We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping The Best Gift Ideas of 2024 The 50 Best Personalized Gifts You Can Buy Online Show how thoughtful you are, no matter the budget, occasion, or recipient. By Tara Bellucci Tara Bellucci Tara Bellucci is an editor with over a decade of experience covering home, design, and lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn, Boston.com, and SFGate, among others. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 06, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Reviews FAQs Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / Kristin Kempa When it comes to gifts, the popular saying is, “It’s the thought that counts.” Personalized gifts usually require a little extra thought, and especially so when it comes to lead time and planning. If you’re looking to earn the title of most thoughtful gift giver, consider getting something uniquely tailored to them, whether it be as small as a monogrammed keychain or as creative as a commissioned illustration. While monogramming is a classic personalized gift that never goes out of style, this list goes beyond initials and includes personalization with photos, illustration, location, and even birth flowers. For expert insight, we talked with Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy’s trend expert, and celebrity personal stylist Samantha Brown for their best gifting tips and ideas. CentimeGift Birth Flower Bouquet Necklace PHOTO: Etsy $55 at Etsy Flowers are a classic Mother’s Day gift—why not get her a bouquet she can keep forever? Johnson recommends this customizable bouquet necklace from CentimeGift on Etsy that comes in three finishes (silver, gold plated, or rose gold plated) and with up to five flowers that represent each child or family member’s birth month. Chain lengths range from 14 to 22 inches, and you can even add three to four short words inscribed on the back. YMGifts Custom Pet Pillow PHOTO: Amazon $25 at Amazon Pet parents’ camera rolls capture every cute thing their furry friend does, so why not turn one of those precious moments into a huggable keepsake? YMGift’s custom pet pillows range in size from 4 to 24 inches and are made with 100% suede covers. For best results, be sure to submit a clear, high-resolution photo in which the pet is fully visible. TaylorMade Distance+ Personalized Golf Balls PHOTO: Amazon $30 at Amazon For anyone who loves an afternoon on the links, TaylorMade’s personalized golf balls will make it clear whose ball is whose. And feel free to get wordy—you can include up to three lines of custom text with 17 characters per line. You get 12 balls for under $30, so if a few end up in the pond, it’s not the end of the world. Birthdate Co. Candle PHOTO: Amazon $49 at Amazon View on Birthdate.co Your friend’s favorite scent just might be written in the stars. Birthdate Candle combines astrology, numerology, and tarot to come up with a fragrance perfect for each birthday. Each soy and coconut wax blend candle has a 60- to 80-hour burn time, so they can enjoy it long after their birthday is over. SELICOR Personalized Neon Sign PHOTO: Amazon $26 at Amazon See their name (or catchphrase) in lights. These customizable neon signs range in size from 10 to 60 inches and can accommodate up to three lines of text and 32 characters. There are 11 color options and 20 font choices to personalize it even further to match a decor theme or wedding style. Pottery Barn Kids Oversized Anywhere Chair PHOTO: Pottery Barn Kids View on Potterybarnkids.com Brown loves Pottery Barn Kids for customizable children’s gifts, and the Oversized Anywhere Chair is a favorite. The pint-sized version of an overstuffed armchair has a removable and washable slipcover as well as a convenient carrying handle for moving from room to room. Personalization options include up to nine characters, eight font styles, and 13 thread colors. Papier Retro Waves Reading Journal PHOTO: Papier $38 at Papier.com For the person whose to-be-read list needs its own library catalog, look to Papier’s endlessly customizable reading journal. There are dozens of notebook covers to choose from as well as a “book builder” tool that lets you choose the font style, font size, and line spacing, so you can let your perfectionist tendencies go wild. Mark & Graham Small Travel Jewelry Case PHOTO: Mark & Graham $40 at Markandgraham.com Stylish, functional, and compact, Mark & Graham’s