Long distance relationships can work and give you so many opportunities to show your romantic side.
Dating online often leads to long distance relationships and it may be some time before you are both able to bring your lives together.
It is quite easy to get into a routine, even when dating long distance. You visit every third weekend or a week every three months, you phone at 10pm every night or write every Saturday. You plan your time together in advance, down to what you will eat.
However with just a little thought you can keep the romance and excitement in your relationship.
Here are 10 ideas for gifts that will help the love flourish, no matter how far apart you are:
1. Swap Clothes
No you don’t need to start cross dressing. There is something very personal about sleeping in your man’s t-shirt. Guys if you are thinner than your lady then buy a big baggy t-shirt and sleep in it for a while before you give it to her, it needs to have that “lived in feel”. Girls give your man your winter scarf, as long as it’s not pink and flowery or if you are similar sizes then give him one of your t-shirts.
2. Use the Post
We have become so reliant on the internet, the speed of emails and texts makes communication so quick and convenient but it is far from romantic. You need to add a little surprise sometimes, post a romantic card, poem or a small gift.
3. Find a Colour
Send small gifts or pictures that all have the same colour theme. Is she passionate about pink or is he addicted to chocolate. While you are out and about find things to add to the collection, they don’t need to be expensive, something from nature or a picture from a magazine but using a theme makes it personal to you both.
4. Send photos
Make it interesting, start at your feet or finger tips and take a photo of a small part of your body, each week send a new photo until your partner has a full jigsaw puzzle of you. This can be as naughty or as nice as you like.
5. Swap Calendars
Fill in all the dates that are important to you, your family birthdays and anniversaries, important events at work or even silly things like the date your car needs an MOT. These all make them feel part of your life, they know what is going on with you even when you are not in touch each day. You can add things to the calendar when you find out what your partner has been or is planning to do.
6. Paper Chain
Make a paper chain by linking strips of paper in circles, add one link for every day you will be apart. This works best if you will be apart for over a month. Each day rip off one of the links and it is amazing how visually seeing the chain getting shorter helps the days fly by.
7. Plan a Weekend Surprise
Take it in turns to plan a romantic weekend but don’t give any hints to your partner, simply send instruction for what clothes they should bring. If you want them to go sailing then tell them to bring waterproofs.
8. Read a Book
Buy two copies of the same book and read it at the same time, you can discuss the book online and this helps you to share interests. If and when you finally come together you can make a small library for your shared home with one set of copies and give the second copies to a charity shop.
9. Swap Diaries
Buy two diaries and each day before you sleep write down a few thoughts. When you see your partner swap diaries before you part again but don’t read them together. You each continue adding your thoughts to the diaries but also have something to read from your love each night. They make a wonderful memory in future years.
10. Leave Surprises
Place small gifts or notes in their home, car, bag, wallet, etc. Don’t make them obvious, so they find them over time. Once they get used to this ask them not to go looking for them but wait until they come across them naturally. After a while start numbering them (eg 3 of 7) and they will have the anticipation of knowing there are more to find. If your partner leaves you notes or gifts please try to resist the temptation to find them all at once, you really will get more pleasure from finding them naturally.
December 13th, 2008 at 12:19 am
i think that it sounds like it would work.
to bad i didnt see this sooner
December 13th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
these are really lovely I would recommend them for short distance non-cohabitation relationships as well
December 14th, 2008 at 5:56 am
This is beautiful…
December 14th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Thanks guys, I hope these tips will help some long distance relationships survive but you are right Bryan, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be just as romantic in short distance relationships.
December 14th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Some of these are great ideas. I’d like to try them out with my boyfriend
December 15th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I wonder if a few of these could have added to those two years… so it goes.
December 15th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
I think these are lovely!
i had a long distance with my boyfriend while he was away for univeristy. it was the toughest 8 months of my life! but little things like this actually do help!
we made it through the 8 months and have been together for almost 2 years!!!
December 16th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Quaint.
