luxury items—proving that meaningful connection doesn't require significant spending.

Okay, real talk: not everyone has $100 to drop on a touch lamp, and that's totally fine. Some of the best LDR gifts I've ever given (or received) cost less than a decent dinner out.

The secret? Thoughtfulness beats price tag every single time. A $15 gift that shows you actually pay attention to your partner's life will land harder than a $200 generic necklace. Trust me on this.

Here are 15 gifts under $25 that genuinely feel special, organized by what makes them work.

Quick Picks Under $25

Best Sentimental Gifts Under $25

1. Open When Letters — Our Top Pick

This is the gift that keeps on giving, even though it costs almost nothing. You write letters for specific moments: "Open when you miss me," "Open when you need a laugh," "Open when you can't sleep," "Open when you're having a bad day."

You can buy pre-made kits with prompts and decorated envelopes, or DIY it completely. Either way, the magic is in the personalization. Each letter becomes a piece of you they can hold onto when you're not there.

Pro tip: Include small things in some envelopes—a tea bag, a photo, their favorite candy, a scratch-off lottery ticket. Makes opening them even more of an experience. Aim for 10-20 letters so they last months.

$12-18 (kit) or free (DIY)

2. Custom Spotify Keychain

A keychain with your song's Spotify code scannable right from the design. They can actually scan it with their phone to play the song anytime. It's cute, it's functional, and it costs less than a movie ticket. Available on Etsy in various styles—acrylic, wood, metal.

$10-15

3. Photo Wallet Insert

Old school? Maybe. But there's something about reaching for your wallet and seeing your partner's face that phones can't replicate. The physicality matters—it's not just another image in a camera roll of thousands. Go for a quality print from a professional service, not your home printer.

$10-15

4. Customized Photo Magnet Set

A set of small magnets featuring photos from your relationship. For their fridge, locker, or any metal surface they see daily. Some services make Instagram-style square magnets; others do more creative shapes. Pick 6-12 photos that tell a story.

$15-25 for a set

Best Daily-Use Gifts Under $25

5. Matching Phone Cases

Cases with designs that complete each other when you put them together. Hearts that connect, puzzle pieces, landscapes that match up, moon and sun combinations. Something they'll see multiple times per day, every day.

Quality varies wildly on these—check reviews carefully. Cheap ones crack fast or have designs that fade. Spend toward the higher end of the budget for durability.

$15-25 per set

6. Distance Pillow Cases

Pillowcases with phrases like "I sleep with him in [City]" or just your cities/states marked on a map. Some have quotes, others have coordinates. Silly? A little. Comforting at 2 AM when you're missing them? Absolutely.

$20-25 per set

7. Matching Coffee Mugs

For your morning video call coffees. Skip the generic "I love you" prints—look for coordinates of where you met, minimalist designs, matching illustrations, or something that actually looks good in a kitchen. Quality ceramic that won't fade in the dishwasher. Using matching mugs during calls becomes a small ritual.

$20-25 per set

8. Custom Coordinates Bracelet

Simple cord, leather, or beaded bracelet with the coordinates of a meaningful location stamped or engraved. Where you met, where you had your first date, where you'll eventually live together. Subtle enough to wear daily with any outfit, meaningful when you know what the numbers represent.

$15-25

Best Creative Gifts Under $25

9. LDR Date Night Jar

Fill a jar (or buy a pre-made kit) with date night ideas that work over video call. "Watch a documentary together," "Cook the same recipe," "Take a virtual museum tour," "Play online games," "Do a wine/beer tasting," "Read the same book chapter." Pull one out whenever you need inspiration for your next call.

You can make this for almost nothing with popsicle sticks and a mason jar, or buy prettier pre-made versions.

$15-20 (or free DIY)

10. Long Distance Relationship Journal

Journals with prompts specifically for LDR couples. Questions about your relationship, space to document visits, places to paste photos and ticket stubs, prompts about your future together. Some couples trade the journal back and forth, filling it out during visits. A nice keepsake once the distance ends.