small zippered travel jewelry case is a practical and chic option for your sister, bestie, or anyone who always has their passport at the ready. The pebbled vegan leather comes in 30 vibrant colors and patterns, while a name or monogram can be printed or foil embossed for an additional fee. sprkl.studio Pet Tag PHOTO: sprkl.studio View on Sprkl.studio If your favorite pet parent loves friendship bracelets and glitter, sprkl.studio’s customizable pet tag is just the thing to add to their fur baby’s collar. The ‘90s-core tag can fit a name between five and nine characters (as well as a phone number on the back), and it comes in four shapes and 17 colorways. If one of those doesn’t strike your fancy, you can collab on a completely custom piece. Just note that these handmade items could take up to 18 business days to make before they are shipped. Recess Custom Pickleball Paddle PHOTO: Recess View on Recesspickleball.com Pickleball has been the fastest growing sport in the U.S. for three years in a row. If someone in your life is an aspiring champ, a custom paddle with its own canvas case might be a smash hit. Recess offers 14 patterns, four background colors, and a bunch of fonts to personalize one or more paddles. There are bigger discounts the more you buy—perhaps you’ll be inspired to plan a tournament. Art2theextreme Custom Crayons PHOTO: Etsy $20 at Etsy Etsy’s art2theextreme makes one of Johnson’s picks for creative kids of all ages: rainbow letter crayons. Accommodating as many as 13 letters, this set of marbled recycled crayons spell out their name and come in a personalized stamped gift box. They would also be spectacular as place settings and party favors for a very special birthday party or crafting event. Hedley & Bennett The Essential Apron PHOTO: Hedley & Bennett View on Hedleyandbennett.com Get the chef in your life an apron that’s meant to last—it even comes with a lifetime guarantee. Embroidered text (up to 10 characters) or a monogram (up to three letters and a choice of styles) can be added to nearly all of Hedley & Bennett’s 80-plus color, pattern, and collab options. Each apron is made of 100% cotton, twill, or denim fabric with an adjustable neck strap. Note that personalization can add five to seven days of processing time. Leatherology Knox Slim Laptop Bag PHOTO: Leatherology View on Leatherology.com For the college student who’s off to grad school or your spouse who just landed a big promotion, a sleek laptop bag is a thoughtful yet functional gift. Its slim size makes it easy to carry anywhere, from the boardroom to business travel. There are seven leather options to choose from, and debossing is available in several colors. L.L. Bean Boat and Tote - Open Top PHOTO: L.L. Bean $35 at L.L.Bean View on Dillards.com Nothing says New England summer quite like the iconic Boat and Tote from Maine-based L.L.Bean. The ultimate practical utility bag, it goes anywhere and everywhere, from the grocery store to the beach to the sailboat. It’s classic and customizable, with 12 colors, four sizes, two lengths, and your choice of zip top or open. Monogramming can be added for a small fee (or for free with an L.L.Bean Mastercard). RedBerryGuestBooks Couples Adventure Scrapbook PHOTO: Etsy $54 at Etsy For the pair that loves to explore together, Johnson recommends a customizable scrapbook from Etsy’s RedBerryGuestBooks. An ideal wedding or anniversary gift, the beautifully laser-engraved cover comes in your choice of wood, with 30 to 60 interior pages of blank or lined paper, or white, cream, or black cardstock. The Company Store Classic Cool Cotton Percale Bed Sheet Set PHOTO: The Company Store View on The Company Store Nearly everything at The Company Store can be personalized, and Brown suggests gifting monogrammed sheets to newlyweds. “Using the couples’ new initials feels very personal and is a sweet reminder of their new phase of life,” she says. The brand’s classic percale sheets come in six sizes and 19 colors. You can add a name or word up to 11 characters or a one- to three-letter monogram in seven styles and 24 colors. Weezie Makeup Towels PHOTO: Weezie View on Weezietowels.com Anyone who’s taken off mascara with a white hand towel knows just how…visible those leftover racoon eyes are. Save your glam pal’s towels with these customizable navy ones. Choose to add words or initials of up to 11 characters in 11 font styles, or pick from 14 playful icons like