17 Gift Ideas That Are Both Personal and Affordable

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Finding gifts can be a challenge. But here’s the good news: It is now easy and affordable to get gifts that are tailor-made for someone special, and quickly.

I’m willing to bet that you can find something unique for all your loved ones — whether spouse, friend, child or puppy — through the following sites, which offer a huge selection of items that can be personalized with pictures, names, themes and more.

And you can order from the comfort of your living room.

Note: Prices cited in this post are accurate as of publication date, but may have changed subsequently. Prices listed here may or may not include shipping costs. Be sure to read the details!

Peapod necklaces

The Grommet

The Mini Peas in the Pod necklace is a sweet way to personalize a gift, with pearls to symbolize you and your honey or one for each of your children. (Or make up a different theme!)

Here’s how the vendor describes it:

“A beautiful keepsake for moms and grandmothers alike. Cast in fine pewter, then hand sculpted, each ‘pod’ is filled with water pearls (‘peas’) and set on a sterling silver ball chain. Each necklace is customizable up to five pearls, one for each child in the wearer’s heart.”

Price: $50

Click here for product and purchase details.

Personalized glitter heart T-shirt

Etsy

A girl can’t have too many T-shirts! And who can resist one with a glitter heart?

Price: $14

Click here for product and purchase details.

Charms

Cafe Press

Charms, by definition, are personalized — these little bobbles that dangle from a bracelet pay tribute to the wearer’s most important occasions, hobbies, pets, beliefs and more.

Charm bracelets are an old tradition, but nowadays charms cover all sorts of new themes, both sacred and profane.

Know someone who has had double hip replacements, traveled the Serengeti or is a practicing Wiccan? There’s a charm for that! These sterling silver charms come in different shapes, dozens of themes, and the option of personalizing by adding your own picture or text.

Price: $26.08

Click here for product and purchase details.

Water bottles

Etsy

When buying gifts, it can be tough to divine the tastes of teens. But you really can’t go wrong with a nice reusable water bottle that’s convenient while also environmentally friendly. The name of your choice is laser-engraved on these stainless steel bottles.

This is just one example of how you can make a simple, utilitarian item more meaningful with personalization. This vendor (one of many) on Etsy offers a variety of fonts and colors.

Price: $18.82

Click here for product and purchase details.

Dog sweater

Blueberry Pet / Amazon

Is your pup a total sweetheart? Get them a cozy sweater to show them how much you care!

Price: Varies by size

Click here for product and purchase details.

Custom bathrobe

BC Bare Cotton/ Amazon

Cozy bathrobes for the winter and swim covers for the summer are lovely gifts for kids and adults. There are myriad colors and ways to personalize them.

I think this one for children, which gets high ratings, is a cozy option for this season, at a reasonable price point. But shop around. There is a wide variety.

Price: $34.99

Click here for product and purchase details.

Family necklace

Etsy

This is a lovely piece that can be easily personalized with a theme that honors the recipient.

Maybe it’s Grandma, with a circle for each grandchild — or for a sweetheart, with circles commemorating a first date, engagement and marriage. Your imagination combined with this beautiful piece makes a terrific present.

Price: Starting at $31.50

Click here for product and purchase details.

Personalized puzzle

Cafe Press

Upload your favorite pictures for a unique puzzle featuring you and your love (or best friend) — it’s just one of many styles of puzzles you can personalize for gifts.

Price: $15.83

Click here for product and purchase details.

Note: The puzzle above has 30 pieces, but you could opt for a more challenging personalized puzzle, like this 210-piece jigsaw puzzle on Etsy for $17.99.

Name crayons

Etsy

So cool. (What haven’t the crafters of this world thought of?) I’m kind of hoping someone gets a set for me this Valentine’s Day.

Price: Starting at $10.99

Click here for product and purchase details.

Fun photo socks

SoxyStudio / Amazon

Photo-customized socks are a perfect inexpensive and practical gift, with the potential for a funny, sentimental or seasonal theme, depending on the picture you use. As for socks — I’m in the camp that always loves socks as a gift.

Price: $19.99

Click here for product and purchase details.

Chocolate alphabet letters

Philadelphia Candies

These 1.75-ounce chocolate measures about 3-by-4 inches and come in every letter of the alphabet. This makes an affordable and thoughtful gift for kids, colleagues, and friends — really anyone who has a sweet tooth.

Price: $7.95

Click here for product and purchase details.

Personalized PJs

Cafe Press

You can get pajamas or any other article of clothing emblazoned with a sweet Valentine message for your loved one — or you could be in the camp that suffers through Valentine’s Day with your single friends. Behold — a gift of pajamas with anti-conversation hearts for the occasion!

Price: $42.07

Click here for product and purchase details.

Custom leather computer sleeve

Etsy

If we must have electronic devices with us at all times — and, apparently, we must — then we might as well have a classy way to protect and carry them.

These leather computer sleeves fit the bill. They can be stamped or engraved with a monogram or other words, and come in various colors and styles. Just be sure to verify the computer size before you order.

Price: $72

Click here for product and purchase details.

Cutting board/serving tray

The Grommet

Who’s the cook in your life? In my view, someone who loves the kitchen (or just has to be there a lot) will almost certainly welcome a beautiful cutting board. Choose a name or expression that reminds them that they are appreciated when they are working to feed people.

Price: $159 (Or choose a smaller version for $49)

Click here for product and purchase details.

Inscribed wallet

fun-idea/ Amazon

One thing that is hard to live without is a wallet of some kind. And what a great place to offer inspiration, since we open our wallets pretty much every day.

This one is engraved, incorporating your wisdom and thoughts — and therefore making it hard for your loved one to ignore.

Price: $25.99-$30.99

Click here for product and purchase details.

Initialed flask

Etsy

This personalizable stainless steel flask will make a gift to warm the recipient’s heart and belly — just fill it with a good single-malt scotch and a pair it with a couple of dark chocolates.

Price: Starting at $12.99

Click here for product and purchase details.

Kid’s name puzzle

Etsy

Cute as bedroom decor, educational for baby and affordable. Prices vary, depending on the number of letters, which can go up to 30 (for first, middle and last names, for example).

Various alternatives include several color schemes, animal or other decorative figures, and letters with or without pegs.

Price: Starting at $11

Click here for product and purchase details.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? Share with us in comments below or on our Facebook page.

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