The 11 Best Personalized Gifts to Buy from Etsy This Year
From custom pet prints to monogrammed kitchen gear, these handmade gifts are sure to impress everyone on your list.
When it comes to finding thoughtful gifts, Etsy is always a safe bet. The online retailer boasts countless independent sellers, many of whom offer handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces—from home decor to jewelry and candles—that anyone on your list will enjoy. (It’s also an opportunity to support small businesses and independent makers, which we’re always down for.) Don’t know where to start? We’ve rounded up some of our favorite gift-worthy personalized items you can order on Etsy right now.
Whether you’re looking for a spatula that features a special message for your dad, an engraved case for your partner’s AirPods, or a customized pet print for your best friend, keep scrolling to get inspired. Just don’t wait long to place your order, as custom orders can sometimes take a while and shipping deadlines are fast approaching.
For the whiskey lover, get this decanter personalized with a unique design and message that they can proudly display on their bar cart. You can essentially design your own bottle from scratch, with vintage or modern design options and the chance to add up to 180 characters. Plus, you can opt to add matching glasses to make it a complete set.
KindredFires makes these beautifully designed candles that feature a map and message of your choice. Once you pick one of the 12 scent options—from sweet and citrusy to fresh and smoky—you can have it personalized by sending the makers the map area you want, the address where you’d like a heart marker, and a short custom message. The result is an elegant gift that will burn for up to 40 hours.
Sure, you could always put a photo in a nice frame and wrap it up for your next gift exchange. Or, you could turn that photo into a jigsaw puzzle for a far more unique (and fun) trip down memory lane. Send a high-resolution picture to this Etsy seller, and they will turn it into a puzzle ranging from 120 to 1,000 pieces. They even print the photo on the front of the box to make it feel like a legit jigsaw puzzle—and provide some visual assistance if you decide to go with the 1,000-piece option.
Turn an ordinary piece of wood into a statement item with these personalized cutting boards (which can also serve as a cheese or charcuterie board). To order, choose a board material (bamboo, maple, or walnut) and the location of your custom engraving, select a design option, and add your message to the description box before adding it to your cart.
While drinking any liquid with a crazy straw already makes life more fun, the party factor increases exponentially when the crazy straw is shaped like your name. This popular Etsy seller lets you choose the name you want to be displayed (prices vary by the number of letters) and straw color, so you can truly make something unique. Stocking stuffers don’t get much more creative than this.
True bookworms are very proud—and, dare we say, possessive—of their personal book collections. This personalized embosser will let them mark their pages with ”From the Library of [Insert Name Here],” which not only looks cool, but ensures their prized tomes are much more likely to get returned after being lent out to a friend. It sure beats scribbling your name inside the front cover with a Sharpie.
If your friend loves their fur baby more than they love other humans, then this is the gift for them. Simply upload a few photos of their pet, choose the costume (there are dozens of options, ranging from Hogwarts uniforms to Renaissance-style gowns), and wait for either a printed portrait to arrive in the mail or a digital portrait to reach your inbox. Trust us, these will definitely get the biggest laugh when it’s time to open presents this year.
What’s the difference between a regular apron and a great apron? Personalized embroidery. So if you’re looking to gift one for the cook, bartender, or crafty person in your life, consider getting this 100% cotton canvas number that you can personalize with their name or initials. It also boasts two large front pockets and a cross back design with long straps for comfort and adjustability.
If you’re looking for something a bit unconventional, a custom neon sign is sure to wow anyone who loves an Insta-worthy backdrop. Each sign is fashioned from a long-lasting LED neon strip mounted on a clear acrylic board, and it comes with a clear power cord and black or white power bank. Prices vary by size and the number of characters you want to include (up to 25), and it’s available in 12 fun color options.
The grill master in your family will appreciate this nifty spatula, which features a built-in bottle opener and comes with an extra special detail: an engraved message from you. You can choose from over 20 different fonts to make sure it fits their particular style, and craft a message of your own to encourage them to save you the best burger at the next BBQ.
Anything that helps keep your AirPods safe and visible is always a wise investment. If you have someone in your circle that’s always losing their pair, this handmade leather case cover—complete with a handy metal clip—makes it easy to keep track of them. It comes in brown or black and, to make it even more special, you can also have it engraved with their initials (or any three characters of your choosing).