Complete Guide to Sending a Virtual Hug 

One of the best ways to show someone you care about them is to hug them. Unfortunately, we can’t always hug the ones we love. In such cases, sending a virtual hug can be a great way to make someone’s day better. 

In this complete guide to sending a virtual hug, we’ll explain what virtual hugs are, why you should use them, and how to send them. 

What Is a Virtual Hug? 

In an ideal world, we’d always have the option to hug the ones we care about. Unfortunately, however, this isn’t always possible. Luckily, when we don’t have the opportunity to hug someone in person, we are usually able to send them a virtual hug. 

A virtual hug is, at its core, the same as an in-person hug, but (as the name implies ) without physical contact. Although virtual hugs don’t involve actually hugging someone, they allow us to convey the emotional impact of in-person hugs. Sometimes, this emotional message is more than enough. 

1. Why Give a Virtual Hug? 

There are numerous reasons you should give a virtual hug to a loved one, for instance: 

1-A. Birthday Celebration 

Reaching out to a loved one on their birthday is a great way to express love and affection, but if you want to make the person feel even more special, then you should send them a virtual hug! This especially means a lot if you can’t be there in person. Of course, you can always send a virtual hug even if you’ll see the person later that day. We guarantee they will love it. 

1-B. New Baby 

Has someone you love recently had a baby? If yes, sending a virtual hug to the new parents can be an excellent way to show your appreciation and excitement until you see them in person.

1-C. Moving/Relocating 

Moving away, especially somewhere far from loved ones, can be very stressful. In such situations, people who are moving will certainly need all the support they can get. If you can’t see them in person, then you can send them a virtual hug to congratulate them and remind them of all their love back home! 

1-D. Holiday Celebrations 

If you can’t spend holidays with your favorite people for whatever reason, then a virtual hug can be a thoughtful gesture. They will surely feel loved and appreciated, and who wouldn’t like that? 

1-E. Graduation 

Graduation is an important achievement that should be recognized, but we can’t always make it to such momentous events or related celebrations. Thankfully, however, not being able to be there in person doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to express your support! Sending a virtual hug is one of the best ways to show how proud you are and how much you care.

1-F. Loss of a Loved One 

Losing a loved one is never easy, and at such times, showing your support can go a long way. If you can’t be there for someone in person, then you can always send them a virtual hug. Receiving one in times of grief can certainly mean a lot and provide some comfort.

1-G. No Reason 

Perhaps the best time to send a virtual hug is when it’s unexpected. You don’t need a special reason to show someone you care about them, and a virtual hug can be a lovely surprise to brighten one’s day. Don’t wait for a birthday or another special occasion to make a loved one feel appreciated. 

2. Different Ways to Send a Virtual Hug 

There’s more than one way to send a virtual hug to someone you care about. Here, we’ll review the most popular ones: 

A. Text Message 

The first and most “traditional” way to send someone a virtual hug is via a text message. In this case, you have several options; you can send a text, meme, image, gif, or emoji. Simply open up your messaging app of choice, write your message, add the hug, and send!

B. eCard Email 

Another way to send a virtual hug is via an eCard. If you have Gmail and Google Chrome, then you can download an extension called Free Gmail eCards by cloud HQ and access eCards directly from your Gmail account!

Follow the steps below to send a virtual card via your email using the Gmail extension: 

1. Visit this page. 
2. Choose “Add to Chrome.” 
3. Open Gmail, select the recipient, and choose the email’s subject (optional). 
4. Choose the eCard you want to include in the email. 
5. Select the send button. 

The extension allows you to choose among hundreds of eCards and find the one you know the recipient will love. 

C. Social Media 

Social media can be an excellent choice for sending virtual hugs, consequently, we’ll discuss how to send one over Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and Twitter. 

D. Facebook 

If a close one posted a Facebook status or photo and you want to reply with a hug, then there are two ways to do it: by sending a GIF or an emoji. In short, here’s what you need to do: 

1. Open the Facebook app on your mobile device or go to the website. 
2. Find the post to which you want to reply with a virtual hug. 
3. Select the hug emoji and hit the enter key or choose an appropriate GIF.

E. Facebook Messenger 

If you’d like to send a virtual hug via Facebook Messenger, then here’s what you need to do: 

1. Open the Facebook Messenger app on your mobile device or go to the website.
2. Enter the name of the person you want to send a virtual hug to in the search bar. 
3. If you want to send an image, press the photo icon (the third icon from the left).
   If you want to take a photo, choose the camera option.
   If you want to send a GIF or an emoji, press the smiley face icon and choose the GIF or emoji. 
4. Hit the send button or the enter key.

F. Instagram 

You have two options for sending a virtual hug through Instagram: replying to a post with a hug emoji or sending a direct message. 

If you want to reply to a post, then follow the steps below: 

1. Open the Instagram app or go to the website. 
2. Log in if needed. 
3. Find the post to which you want to reply with a virtual hug emoji.
4. Select the emoji and press “Post.” 

