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Personalized items can be some of the best gifts for women you can give. They’re thoughtful and unique and are specially designed with the gift recipient in mind — which makes them feel incredibly loved and important. A pretty foolproof gift idea if you ask us. Well, that is if you do it right.
Personalization can also skew a bit kitschy or cheap or straight-up cheugy. We’ve all seen those script-styled wine glasses and wooden cutting boards. Personalized name necklaces are abundant on Etsy, but unfortunately, most will tarnish after a few months of wear (speaking from experience). And please stay away from those faceless Canva art prints (peak chueginess).
There’s a much more elevated, sophisticated way to gift personalized items. Chic monograms on high-quality material goods. Coffee table books with a personal, unique touch. And 14k gold name necklaces that’ll stay gold. Just to name a few.
Below, we’ve compiled a handful of customizable and personalized items spanning across a variety of product categories that’d make for the best, most thoughtful gifts.
The best personalized gift we’ve gifted
You can read all about why the New York Times Birthday Book is the best gift ever here. But to sum it up: This truly unique, deeply personal coffee table book includes every front cover from New York Times on the recipient’s birthday, starting with the year they were born.
Lots of (high-quality) personalized jewelry
If she doesn’t already have a personalized, Carrie-Bradshaw-esque, solid gold necklace with her name on it, it’s your duty to get her one. And not some cheapo one from Etsy that’s going to tarnish in a month. Go for 14k or 18k gold, so she never has to take it off.
Bubble letters are in, but typically the on-trend typography is reserved for necklaces and earrings — so this bubble name bracelet is a super unique choice.
The sweetest of sweet treats
Did you know M&M’s offers customization of its famed bite-sized chocolates? You can choose from an array of gift packaging (heart-shaped containers, classy champagne bottles, classic jars and more) and design your very own M&M’s. Decide on an eye-pleasing color palate and add your tiny, personalized inscriptions. These little morsels of love make for one of the best (and sweetest) personalized gifts for women.
A beautiful desktop photo calendar
A design-forward desk calendar filled with all her favorite photos? A perfect holiday gift.
A monogrammed travel mug
If she somehow doesn’t already own a giant travel water bottle, it’s your moment to shine. Stanley, RTIC and Yeti offer customizations to their durable, stainless steel, handle-equipped tumblers that keep beverages hot or cold for hours on end. Choose from monograms, art, zodiac signs and more. One of the easiest personalized gifts for women, if we do say so ourselves.
Elevated hair accessories
Because she’s not going to spend $72 on a hairbrush for herself, and a luxury, wooden hairbrush makes for a phenomenal gift that no one ever really thinks of. This one from Prose is handcrafted from sustainable European beechwood. It can also be hand-engraved with any three initials for an ultra-special touch.
Personal gifts for the chef
She’ll jot her favorite recipes down in this very cute, very handy hardback journal.
A Hedley & Bennett Apron is a non-negotiable kitchen essential, is available in like a million different colorways and can be nicely embroidered with text (up to 10 letters or numbers) or with a three letter monogram.
This stunning bottle of olive oil from Flamingo Estate — a glam 7-acre home and apothecary located atop the hills of Los Angeles — is made from hand-picked and cold-pressed organic olives. The result? A vibrant, peppery condiment they can drizzle over anything. Get it personalized with a handwritten label.
Friendship bracelets you don’t have to make yourself
Little Words Project offers an array of fun and colorful and more sophisticated-looking friendship-style bracelets — a very on-trend accessory popularized by Taylor Swift and her fans.
And all the personalized travel bags and accessories
A travel jewelry case is a life-saver, and this square zippered number with gorgeous monogramming from Mark & Graham is one she’ll carry with her forever. The functional case is thoughtfully designed to fit rings, necklaces and earrings neatly and safely thanks to a soft cushioned inside and multiple compartments. The textured vegan leather can be customized with 18 different colors and three font personalization options.
Keep it classic with this clean-looking monogrammed toiletry bag.
For the hostess with the mostess
Add a simple engravement to Mon Verre’s premium quality crystal glasses that are reinforced with titanium to avoid breakage, and you’ve got yourself an exquisite gift.
The perfect addition to any tablescape, this set of four scalloped napkins can be embroidered with her initials.
Known for its bold prints and darling personalizations, Katie Kim offers quite the selection of pajamas, home goods and accessories that can be customized — including this vintage-inspired ice bucket that’d look super cute on her bar cart.
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