The thrill of having one’s name emblazoned on a unique possession isn’t reserved for 7-year-olds scoring mini license plates—everyone feels special unwrapping a gift created specifically for them. In that spirit, we’ve collected our favorite personalized gifts, many of which are customizable versions of Wirecutter picks. Whether you want a gift monogrammed, custom made, or personalized in another way, these gifts will show your recipient that you care deeply just for them.
Socks with faces
What could be more custom than a pair of socks featuring one’s own face—or, better yet, the face of someone they love? The answer is not much, and to that end, DivvyUp is among the easiest services to use. Upload an image of your favorite visage, select your background color or print, and a couple of weeks later, face socks arrive on your doorstep. Depending on your intended recipient, consider different mugs. A friend from work? Maybe it’s their particularly hilarious ID photo. A pal from high school? Use the yearbook photo they nearly forgot about. Your doggy co-parent? Fido, obviously. Made from a durable blend of polyester, nylon, and spandex, these socks are stretchy and soft, and they hold up well.
Cuter toting
The person on your list probably has one or two tote bags already, but they may not have one that’s unequivocally, without a doubt, theirs. For that you’ll want to give them one with a monogram. The L.L.Bean Boat and Tote is among our favorites from testing thanks to its heavy-duty cotton and tight stitching that can withstand weights of up to 500 pounds (although we doubt your recipient will ever need to haul that much). In addition to personalizing the bag with your loved one’s initials, you can also customize the size (small, medium, large, or extra large), the color (seven options, including deep mulberry and regatta blue), and the handle length (regular or long). L.L.Bean now offers a fully monochromatic bag, too—the handles and canvas body match—a particularly modern upgrade from the old-school contrast handles.
An understated ring
For a dainty accessory that packs ample meaning, we think this engravable signet ring makes the perfect choice. Wirecutter senior editor Jen Hunter says she hasn’t taken hers off since the day she bought it. This one is especially solid because it has a closed back—the signet plate is made from solid gold, as opposed to being hollow inside. This also makes it feel smooth against a finger and, as Jen says, “incredibly comfortable to wear.” It’s available in rose gold, yellow gold, or white gold, and for no extra charge, you can add up to three engraved characters in one of several font choices.
Personalized fan gear for their favorite teams
Whether you’re giving a Custom Roster Name & Number T-Shirt to a young child or a young-at-heart fan, this is the type of personalized present that’s sure to be a home run. There’s something special about a superfan having their own last name on an officially licensed shirt celebrating their favorite team. Senior staff writer Joanne Chen’s husband customized her son’s tee with his last name and Little League number. Joanne says, “He loves how the shirt helps him represent!”.
The night they’ll never forget
You know the day that matters most to your recipient: Maybe it was the day they were born, the day you two married, or even just the day they submitted the 400-page dissertation that earned them a PhD. Whatever it is, a custom sky map that depicts the stars aligned exactly as they were at that location on that date makes a beautiful gift, for both its celestial image and the emotional resonance. You can also include quotes, names, dates, and locations for text that complements the composition.
