What Are the Best Personalized Xmas Gifts? [Our Top Picks!]

The holidays are coming soon and that means it’s time to start thinking about gifts for your friends, family, and even co-workers (if you have that sort of relationship). 

You’ll want to give some thought to the gift you choose, especially if you’re planning to give a personalized gift. 

Additionally, keep in mind that some people prefer an experience over a material item. 

In this article, we’ll talk about choosing a personalized gift and the common pitfalls you should avoid when giving a gift to someone. 

Choosing a Personalized Gift 

When you consider getting someone a personalized gift, there are some things that you will need to think about. We’ll explain those below. 

What Message Do You Want to Send? 

Before you focus on what you should give someone, you need to first think about your relationship with that person. How do you feel about them? Is there something you’d like to say to them?

This will help you get closer to a decision than just looking through everything on the racks at the store or scouring lots of websites.

For example, maybe you want your BFF to know that you think they are the funniest person you know. On the other hand, perhaps you want to let your co-worker know that you appreciate sharing an office space with them.

If the person is your spouse/significant other, maybe you want to show them that you enjoy sharing your life with them. 

Make a List of Items That Will Reveal Your Message

Now that you’ve considered your relationship and figured out what message you want to send, jot down a few things that will send that message.

Of course, as you make this list, make sure that you consider their tastes/interests. You don’t want to give them something they won’t like.

For example, consider getting your co-worker a gift to their favorite café so they can have lunch with you one day.

On the other hand, if your BFF loves gardening, but doesn’t have the space for an outdoor garden, send them an indoor plant.

Maybe your spouse/significant other would enjoy a day of pampering at the spa- and they deserve it, considering how hard they work. 

Talk to People Who Know Them Well About What They Might Like 

If you’re having trouble coming up with something, ask for help from those who know that person well. They may have some ideas or may have mentioned something they might like to have or something they need.

For example, consider asking your BFF’s parents or siblings if they’ve mentioned something they might want/need. Ask other co-workers if they know of something that your co-worker wants/needs. Ask your spouse/significant other’s BFF or siblings to see if they’ve mentioned something to them.

Check Out Their Social Media Posts 

Take some time to go through their social media posts to see if there might be a clue about what they might like to have or need. Pinterest is typically the best place to look for clues because people create “boards” to “pin” things they want or are really interested in.

Of course, you can always check Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other social media sites. You never know what clues you might run across!

For example, if the person you’re gifting has mentioned a local coffee shop on their social media, consider getting them a gift card for that shop.

The possibilities are endless- there are so many things that you could find out about from their social media pages. 

Check Websites They Frequent for Wish Lists 

Wish lists are a great way to find out what someone wants. Some websites allow their members to make their wish lists public. 

If you know that the person you’re buying for frequently shops certain websites, check those websites for wish lists. You might just get lucky and find something with a variety of options!

Of course, if you choose to do this and have it sent directly to them, if possible, make sure that you indicate that the gift came from you. This way, no one else will buy it- and they’ll know who to thank when they get it! 

Ask the Recipient for Ideas 

If you’re struggling with ideas, reach out to the person and ask them if there’s something that they’d like to have. Since it means they’ll get something they’ll use and would love to have, most people appreciate being asked what they’d like.

Consider saying something like, “Is there anything you’d like for your birthday/Christmas/etc.)?” Then, make a note of what they say. If they give you multiple ideas, then write them down and use them for future ideas for gifts. 

Mistakes to Avoid 

When it comes to gift-giving, there are some things you need to keep in mind so that you don’t make a mistake. We’ll go over a few of those below. 

Give Them What They Want 

If there is something specific that the recipient has asked for, and you can get it for them, then get it. Don’t try to overthink it and choose something entirely different than what they wanted. If they mentioned something specific, it’s because they really want that particular item/experience.

For example, if they mention they want a toaster because theirs is broken, then, by all means, get them a toaster. If they mention that they want gift cards to play video games, then give them a gift card so they can do just that. 

Don’t Donate to Charity on Their Behalf. 

If you want to donate to charity, then do it on your behalf. Don’t donate instead of a gift- unless that is a request that person has made. You should never assume that just because it’s a cause they support, they would like you to donate on their behalf. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Give the Same Gift to More Than One Person. 

If you’ve got several people on your list and 2 (or more) of them have similar interests/tastes, don’t feel bad about giving them the same thing. Trying to make sure you have something different for everyone on your list can be difficult.

For example, if you think three friends on your list would love a specific kitchen tool or a concert ticket, go for it and get them all the same! The concert tickets would be a great experience that you could all go to together.

Another way to simplify gift-giving is just to buy gift cards for everyone. Cards from places like Amazon or Walmart are a great option. This way, they can get whatever they want, and you don’t have to worry about it. 

Pool Your Money With Others 

If there’s something big that the recipient wants and you can’t afford to get it for them, consider reaching out to others who will be gifting that person and pool your funds to get it for them.

For example, your friend needs a new oven but can’t afford to get one right now, talk to others and see whether everyone could pool in money for a group gift. This way, no one has to spend a lot of money- and you still have a really lovely gift to give them.

Conclusion 

When you’re trying to create the perfect gift for those on your gift list, you need to give it some thought. You want the gift to be personal for them. You don’t want to just grab the first thing you see on the shelf. You want it to be something they will enjoy and use; this way, the gift will be exceptional, and they will greatly appreciate it.