10 Feel-Good Gift Ideas That Won't Break the Bank
When it comes to Christmas gifts, everyone knows it's the thought—not the price tag—that counts. In fact, recognizing someone special during the holidays is less about grabbing a last-minute gift card from the grocery store than it is about going the extra mile to let them know you care. After all, one size does not fit all. Instead, a gift from the heart should be one that's tailored to fit the specific tastes and preferences of the receiver.
The personalized Christmas gifts below are sure to please friends and loved ones alike, while still being easy on your wallet. They also go a long way in showing that more than just paying big bucks, you paid a little extra attention to making sure they know how much they matter—and that's priceless.
Memory Mittens
Have a cherished sweater once worn by someone special stowed away in a storage bin? Give it a new lease on life by upcycling it into a pair of cozy mittens.
Jack & Mary Designs takes beloved sweaters (and other clothing items) and carefully reconstructs them into "Memory Mittens."
It's also an easy way to repurpose a favorite sweater that's no longer wearable that you just can't bear to part with.
Buy It: Pair of Adult Memory Mittens ($50, Jack & Mary Designs)
Custom Song Poster
You laughed to it, cried to it, sang along in the car, or had your first dance to it. That special song is the soundtrack playing in the background of some of your most-treasured memories with people you love the most. Immortalize it for them by having this clever 8x10-inch digital print made, which combines the custom Spotify code of the song with a special photo.
Send the song, artist's name, image size, and photo to PrintAndUse Etsy shop, and within 24 hours you'll receive a digital download of your poster. From there, simply print it at home or upload to an online print service and have the pros do the work for you.
Pick up a frame from your favorite retailer and you've got a unique keepsake for displaying. You can also use your downloaded image to personalize a mug, mousepad, keychain, phone case, or other accessory ordered from an online retailer offering customized products.
Buy It: Custom Spotify Song Poster ($5, Etsy)
Photo Collage Sign
Through thick and thin, you've shared just about everything with your BFF. Celebrate the friendship with this charming collage sign. Made from wood and available in three sizes (8x4-inch, 6x6-inch, 8x6-inch), it's as easy as uploading 12 favorite photos, personalizing names, and adding text to express your sentiment or honor a special date.
Signs come in a variety of designs and styles, and aren't limited to just besties. Parents, family members, couples, pets, and just about anyone—or anything—else you can think of can also be commemorated.
Buy It: Photo Collage Wooden Box Sign (Starting at $26, Zazzle)
Custom Pet Socks
Everyone knows someone who prefers their pet over just about anyone else—and the perfect gift for them might just be custom socks featuring their furry family member(s). Available in a variety of styles, choose up to four headshots to display in a fashionable foot tribute.
You can also up your game by having your special someone's pet emblazoned on a blanket, phone case, sweatshirt, mask, apron, or other accessories.
Buy It: Personalized Pet Socks ($10, Etsy)
Personalized Candle
Candles have earned the reputation of being the gift you give when you're not sure what else to get someone. But it's not really warranted, since just about everyone loves them and enjoys the warm, aromatic ambience they provide. While it's easy to just slip one in your cart while holiday shopping, it only takes a few extra minutes to have one tailor-made for someone special.
Always a crowd-pleaser, Yankee Candle allows you to choose a candle style, fragrance, then add a favorite photo and message to the label—making it one-of-a-kind for only $5 more than they cost on the shelf.
Buy It: Personalized Candle (Starting at $22, Yankee Candle)
The Book of Love
Putting your feelings in print has never been easier with the "I Wrote a Book About…" series, published by Compendium.
With simple, fun fill-in-the-blank prompts like, "If I had to sing a karaoke song for you (and you alone), it would be [song name]," or "You've probably forgotten all about this, but one of my favorite memories is that time we [describe memory]," your sentiments will be preserved forever in this sweet keepsake.
Buy It: The Book of Love ($15, Compendium)
Scratch-to-Reveal Vouchers
Giving someone a homemade coupon or an offer of services rendered (think a free night of babysitting, foot massage, or a home-cooked meal) is a timeless gift that never fails to please.
But instead of going the DIY route, order one of these Christmas Scratch-Off vouchers to surprise the recipient with your thoughtful gesture. Customizable to say whatever you want, recipients will be delighted when they scratch off the foil to see your hidden message beneath.
Buy It: Surprise Scratch-to-Reveal Voucher ($7, Etsy)
Personalized Puzzle
Puzzles are having a moment, and everyone seems to be in on the fun. More popular than ever, jigsaws are calming, therapeutic, and the perfect gift for the puzzlers in your life. Even better? They're affordable. But before picking up a 1000-piece winter bird or garden gnome puzzle, consider having one custom-made instead.
Shutterfly offers an array of personalized puzzles created from your favorite photos. Use a single, treasured image from a vacation, or make a collage from a variety of photos. Either way, the recipient will love putting together the made-especially-for-them puzzle.
Buy It: Personalized Puzzle (Starting at $30, Shutterfly)
Custom Wine Labels
Tis' the season to bring wine! To ensure your contribution to the party doesn't get lost in the shuffle, make it stand out with one of these custom labels and your vino will be the star of show.
Perfect as hostess gifts or presents for friends and family members, these peel-and-stick labels come in an array of designs, sizes, colors, and shapes. Use one of Evermine's templates, or make your own using favorite photos and images.
Buy It: Custom Wine Labels ($11, Evermine)
Holiday Gift Boxes
Sometimes the best gifts are ones that come straight from your kitchen. Elevate the status of your annual holiday cookies or special yule tidings by delivering them in one of these elegant holiday gift boxes.
Available in large and extra-large, the gable boxes come in white, black, and natural—with a wide array of ribbon colors to choose from. From holiday greetings to Christmas wishes, there are ten different labels to pick from—each able to be personalized to reflect that it came from you.
Buy It: Holiday Gift Boxes ($5 each; with minimum purchase of 6, Favor Design Studio)
