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28 Top Personalized Gifts to Bring Joy and Cheer This Holiday Season

Choosing a holiday gift can feel overwhelming, but a personal touch always makes it stand out. If you want to surprise someone with a gift that feels thoughtful and festive, our shopping experts have pulled together a cheerful mix of personalized ideas that fit any budget.

Headshot of Marlen Cimaglia
Headshot of Marlen Cimaglia
Marlen Cimaglia
Marlen has been a writer and editor for the past 10 years, covering beauty, fashion and commerce. When she's not writing, she's traveling abroad and exploring new cities.
Headshot of Natalia Lusinski
Headshot of Natalia Lusinski
Natalia Lusinski Contributor
Natalia is a contributing writer for CNET. Her work can also be seen in places like Business Insider, Yahoo and Forbes. She spent several years living abroad, from goat-sitting in the Swiss Alps to staying with nuns at a monastery in Venice. Back in Los Angeles, she runs a popular pizza Meetup and is still on a quest to find her favorite slice.
Written by Marlen Cimaglia
Natalia Lusinski
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Best personalized gifts under $50

You can create a custom high-quality Ravensburger puzzle with a favorite photo of your choice, whether it's a pic of your giftee's furry friend, them with their significant other or a friend or family photo. The 1,000-piece puzzle is around 10 by 14 inches when put together -- there are also other sizes available -- and there is an option for it to come in a box or a collectible tin. The puzzle fan in your life will love this nostalgic gift. Bonus: You and your giftee can work on the puzzle together for a cozy holiday activity.

You know you'll get a reaction when this creative, hilarious gift is unwrapped. Choose from dozens of colorful sock styles, upload the image(s) of your choice (a pet, child, significant other) and choose your size. My Face Socks also make great stocking stuffers and White Elephant gifts.

Rather than giving your giftee a stack of photos, turn them into something useful and give them this photo calendar on an easel. It can show off your favorite moments together, or you can comb through their Instagram and Facebook feeds and choose special photos from there. It's currently on sale for $50.

With this money clip, you can get it engraved on one ($18) or both sides ($22) -- and even in your own (or in your child’s) handwriting. When you gift it, you can put a handwritten note into the clip or even some money, depending on who it’s for. One thing’s for sure -- your giftee will definitely use it.

Give the gift of personalized coziness with this comfy blanket, which you can customize with a photo. Choose a size (50 by 60 inches or 60 by 80 inches), upload a photo, pick a design and your blanket will be shipped out and ready to gift. Bonus: VistaPrint's photo blankets are machine-washable, which is good news for snack spillers. Prices vary but start at $36.

It's no surprise that this luggage tag is a top seller. Choose from 13 tag colors and then get creative with initial combos to create a unique, fun gift that's sure to be appreciated. The tag buckles onto a luggage handle and has a privacy flap too.

Folks who love to entertain will appreciate this personalized party decor. The galvanized metal tub reads "Eat, Drink & Be Merry" and can also be engraved with a last name. It's the perfect touch for any soirée. Just fill it with ice and drinks and let the compliments roll in. It's the perfect host gift.

Whether your giftee is into the "butter board" trend or loves a classic charcuterie spread, this handcrafted Williams Sonoma monogrammed piece will be a favorite. The 14 x 9-inch modern white marble board has a polished brass single initial in the corner. Upgrade tip: Toss in a set of cheese knives and artisan cheese for an ultra-luxe gift.

These super-soft pajamas would already be an adorable gift, but adding a name makes them even better. 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.

Everyone loves photo books, and if you want an easy-to-use interface to create one for your giftee, Shutterfly is it -- and also made our pick for best photo book. You can choose from many different templates and also have the ability to add text and other design elements to your book. You can add any digital photos you’d like, as long as they’re in .jpeg format.

Although prices vary, a hard-cover, glossy, 10x10-inch photo book is $39, although the price could be more or less, depending on what size book and type of cover you choose. Plus, Shutterfly often has sales, especially if you’re a new customer, so definitely watch for those.

Best personalized gifts under $25

I get these made for people all the time. and they’re perfect as a standalone gift or even as a gift tag on another present you’re giving. The photo options are endless.

