We found 31 meaningful gifts your best friends will love | CNN Underscored (2024)

The perfect addition to any movie night, this reusable popcorn popper takes up basically no counter space and is incredibly easy to use. Try testing out different seasonings or toppings as a fun way to spice up any evening at home.

We love a conversation-starting piece, and this set of upcycled record coasters is great for any music lover. The coasters are made from labels cut from actual vinyl records, which are then sealed to keep them (and your table) free from moisture. Each set is one of a kind and will include a variety of music genres, so part of the fun is seeing what you end up with.

For the bestie who loves a good game night, this friendship-themed game is packed with 150 questions that are aimed at deepening the existing connections you have with the other players. Throughout the game, which is designed for two to six people, you’ll learn more about one another and grow even closer.

One of the best tinted lip balms we’ve tested this year, Summer Fridays’ 100% vegan and cruelty-free lip balm is luxurious, super conditioning and smells absolutely irresistible. Each shade and scent is subtle and versatile, so you can’t go wrong with whichever option you choose to gift.

For the friend who has everything they need, something luxurious and sentimental can be the perfect way to add a bit of joy to everyday objects. This monogram trinket dish is just that, and it’s perfect for storing jewelry, nostalgic mementos or everyday essentials.

Whether you’re looking for a gift for an experienced baker or someone hoping to dip their toes into the world of baking, Claire Saffitz’s latest dessert cookbook is even more approachable and practical than her last. Packed with 100 recipes for all types of sweet treats ranging from soufflés to loaf cakes, it’s focused on simple recipes for everyday desserts.

Hair clips are the ultimate everyday hair accessory, and they’re a great gifting option because you know they’ll get ample use. These gorgeous tortoise options are super stylish and affordable — maybe even enough to pick up a second set for yourself.

For the reader in your life, these soft and flexible silicone sprouts are great (and adorable) bookmarks. The material is squishy enough to easily fit between the pages of your book, while the spout’s root is small enough to mark the line you left off on so you can pick right back up without searching through the page.

This unique pine tree might look similar to its temperate relatives, but it’s actually a tropical evergreen native to Norfolk Island, located off the coast of Australia. Perfect for the plant-loving friend who’s ready for a new challenge, this petite pine can thrive indoors all year round.

Huggie earrings are always a good option when it comes to gifting jewelry. They’re comfortable, easy to style and timeless. This heart-shaped option from Kendra Scott is the perfect way to remind your friend of the love you have for them, and it’s available in eight different colors.

There’s nothing like making new memories with your best friend, and this scratch-off scrapbook is packed with unique, fun and creative ideas that’ll inspire new adventures together.

Whether it’s to remind them of an unforgettable road trip or your shared favorite city, Homesick’s uniquely scented candles are a great way to evoke a cherished memory — perfect for the sentimental friend.

If you have a friend who spends a lot of time at their desk, brighten up their workspace with this deliciously sweet yet functional organizer. What initially appears to be a decorative pear opens up to reveal compartments for all your office essentials.

Did they show up to your Friendsgiving with dishes that have definitely seen better days? If so, consider gifting them this adorable 8-inch ceramic baking dish. It literally checks all the boxes: It’s dishwasher-, oven-, freezer- and microwave-safe.

The wintertime can be tough on your skin, and this gift set is a mini spa day in a box. It’s packed with some of our all-time favorite body care products like the KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub, which targets those pesky keratosis pilaris bumps commonly found on the back of arms.

If they’re always down to split a bottle of wine with you, pair this sleek, easy-to-use stainless steel bottle opener with their go-to varietal for the perfect gift.

Basically a grown-up version of the classic childhood friendship bracelet, this custom cord bracelet is a fun way to match with your bestie and have a cute piece of jewelry. The best part is that you don’t have to worry about sizing since the cord is easy to adjust to any wrist size.

Beloved for their modern and sophisticated scents, Boy Smells candles are perfect for ... anyone really. This stunning set of three bestsellers is perfect for someone looking to get better acquainted with the brand or who’s been dying to try them out.

Turn your favorite pictures (and memories) into physical mementos with this compact smartphone printer. Simply connect your phone to the printer via an app and you’re ready to go! You also have the option to customize your prints through different editing capabilities, print modes and image color options.

UnHide creates 100% cruelty-free blankets (and more) that are unbelievably soft, cozy and warm. For anyone who loves a movie night or snuggling with their pets all day — we can attest to the fact that dogs and cats are certifiably obsessed with these blankets — this is what we’re opting for every time.

Glossier’s latest perfume is formulated to enhance your personal skin scent, which makes it a wonderful gifting option. While the product wears and smells a bit different on everyone, it’s described as generally soft yet warm, slightly sweet and, most importantly, familiar.

For the friend who’s always lugging around their water bottle, we’ve got the perfect gift option for you. Ideal for gym rats, avid hikers or just people running errands, this chic yet super-practical sling is made from premium neoprene and eight recycled bottles. In addition to a handy adjustable crossbody strap, it has built-in pockets for your phone, AirPods and any other small essentials you might want to take with you.

When it comes to shopping for your beauty-loving friends, going with a specific product can be a bit risky: You have to consider different shades and formulations and the list goes on. We recommend opting for something more universal, like this super-chic sensor mirror. It boasts Simplehuman’s tru-lux light system, a travel-friendly pouch and an ergonomic ring handle, making it particularly perfect for travel.

This on-trend sweater is the perfect way to subtly wear your love for your bestie right on your sleeve — literally. The cuff text can be customized to include a best friend couple name, a friend group name or each other’s names.

For your BFF who loves staying active, this kit from the internet-fave workout brand Bala has everything you need to make your next at-home workout feel like you’re at a boutique studio. It comes with a Pilates ball, three resistance bands and the brand’s famous Bala Bangles, which can be used to add extra weight around your wrists or ankles.

For the fashionable friend who wants something a bit more polished than your everyday belt bag, this phone-sized tote is a gorgeous yet equally easy-going alternative. It’s made from the soft, lightweight Italian pebbled leather that Cuyana’s loved for, and the addition of a wide, detachable strap makes it easy to style in multiple ways.

For the friend who loves all things luxury, it can be a challenge to find something reasonably priced that they’ll actually love and use. We suggest opting for something simple yet stunning, like this incredibly soft 100% cashmere wrap. It’s a gorgeous, versatile option that you can wear in tons of different ways to complement any winter outfit.

We’re longtime fans of the classic Always Pan, but this mini version has a special place in our heart and on our stovetops. Perfect for prepping single-portion meals or sides, it boasts all the same technology and versatility as the original size. It’s a perfect gift for the home cook that may already have all their essentials covered or someone looking to start cooking more.

There’s nothing like reminding your long-distance bestie of how much they mean to you. With these sweet friendship lamps, you can easily connect with one (or more) meaningful people in your life no matter where they are in the world. Simply touch yours and theirs will emit a soft, colorful glow.

Aritzia’s Super Puff line of jackets is a cult fave for a reason. Perfect for transitional weather, stylish layering or more moderate climates, it’s available in tons of different colors and finishes and is sure to become a staple in your fashion-loving friend’s winter rotation.

For the friend who has just about everything, a personalized pillow is the perfect way to give them a truly thoughtful and one-of-a-kind piece of decor. Choose from various themes like “cabin,” “pet” or “wedding” to match your giftee’s home aesthetic, and the name, monogram or location you choose to include will be hand-hooked into the pillow’s design.