Gift Guide # 17: Put a Name on It
Personalized gifts to show loved ones you care...like, a lot
I did not grow up with hot water bottles, but after a year in Northern Ireland they’ve become a staple in my home. The retro-ness of filling up a hot water bottle before curling up on the couch is part of their charm, I suppose. But don’t be fooled into thinking their old-fashioned charm means they are ineffective. Heavens no! They work wonders at keeping you warm. This cashmere hot water bottle is reasonably priced, and the U.K.-based company is footing the bill for duties and taxes while offering a flat $25 rate for shipping. This is a gift you might want to place under your own tree. ;)
Years ago, a friend gave me a set of “nice” pajamas from Lands End, and that gift felt so luxurious. Until then, I’d never thought to buy a matching pair of PJs for myself. These personalized pajamas are soft and affordable and great for holiday travel to see family.
We all have loads of photos trapped in our phones. For $8 a month, this subscription service from Chatbooks allows you to enjoy your favorite photos in a bound mini photo album. This would be a great gift for someone with kids, grandkids, or an avid traveler.
Hands down, one of my favorite gifts to receive or give has been a print from All the Restaurants. These reproductions of hand-drawn pen and ink images by John Donahoe are beautifully simple and especially meaningful.
Jewelry feels a bit out of reach at the moment, what with gold and silver prices climbing by the day. The Goldbug Collection out of Charleston, SC provides a happy median. Their unique costume jewelry that is sophisticated and affordable because it is made from 18k yellow gold plated brass. Best of all, they have a slew of items that can be personalized like this oval pendant.
I have a vivid childhood memory of being at a local fair and watching a woodworker transform simple blocks of wood into names. Because these were made-to-order, I was absolutely thrilled to learn that I could finally see the unique spelling of my name in print, so to speak. I am in the club of people who will never find their name on a keychain in the gift shop, so this was my moment. I still have that little wooden nameplate painted in two shades of purple on display. If there’s a little girl or a woman in your life who also won’t find her name on a gas station keychain, please gift her this pouch from Sugar Paper.
Know someone who runs cold all the time? This shawl from Chappywrap might be just the gift for them this holiday season. The shawls come in a herringbone pattern in a variety of colors and can be personalized. They’d be great at home, in the office, or for travel.
On a hot summer afternoon, I stumbled into a tiny store in New York City mostly because I needed an air-conditioned break and partly because I was intrigued by the display window. And that was the day my love for Bag-All began. The bags and pouches are clever and well-designed. There’s a pouch for just about everything from hair tools to makeup to supplements to laundry. Bags can be embroidered with initials or names.
Personalized notecards are almost always a good gift option. These initial notecards from Sugar Paper are the thick luxurious paper you’d imagine royalty reaches for. (Repeat appearance by Sugar Paper because they are just that good!)
If your brother has lived all over, these zip code notepads from Joy Creative might be a great way for him to celebrate his inner Angeleno / New Yorker / Londoner. The shop is also great for personalized notecards and notepads – especially for parents and kids – as well as wrapping paper and customized gift tags.
I’ve been asking colleagues for gift ideas, and the answers have been surprising. One colleague said without fail, Santa brings him custom golf balls from Titleist every year. I didn’t even know personalized golf balls were a thing! If you have a golfer in your life, these are clever and won’t break the bank. He suggested personalizing golf balls to commemorate a birthday, anniversary, or special event in addition to the standard idea of customizing with initials.
A few weeks ago, my friend M and I wandered into a Marine Layer shop in DC. After a quick hello with the staff, we headed straight to the clearance section at the back of the shop (as one does). There we saw a row of soft sweatshirts, including quite a few that had been turned inside out. “Bless the poor customer who did this,” we said before returning to the front of the store to browse. Imagine our surprise when we saw more sweatshirts hung inside out. Turns out, these are reversible sweatshirts. And.they.are.glorious. I noticed Marine Layer has quite a cool customization shop which includes embroidery and patches. This is one of those gifts that will be used on repeat and might be a good candidate for people who have everything.
Hear me out on this next recommendation. Needlepoint is having a moment. As floral couches come back into our homes, I predict needlepoint will be with us for quite a while and won’t stay confined to pillows and Christmas stockings. The colleague who introduced me to the world of monogrammed golf balls confirmed Smathers and Branson is another go-to for gifts that wow year after year. You’ll find all manner of items including belts, koozies, dog collars, key chains, all carefully stitched with visuals ranging from Grateful Dead Bears to college logos to initials. These thoughtful items feel like an heirloom.
This monogrammed leather pouch with playing cards from Mark and Graham would be a great gift for your friend who never misses poker night.
A sturdy case may not solve the issue of misplacing your sunglasses, but it sure will keep your glasses intact. This leather sunglasses case is a classic design and features a simple initial monogram. This is another item where the U.K.-based retailer will foot the taxes and duties.
I love the fact that there are so many variations on spelling when it comes to names these days. As I mentioned earlier, there is a spark of magic when you see your name the way you spell it on the side of a keychain or mug. These gifts would be especially good for the kids in your life, but many of them would work for a sibling, friend, or partner as well.
BaubleBar has a fantastic customization shop. Like, seriously good. From blankets to bracelets to phone cases to Christmas ornaments to sturdy tote bags, they’ve become a reliable source for unique gifts. Take this incredible assortment of woven blankets in all manner of colors and designs or these phone cases that feel very on-trend. And these personalized bracelets and rings would be fun for a mom, sister, or friend. They don’t have to feature a name. They could also feature word of encouragement or small inside joke.
Pottery Barn is another retailer that hits it out of the park when it comes to customization. If you are shopping for littles, maybe these personalized bath towels would be a good gift?
It feels right to end a list about personalized gifts with the greatest of all time: the L.L. Bean Boat & Tote. This is a gift that will be used over and over again and will not go out of style. My first Boat & Tote is over 20 years old and is still sturdy.
Happy gifting!