When you were a kid, do you remember how cool it was to find a set of personalized pencils at the drug store or a key chain at a tourist trap that had your name on it?
Now that you’re, ahem, a bit older, you still get a kick out of personalized items. In fact, this morning you drank your coffee out of a mug that features your name spelled out with small dice that a friend bought you in Las Vegas.
Because you enjoy personalized gifts so much, we wanted you to see some to give your friends and family members for their upcoming birthdays or other special occasions. For some fun ideas, check out the following suggestions:
1. For the Train Fan
Your 3-year-old nephew and 4-year-old niece live and breathe all things Thomas the Tank Engine. For their upcoming birthdays, or as a “just because” gift, you know they would both love getting a train in which each car spells out a letter of their name. Buy some brightly colored train cars, pastels, or plain wooden ones, and, just like Thomas and his pals, the trains connect with magnets. You can also purchase an additional track holder for the entire “name” train.
2. For the Bookworm or Gamer
For any tweens and teens in your life, you can’t go wrong with a personalized and modern twist on the bean bag chair. Search online for a themed personalized chair that features their name. They can either sink into it to read or play a game, or they can watch a movie on their iPads. Search for a chair that is durable and stain-resistant so if someone spills his Dr. Pepper or her lemonade, no harm done.
3. For the Sports Fan
Your aunt lives and breathes football and you’re pretty sure she has a not-so-secret crush on Patrick Mahomes. Your dad, however, is all about Tom Brady and the Bucs. Surprise these beloved family members and any other sports fans on your gift list with a team hoodie or T-shirt from their favorite team — with their last name on the back. You can even add their favorite number to the personalized sports gear.
Buying game accessories is another option that can be considered. For example, a ball set can be a great gift for fans of billiard.
4. For the Devout Preppy
Your BFF who wears Sperry Top-Siders with khakis and Polo shirts has a number of monogrammed items in her home and closet. Add to her collection by ordering her a set of monogrammed Supima cotton bath towels from Lands’ End. Pair the towels with a couple of bath bombs or bottles of bubble bath for a full “pamper yourself” gift for your bestie.
5. For the Pet Lover
Okay, technically, this gift isn’t personalized per se, but it’s definitely personal and will be perfect for any pet lover on your gift list. Crown and Paw will take a photo of a pet that you send them and create an amazing piece of artwork that looks like a cross between a fancy photograph and an oil painting. To really up the ante, you get to choose which outfit your pet wears. For instance, your grandma’s beloved Yorkie can be in a gorgeous princess costume and your mom and dad’s border collie can be made up to look like “Captain Pawmerica.”
Enjoy Giving These Meaningful Gifts
When it comes to gift-giving, 2021 will no doubt be a banner year for givers and recipients alike. By taking your love of personalized items and extending it to gift ideas for your friends and family, you can rest assured their birthdays or other special occasions will be extra meaningful, because of you.
