Saying goodbye is never easy, and finding the right going away gift can add to the pressure. You want to give something that shows you care, something memorable that the person leaving can cherish as they embark on a new chapter. If you’re struggling to come up with the perfect farewell present, you’re in the right place. This guide is packed with 40 Going Away Gift Ideas to help you brainstorm and select a gift that truly resonates.
A woman smiles as she receives a beautiful bouquet of flowers, symbolizing thoughtful going away gift ideas for friends and family moving away.
Going Away Gift Ideas for Friends and Family
When a friend or family member is moving, a going away gift is a wonderful way to express your love and support. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or a mix of both, tailored to their personality and needs as they start afresh.
1. Dual Time Zone Watch: Stay Connected Across Distances
Moving to a new time zone can be disorienting. A dual time watch is an incredibly thoughtful and practical gift, especially if your friend or family member is moving far away from loved ones. This allows them to easily keep track of time both in their new location and back home, making communication and planning calls much simpler. It eliminates the mental gymnastics of time differences and ensures they never miss a beat connecting with those they cherish.
2. Fitness Tracker: Encourage Exploration and Wellness
Moving to a new place is an adventure filled with exploration. A fitness tracker is a fantastic gift to encourage them to discover their new surroundings while staying healthy. It monitors steps, sleep patterns, and even workout activities. For an extra layer of connection, consider getting one for yourself too! You can challenge each other to step competitions, staying motivated and connected even when miles apart. This gift promotes well-being and adventure in their new locale.
3. Box of Dated Letters: A Year of Warm Hugs from Home
For a deeply personal and sentimental going away gift, create a box of dated letters. Write 12 heartfelt letters, each to be opened on a specific date throughout the first year in their new home. Fill these letters with cherished memories, inside jokes, and expressions of what you’ll miss. Each letter becomes a warm hug from home, delivered at just the right moment, offering comfort and connection during their transition.
4. Meal Delivery Kit Subscription: Stress-Free Meals During the Move
Moving is exhausting, and cooking is often the last thing on anyone’s mind amidst unpacking chaos. A meal delivery kit subscription, like Blue Apron or Sun Basket, is an incredibly practical and appreciated gift. It provides healthy, easy-to-prepare meals delivered right to their door, saving them time, reducing stress, and ensuring they eat well during the hectic moving process. Plus, it’s a gift that keeps on giving, with delicious meals to look forward to.
5. Long-Distance Keychains: A Symbolic Connection
Long-distance keychains are a sweet and symbolic way to maintain a connection. Order two keychains: one shaped like the state they are leaving and another of their new state. You keep the keychain representing their new home, and they take the one of their old home. Every time you both reach for your keys, you’ll be reminded of each other and the bond you share, despite the distance.
6. Personalized Photo Book: Relive Cherished Memories
Photos are timeless and emotionally resonant going away presents. Compile a photo book filled with your favorite memories together. Use online services to easily create a professional-looking photobook, or get crafty with a scrapbook for a more personal touch. Photo magnets, mugs, and keychains are also great alternatives for photo-related gifts. These visual reminders of shared experiences are sure to bring smiles and comfort.
7. Welcome Flowers to Their New Home: A Bright Start
While technically a “welcome to your new home” gift, sending flowers to arrive at their new place shortly after they do is a wonderful gesture. Fresh flowers instantly brighten up a new space and convey that you’re thinking of them during this exciting but potentially overwhelming time. It’s a lovely way to make their new house feel a little more like home right away.
8. Travel Gadgets and Accessories: Comfort and Convenience on the Go
For friends or family moving by plane, travel gadgets and accessories are incredibly useful going away gifts. A comfortable travel pillow, a portable luggage scale, or a universal adapter can make their journey and initial settling in much smoother. These practical items show you’re thinking of their comfort and convenience during the travel process.
9. Local Delicacies: A Taste of Home, Wherever They Go
Help them carry a piece of home with them by gifting local delicacies. Whether it’s gourmet treats from a local chocolatier, specialty coffee beans from their favorite cafe, or a regional food item unique to your area, these edible gifts offer comfort and familiarity amidst new surroundings. Choose non-perishable items that travel well and evoke the flavors of home.
10. Experience Voucher for Their New City: Encourage Local Exploration
Encourage them to explore their new city with an experience voucher. Platforms like Groupon often offer deals on local activities, tours, restaurants, and spas. Select an experience that aligns with their interests or something unique to their new location, like a city tour, a cooking class featuring local cuisine, or tickets to a cultural event. A spa day is always a welcome treat after the stress of moving!
11. Long-Distance Friendship Lamps: A Gentle Glow of Connection
Long-distance friendship lamps are a unique and touching way to stay connected. These Wi-Fi enabled lamps come in pairs (or sets for larger groups). When one person touches their lamp, the other lamp glows, no matter the distance. It’s a subtle yet powerful way to send a “thinking of you” message across miles. Assign different colors to different friends for a personalized and vibrant display of connection.
