Monogramming or customizing takes gifts to the next level – and shows recipients that you know what they like and who they are
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A personalized gift is a special thing that says that you not only know what the recipient likes, but that you also know who they are. “Gift math” suggests you score extra points for offering a personalized gift, and it’s not hard to see why: monogramming or engraving, which takes time and effort, may feel more meaningful than, say, a last-minute grocery store bouquet of carnations.
When shopping for a loved one (or even the colleague on the other side of your cubicle), a personalized gift suggests foresight and consideration that is incredibly thoughtful without coming on too strong. To get you started on your quest for shopping for that perfect personalized gift this holiday season, we have sourced from ideas we’ve given, received and truly, truly love.
Shutterfly Personalized Notecards
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Shutterfly Personalized Notecards
From $35 for pack of 30 at Shutterfly
I’ve been a longtime devotee of Shutterfly’s handsome selection of customizable goodies, from wedding stationery (yes, my menus and processional cards were beautiful enough to take home as keepsakes) to mugs with my mug on it. As a proponent of the handwritten thank-you note, the brand’s notecards get the most compliments, and they’re entirely customizable, from text to trim and color to cardstock. Though I opted for the cheapest cardstock for these personalized note cards, they still feel incredibly luxe and durable. A gift of personalized stationery is also the gift of time because your recipient will no longer need to rush to the convenience store for a card each time a thank you or a congratulations are in order.
Pottery Barn Kids Lion Heirloom Baby Blanket
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Pottery Barn Kids Lion Heirloom Baby Blanket
From $85 at Pottery Barn Kids
When my friend FaceTimed me from Pottery Barn Kids so I could pick out the color and text on this baby blanket the week before my son was born, my initial thought was: “This kid is about to have a nursery so aesthetic it will become my entire online personality.” The impossibly plush patchwork blanket has the comforting appeal of something grandma may have knitted, with the aesthetic construction and motifs only Pottery Barn Kids could pull off. It is almost too pretty to use, what with the near-constant looming threat of spit-up dribbles, but it serves as an unbelievably soft and warm layer as the late fall chill sets in. Kids really get a kick out of seeing their name on something, making it an ideal gift even for literate school-age children.
Customizable Nalgene Bottle
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Customizable Nalgene Bottle
From $25 at Nalgene
Not entirely sure what to give the person who has everything, or someone you don’t know particularly well? Chances are they drink water, or can benefit from more of it. Bingo: a personalized Nalgene water bottle that may actually get them excited about hitting their eight glasses a day. First, pick a wide- or narrow-mouth bottle in a color of your choosing, then your text or design. Easy as that. I personalized a wide-mouthed bottle for my perpetually parched husband years ago with the text “4ever thirsty 4 u”, which you are welcome to steal should your recipient be someone with whom you are well acquainted.
Cameo Personalized Video
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Cameo Personalized Video
Varied prices at Cameo
Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy a personalized video from a niche D-list reality TV star sitting on their living room couch, if your recipient is into that sort of thing. The beauty about Cameo videos is that they become a gift for all who are present to watch the giftee press play, especially when the video hits on special moments or inside jokes the whole crew can enjoy. Simply select your talent, share details about the occasion or your relationship to the recipient, and give them up to seven days to cook up a bespoke message. Out of more than 50,000 stars – from recognizable to off-the-beaten path across everything from comedians to musicians – there is bound to be someone on Cameo’s platform that would send them into a starstruck frenzy.
Savor Keepsake Overflow Box
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Savor Keepsake Overflow Box
From $60 at Savor
Everyone can benefit from a catch-all organizer that helps consolidate the chaos. When I got one of these keepsake boxes for my daughter two years ago, it became a dedicated spot to safely stash all the documents I received from the hospital where she was born, plus sentimental cards full of well wishes on her birth. There are removable dividers to accommodate a range of items, from small trinkets to photos, and the box looks beautiful perched on a display shelf. Add a customizable name in your choice of font to the custom-dyed box for a gift that’s at once pretty and practical.
LL Bean Boat and Tote Zip-Top
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LL Bean Boat and Tote Zip-Top
From $55 at LL Bean
Whether you’re trying to look in-the-know, or genuinely need to take everything but the kitchen sink with you on your commute, LL Bean totes are a study in utilitarian fashion. Instead of gifting them something everyone and their cousin already has, opt for this proven favorite with a personalized twist. Hit “add monogram”, add to cart, then, depending on the size of your bag, choose up to 10 characters (or a single letter or initials) in your choice of color. The durable cotton canvas handles are reinforced with nylon thread, so your gift will hold up to years of toting – and as its name suggests, maybe even boating.
Yeti Rambler 26oz Water Bottle
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Yeti Rambler 26oz Water Bottle
From $46 at Yeti
This heavy-duty leakproof Yeti water bottle with double-wall vacuum insulation will survive an apocalypse, and I can attest to that after seeing it withstand the wrath of my daughter’s mean backhand. But beyond its indestructible build, it keeps drinks ice-cold for several hours, and it makes for a pretty gift. I got one with my daughter’s name on it so she doesn’t lose it at daycare, but I bet it would make a recipient of any age feel special. Simply pick your text, choose your decal that represents them best, and watch the waterworks roll in (they will be well hydrated, after all).
Apple AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Pro 3
View image in fullscreenApple AirPods Pro 3
$250 at Apple
A pair of wireless earbuds of any stripe is a pretty sweet gift, and Apple’s latest version, with their impressive sound and noise-cancelling properties, is something anyone would be happy with. But customizing their case (and for free!) is an unbeatable offer. While customizing AirPods may sound like a luxury, there is actually a practical reason for it. My friend calls this “the best gift to myself ever” because with her name engraved on the case, she’s no longer mixing her earbuds up with her partner’s. (And if ear hygiene is your thing, it may just keep the peace in your home too.)
My Personal Memories Wine Tool Kit
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My Personal Memories Wine Tool Kit
From $60 at Etsy
If the wine fanatic in your life has more wine than they know what to do with (like a whole cellar of vintages spanning decades), a gift that’s a little more creative may be in order. My friend gave her wine-obsessed husband this five-piece, bespoke wine kit with his name on it, which he displays proudly atop his bar. It comes with everything your loved one needs to get the holiday party started, from a solid and sturdy-looking corkscrew to a drip ring that will protect the label (or your tablecloth) from errant dribbles. The fun part for you is choosing the finish and engraving style for a gift they wouldn’t even think of regifting (and couldn’t even get away with if they tried).
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