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Best gifts for your friends: fun and fabulous ideas to spoil your inner circle

 (Pexels)
(Pexels)

Where would be be without our friends?

Whether you’ve known them since primary school, they’re the uni pals you agonised over coursework with or they’re the work mates who know every tiny detail of your day because they’re right there with you, our friends are the bouquet that make life smell and look brighter.

There are all kinds of relationships, and friendship is arguably the most special - many studies show that people value their inner circle more than their partners.

Whether it’s their birthday, a cheer-up gift, or a special treat at Christmas, there’s never a bad time to show your best buds how much you value them.

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In the name of friendship, we’ve put together a hit list of the best gifts to spoil your favourite people and send them a bear hug, wherever you - or they - happen to be.

From fancy fragrances to a corner shop’s-worth of chocs, here are some of the best gifts to send your BFFs.

See our selection below

instax mini Evo Instant Camera in Black

All the fun of an instant camera paired with all the convenience of a digital, Fujifilm's new evo is the perfect gift for your shutterbug pal.

Not only can you print retro-effect snaps with 10 lens effects and 10 film effects, but though the app, it allows you to print off your camera roll too - meaning you'll never waste precious film again. It's packed with tons of other fun features including a selfie mirror, self-timer and macro mode. They won’t be able to stop smiling.

Buy now £174.00, Jessops

Comfort MOB

MOB is more than a social media sensation: it’s a movement. Comfort MOB pulls its viral videos together to create a guide to pure gourmet joy.

This book is stuffed with nutritious ideas and old-school recipes to provide both comfort and satisfaction, especially for anyone who needs to build confidence in the kitchen. The recipes are affordable and achievable for all levels. Pasta fans will adore learning how to make your own pasta noodles and sauces to go with them, like Ben’s Dad’s Puttanesca - glorious.

Buy now £10.00, Amazon

SodaStream Spirit One Touch Electric Sparkling Water Maker

Whether they’re old enough to remember SodaStream at the dizzying heights of its fame (circa 70s - 90s) or you know they’ll just like the idea of fizzy water on tap, SodaStream is the must-have home carbonation system your best mate never knew they needed.

Putting the kitsch in kitchen, the Spirit device comes in a selection of fun colours and is perfect for making your own drinks with the brand’s syrups - flavours include lemonade, cream soda, orange mango, cola as well as flavourings from 7Up and Pepsi, alongside fizzing up plain old H2O.

Buy now £117.02, Amazon

WGAC The Celebrate Edition

If you're stuck for ideas, a practical gift is always a crowd pleaser and is bound to be used rather than collecting dust on a forgotten shelf. It's a bit of a wildcard entry, but we bet a huge box of Who Gives A Crap? loo roll will delight someone you know.

Costing £1 a roll for 48 rolls, the 100 per cent bamboo bog roll is ready for the season with limited edition wrapper designs. Not only will they save money on basic household needs but they'll smile every time they reach for one. If they live on their own, this supply of double length rolls could last up to a year. Plus, imagine the look on their face? Priceless.

Buy now £48.00, WGAC

SALTER AeroGrill Pro 16-in-1 EK5106 Air Fryer & Grill - Black

Air fryers have never been hotter, and is it any wonder? They use less energy than an oven and they're a great way of cooking healthier too, as they use just a fraction of the oil. If your friend has been dropping some not-so-subtle hits about a machine, Salter's machine not only air fries, but it works as a grill too. There are 16 pre-settings to take the guesswork out of cooking, plus a timer so they won't have to stand watch over the device. A piece of kitchen wizardry.

Buy now £140.00, Currys

GLOSSYBOX Subscription

Friends don’t let friends suffer with bad skin. Skincare is at the top of everyone’s agenda, so why not send them a beauty box subscription to breathe new life into their dressing table?

Containing products worth more than the box, a Glossybox subscription makes the ideal gift for your gals. They’ll get five new products to enjoy every month and boxes are often themed and designed to be kept as storage, minimising waste.