12. Coordinates Jewelry: Carry a Piece of Home
A piece of custom jewelry engraved with the geographical coordinates of their hometown is a meaningful and stylish going away gift. This allows them to carry a tangible reminder of their roots wherever they go. Bracelets, necklaces, or keychains can be personalized with these coordinates, creating a unique and sentimental keepsake.
13. Weekender Bag: Stylish Travel for Visits Back Home
Moving away often means planning trips back to visit. A stylish and durable weekender bag or carry-on luggage is a practical and thoughtful gift to facilitate these journeys. Every time they use it, they’ll be reminded of home and encouraged to book a return trip. Choose a bag that suits their style and travel needs, ensuring it’s both functional and a reminder of your thoughtfulness.
14. Sage Cleansing Kit: Positive Energy for a New Space
Sage cleansing kits are becoming increasingly popular for housewarmings and new beginnings. Sage is believed to clear negative energy and create a positive atmosphere. A sage kit is a thoughtful and symbolic gift for someone starting fresh in a new home, helping them to create a welcoming and harmonious environment.
15. New Home Essentials Care Package: Practical Support
While not the most glamorous, a care package filled with new home essentials is incredibly practical and appreciated. Think toilet paper, cleaning supplies, hand soap, paper towels, and other basic necessities. Boxing these up as a care package saves them a trip to the store during the initial hectic days of moving in, offering practical support when they need it most.
16. Custom Map Puzzle: A Fun Homage to Old and New
A custom map puzzle is a unique and engaging gift. You can choose a map of their old hometown as a nostalgic keepsake, or a map of their new city to help them get acquainted with the layout. Some map puzzles even include a house-shaped centerpiece to mark “home,” adding a personalized touch.
17. Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot: Stay Connected Instantly
Setting up internet in a new home can take time. A portable Wi-Fi hotspot provides instant internet access, bridging the gap between moving day and internet installation. This practical gift ensures they can stay connected for work, communication, and entertainment without relying on public Wi-Fi or incurring extra data charges.
18. Homesick Candles: Scents of Familiar Places
Homesick candles are designed to evoke the scents of specific states or regions. Gift a candle representing their home state, allowing them to experience the familiar aromas of their roots whenever they desire. Whether it’s the scent of pine forests, ocean breeze, or local flora, these candles provide a comforting sensory connection to home.
19. Hardware Store Gift Card: Home Improvement Projects Ahead
New homes often come with projects and repairs. A hardware store gift card is a practical and useful gift, acknowledging the inevitable trips to stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s. It helps offset the costs of home improvement and ensures they can readily tackle any necessary fixes or upgrades in their new place.
20. General Retailer Gift Card (Target/Walmart): Versatile Spending Power
Similar to hardware stores, gift cards to large retailers like Target or Walmart are incredibly versatile. They can use these for anything from household goods and groceries to personal care items and décor for their new home. These gift cards offer flexibility and ensure they can purchase exactly what they need as they settle in.
21. Airline Gift Card: Encourage Visits Back Home
An airline gift card is a subtle nudge to encourage them to visit home soon. It doesn’t have to cover a full round-trip ticket, but any amount contributes towards a flight back, making the prospect of a visit more attainable. It shows you value their return and look forward to seeing them again.
22. Ride-Sharing Gift Card (Uber/Lyft): Transportation Convenience
A ride-sharing gift card from Uber or Lyft is a thoughtful gift, especially for someone moving to a city without a car or for younger individuals like college students. It provides convenient transportation for exploring their new city, running errands, or socializing responsibly.
23. Gas Gift Card: Fueling Their Journey and Beyond
For those driving to their new home, a gas gift card is a practical way to help with travel expenses. It can ease the financial burden of the move, covering gas for the journey and potentially for initial local trips as they settle into their new location.
24. Hometown Apparel: Wearable Reminders of Roots
Clothing items featuring their home state’s symbol, a local sports team logo, or a beloved landmark are wearable reminders of home. A cap, sweatshirt, or scarf can provide comfort and a sense of connection to their roots, especially during moments of homesickness.
25. Personalized Gifts: A Thoughtful Touch
Beyond specific items, personalization elevates almost any gift. Consider personalized beach towels, calendars, wine glasses, ornaments, journals, or mugs. Personalization adds a thoughtful touch without being overly expensive, showing you put extra effort into selecting their going away gift.
Going Away Gift Ideas for International Moves
For someone moving internationally, the focus shifts to portability and practicality. Gifts should be lightweight, compact, and ideally universally useful, considering potential differences in technology and customs abroad.
26. Weather-Appropriate Clothing and Accessories: Comfort in a New Climate
Consider the climate of their new international destination. Sunglasses and a sun hat are perfect for sunny locales, while rain gear is essential for rainy regions, and warm scarves and gloves are ideal for colder climates. Weather-appropriate clothing and accessories show you’ve considered their practical needs in their new environment.
27. Curated Playlist: Soundtrack of Home
Create a digital playlist of songs that remind them of home, shared memories, and your friendship. Music is a powerful emotional connector, and a personalized playlist offers a portable soundtrack of comfort and familiarity they can access anywhere in the world.