December 16th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
This is lovely! I’ve been involved in a sort of long-distance courtship for about six months, and numbers two (using the post), four (pictures) and eight (same books at the same time) have been delightful.
Thanks for the additional recommendations!
December 16th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Thanks very much for the comments everyone and am so pleased to hear that they are working for people.
If you have a partner that goes away for some time as a one off it is a great idea to make a paper chain with a link for every day they will be away … sounds silly I know but try it …. each day you remove one link and it is such a comfort when you start to see the chain getting smaller. It kept me sane while my ex husband was away at war.
December 16th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Me and my boyfriend are going through a rough patch today, what a coincidence my stumble button brought me here. I’ve been wanting to do #1 for a long time now. I’m going to send him this hopefully it will make his day a little better.
December 19th, 2008 at 8:20 am
fancy papered is necessary! send song’s your listening to on CD’s and have a shared project you work on a bit each time you get together, the accomplishments together are really bonding. “Look what we did” is a great way to stay connected.
Put confetti in your cards, or sparkles. Surprises like that are awesome. Also – these http://farm1.static.flickr.com/1/1236224_a2285565c8_m.jpg
I’m a pro at the LD romance
December 21st, 2008 at 4:01 am
Would love to hear more about how you cope with LD romance Dawn.
Sorry to hear about your rough patch Tsuki, I do hope it is resolved soon. Please let us know how it goes and if he reponds well to any of these suggestions.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:55 am
I love these suggestions! Especially in these times when meaningful, low cost gifts are such a blessing!
Merry Christmas to you!
Catherine
December 26th, 2008 at 6:40 am
Hi Catherine, thanks for your comment. Have just stopped by your blog and book marked it, great writing.
Sally
May 8th, 2009 at 4:35 am
These made me smile, and all I could do whilst reading them was imagine his smile when these things were done for him…and his wishing he had done it first
June 28th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Thanks! These tips are working great for me! I am using these once in a while and started innovating too
Mike Toby´s last blog ..Science and it’s quirks
July 5th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Hi Mike
We love innovation but we like it better if you share your ideas lol
August 20th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Great tips, long distance relationships aren’t easy but these tips will definitely make them easier!
Paul@RX Affiliate´s last blog ..myRXCash summer heat promotion
October 27th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Hi everyone, these are great ideas. I wish I had read this a few months ago, as it would have been helpful. Long distante relationships are very hard. As jeolousys and insecurities seem to creep in very easily.
But I did do the leaving notes in her room as well as in her text books and numbering them. She loved it.lol We also would rent the same romantic comedies and dicussed them when we were together. It made way for good laughs and personal insight.
I would also buy an occasional card and write a poem and leave it on her night stand for her to find when she got home from work and school.
That relationship is over now, but these tips do make the relationship fun. I would do it all over again. Thankyou.
October 29th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
I personally tried #8. she sent me a book she really loved, and I read it with great pleasure.
Afterwards, we commented on the book, and got even more closer then before.
Romy @ How To Get My Girlfriend Back´s last blog ..Do Follow, Comment Luv Keyword Luv
November 18th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
I use the “post” with my girl friend all the time and she loves it. Nothing beats the excitement of receiving real mail since it’s so rare now-a-day.
November 25th, 2009 at 1:47 am
Hey, you’re right about the post for creating that old-school excitement of waiting for a letter or present in the post. And I like the idea of sending one of your T-Shirts. That’s a great idea, I might actually fo that this Xmas with my long-distance girlfriend.
John @ Elf Fancy Dress´s last blog ..Do Follow, Top Commentator, Comment Luv Keyword Luv
December 4th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Great suggestion. My wife and I sustained a long distance relationship for two years. It’s hard work, but it can be worth it. We used all of these wonderful suggestion except the swapping diaries one.
In the end, these ideas did help it work… she is still my wife after all!
David @ Inexpensive Gifts for Men´s last blog ..Unique Gifts for Men
December 5th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Ok here is my take on this 1. Swap Clothes this is one amazing tip even if your not is a long distant relationship you can use this wish i used it more.
