This story is part of Holiday Gift Guide 2021, our list of ideas, by topic, by recipient and by price, to help you discover the perfect gift.
Personalizing a holiday gift is a satisfying shopping experience. It lets people know that you planned ahead and picked something especially for them. The key to giving customized gifts is ordering well before the holidays — so that everything will be ready in time — and knowing what to buy. The holiday season is now upon us, so for many of these gifts, time is of the essence. I can’t help you shop early, but I can show you some of the coolest personalized gifts out there. I’ve found some unique products that are guaranteed to please anyone on your list, from small children to older folks.
When in doubt, edible gifts, like personalized cookies, are a safe bet. And useful items like coffee mugs, totes and pajamas are personalized gift ideas that will likely be appreciated. If you know more about the person you’re buying for, you might pick something like a pet portrait or celebrity video message. Whatever you choose, adding that extra personalized touch is sure to bring holiday cheer. Remember to check the expected delivery date when you go to place your order. Luckily there is still a little time to add that personal touch this holiday season.
Engraved Apple gadgets
Personalize those AirPods, AirTags or iPad
John Falcone/CNET
Yes, there are still a small number of Apple gadgets that you can get engraved. Obviously, you’re limiting the hand-me-down value of these gadgets, and you’re paying a premium for them at the Apple Store, but a personalized note or symbol on those AirPod headphones, AirTag trackers or iPad tablets is a great way to show you thought ahead. Pro tip: The AirTags start at just $30, so they’re a great stocking stuffer for an iPhone owner.
See at Apple
Letterfolk tile mat
Customize this doormat again and again
Letterfolk
Letterfolk’s tile mat is a doormat you can customize. It makes a fun personalized gift for the crafter on your holiday list, or for the person who loves trendy home decor. The mat includes black and white tiles, but you can buy extra colors separately for $12 each. Change the mat each season for cheer that lasts all year.
$75 at West Elm
FIND THE PERFECT GIFTUnder $50Under $100Under $250Under $500Allallmomsdadsgrandparentsfitnesstravelersteenspreteenstechgaminghomefoodieskids67 results
LG C1 OLED 65-inch
$1,797 at Amazon
The Mirror
$1,495 at Mirror
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
$1,166 at Amazon
Dell G15
$1,100 at Best Buy
Vizio MQ7 65-inch
$1,000 at Amazon
HP Pavilion Aero 13
$1,000 at HP
MacBook Air M1
$1,000 at Best Buy
iPhone 13 Pro
$999 at Apple
TCL Series 6 TV 65-inch
$999 at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
$925 at Amazon
Lenovo Yoga 7i (2-in-1)
$850 at Best Buy
iPhone 13
$799 at Apple
DJI Minin 2 Fly More Combo
$600 at Amazon
Arcade1Up Arcade Machine
$600 at Best Buy
Google Pixel 6
$599 at Amazon
Acer Chromebook Spin 713
$530 at Amazon
TCL Series 4 TV 65-inch
$529 at Amazon
iPad Mini 2021
$500 at Best Buy
Xbox Series X
$499 at Amazon
iPhone 11
$499 at Apple
Sony PlayStation 5
$499 at Amazon
Nintendo Switch OLED
$429 at Amazon
Apple Watch Series 7
$399 at Best Buy
Apple iPad 2021 (9th generation)
$330 at Amazon
Apple Watch SE
$269 at Amazon
Sony WF-1000XM4
$250 at Walmart
Theragun Mini
$199 at Amazon
Atlas Tea Club
$199 at Atlas Tea Club
Fitbit Charge 5
$179 at Amazon
Madewell Transport Tote
$178 at Madewell
Perfect Pot
$165 at Our Place
Coravin Wine Preservation System
$150 at Target
Bose SoundLink Flex
$150 at Best Buy
Apple AirPods 3
$150 at Amazon
Illy Y3.3 Espresso and Coffee Machine
$149 at Amazon
Kindle Paperwhite 2021
$140 at Amazon
Best of Dylan’s Candy Bar Gift Basket
$100 at Dylan’s Candy Bar
Disney Plus Gift Subscription
$80 at Disney
EarFun Air Pro 2
$80 at Amazon
Keurig K-Slim Coffee Maker
$79 at Amazon
Letterfolk Customizable Tile Mat
$75 at West Elm
Mosaic Plant-Based Meal Delivery
$70 at Mosaic
Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
$69 at Amazon
Echo Dot with Clock
$60 at Amazon
JBL Go 3
$50 at Amazon
SteelSeries Arctis 1
$50 at Amazon
Crown & Paw Pet Canvas
$50 at Crown & Paw
Nintendo eShop Gift Card
$50 at Amazon
Lunya Silk Sleep Mask
$48 at Lunya
Botley 2.0
$47 at Amazon
Biolite TraveLight 135
$40 at Biolite
Trade Coffee Subscription
$40 at Trade
Blockaroo Blocks
$40 at Amazon
Roku Express 4K Plus
$39 at Amazon
Parks Project Candle
$36 at Parks Project
ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner
$36 at Amazon
Wyze Cam v3
$36 at Amazon
Five S Kneading Massager
$35 at Amazon
Lenovo Smart Clock
$35 at Best Buy
Hydro Flask
$35 at Hyrdo Flask
Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion Board Game
$32 at Amazon
Lego Speed Champions Corvette
$30 at Amazon
Lodge Cast-Iron Grill Pan
$20 at Amazon
Spanish-style Wine Glasses
$20 at Amazon
Croissant Light
$19 at Amazon
Lite-Brite
$13 at Target
Fox in the Forest
$12 at Amazon
Madewell monogram tote
A sturdy leather bag to treasure
Madewell
Madewell’s best-selling leather tote bag is a crowd-pleaser. It comes in true black, English saddle and true black brown, and can be personalized with a variety of font and text colors. Quality construction and classic style make this tote an ideal holiday gift, and the monogram is the icing on the cake.