golf clubs, hearts, or Champagne flutes. JustArtinAround Custom House Portrait PHOTO: Etsy $45 at Etsy Gift that special someone a house—or at least a painting of one that’s close to their heart. Johnson’s go-to for a housewarming gift is JustArtinAround’s custom watercolor portraits. They are created from a photo reference and include the GPS coordinates of the home and an optional message.The seller offers discounts for multiple copies, so perhaps it’s time to immortalize your childhood home in watercolor and gift prints to your siblings. Mint & Lily Minimalist Monogram Name Necklace PHOTO: Mint & Lily View on Mintandlily.com Fact: Name plate necklaces never go out of style. However, this isn’t Carrie Bradshaw’s classic script necklace. Mint & Lily takes your name and turns it into minimalist modern art for a necklace that’s more abstract than name tag. Seriously, you’ll want to check out the mesmerizing product design video. It’s available in sterling silver, 18-karat gold vermeil, or 18-karat rose gold vermeil, and chain lengths from 16 to 24 inches. Uncommon Goods Personalized Date Night Decider PHOTO: Uncommon Goods $78 at Uncommon Goods Whether it’s what to wear, what to watch, or what to cook for dinner, decision fatigue is real. Take some of the pressure off with Uncommon Goods’ date night decider, which comes with two dozen double-sided tokens for 48 total fun and romantic ideas for spending time together. You can personalize the top and bottom of the box lid and add up to three personalized date ideas on the tokens themselves. Mark & Graham x pbk Silver Piggy Bank PHOTO: Mark & Graham x pbk View on Potterybarnkids.com $59 at Markandgraham.com Start their savings in style. A sophisticated gift for new babies and new parents, the polished nickel-plated zinc alloy piggy bank adds a classic touch to any nursery and will hold allowances and pocket change for years to come. Personalization is available for a small fee. Minted Custom Map Filled Foil Art PHOTO: Minted $218 at Minted Show off a special place, whether it’s their hometown, favorite destination, or the location of a first date. Minted’s sleek and shiny foil map art comes in either 8- or 11-inch square prints, with silver, gold, or rose gold foil. You can also choose from different framing options, including brushed metal or wood in a variety of styles and colors. Jiggy Personalized Puzzle PHOTO: Jiggy View on Jiggypuzzles.com It seems like almost every family or friend group has a puzzle person. For the pal that’s always down to puzz, check out Jiggy’s custom photo puzzles. Choose from 100 (better for kids) or 500 pieces, upload a photo, add your choice of color or text to the box, and it’s ready to ship. It even comes with puzzle glue so that the special moment is immortalized in jigsaw forever. SweetSaplingStudio Custom Ceramic Pet Bowl PHOTO: Etsy $43 at Etsy Your pet probably doesn’t care what they eat out of, as long as their favorite food is inside, but it’s hard not to be charmed by this custom ceramic dish picked by Johnson. It not only sports your fur baby’s name, but the Etsy artist also includes several design elements that can be inspired by favorite toys, nicknames, or just about anything else. Oak and Luna Inez Initial Necklace PHOTO: Courtesy of Oak and Luna View on Oakandluna.com A piece of jewelry with a baby’s name or initials is “always a hit with new moms,” Brown says. This dainty version from Oak & Luna is perfect for everyday wear and comes in six finishes and two lengths (14 and 16 inches) with up to eight initials. You can also add a lab-grown diamond or three, if you’re feeling fancy. Papier Wave Border Notecard Set PHOTO: Papier View on Papier.com For the friend or family member that believes in the power of a handwritten note, you can’t go wrong with personalized stationery. The wave border adds a touch of whimsy to this option from Papier, which comes with envelopes in sets of 20 to 1,000. It’s a thoughtful option for a housewarming or hostess gift, especially when paired with a nice pen (or bottle of wine). Pottery Barn Kids Watermelon Baby Beach Hooded Towel PHOTO: Pottery Barn Kids View on Potterybarnkids.com The adorable new arrival probably already has plenty of onesies and blankets, but they might not have a watermelon-shaped beach towel. Suitable for heights of 33 inches or up to 24 months old, this machine-washable cotton velour hooded towel has a UPF of 50. The