Whenever you feel the need to give a Gift, the recipient will appreciate the thought and extra effort that goes into customizing a personal gift. You are telling that person you thought about who they are and your relationship with them. That is a meaningful tribute and will become a treasured gift.

Personalized gifts are available in such a wide variety of items. Names and dates can be inscribed or engraved on jewelry, plaques, clocks, silver items, and even etched into crystal or glass. Embroidery and monogramming can personalize any number of clothing items.

Laser printing has allowed favorite pictures to be added to any number of gift items such as fabric for quilts and tee shirts. You can even add a special picture to customize a one-of-a-kind pair of running shoes for that special someone.

Why buy a personalized gift ?

A personalized gift shows you care. You have taken the time to think about the personality, likes, wants, and needs of the individual recipient. In the past, a personalized gift had been associated with only those close to the giver. Nowadays creative customized gifts can capture a memorable time together be it the hole-in-one with a golf partner to commemorating landing the biggest firm account by a junior executive. A quilt can capture a lifetime of pictures.

Selecting a personalized gift can run from a customized selection of chocolates preferred by the recipient to a monogrammed hat, scarf, glove set for the person that loses things to a gardener’s personal toolset.

When to buy a Personalized gift ?

Any gift giving occasion is perfect for a personalized gift. Custom gifts are not to be confused with personal gifts. A new desk nameplate to replace a worn or dated one for the boss is a good choice as is a monogrammed date book or desk calendar for the secretary.

Personalized gifts are always well received no matter what the occassion. The thought and time that goes into customizing the final gift is appreciated and makes the recipient feel special no matter what the occasion.

Customized personal gifts require extra time for completing. Make sure you allow for this when selecting your purchase. If possible, let the place of purchase know the time and date your gift is required.

Birthday gift

Birthdays are joyous occasions and made more so with a creative personalized gift. A milestone birthday calls for a custom cake. A picture of the special person or an event can be placed on a cake using edible inks. Custom cupcakes, cookies, or brownies are also favorite choices for a birthday theme.

If a personalized gift is for a special person far away, gift choices range from edible fruit, candy, cookie bouquets to specialty custom gift online sites that will deliver right to the home or office. What grandmother wouldn’t love the family picture turned into a keepsake oil painting.

A custom bouquet of favorite flowers that may not be in season or a personalized tee shirt with the birthday person’s favorite saying are unique. The coffee drinker appreciates the personal mug with historical information about his birth date along with his favorite coffee blend.

A child would be thrilled to receive a puzzle created from a picture of himself or a book that includes himself as the leading character and a friend by his side.

Retirement Gift

A retiring person will be losing a very personal big part of his life. Personalized gifts will show him that moving on to another aspect of his life doesn’t mean he will be forgotten or that he didn’t matter. An address book containing the names, addresses, email addresses, birthdays, anniversaries, and phone numbers of business colleagues he calls friends will be dearly treasured.

If the retiree will finally embark upon his love of traveling, a personalized leather passport holder or customized luggage tags will be a lovely reminder of the giver wishing he was there.

A framed collage of the highlights of the retiree’s career is a welcome addition to his home office or den. A wine or fruit of the month subscription will make the transition to retired life less painful and empty.

A custom card game set may suit the retiree or a few golf tee times. A second honeymoon vacation to get reacquainted with the spouse and family is a quality gift idea.

In retirement, the avid barbecue aficionado would welcome a personalized apron, hat, tools or fancy grill. You, the giver, will always know you have a weekend spot for a great meal.

Christmas Gift

Customizing your gift selections to each individual on your Christmas gift list does not mean that you have to run to several stores to accomplish your goal. Start with a theme that can satisfy all your recipients. Then choose an appropriate gift for each. Monogrammed personal wear offers a wide variety of items to satisfy all from family and friends to the boss and the mailman.

Gift baskets are also a great festive choice in a variety of items and prices for the strictest to the most lavish of budgets. Customize each with the recipients personal tastes in mind be it food and drink, hobby, or healthcare items. You can cater to everyone on your list from one location.

