Are Gifts for Long-Distance Relationships Still a Thing in Lockdown? Yes—They Are

John Doe June 2nd, 2021

There’s no question that romantic relationships are hard. The intimacy (and we’re not just talking about the physical kind here) they need can take a lot out of a person at times. As if that isn’t challenging enough, imagine what people in long-distance relationships go through frequently.

Add the coronavirus pandemic into the mix, and it becomes an anxiety-inducing affair altogether. Quarantine has made everyone feel extra isolated—especially long-distance couples. If you’re one of those couples, hat’s off for staying strong together despite the world going haywire!

Staying connected while in long-distance relationships has gotten more complicated in recent times. Although technology has helped fill the gaps, the challenges that distance and quarantine restrictions bring still stand. How can long-distance love persist in the time of corona?

One way to ease LDR challenges is through giving tangible gifts. We know how buying them for your long-distance partner can be tricky, so here are some thoughtful gift ideas that go the distance.

Couple Shirts

Photo by Lucas Lenzi on Unsplash

Does wearing matching shirts sound a little cheesy? Sure. But don’t let that thought stop you two from doing it anyway. Who cares what people think and say? It’s your relationship! Couple shirts are harmless and can be a great way for you two to feel connected.

Believe it or not, there is a science behind couples sporting matching tees. Dr. Nikki Goldstein, a sexologist and relationship expert, believes that couples think about it subconsciously. In a Huffington Post Australia interview, she shares:

We tend to want to fit in with the person we are dating. Yes, we are all unique, but we want to, as a couple, look united and as if we “fit.” You conform to the environment that you’re in—so it’s only natural that when you’re dating someone, even without automatically knowing—you will start to change your style so that you blend in with them.

So, go ahead and buy a matching shirt for your beau! You can wear them on virtual dates so you can look cute together, even if it’s just over a screen.

Nintendo Switch Lite

Photo by Loegunn Lai on Unsplash

Ms. Pac-Man would be proud to see female gamers today keeping up (and even outmatching at times!) with their partner’s skills on the console. Why be a lonely gamer when you can have some fun and healthy competition with your partner?

According to licensed psychotherapist and relationship counselor Rachel Sussman, gaming together keeps sparks alive. “Playing video games is like playing tennis or running or traveling. It adds interest. When a couple participates in a hobby together, it’s exciting. The more a couple has in common, the more validated they feel by one another,” she says.

You don’t have to be a hardcore gamer to appreciate video games. If you just want some exciting action, they’re a great way to kill some time. Fortunately, technological advancements have made it possible for you to enjoy long-distance gaming with your partner. The Nintendo Switch Lite is built for multiplayer, so go ahead and get one for your game-loving beau!

Flowers

Photo by Leonardo Wong on Unsplash

As old-fashioned as flowers are, we can’t deny that they make days brighter. Even science seems to think so! The Evolutionary Psychology Journal revealed that people sported a Duchenne smile—otherwise known as a genuine smile—when receiving them.

Love may be unquantifiable, but you can always count on flowers to show true feelings. It’s not hard to see why roses are Valentine staples. If your lover is far away, don’t fret! Nowadays, you don’t have to visit flower shops to send some for your partner physically. Thank the tech gods for online shopping and delivery, right? Let your love bloom, even at a distance!

Vinyl Records

Photo by Nada Hanifah on Unsplash

Most of us think of vinyl records as blasts of the past—with streaming apps at our fingertips, who’d want to buy albums, right? They’re also associated with snobby music hipsters shun the concept of modern music.

Stereotypes aside, vinyl records have become a hit with younger people. For the past 15 years, they’ve seen an increase in sales—skyrocketing as high as 46.2% last year. Indie record stores have seen a resurgence thanks to interest from millennials and their love for vintage things, staying alive amidst the pandemic’s onslaught on small businesses.

Got a functioning record player? Put it to good use by sending good music over! Let your partner jam out to awesome tunes in their purest form through high-quality records.

Wine

Photo by Raissa Lara Lütolf (-Fasel) on Unsplash

Quarantine’s taken a toll on all of us. Many have turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism for pandemic-related stress. When things get rough, relief comes in the form of a bottle.

Get the stress out with your partner by sending him or her a bottle (or two) of wine. You can give a known favorite or try something new if you’re feeling adventurous. Much like flowers, you don’t need to go to wine stores to get your boozy fix since online purchase, and delivery options are available nowadays.

Although quarantine drinking is a crime, do remember to keep it in moderation. Too much of something can be deadly.

House Plants

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

We’ve all seen planting’s popularity since quarantine began. What began as a time-killing hobby for some became a source of interest, inspiration, and comfort. Joel Flagler, a Rutgers Univesity horticultural therapy professor understands why people have turned to their green thumbs.

There are certain, very stabilizing forces in gardening that can ground us when we are feeling shaky, uncertain, terrified, really. It’s these predictable outcomes, predictable rhythms of the garden that are very comforting right now.

Get your partner started on the planting bandwagon by gifting a house plant! It makes for a great quarantine gift because it revitalizes an indoor space. Start them off with a small potted one so that they can ease themselves into the habit.

Long-distance gifts don’t have to be grand; as long as they make your partner happy, your relationship wins. These are just a few friendly suggestions, so please feel free to add to the list through the comment section! We’ll be glad to hear from you.