This is What You Get (and Do) For Your Recently-Divorced Friend
Whether she’s in the doldrums or doing a happy dance, these gifts will show you care.
Divorce is a uniquely personal experience, each one based on individual circumstances and emotions. I’ve seen it play out for several close friends and they've each had a different story—some initiated the divorce and were so relieved to be out of an unfulfilling marriage; others were blindsided and, at least temporarily, devastated by their spouse’s desire to leave. But one common thread for many people going through divorce is the need to have close friends they can turn to, whether to wipe their tears or to be their wingman as they re-enter the dating scene.
Listen, the very best gift you can give a newly-divorced friend is just to be there, available to lend an ear and to talk, talk, talk. Don’t wait for her to ask—initiate lunch dates or invite her over to watch Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce (after all, laughter is the best medicine!). But if you want to find a gift that shows you care, we’ve got you covered. From the practical to the sentimental to the amusing, we’ve rounded up options that are sure to put a smile on her face on even the hardest day.
Birchbox Gift Subscription
What better way to get a fresh start than with a sampling of new beauty products delivered right to your friend’s door? She may not even know it yet, but trust us—she doesn’t want to wear that lipstick she wore to their anniversary dinner or that perfume he gave her years ago ever again. Choose a three, six, or 12-month gift subscription, each one with five personalized beauty samples.
Yogitoes Yoga Mat Towel
Hot yoga is a great de-stressor but it’s also, well, extremely hot and sweat-inducing, which can turn that rubber yoga mat into a slip-n-slide. Help your girlfriend keep her feet firmly planted (both in class, and in life!) with this super absorbent towel that’s made from recycled bottles and comes in dozens of cheery colors.
Lenox Butterfly Meadow You Are Loved Mug
When you don’t know what to say, let this mug do it for you: “You are Loved!” is written in beautiful script inside the mug on the bottom, so she’ll be reminded of your thoughtfulness each time she takes a sip. Complete the gift by filling the 10-ounce porcelain mug with her favorite tea bags.
Little Black Book of Addresses
Go retro with this classic symbol of dating. There’s space for her to record names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and more (like Instagram handles, Snapchat accounts, and more 21st century info) for more than 600 contacts. There’s an elastic band that keeps it closed and best of all she can’t accidentally butt-dial anyone from a book!
Keurig K15 Single-Serve Compact Coffee Maker
Remind her, “It’s time to focus on you,” with this coffee maker that can only produce one cup at a time. Keurig’s compact, personal brewer can use 6-, 8-, or 10-ounce K-cup pods and automatically turns off after 90 seconds of inactivity.
CozyChic Robe Barefoot Dreams
For those nights when she stays in, she’ll appreciate this uber-soft robe—it’s kind of like wearing a warm hug. Because cozy luxury (and a glass of wine), can turn even the hardest day around.
Gilt Gift Card
Gift cards never go out of style and when it’s for this luxury shopping site, it carries an unwritten message—you’re worth it! Give her access to insider sales from top brands for clothing, accessories, beauty, home, and more. For friends nearby, order the physical gift card and deliver in person; for those far away (but still close to your heart), the e-card arrives instantly.
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself
A period of inward reflection is never a bad idea, but it can be particularly therapeutic for anyone going through a life transition. This New York Times bestseller gets rave reviews for a reason—it helps readers let go of painful thoughts and live happily in the present. Bonus: This hardcover edition has an attached satin ribbon bookmark.
Craftsman Evolv Tool Set
A tongue-in-cheek gift that tells her one thing: “You’ve got this.” She’ll be ready to tackle any job with these 24 tools packed in a handy storage bag. The set includes screwdrivers, pliers, a wrench, a hammer, a tape measure and more.
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Bloom
Fragrance can be a powerful trigger for memories, so tell her to toss those old perfumes and start with a clean slate with one of the newest scents of spring. Described as the “airy sister fragrance” to 2005’s cult favorite Flowerbomb, this brand new version has a top note of pomegranate mixed with mandarin, over a base of freesia, rose, and jasmine.
Freshly Signed Divorce Papers Candle
Since actually burning the divorce papers is probably not a good idea… she can light this candle from Flick Candles (a brand that has created a unique niche of candles named for life’s not-so-joyful moments). But despite the name, the scent is a perfectly pleasant mix of honeysuckle and jasmine.
Inspirational Expandable Bangle
Who doesn’t want to carry a little bit of Winnie the Pooh with them each day? The charm on this expandable bracelet is inscribed with one of the beloved stories’ most famous quotes: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think,” uttered by the very wise Christopher Robin to his dear friend Pooh.
Scratch the World Map
For many people, travel is a natural healer that soothes the soul, refreshes the mind, and opens the heart. Encourage your girlfriend to venture out with this 33- by 23-inch scratch-off map that creates a fun and visual way to keep track of world travels. Use a coin to scratch off the gold overlay to reveal the colorful map underneath.
George Foreman Classic Grill
For more than 20 years, George’s trusty electric grill has been helping us cook everything from burgers to fish to veggies. This personal-size version is perfect for individual meals and the non-stick surface makes clean-up easy.
