A best friend is one of the hardest people to buy for at Christmas, and one of the easiest to get right. You already know the things nobody else knows: the holiday that went wrong, the song that still makes you both laugh, the night you never talk about. A good gift simply puts some of that to use.
Here are Christmas gift ideas for a best friend, honestly assessed, whether you see them every week or live at opposite ends of the country.
What makes a good gift for a best friend
It comes from the friendship
Anyone can buy a candle. Only you can buy something that refers to the thing you have been laughing about for fifteen years.
It does not have to be expensive
Friends rarely compare price tags. Effort and a good memory count for far more, so agree a rough budget if that makes things easier for you both.
It can be funny, but it should last
A joke gift gets one big laugh. If you want it to stay in their home, keep the humour in the details and make the thing itself good.
Christmas gift ideas for a best friend, honestly assessed
1. Your friendship on one wall
A Word Art Collage of the two of you: the school photos, the holidays, the blurry night-out pictures, with the words and phrases only your group understands filling the space around them. It is the kind of gift that gets a quiet moment when it is opened.
2. A trip you have been promising each other
A weekend away, or even a day out with a date in the diary, turns "we must do that" into something real. Put the plan in a card rather than waiting to arrange it later.
3. Something for the hobby they never spend on
Good running socks, proper paints, the nice version of the thing they always buy cheaply. You know which one it is.
4. A subscription you can share
A book, coffee or film subscription gives them something monthly, and if you both sign up it gives you something to talk about too.
5. A letter
Write down what the friendship has meant to you. It costs nothing and is often the gift they keep longest. Tuck it inside something else if that feels less exposing.
6. Your travels together
If most of your photos are from trips, a Standard Collage lets the pictures do all the talking, with no words needed.
Finding the photos
Search your own messages
Your chat history together is probably the best photo archive you have. Scroll back and save the ones that make you smile.
Ask the rest of the group
Mutual friends will have angles and moments you have forgotten, and they will usually enjoy being in on the surprise.
Do not leave out the bad photos
The unflattering holiday picture is often the one that gets the biggest reaction. Use your judgement, and keep it kind.
What size and format
An A2 print holds up to 35 photos and an A1 up to 60, and not every size is sold in every country. A poster hanger suits a first flat or a rented room; a framed print is the finished choice for a permanent wall. Our guide to photo collage prints compares the formats.
Order in good time
Every piece is printed to order, so give yourself room before Christmas, and allow extra if you are sending it to a different address. Delivery times are on our shipping page.
Frequently asked questions
What do you get your best friend for Christmas if you are on a budget?
A handwritten letter, a planned day out or a small gift tied to a shared joke. A friend will value the thought far more than the price.
What is a sentimental gift for a best friend?
Something built from your history together, such as a collage of your photos with your own words and in-jokes around them.
Can a few friends design one gift together?
Yes. Collect everyone's photos and favourite phrases first, then one person builds the design. It works well as a shared gift.
Can I use old printed photos?
Yes. Photograph them in good daylight, or scan them, and upload them alongside your digital photos.
Where to start
Scroll back through your messages tonight and save your favourite photos of the two of you, then start creating the collage here. Designing costs nothing and you only pay if you decide to print it. For more ideas, see our Christmas photo gift ideas and 30th birthday gift ideas.