Buy now £13.25, GLOSSYBOX

Neal’s Yard Remedies Wild Rose Natural Glow Collection

Wild Rose by name, wild rose by nature. The bloom takes a starring role in both the ingredient space with orangic wild rosehip seed oil as well as the aroma, this will make a lovely gift. The kind-to-skin formulas enhance glow, while nourishing at the same time.

Best of all, it gives you more bang for your buck than buying the items individually with the set worth £89.

Buy now £60.00, Neal’s Yard Remedies

Floral Street Wonderland Peony eau de parfum 50ml

Peony season may have been and gone, but your pal can linger in the flower’s beautiful notes for longer thanks to Floral Street. Its Wonderland Peony EDP is a celebration of the popular petal, and is so fragrant with notes of blackcurrant, pink berries and candy floss, that actual strangers have stopped us in the street to ask what we’re wearing. Bonus points for the display-worthy bottle, too.

Buy now £64.00, Selfridges

Beachwaver B1 Rotating Curling Iron in Pink Sunset

Best for: 360 style

Curling tongs may give you a look that's total glamour, but often the machine itself is not. Stand back and make way for Beachwaver, a set of tools in bold and beautiful colours that's made to turn heads. The curling irons come in cute colourways, from a pink to purple ombre, pink glitter handles, rose print and leopard print.

This tong not only offers three heat settings (top temp of 210 degrees) and a swivel cord that stretches eight feet, but with the flick of a switch, the barrel rotates too, making it even easier to create the hair of your dreams.

Buy now £99.00, Beachwaver

Impala Rollerskates Pink Quad Roller Skates

You know your best mate can take on the world - help them get there faster with a pair of skates from Impala. The brand offers both quad and in-line styles as well as accessories to protect newbies from the worst of the tumbles. The only thing more impressive is their colour selection which spans candy hues to attention-grabbing holographic.

Buy now £76.00, Urban Outfitters

Reebok Classic Leather Shoes

No matter their style, a classic white trainer is a universal wardrobe staple. Give your best pal the joy of a box fresh pair with Reebok's timeless leather version - they can even be personalised if you're buying them for a special occasion. Available in sizes 3 - 12.

Buy now £70.00, Reebok

Converse All Star Hi 70 high-top canvas trainers

The timelessness of a pair of All Stars makes it the trainer of choice for all ages. First fashioned for playing basketball, the hi-tops come in every colour under the sun, making it easy to pick a pair that’ll be their new fave.

Buy now £79.98, Selfridges

Sekonda Ladies Watch Gold Case & Mesh Bracelet with Black Dial

Sekonda’s classic watch collection is crammed with gems, but we like this design best for its timeless appeal, as well as the black and gold palette which will pair well with most outfits. The dial features a minimal design with just the 12 and 6 shown as Roman numerals, adding subtle elevation to the accessory. Comes with a two-year guarantee.

Buy now £49.99, Sekonda

Orelia Pearlescent Resin Inital Necklace

Personalised jewellery is a foolproof gift for practically any age or taste. Here, the initial is given more of a setting thanks to the resin circle border, which comes in a variety of shades including this pearlescent white. A satellite-style chain completes the look, offering statement style and versatility in one.

Buy now £22.00, Orelia

Chelsea Peers NYC Stripe Satin Button Up Long Pyjama Set

If you're planning a pals night in, treat your BFF to sumptuous new PJs from Chelsea Peers’ Wellness Range. There are plenty of fun prints to choose from (including a giraffe print that we're bookmarking as the next leopard) but for timeless style, this satin stripe cream two-piece ticks all the boxes. Available in sizes XXS to XL.

Buy now £50.00, Chelsea Peers NYC

Boostology Volcanic Pot Pourri

Has your BFF got an expensive candle habit? Help wean them off with this plastic-free all-vegan pot pourri set made from black lava rocks and a red heart-shaped Obsidian stone which naturally diffuses essential oils into the room.