2. Use the Post When using this you really do need to make it a suprise or it gets boring.
3. Find a Colour This is great but please dont use this to make up ater rows or everytime you want something this needs to be done rarely because then even the small things will mean alot trust me on this.
4. Send photos lol if you want to have a laught this is great
5. Swap Calendars this can be really good but try and do it montly because its hard planing a full calender if you do it monthly you might b able to make it more interesting and this might get to think about you more but this can also backfire doing it montly mayb u could even do it for 3 or 6 months
6. Paper Chain yup can be fun and its something you can share
7. Plan a Weekend Surprise its a good idea but i think its important to set up little suprises every now and again if you do it 2 often some people start expecting too much from you.
8. Read a Book a good tip if your into reading books
9. Swap Diaries its a cute little tip i guess
10. Leave Surprises yup a great idea i use to hide things in her pockets or bag
btw great site
Simon @elf costume´s last blog ..Top Commentators, CommentLuv, KeywordLuv, Do Follow blog
December 16th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Hi David
What a great story, thanks for letting us know a long distance can work. I agree, if its the right person then you can make it work but it does take a bit of effort.
December 16th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Hi Simon
Agree with you totally, anything you do that is too repetative will get boring. Swap and change the things you do to keep it interesting and always try to use the element of surprise.
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Thanks for the great tips. I am sure anyone trying to sustain a long distant relationship will find your website very helpful. Your insight will help many people hold onto that special someone even though it may be difficult. Thanks again for sharing this with everyone.
December 28th, 2009 at 4:30 am
I like number 2: Use the Post. It takes more effort which reflects the effort that one is willing to put into a relationship.
All the other tips are also good.
Emma´s last blog ..Valentines White Chocolate
December 31st, 2009 at 9:43 am
I love this… thank you
I wish I seen it sooner!
January 12th, 2010 at 11:51 am
Hi all, my daughter is in a long distance relationship and her boyfriend of 16 has just sent her the most beautifully engraved golden heart and a promise note. In this one gift he has shown romance, sentiment and his love beautifully. We are all stunned and hoping to find something that reflects as much romance, love and sentiment, as these two although distanced are smitten. Has anyone got any ideas as to what would be a gift with as much sentiment for a 16 year old male with such a gentle, romantic streak?
January 18th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
This is another proof that, if you love your partner, you’ll be able to find ways of keeping that love alive.
With whatever you do, don’t do it for the sake of doing something new. Also, don’t do something because you are used to doing it.
Any action you take must be born out of your feelings toward your partner – not to avoid boredom, and not because the other one expects you to do so.
I am a fan of books, so I vote number 8 as the most “connecting” among the activities.
Do you already have a long list of blog admirers? Well, I don’t care, just please add me to that growing number.
January 19th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Wow my first official admirer … thanks Abraham.
I think you are so right, if you just do things because it is expected then it soon becomes boring and meaningless.
January 19th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Hi Angie
So sorry to take so long to get back to you.
It’s very difficult without knowing the guy or how much your daughter has to spend on a gift … what about an engraved watch or jewelry shop keychain (you can get hidden message keychains and I bet he would read it over and over) … if she has long hair what about getting it made into an armlet (it’s braided and beads sewn on to stop it unravelling) … write your own message and have it engraved on a ring – this one might be good for a 16 year old man link to ring
I really hope their relationship lasts and you find the right gift.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
I remember trying to keep a long distance relationship going once and failed miserably! Your tips are great and very imaginative but I think it would also be worth mentioning that with techology these days, webcams and the like, you can keep in touch much more easily than ever in the past.
And who knows what the future holds….ahem….we all know which industry drives technology in that market
January 30th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Some really nice, subtle but effective hints here. It’s true sending clothes for your girlfriend to wear is very powerful. You always feel close to the person that way. And the colour coordination to gifts is great too, an extra touch that she will love. Nice post.
Alethea@Valentines Gifts For Men´s last blog ..Privacy Policy
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Very nice and useful ideas! I had a long-distance relationship for over 3 years and beleave me – you need every tip and trick there is to keep it working! These are great ideas!
