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It’s personal: 14 thoughtful gifts to help you win at Christmas, from £5
Fancy yourself as your family’s ultimate gifter? These bespoke buys will make you look super-considerate, from (whisper it) just £5
When it comes to Christmas gifting, there are generally three types of recipient:
- The heavy hinter – sends you a wish list, complete with links, in June
- The realist – loves a gift voucher and winces at the thought of you going off-piste
- The sentimentalist – eternally grateful for whatever you give them, as long as it feels totally unique to them and makes them cry happy, ‘Oh, wow, you really shouldn’t have’ tears
The latter is undoubtedly the trickiest to shop for. Theirs is a high-pressure present that needs to feel like it was a) absolutely no bother to buy (because they hate to be a bother), while also b) being the most thoughtful, most unique gift that they’ve ever received – or at least since last Christmas.
My OH calls it being high maintenance, but thinking that you’re low maintenance – the very worst combination. And he should know: he married one. So, what do we buy for the person who ‘honestly really doesn’t need anything’ but also wants the world, ideally with some sentimentality sprinkled on top?
Thankfully, personalisation is the answer to most thoughtful gifting dilemmas. Personalised gifts are often unusual, always unique and work for every occasion. For him, for her, for them, for they, for grandparents, godparents, big birthdays, anniversaries, wedding days, Mondays and every milestone/celebration in-between. Basically, buying bespoke is a no-brainer – and if you’re shopping for a particularly tricky type, opt for single initial personalisation – that way, they’ll probably be able to quietly re-gift, should they choose to.
So, without further ado, here are 14 of the best bespoke buys out there that nail ‘thoughtfulness’, from £5. You’re welcome.
Totally About You Personalised Evolution Water Bottle (online only), £30
Available in six colourways (black, blue, green, yellow, pink and white), this triple-walled stainless steel vacuum-insulated isothermal water bottle (try saying that after a festive sherry) is designed to keep your beverage cool for 24 hours or hot for 12.
How to personalise:
1. Place your order
2. Choose a name, short phrase or title (max 20 characters)
3. Select your favourite font
4. Email your personalisation details directly to johnlewis@totallyaboutyou.co.uk, including your name and order number
Treat Republic Personalised Bamboo Pet Bowl Set, £35.99
With an eco-friendly bamboo stand and two removable metal pet bowls, this set is both durable and paw-fect for your discerning pup/pussycat.
How to personalise:
1. Place your order
2. Pick your personalised copy (max 15 characters for name, plus 35 characters for a message)
3. Email your personalisation details directly to johnlewis@treatrepublic.com within three days of ordering, including your name, order number and contact details
Carolina Herrera Personalised Lipstick, from £25
IMO, this is the best personalised gift for friends, bridesmaids and makeup magpies alike – and Carolina Herrera’s covetable, customisable lippie is new to John Lewis for 2022, so get in there quick to bag your bestie a bespoke designer bullet.
How to personalise:
1. Choose the texture and shade (we love Carolina Herrera Nude Couture Blur Matte Lipstick Refill, 771 Hot Nude)
2. Select your cap (try Carolina Herrera Lip Liquid Cap, Beetle)
3. Add the accessories (hello, Carolina Herrera The Lipstick Bangle)
John Lewis Personalised Wellies Slate Sign, £20
A clever gift idea for new parents, families moving to a new home or just proud, outdoorsy types, this sign is made from natural slate with a rustic chipped edge and string for hanging.
How to personalise:
1. Place your order
2. Pick your personalised copy (up to 30 characters, and five first names up to 12 characters)
3. Email your personalisation details directly to johnlewis@loveabode.com within 24 hours of ordering, including your name, order number and contact details
Customisable Quality Street at John Lewis, from £5
Yes, really. Does your dream Christmas include hibernating with a loved one, Netflix on repeat and a box of Quality Street in hand/mouth? Here’s how to customise your Quality Street Tin or Cracker at John Lewis in a (chocolate-covered) nutshell.
How to personalise:
1. Quality Street Cracker – choose your favourite sweets to fill the cracker (£5)
2. Quality Street Personalised Tin – choose your favourite sweets (up to 1.2kg) and a personalised name to adorn the lid (£17)
3. Re-use your own personalised tin and select your favourite flavours to refill (£10)
Babyblooms Personalised Knitted Baby Blanket (online only), £38
Luxuriously soft in pure cotton, this beautiful knitted baby blanket has future heirloom written all over it (literally, if you so choose) and will keep baby warm and cosy, whether it’s a gift for a new arrival or their first birthday.
