We all have points where we really suck at buying gifts. Here and there, you glance through your diary, suddenly realize that that occasion is tomorrow, and then rush out to make some hasty, panicked decision on a gift and a card. Then, when you actually give it over, you realize that anything would have been better than the choice you landed on! Don’t worry, you’re only human. If your last gift to someone special was a little informal, then here are some ideas to give your next one
a more personal touch.
From Flickr
Bespoke Map Heart Frame
This is one for a couple you know who love going traveling together, or a friend you have who’s always looking for the next holiday idea. Although it may be a little pricey for what it is, this gift is guaranteed to melt hearts when you give it over. You basically pick out three destinations anywhere in the world, and their locations on a tasteful map will be cut into love hearts, fitted in a gorgeous frame, and sent to your door. Not on The High Street sells three-heart frames, but I’m sure you’ll be able to find different numbers from some other vendor.
Personalised Wine Bottle Labels
We all have at least one wine lover in our lives. While I’m sure they appreciate the corkscrews and bottles you get them every year, you may feel like you need to get out of the pattern soon! Getting one or two personalised wine bottle labels lets you sate their love for wine, and still put a personal spin on it that’s sure to stick in their memory. From sentimental, poetic messages to silly pictures and in-jokes, you can have pretty much anything printed on a wine bottle and sent over. Stick them on some of your friend’s favorite brands, and top it all off with a nice wooden wine chest.
Custom Children’s Books
One of the hardest things to do as a parent is encourage your kids to read. There are all kinds of benefits to getting your kid to read, but with all the screens our kids are exposed too it can be difficult to have them pick up a book and start an adventure. When your kid is the main character though, it becomes so much easier! There are now many businesses like It’s Your Story which will create a personalised children’s book. All you need to do is send in some nice pictures, type in some names, and pay a fee. Once your gift arrives, you won’t believe how easy it is to get your kids more excited about story time!
From Pixabay
Adopted Olive Tree
This is a really unique gift idea, and perfect for the foodie who you want to give back to. Adopting a goat in sub-Saharan Africa may contribute to a good cause, but you’ll probably agree that it doesn’t quite feel like a gift! Nudo Adopt is business that allows you to adopt an olive tree in Le Marche, Italy. The recipient is then sent all the produce from the tree over the next year. To start with, your recipient will get three big tins of extra virgin olive oil, and the company’s own recipe book. Personally, I can’t tell the difference between two meals which were cooked using different oils. If you know a true connoisseur though, this may be the perfect gift for them.
Photo Canvases
These days, you can have photos printed on pretty much anything. From phone cases to shopping bags, to payment cards, you can have an image re-sized for all kinds of gifts. For my money though, the most tasteful choice is a nice, high-quality canvas to hang on a wall. Dozens of companies allow you to have any digital image professionally printed onto a canvas, giving you a gorgeous, sentimental gift that will last for years. The only difficulty is finding an image your recipient will definitely hang up! Try asking their spouse or a closer friend for ideas.
Personalised Jewelry
If none of these funny little gimmicks took your interest, then you might want something more subtle, like a name or a message engraved into jewelery. There are countless businesses which offer this service, so have a look around. The price for professional engraving is pretty much universal, but you can still find some high-quality pieces on the cheap. There are even companies like Achkiy, which allow you to buy a fantastic gift while giving back to impoverished communities. The possibilities are endless, so look around!
