13 personalized gifts for the holidays

This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.

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 and thoughtful gifts out there. I’ve found some unique gifts that are guaranteed to please your loved one 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 with the best personalized gifts.

John Falcone/CNET

Engraved Apple gadgets

Personalize those AirPods, AirTags or iPad

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 $29, so they’re a great stocking stuffer for an iPhone owner.

See at Apple

Letterfolk

Letterfolk tile mat

Customize this doormat again and again

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 Gift

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Five S Kneading Massager
$35 at Amazon

Hydro Flask
$35 at Hyrdo Flask

Nintendo eShop Gift Card
$50 at Amazon

Fox in the Forest
$12 at Amazon

SteelSeries Arctis 1
$50 at Amazon

Jacques Torres bonbons
$55 at Jacque Torres

A bouquet of exotic meats
$90 at Man Crates

Sarah Chloe diamond locket
$145 at Sarah Chloe

The Bouqs Co. Pixie bouquet
$99 at The Bouqs Co.

Sweet heart bamboo
$35 at Plants.com

Max Brenner chocolates
$37 at Max Brenner

Ingarden microgreens garden
$100 at Amazon

Shun Sora Japanese petty knife
$70 at Amazon

Wolf Circus Toni gold bracelet
$95 at Wolf Circus

Champagne Gummy Bears
$9 at Sugarfina

MakiMaki sushi roll kit for 2
$125 at MakiMaki

Cote des Roses rosé
$16 at Wine.com

Flavored Truffle Gift Box
$38 at La Maison du Chocolat

Barrel Aged Hot Hive Honey and Reaper Salt Series
$40 at Fuego Box

Carrie Hoffman X studs earrings
$290 at Carrie Hoffman

Wanna Date? sweet date spread
$12 at Uncommon Goods

Italian olivewood serving board
$17 at Sur la table

Three-piece cheese knife set
$20 at CB2

A delivery of fresh pasta
$25 at Goldbelly

Maison Miru heart nap earrings
$75 at Maison

Bokksu Japanese snack box
See at Amazon

State cashmere blanket throw blanket
See at Amazon

HyperChiller
See at Amazon

Nixplay smart digital photo frame
$20 at CB2

Online cooking classes
See at Online Cooking School

Washable Silk Tee & Shorts
See at Quince

Ouai Chill Pill Bath Bombs
See at Ulta

60 Hour Candle
See at TheraBox

Dyson Supersonic hair dryer
See at Dyson

Mint & Lily Mama necklace
See at Mint & Lily

Sephora gift card
See at Sephora

Google Nest Hub
See at Google

Theragun Prime
See at Therabody

Matador NanoDry Towel
See at REI

Mixbook
See at Mixbook

Tiki fire pit
See at Amazon

Mario Badescu face spray set
See at Ulta

Flower delivery from BloomsyBox
See at BloomsyBox

Slip silk pillowcase
See at Amazon

Aarke water carbonator
$230 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Disney Plus Gift Subscription
$80 at Disney

DJI Minin 2 Fly More Combo
$600 at Amazon

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
$69 at Amazon

ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner
$36 at Amazon

Perfect Pot
$165 at Our Place

Letterfolk Customizable Tile Mat
$75 at West Elm

Parks Project Candle
$36 at Parks Project

iPad Mini 2021
$500 at Best Buy

Crown & Paw Pet Canvas
$50 at Crown & Paw

Coravin Wine Preservation System
$150 at Target

Botley 2.0
$47 at Amazon

Arcade1Up Arcade Machine
$600 at Best Buy

Biolite TraveLight 135
$40 at Biolite

Blockaroo Blocks
$40 at Amazon

Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion Board Game
$32 at Amazon

JBL Go 3
$50 at Amazon

Illy Y3.3 Espresso and Coffee Machine
$149 at Amazon

Lenovo Smart Clock
$35 at Best Buy

Keurig K-Slim Coffee Maker
$79 at Amazon

Lego Speed Champions Corvette
$30 at Amazon

Madewell Transport Tote
$178 at Madewell

Lunya Silk Sleep Mask
$48 at Lunya

Lite-Brite
$13 at Target

Lodge Cast-Iron Grill Pan
$20 at Amazon

Wyze Cam v3
$36 at Amazon

Apple AirPods 3
$150 at Amazon

EarFun Air Pro 2
$80 at Amazon

Sony WF-1000XM4
$250 at Walmart

Sony PlayStation 5
$499 at Amazon

Roku Express 4K Plus
$39 at Amazon

Apple iPad 2021 (9th generation)
$280 at Amazon

Acer Chromebook Spin 713
$530 at Amazon

MacBook Air M1
$1,000 at Best Buy

Bose SoundLink Flex
$150 at Best Buy

Dell G15
$1,100 at Best Buy

HP Pavilion Aero 13
$1,000 at HP

Lenovo Yoga 7i (2-in-1)
$850 at Best Buy

Mosaic Plant-Based Meal Delivery
$70 at Mosaic

Trade Coffee Subscription
$40 at Trade

Vizio MQ7 65-inch
$1,000 at Amazon

Apple Watch SE
$269 at Amazon

Apple Watch Series 7
$399 at Best Buy

Atlas Tea Club
$199 at Atlas Tea Club

iPhone 11
$499 at Apple

iPhone 13
$799 at Apple

Fitbit Charge 5
$179 at Amazon

Google Pixel 6
$599 at Amazon

iPhone 13 Pro
$999 at Apple

LG C1 OLED 65-inch
$1,797 at Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
$1,166 at Amazon

TCL Series 4 TV 65-inch
$529 at Amazon

TCL Series 6 TV 65-inch
$999 at Amazon

Theragun Mini
$199 at Amazon

Best of Dylan’s Candy Bar Gift Basket
$100 at Dylan’s Candy Bar

The Mirror
$1,495 at Mirror

Echo Dot with Clock
$60 at Amazon

Croissant Light
$19 at Amazon

Spanish-style Wine Glasses
$20 at Amazon

Nintendo Switch OLED
$350 at Target

Xbox Series X
$499 at Amazon

Madewell

Madewell monogram tote

A sturdy leather bag to treasure

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

Merci Maman/Screenshot by CNET

Personalized flat bangle

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

Erin Condren planner

Personalize a Lifeplanner for an organized new year

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

Cameo video message

A personal message from a celebrity will make someone’s day

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

MudLove mug

Cozy up with a custom mug

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

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

Sally Rose name necklace

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

Crown and Paw pet canvas

Immortalize your furry friend with a regal portrait

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

Uncommon Goods

Earth and space night-lights

A glowing name night-light makes an out-of-this-world gift

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

Little Navy pajamas

Customization makes these pj’s even sweeter

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

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