How to personalise:
1. Place your order
2. Pick your personalised copy (max 10 characters)
3. Add a message for your gift card
4. Email your personalisation details and your gift-card message directly to johnlewis@babyblooms.co.uk within 24 hours of ordering, including your name, order number and contact details
Jonny’s Sister Personalised Name Apron (online only), £24.50
Available in red, grey, navy or green, this apron makes a great gift for any budding baker or head chef at home. Alternatively, try this Personalised BBQ Tool Apron that comes complete with tools.
How to personalise:
1. Place your order
2. Choose a name to be printed on the apron
3. Email your personalisation details, including colour choice, directly to johnlewis@jonnyssister.co.uk, along with your name and order number
Under the Rose Personalised Swing Locket Pendant Necklace, £89
Combining the brand’s Fingerprint and Photo Charm designs, this necklace is one to treasure for decades to come. The Swing Locket Pendant style features your chosen message lasered on the front, plus space for a black-and-white photograph to be encased in a silver charm within.
How to personalise:
1. Place your order
2. Email your personalised message and other details, including any images or scans, directly to info@undertherose.co.uk along with your order number and contact details. A confirmation email will be sent to you on receipt of all the items required for personalisation
3. If you have any questions about your order or require further assistance, please contact the brand directly at info@undertherose.co.uk
English Pewter Company Personalised Monogram Tumbler (online only), £24
For special occasions, add a handcrafted pewter initial to this whisky tumbler, which comes complete with a fancy black velvet bag and stylish cream-and-black gift box to dial up the decadence.
How to personalise:
1. Place your order
2. Pick the monogram (one initial, A-Z)
3. Email your personalisation details to johnlewis@englishpewter.co.uk within three days of ordering, including your name, order number and contact details
John Lewis Personalised Any Quote Wall Sticker, £35
Made using the highest quality adhesive matt vinyl, this wall sticker can be personalised with a quote or phrase of your choice – ideal for anyone looking to make a real style statement at home.
How to personalise:
1. Place your order
2. Email your personalisation details directly to johnlewis@loveabode.com and include your name, order number and contact details
Note: If you are purchasing this as a gift and do not wish the recipient to be contacted, please ensure that you only supply your own contact details
Treat Republic Personalised Name Ceramic Travel Mug (online only), £19.99
Double-jacketed to keep that all-important morning coffee warm, this reusable ceramic mug is the ultimate gift for dog walkers, commuters and mums on the run. Bonus: it’s also dishwasher and microwave safe.
How to personalise:
1. Place your order
2. Pick your personalised name and three bullet points (max 12 characters for name, plus 20 characters per line)
3. Email your personalisation details directly to johnlewis@treatrepublic.com within three days of ordering, including your name, order number and contact details
Solesmith Personalised Dice & Card Game Set (online only), £26
This monogrammed set has two packs of cards and five dice, with the option to personalise it with charcoal lettering. The perfect gift for competitive parents, grandparents and partners who like to win in style.
How to personalise:
1. Place your order
2. Pick your personalised initials or name (max 4 characters in uppercase)
3. Email your personalisation details directly to johnlewis@solesmith.co.uk as soon as possible, including your name, order number and contact details
Under the Rose Personalised Hand or Foot Print Pendant Necklace, £79
Capture their child’s early years with a hand or footprint set on a beautiful pendant necklace. The charm can hold a name and personalised print, hung on an adjustable trace chain. Additional charms can also be added at a later date to accommodate a growing family.
How to personalise:
1. Place your order
2. Email your personalised message and other details, including any images or scans, directly to info@undertherose.co.uk with your order number and contact details. A confirmation email will be sent to you on receipt of all the items required for personalisation
3. If you have any questions about your order or require further assistance, please contact the brand directly at info@undertherose.co.uk
Babyblooms Personalised Baby Bathrobe with Luxury Hooded Baby Towel (online only), £55
This super-soft cotton bathrobe and towel set from Babyblooms is perfect for cosy cuddles. Beautifully packaged in an illustrated gift box with a gift card bearing your message, it can be embroidered with baby’s name for a personal touch. Forget cuddly toys – this is the thoughtful baby shower/birthday present/Christmas gift parents will genuinely thank you for.
How to personalise:
1. Place your order
2. Pick your personalised name (max 10 characters)
3. Email your personalisation details and your gift-card message to johnlewis@babyblooms.co.uk within 24 hours of ordering, including your name, order number and contact details
4. If you have any questions about your order, call Babyblooms on 01454 272474 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm)