These personalized coasters make a fun gift and a great conversation-starter -- whether you include photos of you and the giftee or ones of their family. They come in sets of four and prices start at $24. You can also purchase the wooden display stand to house the coasters when they’re not in use.

Once you find the perfect personalized gift, go one step further and wrap it in your giftee's face -- or your own -- as an inside joke. Gift Wrap My Face wrapping paper is a hilarious way to present holiday gifts. Upload a photo (or photos) of a loved one's face and choose from hundreds of wrapping paper designs, from Christmas elves to snowmen to menorah heads. It will definitely be memorable!

Best personalized gifts under $75

For a fun personalized gift, why not turn your giftee into a Funko Pop figurine? It takes less than five minutes to create a Funko Pop character and you can adjust and preview it as many times as you’d like before committing to the final product. A set of two costs $60, although certain accessories (like a pet dog) can up the price. Whether they display them at home or at the office, they're definitely a conversation-starter and a gift they’ll cherish long after the holidays are over.

Erin Condren's popular planners are a great gift for organized types (we all know some!) -- or wannabe 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. 

A name necklace from Sallyrose is a perfect first piece of "real" jewelry. Kids and teens will love the cute character charm options, like this one featuring Hello Kitty. And if they’re more of a Harry Potter, Disney, Snoopy or Star Wars fan, to name a few, Sallyrose has those options too.

This flat bangle is a subtle piece that's easily stackable with other jewelry. It can be customized on the inside and outside with a sweet message, and can be hand-engraved on the same day. It has flexible sizing and is available in either a sterling silver, 18K gold-plated or 18K rose-gold-plated finish.

DIY folks will love piecing together this mat. It comes with 150 black tiles and you can either spell something out for them or they can. The tiles can also be used to create designs instead of words. An introvert friend has this and spelled out “Go home” -- and she loves that she can change the message anytime she likes.

Best personalized gifts under $200

If you've got pet parents on your gift list, I can confirm they'll love a Crown & Paw portrait. Choose a canvas size and design, upload a photo and Crown & 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. But be sure to check out their site for all the fun, unique options. And keep in mind that prices vary, depending on factors like what size portrait you choose and whether or not you get a frame. For example, a 16-by-24-inch portrait costs $110.

You can get up to eight characters engraved onto this 18-karat gold vermeil key, whether it's your giftee's name, initials or even their childhood address. It also comes in sterling silver, rose-gold vermeil and 14-karat solid gold. Trust us, this key will unlock your giftee's heart.

Treat the cook in your life with an engraved chef's knife they can use to create masterpieces in the kitchen. You can add custom text or a monogram to it for $15 each (which makes it $185), and there are 28 monogram designs to choose from, which gives you plenty of options. It will definitely be a gift they’ll cherish -- and actually use.

Best unique personalized gifts

We all know golf aficionados who can’t miss their weekly game -- and this gift is perfect for them. It includes 12 personalized golf balls in a classy case that’s also personalized. Of course, it comes with tees and pencils too. Both on and off the course, your golf giftee will think of you every time they see the gift box.

If you have more (or less) to spend, Mark & Graham has a few other personalized golf gift options too, including this larger personalized golf set (which includes a monogrammed towel and golf bag tag) and this more compact golf essentials set (three personalized balls, tees and a golf multi-tool).

Pottery Barn has some cozy choices when it comes to monogrammed robes and at various price points to fit your budget. You can choose from a waffle weave resort-style robe, a plush option or even one with super soft fake fur. This gift is a two-for-one: It will keep your giftee comfy and they’ll appreciate the personal monogrammed touch.

Yes, there are still a small number of Apple gadgets that you can get with a custom engraving. 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, iPod cases or iPad tablets is a great way to show you thought ahead. Pro tip: AirTags start at just $29, so they're a great stocking stuffer for an iPhone owner.

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 vary, depending on who you choose. Maybe you'll pick Tom Felton, also known as Harry Potter's Draco Malfoy. Or maybe you'll pick Real Housewives of New Jersey star Melissa Gorga. Look out for holiday deals from select celebrities too. And if you're looking for something more festive, you can buy a cameo from Santa Claus, starting at just $10. 

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