$178 at Madewell
Personalized flat bangle
Merci Maman/Screenshot by CNET
This bangle can be customized on the inside and outside with different messages and is hand engraved on the same day. The flat bangle is a subtle piece that is easily stackable with other jewelry. It comes in either a sterling silver, 18K gold plated or 18K rose gold plated finish and has flexible sizing.
$49 at Merci Maman
Erin Condren planner
Personalize a Lifeplanner for an organized new year
Erin Condren
Erin Condren’s popular planners are a great gift for organized types. There are so many fun covers to choose from, and everything can be personalized with a name or initials. Features include monthly quotes, calendars, note sheets, stickers and even a ruler. I love the festive new Nutcracker design as a holiday option.
$59 at Erin Condren
Cameo video message
A personal message from a celebrity will make someone’s day
Cameo
A Cameo video message is the perfect unique personalized gift for the person who has everything. At the click of a button, a celebrity will record a personalized video that you can download and send. Singers, reality stars, athletes and even politicians are among the options. Prices range: Rapper Snoop Dogg will cost you $1,200, but you can get a message from Real Housewives of New Jersey star Melissa Gorga for $165.
Plus, as part of their holiday deals, select celebrities are doing cameos for 25% off their regular price. If you’re looking for something more festive, you can purchase a cameo from Santa Claus, starting from $15.
See at Cameo
MudLove mug
Cozy up with a custom mug
MudLove
Add a word or phrase to MudLove’s tagged ceramic mugs for a sweet, personal gift. You can also add a symbol (like a heart, musical note or peace sign) and pick from 16 brightly saturated colors to further customize. These quality mugs are handcrafted in the US and most will ship in 10 business days, so order early for December deliveries. Bonus holiday spirit: MudLove has partnered with Water for Good to provide a week of clean water for each personalized mug sold.
$34 at MudLove
My Face Socks
Use photos to create a fun, affordable gift
My Face Socks
How can you not order a pair of custom photo personalized socks? You know you’ll get a reaction when this creative, hilarious gift is unwrapped. Choose from dozens of colorful sock styles, upload the image of your choice (a pet, child, significant other) and choose your size. Hot tip: My Face Socks also make great stocking stuffers and White Elephant gifts.
$26 at My Face Socks
Sally Rose name necklace
Sally Rose
A name necklace from Sally Rose is a perfect first piece of “real” jewelry. Kids and teens will love the cute character options; pick a Hello Kitty, Harry Potter, Disney or Star Wars charm to accent your sterling silver or gold-plated 18-inch necklace. This thoughtful gift will arrive in a sweet gift box, ready to pop under the tree. Bonus: I like the affordable price.
$55 at Sally Rose
Crown and Paw pet canvas
Immortalize your furry friend with a regal portrait
Crown and Paw
If you’ve got pet parents on your Christmas list, I can confirm they’ll love a Crown and Paw portrait. Choose a canvas size and design, upload a photo, and Crown and Paw will create a whimsical, personalized gift. Who wouldn’t want to see their dog or cat as a queen or old-timey war hero? It’s art.
$60 at Crown & Paw
Earth and space night-lights
A glowing name night-light makes an out-of-this-world gift
Uncommon Goods
These galactic night-lights from Uncommon Goods are just the coolest. An illuminated acrylic plaque sits on a wood base, creating a warm nighttime glow. Choose the Earth or the space design and add your favorite kiddo’s name for a unique and practical Christmas gift.
$65 at Uncommon Goods
Little Navy pajamas
Customization makes these pj’s even sweeter
Little Navy
These supersoft pajamas would already be an adorable gift, but adding a name makes them an even better gift idea. Choose from long- or short-sleeved styles and fun designs including peanut butter and jelly, cookies and milk, city scenes, rainbows, pizza and forest animals. And they’d be even cuter as a sibling set.
$58 at Little Navy
Gift Wrap My Face
Overboard? Nah, we don’t think so
Gift Wrap My Face
Once you find the perfect personalized gift, go one step further and wrap it in the giftee’s face or your own face. Either way, Gift Wrap My Face is a hilarious way to present holiday gifts. Upload a photo (or photos) and choose from hundreds of wrapping paper designs, from Christmas elves to snowmen to menorah heads.
$20 at Gift Wrap My Face
Custom message shortbread cookies (Update: out of stock)
This gift is personalized and delicious
Uncommon Goods
Uncommon Goods will imprint a message on pastry chef Céline Zhou’s buttery treats, which are individually wrapped in a lovely gift box. The 24 vanilla shortbread cookies can say whatever you like. Reviewers give these custom cookies five stars, with 99% of respondents saying they’d recommend this Uncommon Goods purchase to a friend.
This item is currently out of stock, but you can sign up for alerts to let you know when they return.
$38 at Uncommon Goods
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