Sending love over a long distance can be difficult – especially when you want to do it every now and then. How many times do you break your head looking for presents for a family that probably has everything?
Bonobology’s List Of 21 Long Distance Family Gifts Ideas
Look no further, because we understand how important your family is to you – whether you’re able to meet them or not, we understand the importance of you wanting to reach out to your family from time to time over the distance. Since the easiest way to do this is through presents, we have created the ultimate list of unique presents to send to your family members that live miles away. This list contains not just any presents, but these present ideas are definitely going to make your family both emotionally happy as well as want to utilize the presents, and keep them occupied until you visit the next time!
1. Cheese Board
The board comes equipped with a spreader, fork, cheese knives and cheese markers which are all made out of stainless steel, thus giving it a very premium and elegant finish and making it a hit for a small gathering or a large party alike. The tools are placed inside a little concealed drawer in the board and what’s best – the board is easily washable and weighs just under 6 pounds – portable to carry around and easily manageable. In that case, this present will probably be the best idea for you (and make them think of you each time they use it). This Malvern Cheese Board has an array of features on its bamboo base – it has a broad serving area, and has a curve etched in all around the board for placing crackers.
2. Hug Pillow
The fox has a lot of personality and can be used as a home décor item as well – it looks like a small family pet with its beaded eyes, perky ears and nose and is great for spending a lazy day in reading a book, taking a nap or watching some Netflix. Each time your family misses you, all they need to do is give this pillow a nice big hug. This soft pillow is four feet long and crafted with ultra-soft polyester fibers.
3. Personalised Map on a Wooden Block
You can even customize the colours and the pattern and what makes each piece unique is that it is handmade. You can even have alternate text printed on the block. The block is eco-friendly and made with a mahogany finish to give it that elegant and warm touch, and can be either hung up on a wall, or put as a mantelpiece, or on a shelf. It’s a great present for your parents or your grandparents.
4. Nostalgic Coffee Mugs
These mugs are made of metal and keep beverages warm for a long time because of their insulated insides – the mugs are durable and lightweight and can be customized to include the map of a city or a state in your favourite colour to share with a distant loved one. How about getting them a set of nostalgic coffee mugs to remind them of you every morning when they drink their coffee? Get your family personalised coffee mugs they can use in the morning, through the day, or even carry on road trips or use at campfires.
5. Multiple Time Zone Clock
These multiple time zone clocks add great value to household décor while giving your family real time updates on your time zone.
6. Scented Candles
The stickers on the candles say “light when you miss me”, perfect for lighting up on a reminiscent or nostalgic evening when your family members are missing you and just need a little comfort or a hug from you. Perfect for any occasion, you can send individual pieces or a set of few different scents to your family.
7. Standees for tablets / iPads
Find the one that will look great as not just an item to pull out when they’re getting ready for a video call, but something that can be used as a permanent stand on their shelf or mantel to hold their tablet or iPad.
8. Touch Lamps
Find the one that will look great as not just an item to pull out when they’re getting ready for a video call, but something that can be used as a permanent stand on their shelf or mantel to hold their tablet or iPad. They can put it on their bedside as a reading lamp and use the dim lighting to read before they go to bed, or use it as a night light or office desk lamp. This lamp has multiple uses and emits a warm LED light which doesn’t strain the eyes. It has USB ports and does not take up a lot of room and is a great way to tell someone to help someone think of you every now and then.
9. Mini Photo Printer
This photo printer can be easily connected to any phone via Bluetooth and you can immediately print photos to add to a scrapbook, to albums, print polaroid sized photos to brighten up walls, softboards or stick photos on your fridge – this gift makes for a perfect throwback to the good old days! So, gift your family member this nifty and portable smartphone photo printer and travel down memory lane as you print photos right off your phone/tablet gallery.
10. Luggage
This statement luggage piece is a great way to ask someone to just pack a bag for the weekend and get ready to take a trip. It has a waterproof side pocket and can accommodate wet umbrellas/ water bottles. The bag is made with tough fabric and can be stowed away in an airplane seat or tight overhead compartment, as required. It also has a roller, so does not necessarily need to be slung on your back.
11. Greeting Cards / Notecards
12. Long Distance Keychains
The keychain is made of good quality aluminium and comes wrapped in a beautiful organza bag. The keychain is also an affordable present and a constant reminder to your family of not just you, but all other members whose names will be etched onto it. Label them accordingly so they are opened and read when they miss you, when they need a quick pick me up or when they need a laugh – the memories are limitless, so write away and post them! These personalised keychains allow you to etch in the names of all family members along with their birthstones on the metal – if you don’t know their stone, simply send their birth date information.
13. Family Board Games – Kids Against Maturity
This is a game where amusing and hilarious responses win – each player gets a set of white answer cards and gets a turn at asking the blue question cards – the person asking the questions chooses the funniest fitting answer to the blue question card. This game is a perfect way to spend a lovely evening and bring the entire family together through laughs. The game has cards that have funny toilet humor as well as funny innuendos that adults can enjoy. This version comes equipped with an expansion pack for more card options to be played with larger groups of people, or just people that can’t get enough and love playing every other weekend.
14. Indoor S’mores Maker
15. Hope you Brought Your Wine – Doormat
The doormat is easily washable and the coir makes it long lasting and durable. It comes in a few colours and can be placed either outside the house, or make for a wonderful statement piece outside the kitchen or study. Ask your family to have a wonderful day indoors by plugging this heater into an electric outlet, putting on a nice movie, and getting cozy with the best snacks ever. This electric component includes two stainless steel roasting forks and comes equipped with trays that can be easily disassembled and cleaned. It is easy to store and can even be used at small parties or get togethers as a s’more station. The doormat is easily washable and the coir makes it long lasting and durable. It comes in a few colours and can be placed either outside the house, or make for a wonderful statement piece outside the kitchen or study.
16. Lightweight Hammock
The cloth is made of a very snug and comfortable brushed nylon fabric and it can hold weight up to 400 pounds. Worried about storing it properly? This hammock is portable and can be packed into a small integrated stuff sack. So, no matter what the occasion, your family can easily take the hammock out, carry it on a road trip or even use it indoors if there are young kids around who want a novel playtime. Easy to put together, this hammock can be strung between trees and comes with a set of tree saver straps and carabiners.
17. Sweet Choice Box
With a mix of chewy bars, chips, granola bars, edible straws, pretzels, cookies and other snacking items, this Sweet Choice Box is a great gift for someone that has a sweet and savoury tooth! This assortment of flavours is sure to pack a punch and keep your loved ones occupied on their Netflix nights in!
18. Matching Pyjama sets
Send your family a pair of personalised pyjamas and wear them together over a long-distance video call. You can choose the text, the images, the colours and the sizes – what’s best, pyjamas are a great gift for any family member.
19. Cocktail Recipe Book
This interesting cocktail book by Kim Davies will guide your family on both contemporary and modern cocktails so gather your bar ingredients and get ready to learn the skills of a bespoke bartender to stir up a bar storm.
20. Face Plant Holder
This planter is a great décor item for the living room or study and makes for both a great flowery friend as well as an eyeglass holder. The ceramic surface can also be drawn on with dry-erase markers – many people use this feature to write down daily notes and reminders on the planter. This is a unique and extremely useful, as well as aesthetic present your family is bound to go crazy for! Made from durable ceramic, this planter has the shape of a face where one can hang their glasses or spectacles safe when not in use.
21. Custom Ornaments for the Holidays
The ornaments are made out of glass and are packaged in a box that is ready to add a little special spin to your visit back home. Send them with tons of love to your family to give them a little reminder of your visit and get them excited for the holidays.