This post is all about finding wonderful, easy gifts for friends!
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We are all about great gifts here at PL&Co., especially when it comes to showing our lovely friends just how much they mean to us!
Easy gifts for friends can be chic and elevated – it’s really about finding something they’ll genuinely enjoy based on their home aesthetic, the conversations you’ve had over coffee, or simply that instinct telling you “this is so them.”
And it’s really the packaging makes all the difference, but it doesn’t have to be over-the-top or overwhelming. A thoughtful presentation transforms even the simplest gift into something that feels special (more on that below).
Read on for curated suggestions for unique gift ideas for friends that are both useful and easy. We’ve got you!
In This Post
Easy Gifts for Friends FAQ
The NYT Mini Crossword Book + Colorful Pens
Gifts for the Friend Who Needs Calming Moments
Rewind Wine Candles
Cherry Glass Carafe
“Don’t Forget” Notebook
Duralex Glasses
Rifle Paper Co. Oven Mitt Gift Bundle
Vase with Fresh Flowers
The Curated Tote Gift
The NYT Mini Crossword Book + Colorful Pens
We just gifted The New York Times Mini NYT Crosswords paired with these vibrant ballpoint pens to a wonderful human, and honestly, it was such a hit. This is an ideal gift for someone who could use a gentle encouragement to slow down, or who would simply appreciate the excuse to do so.
Whether your friend is traveling, trying to spend less time scrolling, or wants to share a puzzle over morning coffee (or evening wine) with their partner, this little book is just perfect! It’s compact, making it perfect for tucking into luggage, keeping in the car, or leaving on the coffee table as a gentle reminder to give that brain a workout.
Gifts for the Friend Who Needs Calming Moments
For a friend who really values quiet, peaceful moments, or is in need of one, these items are thoughtful options. The Muse Apothecary Pillow Ritual Spray makes bedtime a lovely ritual. These scented, heated eye masks are soothing after a long day, and this aromatherapy essential oil roll-on is perfect for slipping into a purse or travel bag. Any of these would make your friend feel seen and cared for.
Rewind Wine Candles
I’m pretty particular about candles – I lean toward boutique or locally-made options that aren’t overly sweet or heavily scented, though we all have our own preferences! If you think your friend is similar and also loves wine, these Rewind candles are so much fun and beautifully made in thick glass with this gorgeous verdant green hue. I’ve had the chance to smell the entire line in person and genuinely enjoyed them all. While I’m featuring the Pinot Noir candle here, I’ve linked several others in our Gift Guide for Wine Lovers because I honestly can’t get enough of them as easy gifts for friends.
Cherry Glass Carafe
I’ve been eyeing a carafe for my bedside table for ages! I just love the idea of a glass carafe waiting by the bedside table. This cherry-adorned one is wonderfully whimsical with my favorite color combo: pink and green. It’s functional, yes, but it also brings such a cheerful touch!
“Don’t Forget” Notebook
If your friend is anything like me (just a bit forgetful!), this quippy notebook is absolutely perfect. It’s cute, fun, and pairs beautifully with the NYT puzzle book and colorful pens if you’re looking to create a more substantial gift bundle.
Duralex Glasses
I genuinely love Duralex glasses. They make me so happy! Actually, most glassware does, but there’s something particularly charming about these. While they’re obviously wonderful for water, they dress up any tablescape and work equally well for a morning latte or afternoon iced coffee.
Rifle Paper Co. Oven Mitt Gift Bundle
Pair this stunning oven mitt from Rifle Paper Co. with a favorite food item, or bundle it with those Duralex glasses! For a foodie friend who loves trying new recipes, I’d be thrilled to gift (and receive!) this oven mitt alongside a trendy cookbook like this unfussy Last Minute Dinner Party book and a box of Maldon sea salt with its beautiful packaging. You can guarantee everything will get plenty of use!
Vase with Fresh Flowers
Grab a beautiful vase like this colorful one from Rifle Paper Co. and add fresh flowers. You can find really affordable bouquets at Trader Joe’s, your local grocery store, or neighborhood flower shop. While some bouquets can get pricey, simple baby’s breath and greenery would be a perfect complement to this cheerful vase. This is a unique gift idea for a friend that’s generous but doesn’t require much effort on your part.
The Curated Tote Gift
Depending on your friend’s interests, they may love a cute tote filled with carefully selected food items. The tote itself serves as the wrapping, and if you’re feeling fancy, just add some tissue paper and tie the handles with ribbon. To keep this super simple, include a bottle of wine or quality tea, a wedge of good cheese, nice crackers or a fresh baguette, and a jar of jam. Want to add a bit more? Tuck in a book based on their favorite genre. Done and done!
Easy Gifts for Friends FAQ
What to gift a friend last minute?
While many ideas in this guide can arrive at your door within 24-48 hours, one of my absolute favorite last-minute friend gifts is fresh bread, a hunk of good cheese, and, if there’s time, homemade butter.
Head to your closest shop with quality bread (they probably carry good cheese too!) and package everything beautifully. Wrap it in parchment paper or a brown bag tied with ribbon or twine. If you have time, grab heavy cream, add it to a glass jar with some sea salt, and shake vigorously to create homemade butter! Feel free to mix in herbs, ground pepper, or other seasonings. A friend recently did this for us at a dinner she hosted and it was such a lovely, memorable treat.
What is a good small gift?
Great small gift options include a little plant (tucked into a paper bag trimmed to fit around its plastic bottom), a nice notepad with or without a quality pen, a bottle of lovely olive oil, a small box of premium chocolates, a bag of specialty coffee, or a box of Maldon sea salt wrapped with a bow. These useful gifts for friends are thoughtful and consumable.
What are good cheap gifts?
All the small gift ideas above work beautifully as affordable and thoughtful options, especially when they’re consumable. If you’d like more ideas, consider propagating a plant from your own collection in a small jar you’ve washed and saved from jelly or preserves. This is something you can prepare throughout the year to have on hand when needed – what a treat!
Homemade butter (see the simple directions in the last-minute gift section above) is another wonderful budget-friendly option. Also consider grabbing a colorful bag of quality candy and presenting the treats in a glass jar wrapped with a bow. Honestly, how you wrap your gift goes such a long way in elevating the entire experience for the recipient.
What are some last-minute small gift ideas?
Truly, any of the curated items in this list make excellent last-minute small gift ideas since they can be ordered and assembled quickly. You can also reference the other questions in this FAQ section for additional inspiration. There are plenty of easy birthday gifts for friends and easy gifts for friends at Christmas that work year-round!
That wraps up our curated list of easy gifts for friends! Do you have suggestions you love that are easy go-tos? If you’re open to sharing, please do! We’re all about sharing recommendations here.
And if you’re in the market for more gift ideas, check out our Gift Guides, which include thoughtful ideas for Christmas gifts for home enthusiasts, creative presents for book lovers, gifts for Francophiles, great gifts for wine lovers, and even chic gifts for soccer moms!
Thank you so much for being here! Happy gifting!
This post was all about wonderfully curated easy gifts for friends!