Religious gifts are acceptable for family members and close friends, not for acquaintances or people from your workplace. The Christmas season is a personal religious celebration. People of other faiths will graciously accept a gift because it is part of your way to celebrate as long as your individual religious beliefs are not reflected in the gift itself. An embossed leather family bible would be appropriate for your newlywed daughter and husband but not for your boss. Baked goods should be free of religious symbols like stars and crosses.

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day symbolizes the personal gift. Sharing the feelings in your heart for those you love through customized gifts is perfect. Keepsake, plaques, dishes, boxes can carry a special love poem of your choosing to commemorate the day. Add names and date for an extra special personal touch.

Candy hearts, silk roses, teddy bears, even M&Ms can be customized with your personal messages of love. Balloons, pastry, and intimate apparel can carry a special message for either sex.

A romance novel is available for customizing with your sweetheart as the leading man or woman. How about a book of love poems inscribed with your love message? Or a specialty fortune cookie containing a marriage proposal?

Father’s and Mother’s Day

Honoring a mother or father on their special day is best done with a personalized gift that shows how much you love them and respect them as your parents while acknowledging their individual styles and personal qualities. Parents need to be respected as individuals and not just parents. Choosing a gift should reflect this. Look to what the parent likes to do on his own, as a hobby, or to relax.

Mothers may enjoy baking, sewing, knitting, crafting. A session of lessons in some area they always wished to explore would be a nice personal gift. Personalize it further with a set of tools that may be needed like paint supplies or a set of quality crochet hooks and accessories.

Same goes for Dads. A set of golf clubs with personalized golf balls and a few pro lessons will help him embark on his desire to learn golfing. A custom toolbox with the necessary wrenches and tools for tinkering with automobiles or bicycles may close the gap between a wish and a hobby.

Where to buy Personalized Gifts ?

Personalized gifts are not difficult to find. Hand crafters are found at flea markets, local fairs, church bazaars. Craft and knitting shops can put you in touch with locals willing to take on your projects. Look at local colleges for budding artists. Many local artisans will take special orders.

Jewelry stores will inscribe pieces. They may also handle glass and crystal etching. Print shops can create posters out of photos and help with collages. They will also print onto fabric. Office supply stores do nametags, personalized stamps, desk plates, plaques, pen & pencil sets.

Area malls have many small novelty shops that sell personalized gifts. Custom printed apparel, key chains, dog tags, calendars, license plate frames can all be found at the mall.

Local florists and bakeries will personalize orders for you. The telephone directory will put you in touch with specialists in fruit, balloon, and candy bouquet companies that deliver.

There is also the internet. Whatever you can think up, someone already is doing it. Try specific search phrases like personalized dog accessories or unique personalized Father’s Day gifts. You will be amazed at the selections!

How to choose a Custom gift?

Personalized gifts are more costly than generic. Try to match an item with the recipient that will please him. Gift items that call attention to embarrassing moments or are gags can be offensive and hurtful. If you are not sure your gift idea will be met with enthusiasm, check with a spouse or close friend for approval or alternate choices. Other people like involvement.

Everyday items you know a particular person uses are safe bets that can be personalized. A baseball cap for the outdoor worker, the hoodie for the newspaper boy, the travel coffee mug, the personalized eyeglass case for auntie are wonderful simple gift selections that become cherished items when personalized. Even Rover will proudly walk down the street sporting his personalized collar.

Custom gifts cannot be returned unless damaged or not as ordered. When adding a person’s name or date to an item, check and recheck for correct spelling and information at ordering time. Make sure sizes and measurements are also correct.

Deal with reputable artisans and companies. If possible, view a layout prior to printing and make sure it meets your specs before the actual item is personalized. Allow them plenty of time to complete your items before you need them. Holidays like Christmas and Mother’s Day are busy and may require more time than usual. Delivery schedules also require scrutiny.