Your partner’s birthday is coming up and that’s exciting. But, there’s one problem. You’re in a long-distance relationship and you need long distance relationship birthday ideas to make this day extra special for your partner.
It’s hard enough to do long distance on normal days. But, for special occasions, it’s even harder. So, these 21 long-distance relationship gift ideas will help you make your partner’s birthday unforgettable and meaningful.
This post is all about long distance relationship birthday ideas.
LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP BIRTHDAY IDEAS:
1. Create a birthday care package to send your partner
You can never go wrong by putting together a thoughtful care package. The best part is that you can send them multiple items in one package and watch them open it even if you’re there in person.
So, if a surprise visit is out of your budget or the thought of orchestrating a party via video call is too intimidating, this is the right option for you. It shows that you planned ahead to make them feel special and loved on their birthday.
2. Order baked goods from a local bakery to surprise them
One of the biggest hacks you can learn while in a long-distance relationship is ordering locally. Not locally to you but locally to them. This gives the goods you purchase for them an authentic, fresh feel without you needing to be there in person.
Order them a yummy cake, donuts, or their favorite baked good for their special day. Figure out what makes their birthday feel complete and get that for them. Don’t be surprised if it turns out to be the best gift they could have gotten.
3. Take a virtual cooking class together
For a more intimate feel to wish them a happy birthday, sign up for a virtual cooking class together. You will have the chance to make a new meal, laugh together, make mistakes together, and feel close.
It can be difficult to feel close and make your long-distance partner feel extra loved for their birthday. That’s why a virtual cooking class is a great way to increase your intimacy and deliver them a long-distance birthday gift they’ll remember for a long time to come.
4. Send them handmade gifts as a birthday gift
Whether you’re good with your hands or you don’t have a lot of spending money left over, handmaid gifts are the perfect option. Something handmaid a thoughtful gift.
It can send a special message to your partner they otherwise wouldn’t get from something store-bought.
Plus, it will be clear that you spend time and energy on their gift, making it one of the best long distance birthday ideas. Beware, though, handmaid gifts often are more difficult than they seem like they are at first.
5. Plan out a virtual date night near their birthday
Date nights never fail. It’s important to carve out time from your schedules to spend time together and foster your emotional intimacy. Even though you can’t be in the same room with each other, you can still show each other how much you care through dedication and actions.
Keep in mind that it may not be a good idea to host your virtual date night on the same day as their birthday in case they want to spend time with others on their birthday as well. Use your judgment to decide how they’d prefer to do their birthday.
6. Schedule a surprise visit for their birthday
A surprise will never fail. Make sure that, before you get there, you make arrangements so your partner will have time to hang out with you and won’t have to abandon or see to other plans they already made.
It can be sweet to surprise your partner, but it won’t work as well if you end up complicating their big day. Instead, reach out to family and friends to make sure your surprise stays fun and exciting.
7. Create a virtual scavenger hunt to do together
Scavenger hunts can be exciting and fun. They can be surprising, too, especially if your partner finds answers to the scavenger hunt that you didn’t expect. It’s definitely possible to find or generate scavenger hunts to do together.
So, don’t get scared by the idea of coming up with them on your own. Instead, consider ways to make the scavenger hunt birthday-themed and make it work for both of you.
You could do a scavenger hunt in the home or encourage them to get out in their city while they take you along.
8. Plan a surprise party for your partner’s birthday
For some people, a surprise is the dream birthday gift they’ve always wanted. For others, it’s the worst possible idea they could ever have come up with. So, be careful when considering a surprise party for your partner because they may not appreciate getting a birthday surprise.
Consider how your partner reacts to surprises and figure out ways to make this surprise more meaningful and less terrifying. Think of who you’ll invite, where you’ll host it, and how you’ll decorate.
9. Send them a goody box with their favorite treats
There’s something so sweet and cute about remembering your partner’s favorite snacks. You could also choose snacks that represent something. For example, you could pack some sour Skittles that remind your partner of your first date when you went to the movies.
Or you could pack them some Flamin’ Hot Cheetos because your partner is so flamin’ hot. Try to choose snacks they’ll actually eat, but feel free to get creative and have fun with it.
10. Consider buying them touch lamps for their birthday
Touch lamps are a sweet way to remind your partner you’re there for them. They help you stay connected in the most tangible way you can when you’re in a long-distance relationship.
