Gift Ideas for Friends Moving Out of State

If you’re wondering what to give as a goodbye gift to your friends, fear not. We’ve compiled our favorite send-off gift ideas into one post, which we hope will give you plenty for inspiration. These gifts are categorized into types, so you can quickly find one to suit your needs.

Moving care package

If they’re moving to a new home, you could put together a box of essentials for them. These might be simple – such as toilet paper, soaps, and cleaning supplies – but they show compassion for their new life step. For more personalized going away gift basket ideas, why not include items like their favorite snack, personalized socks,

Personalized going away gifts

You can personalize a whole range of items – mugs, tea towels, door mats, signs, etc. Whether it’s just adding their family name, or a photograph as well, they’ll be sure to appreciate the extra-personal touch.

When personalizing a gift, consider their lifestyle carefully. If they’re constantly playing puzzles, how about personalizing a map puzzle? The map puzzle can either be of where they’ve left – as a parting gift or a map of where they’re going – enabling them to get acquainted quickly with their new landscape.

Location-based ideas e.g. a gift for someone moving to California

If the recipient is particularly excited about the destination they’re moving to, you can choose to celebrate this in a gift basket. A particularly evocative gift could be a California-themed gift basket containing local delicacies like almonds, dried fruits, and artisanal chocolates.

You could also get them a California-themed gift basket or an upmarket water bottle if they’re transitioning to a hotter climate. California can offer a variety of hobby-based gift ideas that can match their interests, such as wine-tasting if they’re an oenophile or hiking gifts if they’re a fan of the trails.

Last-minute going away gifts

Oh no – have you left it to the last minute? Not to worry: there is a range of last-minute gifts available. You might opt for a gift that you can purchase easily online (like a gift voucher for their favorite store online or a subscription to a streaming service) or a thoughtful gift you can buy in a store, like wine or chocolate. These gifts convey care without needing to order something online and waiting for it to arrive.

Portable gifts for someone moving away

If you know the person in question is stretched for space, you might opt for small, compact gifts like a powerful portable charger, a travel-sized toiletries kit, a neck pillow (a classic), or a high-quality pair of headphones.

How to Choose the Perfect Gift for Someone Relocating

When choosing going away gifts, it can be helpful to segment the recipient – whether they’re your friend, girlfriend, colleague or spouse, for example.

Farewell gifts for colleagues

These should be slightly more formal than goodbye gifts for friends moving away. For colleagues, depending on how close you are to them, you might choose a donation to a charity that aligns with their personal values. If you don’t know them that well, a box of chocolates with a nice note should do the trick.

Ultimately, gifts for coworkers leaving should reflect the time you’ve spent with them while wishing them luck for their next steps.

Gifts for friends moving away

These will often take the form of sentimental going away gifts. These may include items like:

• Framed photographs. Old-school yet effective, a particularly beloved photograph is a beautiful, bittersweet commemoration of the time you’ve spent together.
• A personalized keyring or luggage tag. If your friend is particularly stylish, a personalized addition to their new home or suitcase is a small, meaningful token of your friendship. Personalized keyrings and luggage tags come in all materials, including leather, metal, acrylic, and wood, so you can personalize the message and the material depending on their preferences.
• If you’re looking for funny going away gifts for friends, you could opt for a novelty t-shirt or gift like a chocolate box with a funny message. You could also choose a funny sign to put in their new home or a practical joke. Ultimately, as long as it’s personal, you can add a humorous twist to any gift.

Welcome home gifts for your girlfriend

Welcome home gifts for your girlfriend ideally should contain a touch of romance. How about a warm throw blanket, perfect for snuggling up on chilly nights? Or classic – yet loving – gift ideas include bouquets of flowers or even a letter that expresses your feelings. If you and your girlfriend are foodies, you could prepare a meal containing her favorite foods or, if you’re pressed for time, get a gift voucher to her favorite restaurant.

Welcome home gift ideas for him

Thoughtful going away gifts (or welcome home gifts) for him will vary. You could get an experience-based gift, such as a spa or masseuse voucher, to recover from the stress and exertion of moving. Likewise, a restaurant voucher means a good meal in a new place. Or a subscription box can ensure a year of comfort, depending on his interest, such as DIY tools, beer or snacks.

Finding a welcome home gift for your wife

How about something personal, like a personalized piece of jewelry (a bracelet or necklace with her initials)? It’s small yet powerfully personal.

A spa experience voucher also offers comfort and luxury after the stress of traveling. Likewise, planning a romantic getaway conveys caring for her well-being.

Memorable Gifts for New Beginnings

If what you’re looking for is something truly memorable, you could explore creative going away gifts. For example, rather than buying them an object, why not buy them an experience at their new destination? You can get as creative as you like: more formally, you could get them a restaurant or home improvement store gift voucher, or you might think more off the wall and get them a cinema, escape room or bar gift card.