Valentine’s Day gift ideas for a long distance relationship

By Luan Alves · Updated

The best long distance Valentine’s gift closes the gap for a moment: something in your words or your voice that arrives on the day, plus a plan to see each other. Below are eight ideas, from open when letters to a synced movie night, and a timeline so mailed gifts arrive by the 14th.

8 long distance Valentine’s gift ideas

  1. A box of open when letters.

    One letter for Valentine’s Day itself, plus a few for the weeks after, like “for when you miss me” and “for the next visit”. The gift keeps going after the 14th.

  2. A voice note set to their morning.

    Record 30 seconds the night before. Hearing you first thing beats any text, and it works across time zones.

  3. The same dinner, on a video call.

    Order from the same chain, or cook the same recipe together on camera. Light a candle on both ends. It’s cheesy. Do it anyway.

  4. Flowers from a local shop near them.

    Order from a florist in their city. You’re supporting a shop they might walk past, and you can ask for their favorite flower by name.

  5. A care package of small, specific things.

    Their favorite snack from your city, a shirt that smells like you, a photo strip. Specific beats expensive.

  6. A playlist with a note for each song.

    Ten songs, one line each about why it’s there. Send the notes as a letter so they read along.

  7. A movie night in sync.

    Pick a movie you both love, hit play at the same second and keep a call open. Bonus points for matching snacks.

  8. The next visit, booked.

    The best long distance gift is a date on the calendar. Print the confirmation and put it in an envelope, even if it’s digital.

Open when letters as a Valentine’s gift

A single card is over in a minute. A set of open when letters lasts for weeks. Write one for Valentine’s Day and date it for the 14th, then add three to five for the moments that come after, like a bad day, a sleepless night or the day before the next visit. Add a photo and a voice note to the ones that matter most.

A set that works well:

Ideas for what to write in each one

When to start so it arrives on time

Anything physical needs a head start, especially across borders. Anything digital can wait until the first week of February.

  1. Early to mid January

    Pick the gift. If you’re mailing anything abroad, order and ship it now. International mail can take weeks.

  2. Late January

    Mail anything going within the country. Book flowers with a local florist before they fill up.

  3. First week of February

    Write the letters and record the voice notes, while you still have time to redo a take.

  4. February 13

    Send the link or the last text. Confirm the time for your video dinner in both time zones.

Questions

What’s a good long distance Valentine’s gift that isn’t expensive?
Words and time. A handful of open when letters, a voice note for their morning and a video dinner cost little and mean more than a delivery box. If you add one paid thing, make it the next visit.
Can I make a letter open exactly on Valentine’s Day?
Yes. In ForWhen, set a letter to open on February 14. It stays sealed until midnight in their time zone, and the rest of the letters can open whenever they need them.
Is it too late if it’s already February?
Not for a digital gift. You can write a set of open when letters in an evening and send the link the same day. Mailed gifts are the ones that need a head start.
More on open when letters for long distance

Send letters that open on the 14th

Write 3–8 letters with photos and your voice, date one for Valentine’s Day and send them as one private link. $9.99 once, no app.

Start writing