Travis@Romantic Pick Up Line´s last blog ..Romantic Pick Up Line That Works?
February 12th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
There are some really great tips here, lots of them are great advice for normal relationships too. I always think a shared hobby is a great way to keep a relationship interesting, to put a long distance spin on it you could both take up the same project such us creating a bolg – and both write articles that contribute.
February 24th, 2010 at 11:16 am
Yes i agree there are some great tips here but as mentioned applying these great gift ideas should also be done to ones closer to home and in everyday life especially to the ones you love
March 13th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Long distance relationships are not for the faint of heart, and I think it’s important to keep reminding that special someone who lives 2000 miles away that you are thinking of them…So thank for the gift ideas.
Jay @ Prom Dress´s last blog ..Keyword Luv, Comment Luv, and Do Follow
March 29th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
I like the whole idea about writing letters n using the good old fasion mail service its true a letter these days means so much more …due to the sheer effort of it compare to email.
ng@passportcovers´s last blog ..Do Follow Blog, Comment Luv Keyword Luv
April 8th, 2010 at 5:25 am
These tips are great as everyone has mentioned but something as simple as going on a dinner date is also effective. Dinners are a simple way to break the ice and get to know one another.
May 3rd, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Hi Lonnie
I would be very interested in hearing how two people in a LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP (as this was the topic of the article) go on a dinner date? Perhaps you try glancing at the article when you are link building!!
May 7th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
I feel that long distant relationships should be recognized as very special. if the relationship involves people that go a long period of time without seeing each other, then the trust of one another is outstanding. This trust is rare in our society now days.
Great info thanks!
May 10th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
I have been in a long distance relationship for 10 weeks and it has been the hardest thing in the world! My partner also have this huge case that will keep him occupied for a bit, but all his spare time is directed towards me. I read somewhere that sharing an online journal is great! For people who are very impatient like me & want instant feedback – jump online and read your partner’s thoughts.
May 31st, 2010 at 3:17 pm
i love this post. this will work out well even for the couples who are not on a long distance relationship. Also, I would like to add that since social media sites are quite famous now, especially facebook, a message on the wall for him/her or you surprise her/him on your day when you show to the world how much he/she means to you by means of your status message… that would really touch the person since you made an effort to show off how proud you are with your relationship. ^_^
cheers!
June 11th, 2010 at 1:39 am
I have been dating my man for about 4 months now and we have been long distances for 2. I really feel like our “pazaz has been on the downfall. I love him to death but i really need some great ideas!!! These are great! I want to send my man some of my clothes, but with both of us being Christian I dont want to send anything to scandalious… what do u think i should send him?
June 12th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Hi Wonderingwoman
Sorry to hear the pazaz is on the downfall but great you are trying to do something about it. What about a large t-shirt, something a man can wear (even if just around the house) to remember you. A baseball cap you love to wear perhaps? Go through your wardrobe and think, what could a man wear or at least snuggle into at night to keep him thinking about you.
My hubby has been working away for 3 months now and it is really difficult, so I do feel for you. I started to feel the same as you about 3 weeks ago, we both have very busy lives and I felt as though I came last …. silly girlie person that I am lol …. I told him my feelings and now I get tiny little emails and texts saying things like “Oh I … love you”. It’s amazing how they pick me up every day, I don’t need poetry and flowers, these do the trick. Is your man reminding you daily that he loves you?
July 20th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
i love #4 and i think my boyfriend will too. he is going off for college for another year starting the end of august and he loves stuff like that and not to see him for that long i have to keep it interesting
August 3rd, 2010 at 3:01 pm
These are great ideas! It can be so hard to show how much you are thinking of someone when they are far away or you don’t get to see them often. It is really important to keep the affection going and little reminders of how much you feel for each other is a great way.
Why not send them a pencil portrait of both of you so he can be reminded of how much you care every day? Two different pictures can be merged together to make this easier.
The perfect gift, a pencil portrait from your photos