If you’ve been reading for the last month, you know that we have already talked about gifts for men, women, kids, readers, the whole family, and crafters, and about gifts you can make.  This week, we’re talking about personalized gifts.

Now, when I think about “personalized gifts,” two different uses of the term come to mind.  The first has to do with making basic, otherwise-boring, mass-produced items more “personal.” This can be a great option for last-minute gift needs, or for people you don’t know especially well.  Purchase an item that everyone needs – like a hairbrush, telephone, or hammer – and decorate it.  Paint it, etch it, add decals.  Whatever.  Just make it look different from the other 1,000,000 hairbrushes, telephones, or hammers out there.  That can make even a mundane thing somewhat special (and gift-worthy).

The other type of “personalized gift is the sort that probably came to mind when you heard it.  This is the variety that consists of a product especially purchased with the recipient’s name, photo, or other identifier built in.  The good news is, you have lots of options!

• The Vintage Pearl (jewelry)
• Wow! Imports  (They have name necklaces available in a variety of languages.)
• Zazzle/Vistaprint/InkGarden (or other printing company)
• Jigsaw2Order
• My Twinn dolls

There are many, many others, as well.  Don’t forget to check out the personalized gifts in my gift guide!

Gift Cards

As a general rule, gift cards and personalized gifts are contradictory.  However, it is possible to purchase a gift card to a retailer that will allow the recipient to purchase his own personalized gift.  For instance:

• Book By You
• <FashionPlaytes