The 12 Best Personalized Gifts That Won’t Cost You a Fortune

Karen Doyle
SDI Productions / Getty Images
SDI Productions / Getty Images

The holiday shopping season is upon us, and while it can bring a lot of joy, there’s a lot of pressure too. There’s pressure to find the right gift for someone special — something that makes them feel treasured yet doesn’t bust your budget. Sometimes a personalized gift can be just the thing.

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The right personalized gift shows that you put real thought into finding something that’s unique and will likely be treasured for years to come. Here are some personalized gifts for everyone on your list that will help you keep your costs in line.

Personalized Gifts for Kids

Personalized I Can Change the World Book

$35 at Uncommon Goods

Imagine the joy on little Callum’s face when they open their gift to reveal a book called “Callum Can Change the World.” This picture book, for kids ages 2-8, features the child’s name in the title and throughout the story’s illustrations. Uncommon Goods also offers other personalized books, including “What Big Sister (Name) Does Best,” “(Name)’s Very Own Fairy Tale,” “(Name)’s Very Own Trucks” and more.

Personalized Water Bottle

$13.99 at Personalization Mall

A big advantage to personalized gifts for kids — besides the fact that they love them — is that they’re less likely to get them mixed up with somebody else’s. And if they lose them, somebody knows who they belong to. If the child in your life goes through water bottles like, well, water, this 20-ounce reusable bottle has their name in bright, bold letters, so they’ll always know which one is theirs.

Personalized Squishmallows

$34.99 at Personal Creations

The must-have toy for the preschool set now comes personalized, ensuring that your child’s toy will come home from that playdate with them. These 14-inch plush toys are perfect for little hands and are machine washable.

Personalized Gifts for Men

The Big Shot Crate

$34.99 at Man Crates

For the beer drinker who loves a unique way to open the bottle, the Big Shot Crate includes a bullet-shaped bottle opener and two personalized pint glasses. It all comes in a sealed wooden crate, making this gift almost as much fun to open as it is to use.

Custom Minimalist Wallet

$39.99 at Groovy Guy Gifts

The guy who is still carrying around a lumpy billfold will appreciate this slim wallet. It has room for cards and cash and RFID protection. Personalize it with three initials on the front and up to 80 characters on the back.

Personalized Sports Towel

$39 at Mark & Graham

This microfiber towel with an attached clip attaches to a golf or gym bag. The embroidered monogram or name makes it distinctly his.

Personalized Gifts for Women

Personalized Ticket to Love Box

$45 at Uncommon Goods

This is the perfect gift for a romantic partner who, when asked what she wants, says, “Oh, I don’t need anything.” Choose 10 options from a list of 40, including things like breakfast in bed, control of the remote, date night, etc. The 10 tickets you choose get packed in a box that’s personalized with your partner’s name.

Quilted Wanderlust Weekender Bag

$34.99 at Groovy Girl Gifts

Once you find the perfect weekender bag, you never want to lose it. Make sure she always knows which one is hers by monogramming this quilted duffle with one initial or three. It comes in mauve or black with a contrasting monogram.

Personalized Ultra Soft Fleece Bathrobe

$51.99 at Lotus Linen

Maybe you can’t give her a spa day every day, but she’ll feel as though she’s at the spa with this luxurious fleece robe. Choose from eight colors for the robe and 17 colors for the embroidery, plus a design that includes up to 11 characters on the front or 22 characters on the back.

Personalized Gifts for Cooks

Personalized Aprons

$31.99 and up at Shutterfly

If you want to go beyond the name for personalization, you can include your recipient’s name and a photo on these aprons from Shutterfly. Choose from several slogans and add a name and photo for a truly one-of-a-kind gift any cook will cherish.

Personalized Tea Towels

$18.04 and up at Etsy

Great cooks often hand their recipes down from generation to generation, but those recipe cards don’t always hold up over time. Now you can get a treasured recipe printed on a tea towel in the original cook’s own handwriting. This is a practical and sentimental gift.

Personalized Cutting Board

$14.99 at A Gift Personalized

You can choose from 18 different designs for this 6-by-8-inch bamboo cutting board. Choose a family name, first and last names, or first and last names with a wedding date.

FAQ

  • What are some personalized gift websites?

    • Things Remembered may be among the best-known websites for personalized gifts, featuring a wide variety of picture frames, crystal glassware, holiday ornaments and more. If you're looking for something more unique, try Uncommon Goods, which goes beyond the monogram or engraved name to personalize by location, and offers many less traditional gifts. For a truly one-of-a-kind gift, you may find something on Etsy that will be custom-made just for your delighted recipient.

  • What items can be personalized?

    • There are many items that can be personalized, including clothing, glassware, wooden items, stationery and even books.

  • How do you personalize a gift?

    • To personalize a gift, you can add someone's name, location, birthdate or significant event to almost anything you can think of.

Prices are accurate as of Dec. 12, 2023, and are subject to change.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The 12 Best Personalized Gifts That Won’t Cost You a Fortune