item is customizable with up to nine characters in eight fonts and four embroidery colors. New York Times Custom Front Page Puzzle PHOTO: Uncommon Goods $75 at Uncommon Goods View on Nytimes.com Commemorate a birthday, anniversary, or special event with a (puzzle) piece of history. Each front page of The New York Times dating as far back as 1851 can be a 500- or 1,000-piece puzzle. Note that historical events usually appear on the front page the day after, so if that’s what you’re looking for, be sure to check the preview before adding to cart. Mark & Graham Leather Overnighter PHOTO: Mark and Graham $369 at Markandgraham.com One of the smartest things to give someone is a luxury version of something they already use and might not buy for themselves. If your dad, grad, or boyfriend is always on the go, upgrade their travel days with this timeless leather overnight bag. It comes with sturdy handles and a padded shoulder strap, as well as two outside zipper pockets to keep things like passports and phones easily accessible. Monogramming is available for a small fee. Myka Iris Custom Square Ring PHOTO: Myka View on Myka.com Brown recommends Myka for personalized jewelry, as they stock most styles in sterling silver, gold plated, and solid gold, and its price points are very reasonable for fine jewelry. This square ring comes with or without diamonds and can include inscriptions with names, initials, or dates on one to four sides. Garden of Graces Personalized Ring Dish PHOTO: Etsy $19 at Etsy Starting at under $20, this personalized ring dish is an affordable handmade option for a newly engaged friend (or your bridesmaids), a kid who’s off to college, or someone who just moved into a new home. You can choose a round or square clay dish in white, blush, or gray, and a two- or three-letter monogram. Uncommon Goods Personalized Faux Bois Vase PHOTO: Uncommon Goods $98 at Uncommon Goods Put away the pocket knife—this handmade ceramic vase features an intricate tree trunk pattern adorned with a heart and your initials. A thoughtful wedding, anniversary, or Valentine’s Day gift, it’s a beautiful statement piece on its own, with a big bouquet of flowers, or even some fresh greenery clipped from the yard. SbriStudio Personalized Leather Keyring PHOTO: Etsy $20 at Etsy Small yet thoughtful, a keychain is a great housewarming or teacher gift. This version is made with sustainably sourced British leather in classic colors like black and tan, as well as lilac, blush pink, mint green, orange, and fuschia. Add a name or initials of up to eight characters for under $20. L.L.Bean Wicked Plush Throw PHOTO: L.L. Bean $40 at L.L.Bean Can you really ever have too many cozy blankets? We think not. L.L.Bean’s classic Wicked Plush Throw comes in large (50 by 60 inches) and extra large (60 by 80 inches), nine color options, and can be monogrammed for a small fee. Grab one for a college student or someone’s first apartment with roommates so there’s no confusion as to whose blanket is whose. Gifted Gold Custom Album Poster PHOTO: Etsy $15 at Etsy Music has the power to transport us. A special song or a favorite album can take you back to fond memories. Choose which artist, song, or album you want, and GiftedGold will create this custom art print. It’s available as a digital download or printed in sizes from 8 by 10 inches to poster size (24 by 36 inches). Lands’ End Men's Calf Length Turkish Terry Robe PHOTO: Lands' End Orig. $110 $77 at Landsend.com There is no shortage of plush bathrobes out there, and Lands’ End makes a great terry version. It comes in five classic colors in waist sizes up to 60 inches. There are ample personalization options for a small fee, with initials or words of up to 10 characters, 11 fonts and styles, 27 thread colors, and you can pick the placement. There are also 195 embroidery designs if your dad, spouse, or friend is more of a cactus wearing sunglasses or corgi on a skateboard dude (yes, those are actual choices). Uncommon Goods A Dozen Reasons You're My Friend PHOTO: Uncommon Goods $45 at Uncommon Goods You can say it on the phone, in a text, or on a card, but this keepsake gift will remind your BFF what makes them the best every time they look at the wooden heart-shaped tokens. Uncommon Goods has a total of 56 phrases to choose from that range from sentimental to silly, and you can customize the top with their name. Celina Mancurti Monogram Leather Coasters