34 personalized gifts that stand out from the crowd, from their own lightsaber to a portrait of their pet

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While we want every gift we give to feel like it came from the heart, going the extra mile with a personalized present feels all the more special. Personalization does more than reflect a giftee’s interests or memories; it involves them in the gift and allows them to experience it in a whole new way.

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Keep scrolling for over 30 personalized selections, including a candle themed after their hometown, a one-of-a-kind typewriter key necklace, and a luxurious monogrammed robe.

The 34 best personalized gifts in 2022:

A candle scented like their favorite city or hometown

City Scented Candle, available at Homesick, from $38 

Whether they’re from Boston, Seattle, or anywhere in between, this city-scented candle captures the essence of home. San Francisco is coffee, chocolate, and a walk along the shoreline, while Philly is heliotrope, fresh air, and a step into a local bakery. No matter which city they’re from, it smells like the total package!

A made-to-order personalized song

Made-To-Order Personalized Song, available at Uncommon Goods, from $100 

Searching for the most powerful way to tell them you really care? Musician David Morgan can transform your anecdotes into one to three-minute masterpieces. The result: A sharable MP3 audio file and a copy of your very own lyrics.

A scratch-off poster to flaunt the movies they’ve seen

Ultimate Movie-Lovers Fill-In Poster, available at Uncommon Goods, $40 

For film buffs and those who have an ever-growing list on Netflix, this fill-in poster features 1,500 must-see movies in every genre to watch and give a (sometimes brutal) rating. Think of it as a personal cinema checklist that would look pretty cool hanging on their wall.

A personalized take on a classic roller ball pen

Personalized Bolt Action Pen, available at Etsy, from $39.99  

For family artists and friends who love to doodle, this handmade pen will bring their artistic endeavors to new heights with their name engraved on the side. Crafted from nearly unbreakable solid brass into a grabbable hexagonal shape, this pen will stand out among the rest in their supply.

A one-of-a-kind typewriter-inspired necklace

Typewriter Key Necklace, available at Uncommon Goods, $70 

Show your writerly friends you care with this quirky necklace strung with an authentic typewriter key from the 20s, 30s, or 40s. Engraved with the letter of their first (or pen) name, this pendant is a fun yet stately accessory that carries a bit of history.

A wearable recreation of their pet’s face

Custom Pet Embroidered Sweatshirt, available at Uncommon Goods, from $135

These ultra-comfy crewnecks are elevated by hand-drawn, embroidered portraits of their furry friend(s). Whether they’re out on the town or snuggling at home with their best animal friend, this wearable artwork pays homage to their multi-legged pal — and trust us, those dog moms and cat dads will be in stitches!

A custom “Star Wars” lightsaber

Custom Saber, available at SaberForge, from $69.99

If your special someone has a penchant for all things “Star Wars,” this custom-made saber is perfect for display or play. Browse over 100 different sabers from seven categories, three brands, and plenty of add-ons and colors to fit their personal aesthetic. Whether they’re Jedi or Sith, they’ll feel right at home in a galaxy far, far away.

A bestselling monogrammed robe

Chambers Hydrocotton Bathrobe, available at Williams Sonoma, $109

What’s more personal(ized) than a wearable blanket? This lightweight, super soft Chambers Hydrocotton Robe is styled for all genders and loomed from the finest, long-staple Turkish cotton. Fluffy, absorbent, and endorsed with a classy monogram, this robe really is the total package.

A nostalgic bracelet

Custom Multi Disc Pisa Bracelet, available at BaubleBar, $40

This custom beaded bracelet can spell out a name or phrase in a rainbow of colors. You can stack it with other bracelets for a stylish ’90s look.

A ceramic bowl with their pet’s name on it

Custom Pet Bowl, available at Etsy, from $29.61

Some people prefer to spoil their pets instead of themselves. A custom bowl with their favorite animal’s name on it is a gift they’ll love. 

A lovely birthstone ring

Pandora Birthstone Ring, available at Pandora, $50

This personalized ring is an intimate gift that signifies that you remember their ring size and birthday (even if you can’t remember the exact date).

A stylish monogrammed notebook

Colourblock Notebook, available at Papier, $30

If they’re a writer, list maker, or note-taker, they’re sure to appreciate this personalized notebook from Papier. Choose from eight different color block patterns and lined, plain, or dotted paper to make this gift feel even more personal.

A custom star map

Custom Night Sky Star Map, available at Etsy, from $46

Celebrate a special event or moment in time by gifting them a snapshot of that night’s sky. Each map can be customized by color, text and font styles, and map shape. The seller will work with you to create a vibrant map that perfectly captures any moment.

A curated wine subscription based on their preferences

Gift Card, available at Winc, from $60

If they’re new to the world of wine, gifting them a Winc subscription will help them choose their favorite styles by testing several wines each month. Winc is one of our favorite wine delivery options due to its extensive selection and interactive wine quiz that each subscriber takes before receiving wines to try.

A handcrafted recipe board

Personalized Family Recipe Board, available at Uncommon Goods, $100

Help them save precious family recipes with this wood recipe board that’s available in maple or cherry wood finishes. Simply send over a scan of their favorite recipe, and it will be transferred onto the board in the writer’s handwriting.

A candle inspired by astrology

Birthdate Candle, available at Birthdate, from $49.99

The candle makers at Birthdate combined the powers of astrology and scent to make 365 unique candles. Each day of the year has a candle to call its own, with a layered scent and a label that reads the stars.

A portrait of their furry (or scaly) best friend

Pet Portrait, available at CanvasPop, from $84

If their pet is more like family, this fun portrait of their furry or scaly best friend is sure to make their day. Choose from three art styles, canvas sizes, and several background colors to make this gift even more unique.