28. Universal Travel Adapter: Power Up Anywhere
A universal travel adapter is an indispensable gift for international movers. It ensures they can charge their electronic devices regardless of plug types in their new country. This small but crucial gadget eliminates frustration and keeps them connected in their new location.
29. Portable Power Bank: Stay Charged On the Go
A portable power bank is another essential tech gift, especially when navigating a new country. It ensures their phone stays charged, crucial for maps, communication, and emergencies, particularly when they might be without access to wall outlets while exploring or settling in.
30. Portable Hard Drive: Digital Backup and Security
Before an international move, backing up digital files is crucial. A portable hard drive provides a safe and secure way to store important documents, photos, and other digital assets. It safeguards their data in case of laptop theft or damage during the move, offering peace of mind.
31. Multi-Tool: Versatility in a Compact Form
A multi-tool is a surprisingly useful gift, especially when setting up a new home abroad. It combines various tools like knives, screwdrivers, bottle openers, and pliers into one compact device. This handy gadget can assist with minor repairs, opening boxes, and various tasks until they acquire a full set of tools in their new country.
32. Passport Wallet/Holder: Protection and Organization for Travel Documents
A passport wallet or holder is a stylish and practical gift for international travelers. It protects their passport from wear and tear, damage, and potential theft. Passport wallets often include slots for cards, cash, and other essential travel documents, keeping everything organized in one place.
33. Spices and Seasonings from Home: Familiar Flavors Abroad
Depending on their destination, familiar spices and seasonings might be difficult to find. If they have favorite spice blends, specific brands of seasonings, or regional specialties they love, gifting them a selection from home is a thoughtful and culinary comforting gesture. Opt for dry or powdered spices for easier transport.
34. Quality Luggage: Organized and Durable Travel
Quality luggage, whether a hard-shell suitcase, a carry-on backpack, or a toiletries case, is a valuable gift for anyone moving abroad. Good luggage facilitates organized packing and ensures their belongings are protected during the long journey. Choose durable and appropriately sized luggage based on their travel style and needs.
35. Digital Subscriptions: Entertainment and Convenience, Anywhere
Digital subscriptions are excellent going away gifts for international moves as they take up no physical space. Subscriptions to streaming services like Spotify, Netflix, or Amazon Kindle Unlimited provide entertainment and convenience in their new location. Gifting a subscription for a few months or a year is a thoughtful and practical present.
Going Away Gift Ideas for Neighbors
Choosing going away gifts for neighbors can be a delicate balance, especially if you’re not very close. The key is to be thoughtful without being overly personal. Consider these neighbor-appropriate going away gift ideas, which can also work well for colleagues or acquaintances.
36. Starter Seeds: A Gift for Green Thumbs
If you know your neighbors enjoy gardening, starter seeds for flowers, vegetables, or herbs are a lovely and appropriate gift. This is particularly thoughtful if they are moving to a home with a garden, giving them a head start on creating a beautiful outdoor space.
37. Charitable Donation in Their Name: Giving Back Together
If your neighbors “have everything” but are passionate about a particular cause, consider making a donation to a charity or non-profit organization in their honor. This is a meaningful and selfless gift, especially for those who value philanthropy over material possessions.
38. “Spa Day” in a Box: Relaxation After the Move
Everyone deserves relaxation after the stress of moving. A “spa day” in a box, whether DIY or pre-assembled, offers a thoughtful way for your neighbors to unwind. Include items like bath bombs, scented lotions, candles, teas, and relaxing balms. Consider sourcing items from local farmers’ markets or artisan shops for an extra special touch.
39. Pet Gift: Thoughtfulness for Furry Friends
Moving is stressful for pets too. If your neighbors have a dog, cat, or other pet, a gift for their furry companion is a kind gesture. Treats, a new toy, or a cozy pet bed show you care about their whole family, including their animals.
40. Custom Map Cutting Board: A Kitchen Keepsake of the Old Neighborhood
A custom map cutting board featuring their old neighborhood is a unique and practical gift. These cutting boards often highlight a specific area around their former address, marked with a star, creating a functional and sentimental kitchen keepsake.
Gift-Buying Tips: Making Your Going Away Gift Perfect
- Prioritize Thoughtfulness and Utility: Aim for gifts that are both meaningful and practical. A combination of sentiment and usefulness makes a going away gift truly special.
- Personalization Matters: Personalized gifts demonstrate extra thought and effort. Explore online marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon for personalized going away gift options.
- Avoid Bulky, Perishable, or Hazardous Items: Skip large, heavy, perishable, or hazardous items that might be difficult to transport or inappropriate for movers to handle. This includes plants, fresh food, and flammable materials.
- Consider Your Relationship and Budget: Don’t overspend, especially if you don’t know the person very well. A thoughtful gesture is more important than an extravagant gift.
- Keep it Generally Appropriate: Unless it’s for a very close friend or family member, avoid overly personal gifts that might miss the mark or feel awkward.
Going away gifts are not mandatory, but they are a lovely way to show someone you care and that you’ll miss them. A thoughtful present can make a big difference during a significant life transition. And remember, even beyond a gift, your support and help during their move are often the most valuable going away gestures of all.