$15-22

11. Custom Map Print

A map showing both your locations with a heart (or line) connecting them. Print it yourself on quality paper, or order from print services. Frame it with a dollar store frame painted nice, and you've got a $15 version of something that looks like it cost $50.

$10-20

Best "Just Because" Gifts Under $25

12. Surprise Snack Delivery

Use a delivery app (Instacart, DoorDash, local grocery delivery) to send their favorite snacks to their door on a random Tuesday. No occasion needed. Just "I was thinking about you and your weird obsession with those spicy chips." The surprise factor makes it memorable.

$15-25

13. Handwritten Letter + Quality Stationery

I know, I know. But when was the last time you actually received a handwritten letter? Buy nice stationery ($5-10 for a quality set), write something real—not just "I miss you" but specific memories, what you're looking forward to, what they mean to you. Mail it. The physicality of holding something they wrote matters more than people think.

Why handwritten letters still matter →

Free-$10

14. Custom Playlist + Printed Track List

Create a playlist for them on Spotify—songs that remind you of them, that capture your relationship, that you want to experience together. Then design and print the tracklist nicely (Canva is free) with a note about why you chose each song. Mail the physical tracklist with maybe some candy or photos. The playlist is free; the thoughtfulness is what costs.

Free-$10

15. Care Package Essentials

Assemble a small care package with items under the total budget: their favorite candy, a small candle, a face mask, a tea or coffee sample, a handwritten note, maybe a photo or small trinket. The combination of multiple small thoughtful items often feels more generous than one $25 thing.

$15-25 total

Budget Gift Tips

A few things I've learned writing about budget gifts:

1. Shipping counts toward budget. A $15 gift with $10 shipping is a $25 gift. Factor it in from the start. Some vendors offer free shipping with longer delivery windows—plan ahead.
2. Time is free. DIY elements—handwritten notes, custom playlists, thoughtful curation—add significant value without adding cost. The time you invest is visible in the final gift.
3. Specificity wins. A $20 gift that references a specific inside joke, memory, or thing they mentioned casually beats a $50 generic present every time. The message is "I pay attention to you."
4. Presentation matters. Take time with wrapping and notes. The experience of opening something is half the gift. Nice tissue paper costs $3 and makes everything feel more special.
5. Combine physical and digital. A physical item plus a digital add-on (playlist, video message, scheduled texts) creates more moments from one gift.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best long distance gift under $25?

Open When Letters ($12-18) are our top pick—they're deeply personal, can be customized endlessly, and create ongoing moments of connection. For something more practical, matching phone cases or coffee mugs ($15-25) serve as daily reminders of your relationship.

Do cheap gifts seem less thoughtful?

Not at all. Thoughtfulness beats price every time. A $15 gift that shows you pay attention to your partner's life—referencing inside jokes, their specific interests, or meaningful moments—will mean more than an expensive generic item. The effort and personalization matter more than the cost.

How can I make a cheap gift feel more special?

Presentation and personalization are key. Take time with wrapping and include a handwritten note. Add DIY elements like a custom playlist or personal letter. Reference specific inside jokes or memories. The experience of opening something thoughtfully presented is half the gift itself.

Should I include shipping costs in my budget?

Always. A $15 gift with $10 shipping is effectively a $25 gift. Many budget-friendly options have reasonable shipping, but international deliveries can add significant cost. Plan ahead to avoid rush fees, and consider digital add-ons (playlists, video messages) that cost nothing to deliver.

Are DIY gifts better than bought ones?

DIY gifts can be incredibly meaningful because they represent invested time and thought. A handwritten letter, custom playlist, or homemade care package shows effort. However, the best approach often combines: a purchased item that's well-chosen, plus DIY elements like handwritten notes or personalized additions.

Got a bit more budget? Check out our gifts under $50. Looking for something unique? See our unique gift ideas, or browse the full long distance relationship gift guide.