A desktop photo calendar

Walnut Desktop Photo Calendar, available at Artifact Uprising, from $35

This walnut photo calendar makes a beautiful desktop display. The personalized selection of photos turns an ordinary calendar into a display of memories, though choosing only 12 of your favorite photos could prove to be difficult.

A set of coasters with memories from abroad

Custom Travel Photo Coasters, available at Uncommon Goods, from $68

Gift them these coasters so they can relive their favorite travel stories every time they use them. Add location captions to each coaster for an additional cost.  

A monogrammed leather cardholder

Zip Cardholder, available at Cuyana, from $98

This stylish wallet will give your recipient a luxury experience at a relatively affordable price. They’ll get a surprising amount of storage and can comfortably fit five cards, cash, and coins. It comes in seven shades and can be monogrammed for $15 to add personalization.

An apron loved by professional chefs

The Essential Apron, available at Hedley & Bennett, from $85 [add embroidery for $20]

A sturdy, comfortable, and stylish apron becomes even more stylish and personal with the addition of embroidery on the apron chest or waist strap. You can choose from script or block font in a variety of colors. While we love the classic styles, you can also take advantage of their limited-edition aprons. 

A made-to-measure suit

Gift Card, available at Indochino, from $50

Nothing feels quite as bespoke as a custom-made suit. The startup Indochino makes that gift a bit more achievable and a lot less expensive. 

A thoughtful map of their favorite place on earth

Customized Poster, available at Grafomap, from $19

Grafomap is a website that lets you design posters with maps of any place in the world. You can make one of their hometown, college town, or favorite travel destination — you’re only limited by your imagination.

A gold letter charm from an ethical jewelry startup

Mini Gold Letter Charm Pendant, available at AUrate, $250

AUrate makes beautiful, personalized letter charms that are meant to represent a no-compromise mix of quality, price, and ethical practices. They use luxury materials like 14-karat gold, original designs, transparent pricing, and sustainable production. In partnership with Mastery Charter, the startup has also given thousands of books to NYC students and schools. 

A leather toiletry case they can take with them for years to come

Double Zip Toiletry Bag, available at Leatherology, $115 

This luxe Double Zip bag is one accessory I never travel without. The dual compartments keep all essentials close, and the leather ages into something soft and personal over time. If you’re looking for wallets, travel gift sets, or duffels instead, you can find pretty much any leather good at a good price and superior quality here — most available for monogramming.

An expertly curated vinyl record collection

Three-Month VNYL Gift Membership Subscription, available at VNYL, $89.97

VNYL’s team of curators studies your music profile — assembled via a quiz and connected to Spotify, Soundcloud, Instagram, etc. — to hand-pick new albums that they think you’ll love. Then, they send you a tailored pick to your door. If your giftee is a music-lover and has a record player, this is a cool subscription that will help them discover even more music to enjoy. 

A pair of customizable Nikes

Customizable Nikes, available at Nike, from $110

Nike makes great products, and they’re popular for a reason. But it’s nice to get the benefits of the design team without forsaking what makes something unique. You can customize a pair of Nike’s for them or gift them a gift card so they can get creative making something one-of-a-kind on their own. 

A set of tumblers personalized for family members’ hobbies

Personalized Hobby Tumblers, available at Uncommon Goods, from $32

These fun tumblers celebrate each family member’s unique passions, letting them feel appreciated by you. They’ll also enjoy seeing themselves in fun illustrations. 

An engraved shave set

Winston Set, available at Harry’s, from $25

If they take pride in having nice tools or taking their grooming routine as time for themselves, they’ll appreciate Harry’s luxe gift set. It can be engraved for $15, and the special Winston handle is weighty, die-cast zinc with a polished chrome finish. The German-engineered blades come with a travel cover so they don’t dull, and the Foaming Shave Gel works up to a rich lather. 

A coffee subscription that caters to their likes and dislikes

Three-Month Coffee Subscription, available at Driftaway, from $54

Driftaway is a gourmet coffee subscription that gets smarter the longer you use it — remembering your preferences and steering you towards increasingly accurate brews for your palette. The first shipment is a tasting kit with four coffee profiles, which users rate online or in the app for the site to use as a flavor baseline. If they love coffee, this is a great way to ensure they’ll discover new favorites and enjoy each morning cup.

A subscription that lets them try tea from all over the world

Personalized Tea Gift Card (3-month Subscription), available at Sips by, $48

If they’re more of a tea person, there’s a personalized service for them, too. Sips by takes their tastes and matches them to four tea brands (chosen from more than 150 tea brands around the world) each month. There’s enough tea to make more than 45 cups of tea (if they re-steep) — the perfect amount to keep them warm and cozy through the winter. 

A set of embroidered bath towels

Piped Edge Starter Pack, available at Weezie, $264

Weezie’s soft and fluffy organic cotton towels are already gift-worthy on their own. To make them even more covetable, add embroidery for $15. You can go with the classic monogram in a variety of eye-catching styles or spell out a full name in a cursive script. There are a few unique embroidery colors, like bright pink and mint. 

A zodiac necklace that mixes luxury with personalization

Zodiac Pendant Necklace, available at Mejuri, $128

Mejuri‘s popular zodiac necklaces are a great way to gift jewelry that manages to feel both luxurious and intimate — something that can be lacking in refined gifts. The Canadian startup as a whole is a unique mix of approachability and elegance, which may be why they’re known for waitlists that top out at 40,000 people. 

A pair of haircare essentials designed for their specific hair needs

Gift Card, available at Function of Beauty, from $50

To get their personalized hair care, they’ll start with a quiz that asks them about their hair concerns and needs. The final formulation addresses those needs and is also free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, and GMOs. Plus, the bottle labels will feature their name. 

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