Can you believe we’re already in holiday shopping season? It’s approaching fast and it’s time to get shopping! And I don’t know about you, but I often struggle with giving gifts that have a personal twist to them that are also useful. These days, we are all trying to keep clean and simplified houses where every item has either sentimental value, or is functional—as well as pretty to look at. To add to the struggle, this is also the time of year where we gather with friends and family and like to give our hosts a gift that says “thank you” but doesn’t burden them with something they can’t use or have to take care of (maybe we should phase plants out as host gifts🙃).
All of that to say, I’ve curated some of my favorite gifts to give to hosts, friends, family, and clients that have a personal touch, add to their home, and say “thank you” in just the right way.
Monogrammed Table Runner
One thing I love about decorating and designing people’s homes is the fact that I get to create spaces where they can gather and enjoy good company. That’s why I love the idea of a table runner as a gift. It’s just one more way to beautify their gathering places and encourage them to come together. Plus, it’s something just for them. There are so many options for personalized, monogrammed table runners out there, but I love the ones that let you put a whole quote on there.
Plush Robes
If you know someone or a couple that loves to relax and makes spa day a priority, then plush, monogrammed robes might be the best gift you can give them! There are lots of options out there, but I like to go to Etsy to support a small business. I recently sent these as a gift to a friend who said the quality was awesome and her hubby loved it so much, he tried his on right away….hmmm, makes me want to get one of these plush robes for myself.
Art
If you know what your giftee’s home looks like and what their personal style is, a piece of wall art that seems like them is a great gift. I would suggest making it something simple and small so they don’t have to clear a space for it but instead can add it to other pieces or display it on a shelf. Obviously, the options are endless when it comes to art, but a fantastic place to browse and shop local artists and bespoke pieces is Minted.
Monogrammed Wine Glasses
For the wine lover in your life, a set of monogrammed wine glasses, or even a bottle of wine with a personalized label is a great way to give them something they’ll definitely use. Plenty of companies offer this service, but I do like Etsy for this as well, and you can find a lot of design options to choose from.
Personalized Pillow
I recently found these really cute pillows on Minted that combine photos and words to create a unique throw pillow. I really like the simplicity as well as the color options. If there’s someone who likes to keep family memories close, these Preppy Blocks pillows are wonderful.
Handmade Kitchen Utensils
I’ve designed or refreshed a lot of kitchen spaces and I know how nice it is to refresh your kitchen utensils every once in a while. If you have someone on your gift list who loves to cook, I recommend finding good quality handcrafted kitchen utensils for them to upgrade or add to their arsenal.
Personalized Apron
Let’s be extra nice to the cooks this year and give them beautiful utensils and a personalized apron! I like these aprons because they are cute and classy, but this site has a lot of other options as well so you can find one that suits the person you’re buying for perfectly.
Memory-Keeping Books
If you know someone who likes to have pictures around or loves to save ticket stubs but wants to move away from clutter, then I highly recommend memory-keeping books as a meaningful and personal gift. There are all sorts of photo book options out there that offer beautiful designs and layouts with professional covers that look great on coffee tables and bookshelves. And for the concert-going, musical-lover, and traveler on your list, look into a Just The Ticket book as a way for them to preserve their memories from all the events they’ve attended.
Personalized Cutting Board
One final kitchen item! I like personalized cutting boards because they are so pretty that you can use them for a whole bunch of things. You can use them as a cutting board, of course, but also as a charcuterie board or simply as kitchen decor. Find a gorgeous, personalized cutting board on Etsy and have it engraved with an initial or just a floral pattern.
Name Blanket
I am always recommending blankets as a way to add warmth to a room so a personalized name blanket is one of my favorite gift options! I found these blankets on Etsy that allow you to choose three different sizes and are super soft. These would make a fantastic house-warming gift or baby shower gift, too!
Candles
And, because everyone loves a good candle, add one of our hand-poured soy candles to your gift! Candles are a classic host gift and a wonderful way to help make a new house feel like a home. I recommend Fresh Cut Trees for a holiday scent 😉.
What are you favorite gifts to give? Tag me (@your.design.partner) in your Instagram Stories and show me all the ways you love to make the people in your life feel special!
Your partner in design,
This post may contain affiliate links, but I do not recommend products I wouldn’t use myself and in my own home!