If you want to send a virtual hug via a direct message on Instagram, then here’s what you need to do: 

1. Launch the Instagram app or visit the website. 
2. Log in if needed. 
3. Press the messaging icon at the top-right corner. 
4. Find the person to whom you want to send a virtual hug.
5. Choose whether you want to send a text, a GIPHY sticker, an emoji, or an image.
6. Press “Send.” 

G. Twitter 

Twitter users can reply to other people’s posts with a virtual hug. Here’s how you can do it: 

1. Open the Twitter app or visit the website.
2. Log in to your account if prompted. 
3. Find the post to which you want to reply with a virtual hug and press the comment icon below the post. 
4. Choose the emoji or GIF icon. You can also attach an image. 
5. Press the reply button. 

H. App 

There are numerous apps that allow you to send virtual hugs to your loved ones. If you have an Android phone, we recommend the I need hugs app, while iPhone users can use the Hugs app. Both apps offer hundreds of options and allow you to put a smile on your loved one’s face. 

All you need to do is install the app, then select “Send a hug,” and choose the recipient. 

I. Video Message 

Many consider sending a virtual hug via a video message to be the most meaningful, but why? Unsurprisingly, because the recipient will see your face and hear your kind words, this method feels much more personal! Plus, sending a virtual hug via a video message is great because you don’t have to install or use any one particular app to do it. Simply launch your camera and start recording. 

J. Virtual Reality

This option is certainly for more tech-savvy users. If you and the person you wish to send a virtual hug to have VR headsets, then you can use a VR app together and hug each other in it. 

K. Website 

Numerous websites allow you to design your virtual hug eCard and forward it to the recipient via email or download it as a PDF. On that note, we recommend greetingsisland.com. 

Here’s how to send a virtual hug eCard using this website: 

1. Open your browser and go to greetingsisland.com. 
2. Hover over the “Cards” option in the menu at the top of the page and press “Hugs.” 

3. What to Write in a Virtual Hug Message 

There are no universal rules to what you should write in a virtual hug message. The content of the message mostly depends on the circumstances and your relationship with the person. 

For example, if you’re sending a virtual hug for someone’s birthday, you can simply write “Happy birthday,” but you can also write a heartwarming message. The content of the message is completely up to you, but of course, you can always choose not to write anything and let the image, emoji, or GIF speak for itself. 

Here are a few tips that can help you write a perfect message: 

A. Make It Personal

If you’re close to the recipient, then think of a special moment the two of you shared. This moment can be funny, heartwarming, sad, scary, etc., depending on the circumstances. 

If you want to ace this part, then think of an inside joke or an event that was significant to both of you. 

B. Find Quotes 

If you know the recipient’s favorite writer or poet, then try to find a quote from that author. We guarantee they will appreciate your effort! If you don’t know their favorite author, then you can always search for a heartwarming, moving quote that matches the context. 

C. Give a Compliment 

Who doesn’t like an honest compliment? Depending on the circumstances, you can complement the recipient’s physical appearance, but you can also mention that they’re always there for you and have your back. 

D. Show You Listen to Them 

Although it may seem silly, showing someone you’re listening to what they’re saying is a great way to express your love and affection. Mentioning small or seemingly insignificant things which they’d told you a long time ago can be a great way to do this. 

E. Ensure the Message Is Appropriate 

Sending a virtual hug to your best friend or to a coworker isn’t the same thing, and each situation warrants different a approach. In the latter case, you certainly want to be more formal, while in the former case you could afford to be a bit looser. Another thing to keep in mind is the occasion is that your tone should match the circumstances and the purpose of the message. For example, if you’re sending a virtual hug to someone who just lost a loved one, you should probably keep the message more formal. 

4. Virtual Hug Memes 

Memes are typically humorous, contain pop culture elements, and are available almost anywhere on the internet. Finding virtual hug memes to share with a loved one shouldn’t be difficult, and you have thousands of options to choose from. Keep in mind that memes are typically static images, but can also be found in the form of GIF and short videos.

5. Virtual Hug GIFs 

GIFs can be defined as animated images consisting of several frames. Hence, they can be perfect for sending virtual hugs. One of the websites that contain thousands of GIFs is GIPHY. If you want to use it to send a virtual hug, here’s what you need to do: 

1. Visit GIPHY. 
2. Type “virtual hug” in the search bar. 
3. Save the GIF to your device or press “Share” and choose how you’d like to share it with the recipient. 

Talk to an Expert Shopper 

Hugs (virtual or otherwise) are always nice, but sometimes a bit more is warranted. If you want to give someone you love a special present but aren’t sure what to get, we can help. Our expert shoppers have years of experience and can help you find the perfect gift for your loved one. All you need to do is fill out the form, and we’ll reach out to you as soon as possible.