Touch lamps can go behind a phone call and connect you and your partner for a special moment. This romantic gift may be one of the perfect long-distance relationship gifts just because of how comforting it can be when you miss your partner.
11. Schedule a virtual game night for your partner and some friends
Get some people together for the ultimate virtual date night. Invite your partner’s closest friends, especially if they live in a different time zone. This is the perfect way to spend time with your long-distance boyfriend or girlfriend and go the extra mile to make them feel special.
Plan out some virtual games you all can play that will make the game night go smoothly. There are plenty of virtual board games that hit you right in the nostalgia.
12. Send them a recording of their favorite song or do it live
If you like to sing or play an instrument, consider learning their favorite song. You can adapt it by ear, purchase some sheet music, or just plain sing it. Either way, decide how you want to present your gift to them. Chances are that they will love it no matter how you do it.
So, it’s up to you to decide if you want to do it live for them over video chat or if you’d prefer to send them a cute video message. Keep in mind that you won’t get to see their reaction if you send them a recording.
13. Deliver them a handwritten letter via snail mail
Use snail mail to surprise them with a love letter they will never get in any other scenario. Give them the chance to read your heartfelt, lengthy letter that is handwritten.
If you’re worried about finding the right words that will bring them to tears and make them feel valued, there are plenty of sources of inspiration for you to use.
When all else fails, grab a pen and paper and start writing about how much you miss them, love them, and can’t wait to see them in person. Fill the letter with all of the stuff that scares you to write down. The odds are that that stuff will be the most meaningful to them.
14. Plan a virtual birthday party if you can’t be there in person
If you can’t make it in person, you can still see them and spend time with them among their friends. Plan a virtual party. You can go as in-depth with this as you want or leave it easy and simple. Consider whether you want to organize some games.
Find creative ways of decorating (does everyone get a matching background or shirt?). No matter how much effort you put into planning the party, it will go off without a hitch and make your partner feel valued.
15. Enlist the help of their best friend and family members
Never underestimate the power of help. Get in contact with your partner’s best friend and family. They can help you plan out the small details that would be difficult to pull off on your own.
Whether it’s picking up baked goods from the local bakery or picking up some decorations for a surprise party, use the people who are local to your partner to help you. They’ll be happy to chip into a fun birthday gift.
16. Send them a cute, thoughtful birthday card
While you can’t plan for their card to arrive the moment it needs to, you can at least guarantee it’ll arrive by their birthday. You can put anything you want on the card.
Make it from construction paper like you used to when you were younger or print one out online. Write a heartfelt note or put time into making it pop out at the viewer. Have fun with it and be creative.
17. Start their birthday with a sweet text message
Make them smile from the moment they wake up. This never fails to be one of the best long distance gifts you can give your partner.
From the moment they wake up on their birthday, they are reminded of how much you love them and think about them because you sent them a heartfelt message. Anything else that happens later in the day will be the cherry on top and set their day up to be perfect.
18. Order or create an album full of your favorite photos
Send your partner the special gift of an album. You can craft it yourself with glue, stickers, markers, and all. Or you can order one that will be printed and sent directly to your partner for their birthday.
It can send them down memory lane with you and be a worthy gift for years to come. Albums are a great way to include a personal touch with your gift. Plus, you create a keepsake with great memories in it.
19. Give them a gift card to their favorite restaurant or store
Let your long-distance partner know how well you know them. Give them a gift card to their favorite store or restaurant.
Or maybe you can give them a gift card for one of their favorite things that has nothing to do with food or shopping. Ask yourself what your partner would never buy for themselves even though you know they want it and use that to guide your gifting.
20. Order a birthday cake for them as a surprise
Birthday cakes will forever be a winner. For most people, a birthday is not complete without some birthday baked goods to celebrate with others. If you can’t be there in person, order a cake for them remotely.
You can have it delivered to them or ask someone in their life to go pick it up. You will surprise your partner with how much thought you put into making their day beautiful.
21. Make sure you video chat them to celebrate face-to-face
We can’t talk about long distance birthday celebration ideas without talking about video calling. It’s one of the most beautiful gifts because it’s so simple.
If you’re getting overwhelmed, remember that any birthday where they see your face and the time you are dedicating to them is going to be lovely.
You can show your partner that you value them by showing up. Remember that, at the end of the day, your partner really just wants to see you on their birthday.