PHOTO: Food52 $32 at Food52 Keep surfaces safe in style with these simple yet chic leather coasters. A thoughtful option for a housewarming or third (leather!) wedding anniversary, Food52’s set of four will break in over time, which will have them looking even better with age. They come in a linen gift bag and can be monogrammed with up to two initials. Mark & Graham Wood and Marble Wine Chiller PHOTO: Mark And Graham $69 at Markandgraham.com Raise a glass to celebrate a wedding, anniversary, or housewarming with Mark & Graham’s stylish wine chiller. The marble vessel keeps a standard wine bottle chilled, while the acacia wood base protects your surfaces. The marble can be laser engraved with up to three characters in 20 different styles for a small fee. Pottery Barn Personalized Stowe Frame PHOTO: Pottery Barn $50 at Pottery Barn A personalized photo frame is always a good idea. Whether for grandparents or babies, weddings or memorials, a classic frame is an all-purpose, thoughtful gift (especially when a photo is already included). Pottery Barn’s Stowe Frame holds a 5 by 7-inch photo, comes in brass or silver to blend with any decor, and can be engraved with up to 15 characters in six font styles for a small fee. Lands’ End Men’s Novelty Dress Socks PHOTO: Lands' End View on Landsend.com For the man who has everything, we’ll bet he doesn’t have monogrammed lobster socks. Lands’ End offers nautical-, flag-, and golf-themed socks in sets of three. The crew-length dress sock can be personalized with one to three initials in four styles and 24 embroidery colors. Anecdote& Custom Candle PHOTO: Anecdote& View on Anecdotecandles.com Smell is the sense that is most strongly associated with memory, so there’s no better way to be remembered than with a custom candle. Describe a moment or a feeling and their AI will conjure up some fragrance suggestions and witty anecdotes as a starting point, but it’s completely customizable. Choose from six scents, including Amber and Vanilla, Citrus and Bergamot, and Coffee and Cedarwood. Uncommon Goods Personalized Mixtape Doormat PHOTO: Uncommon Goods $38 at Uncommon Goods It might be an outdated form of media (though we hear they’re making a comeback), but cassette tapes will always be a form of nostalgia for any Millennial or Gen-X music lover. There was no better way to say, “I think you’re cool,” than to give someone a custom mixtape, and this doormat gives that sentiment without needing to hunt down a Walkman. It accommodates up to 16 characters in a casual handwriting font. Timbermade Shop Personalized Checkerboard Butcher Block PHOTO: Etsy $65 at Etsy Checkerboard is both a classic pattern and very popular right now, so traditionalists and trendsetters alike will approve. Great for celebrating a new home, a wedding, or a fifth (traditionally wood-themed) anniversary, this handmade hickory butcher block comes in two sizes and can accommodate initials, names, or custom inscriptions. Leatherology Bookweight PHOTO: Leatherology $45 at Amazon View on Leatherology.com Bookmarks are nice, but for those hard-to-hold-open tomes, a book weight is just the thing. Consider it a unique graduation gift or thoughtful thank you for anyone who loves to read. Leatherology’s is crafted from full-grain leather, comes in six colors, and can be debossed with one to three initials. Lands’ End Men's Squall Sherpa Fleece Lined Waterproof Winter Hat PHOTO: Lands’ End Orig. $38 $27 at Landsend.com Know someone who’s always in a baseball cap? Keep them warm all winter long with this cozy fleece-lined version. The waterproof and windproof hat also features hidden snap ear flaps. It comes in two sizes and can be personalized with initials or a word up to 10 characters in six font styles and 24 colors. Sono Inspired Personalized Wine Barrel of Memories PHOTO: Uncommon Goods $298 at Uncommon Goods Have that one friend who saves all their corks? Finally, there’s the perfect vessel for all those fiddly little things. These actual retired wine barrels are upcycled in Arkansas to create custom storage pieces to remember life’s moments, big and small. The plexiglas can be personalized with a name and an “aged since” date to commemorate a birthday or anniversary. Shinola Five Pocket Card Case PHOTO: Shinola $150 at Shinola.com You might know Detroit-based Shinola for its watches, but its leather goods are also noteworthy. A slim leather card case is a useful gift for