There are seven essential oil blends to choose from including an energising Bergamot, Ylang Ylang & Grapefruit mix called Sunshine, and a spring-ready Rose Geranium & Patchouli blend named Bloom.

Topped with a red Agate stone lid, it's a lovely gift they can use again and again.

Buy now £40.00, Boostology

Mermaid Gin

This gorgeous bottle from the Isle of Wight distillery is beautiful inside and out, and the perfect way to let your gin obsessive know you’re thinking of them.

Rich with ingredients plucked from the island (think ocean-splashed rock samphire and Boadicea hops from the famous Ventnor Botanic Garden), add a splash of tonic and a cucumber garnish to bring out its sparkling best.

Buy now £36.49, Master of Malt

Freixenet Prosecco Doc 150cl

The bigger the bottle, the greater your love - perhaps not actual fact but it's one way to convey your affection that we're sure will be warmly received. Freixenet's magnum-sized bottles (twice the usual size) are the perfect gift to hand over to your mate to mark a special occasion.

Do it in person, so it can be a gift for you both.

Buy now £20.00, Tesco

Whitebox Cocktails

You’ve seen them in that cool new pizza place everyone’s talking about, and in every hip hotel minibar from here to Land’s End. Now Whitebox Cocktails - the makers of those dinky colourful cans of Pocket Negroni and Squeezy’s Margaritas - is allowing you to pick n’ mix a bundle of its six cutest, tastiest cocktails to enjoy this Christmas. The weeny serves make brilliantly fun stocking fillers for adults or package up the entire box to surprise your favourite barfly this year.

Buy now, Whitebox Cocktails

MOTH French 75

Made with sparkling white wine rather than Champagne (as the authentic recipe dictates), MOTH’s version of a French 75 is nonetheless one of our favourite canned cocktail releases this season. Light and refreshing, it’s dangerously sessionable and looks beautiful in the glass filling it with an elegant blush hue. Each 200ml can (note: slim enough to slip inside a Christmas stocking) sings with notes of lemon and berries, merrily mixed in amongst Tarquin’s Cornish gin. A lovely option for Friendmas parties or starting off December 25 right.

Buy now £3.99, MOTH

Rainbo Gyoza

Foodie friends will adore Rainbo’s gyoza and Japanese larder staples, which look every bit as good as they taste. Available separately (free delivery for orders £50+) or in party boxes of 60 or 100 (drool) they’re a great gift to fight weekday food fatigue.

As well as a mix of gyoza stuffed with chicken, pork, prawn, duck and vegan shiitake the boxes come with necessary extras like pickles, chilli oil and sauce for dipping. Pop them straight in the freezer for fresh gyoza when the mood strikes.

Packs of 12 gyoza from £9.50 | boxes from £65

Buy now £9.50, Rainbo

Personalised Marmite Jar

They’ll either love it or hate but if it’s the former, treat them to their own personalised jar of Marmite to lather onto toast, crumpets, bagels, and so much more. Customise the label online and watch as they unwrap the yeasty, vitamin B-rich, vegan-friendly spread, mouth drooling. The perfect way to stop others from dipping their knife in too.

Buy now £9.99, Marmite

Hotel Chocolat The Everything Hot Chocolate Sachet Selection

It’s not Christmas without a steaming mug of hot chocolate festooned with mini marshmallows.

This Yuletide, treat them to Hotel Chocolat’s luxury hot chocolate selection, which offers ten different flavours to see them well into the New Year. There’s even a vegan option to wrap their chops around. Delicious.

Buy now £14.00, Hotel Chocolat

Chefanie Santa Flamingo Cocktail Napkins

For the friend who's always devising their next dinner party menu, we suggest this pack of four cocktail napkins, finished witha flamboyant flamingo detail. The party bird is ready to go with a Christmas hat perched on it's fabulous head. A small token that will get used every chance they get.

Buy now £48.00, Koibird