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
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
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
Uncommon Goods
Custom message shortbread cookies
Personalized and delicious
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.
$38 at Uncommon Goods