grads, partners, or parents who enjoy simple and classic style. The premium leather will patina nicely with age, comes in black or tan, and monogramming is free. Handmade Store Custom Shoe Charms PHOTO: Amazon $5 at Amazon You might wear your heart on your sleeve, but now you can wear a loved one on your shoe. Create custom shoe charms for your Crocs by uploading a photo, and this company will print it on high-quality acrylic that pops right into the air vents on your clogs. Showcase a beloved pet, a silly portrait of your kid, or a cute family photo wherever you walk, or order multiples for a fun party favor. Canvas by Numbers Custom Paint by Numbers Kit PHOTO: Canvas by Numbers View on Canvasbynumbers.com Why frame a photo when you can paint it yourself? Canvas by Numbers allows you to create your own custom paint by numbers kit by uploading a photo and choosing the level of detail (standard comes with up to 24 paint colors, while premium has up to 48). The linen-blend canvas comes in sizes from 12 x 16 inches up to 24 x 32 inches and can be shipped on its own with no frame, a DIY frame, pre-stretched canvas, or on canvas board to create your own personal Picasso. Questions You Might Ask Who should you not buy a personalized gift for? Johnson is a fan of custom gifts for almost anyone, but says one thing to consider is how long you've known the person and what role they play in your life. While often not returnable or exchangeable, Brown also says no one is off-limits for personalized gifts. If you’re not as close, it might be best to go with something small, like an engraved pen or Dopp kit. Johnson notes that this can still be a great way to make that person feel seen. “On the other hand, if you're shopping for a best friend or a parent, you can get something super tailored to their personality, their hobbies, or even something to commemorate and honor the shared memories you have,” Johnson says. What are the best sites to find personalized gifts? Long gone are the days when you have to head to the mementos store in the mall to find a personalized gift. Custom gifts for every taste and budget can be found online, including huge retailers like Amazon and more niche sites like Uncommon Goods. One favorite of Brown’s is Etsy, because “oftentimes you are also supporting a small business owner or artisan, which is a great way to find something unique.” If you follow artists and makers on Instagram, check to see if they have information or a highlight about custom orders—you might just find the perfect gift while you’re scrolling. Don’t forget about your favorite brick and mortar or catalog retailers, like L.L.Bean, Pottery Barn, and Lands’ End, as they often have personalization options for a wide range of items from clothes and accessories to home goods. The same goes for department stores; while customization might not always be available online, larger flagship stores, like Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom’s New York City location, may offer engraving or embroidery in store, Brown says. What are the best occasions to give a personalized gift? The best time to give a personalized gift is any time you want to make the giftee feel seen and cherished, particularly for meaningful occasions like anniversaries and birthdays, Johnson says. But you don’t need to save the custom presents for major milestones. “They also show care and attention when given as a thank you gift,” Brown says. “For an anniversary, whether it’s with your partner, a friend, or even a work milestone, think about the recipient’s interests and hobbies and look for personalizable options,” Johnson says. For birthdays, the best route is often something they probably wouldn’t buy for themselves. And if you’re truly stuck, you can always answer a few questions about the person you're shopping for on Etsy’s Gift Mode to generate tons of great gift thought starters, she adds. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Tara Bellucci, a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of experience writing product reviews and lifestyle content. Tara used her expertise from over a decade of gift guide creation and research to compile this list of personalized gifts. For expert tips on what to look for in personalized gifts, we spoke to Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy’s trend expert and judge on NBC’s Making It, and Samantha Brown, celebrity personal stylist.