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Birthdate co.
- For those feeling extra softhearted this year, we put together a list of sentimental gift ideas.
- From personalized gifts to meaningful flowers, you're sure to find inspiration for anyone.
- Still looking for a gift? Check out our list of the All-Time Best products we've ever tested.
If you always give generic gifts, select something off a wishlist, or just send a gift card, you're not alone. It can be difficult to think beyond the practical to select items that will delight and surprise your giftee. If you're looking to truly impress your loved ones, you'll want to choose gifts that are custom, unique, and thoughtful. You can convey just how much you care by referencing fun memories, inside jokes, and hidden interests.
We've compiled 44 sentimental gifts, which include a flower subscription, a customized puzzle, a personalized photo book, and more. Each of these gifts are sure to make your giftee feel special and remind them of loving memories and events. If you're looking for more gift ideas, be sure to check out all of our gift guides here.
Below are 44 sentimental gift ideas:
Greetabl
Personalized Gift Box, available at Greetabl, from $19
Let them know you're thinking of them with a cute custom gift box from Greetabl. Choose to a mini gift like caramels or chocolates, a gift card, and add a note and photos to be delivered to their door.
Mark and Graham
Fillmore Vegan Leather Passport Case, available at Mark and Graham, $39 ($12.50 monogram fee)
For the giftee who loves to travel, a passport cover is a great gift. You can have their initials monogrammed onto the cover to add a thoughtful and special touch to the gift.
Etsy
Handwriting Bracelet, available at Etsy, $37
A custom piece of jewelry is already a thoughtful gift but this handwritten bracelet from Etsy goes the extra mile. Surprise your gift recipient with a gold, sterling silver, or rose gold bracelet with words on it written in yours or a loved-ones' handwriting.
Uncommon Goods
My Family Cookbook, available at Uncommon Goods, $30
The My Family Cookbook is a sweet gift that will keep on giving. After having various family members add recipes, the book can become an heirloom gift that gets passed down to generations.
Amazon
Goodnight Little Me Personalized Book, available at Amazon, $39.99
The Goodnight Little Me book is a sweet gift for new parents or your favorite kids. This custom bedtime book can be personalized with any child's name and includes gorgeous illustrations from the designer of the Harry Potter series' US covers.
Check out our guide to the best gifts for new parents for more gift-giving ideas.
Little Gem Girl/Etsy
Loved Ones Handwriting Coffee Mug, available at Etsy, $29
A mug with a meaningful message is a tender gift for people who may have lost a loved one or who live far away. You can customize this mug with any words you want, printed in your handwriting or someone else's.
Uncommon Goods
Birth Month Flower Paint-by-Number Kit, available at Uncommon Goods, $30
Inspired by the birth month of your gift recipient, this paint-by-numbers kit is a gift and a fun activity rolled into the one. The kit lets them create a painting of the flowers for their respective birth month, along with an explanation of the characteristics of each month and flower. For example, October is a marigold that represents optimism and positive energy.
Papier
Scallop Spine Notebook, available at Papier, $26.99
Whether they love making lists or jotting down new ideas, every writer needs a durable, trusted notebook to store their notes and stories. These unique notebooks can be customized with a monogram and lined, dotted, or plain pages. The notebooks come in solid colors and several fun designs, including the brands The Pahari, Constellation, and Colourblock styles.
The Sill
Plant Parent Set, available at The Sill, from $48
Add some greenery into their space with this set of easy-to-care-for plants from The Sill. Choose from sets of three to seven plants that change seasonally.
Fresh Sends
The Send Bouquet, available at Fresh Sends, from $55
Instead of gifting flowers solely during holidays and special occasions, send them beautiful arrangements on a more consistent basis with a subscription from Fresh Sends. Choose from three delivery frequencies and two size options for a unique bouquet every time.
Artifact Uprising
Personalized Walnut Desktop Photo Calendar, available at Artifact Uprising, from $35
Photos of loved ones are an instant source of joy. Structuring your daily life around them with a calendar is a great way to fill each day with more gratitude and happiness. Artifact Uprising's desktop calendar is sustainably made from reclaimed wood and fully customizable. You can also choose the calendar's starting month, so you don't have to wait for a new year to create one.
Birthdate Co.
The Birthdate Book, available at Birthdate Co., $115
If they know their sun, moon, and rising sign, this made-to-order astrology book will make the perfect gift. Provide their birthday and time of birth, and the company will create a 70-page book with information and insights customized from their birth chart.
One Insider Reviews writer said the book felt extremely personalized, and no two books are the same.
Uncommon Goods
Table Topics cards, available at Uncommon Goods, $25
Never experience another boring dinner again with these cards from Table Topics. Each cube comes with 135 thought-provoking topic cards to help keep your meals and relationships interesting.
With six themed options ranging from card sets for families, couples, and friends, you'll give them the chance to get to know everyone in their life a little better.
Etsy
Customizable photo puzzle, available at Etsy, $31.49
Help them stay entertained by gifting them a customized puzzle of their favorite picture. This puzzle also comes with a customized box, making this gift even more special. Choose from any image to commemorate a special event, remember a great vacation, or show love to their favorite pet.
Montage
A video montage of their loved ones, available at Montage, from $29
Ask their friends and family to record and upload videos to be automatically compiled, scored, and delivered for a thoughtful present that's sure to bring on happy tears.
Mejuri
A necklace with their zodiac symbol, available at Mejuri, from $75
If they're into astrology, get them their zodiac sign in gold. Mejuri offers all signs in its Zodiac Collection in gold vermeil, sterling silver, and 14k yellow gold.
Tribe Socks
Custom Socks with Your Pet's Face, available at Tribe Socks, $24
For dog- or cat-lovers, a pair of custom socks with their pet printed on them is a lighthearted but thoughtful gift. For more inspiration for pet-themed gifts, take a look at our guide to the best gifts for dog owners.
Starry Maps
Custom star map print, available at Starry Maps, from $55
Commemorate any special night of their (or your) life by getting it printed on museum-quality 200gsm Matte paper or on canvas.
Goldbelly
An e-gift card, available at Goldbelly, from $25
Whether you spend most of your time together trying out different recipes — or they're often treating you to a delicious meal — you may want to turn your gift into a thoughtful, shared experience.
Wherever they are in this big old world, they can call in any comforting favorite they please from Goldbelly.
Reservebar
Jefferson's Ocean: Aged At Sea Bourbon, available at Reservebar, $79
If they're bourbon drinkers, nautical lovers, or both, they might just cherish this forever.
Airbnb
An Airbnb Gift Card toward the experience of their dreams, available at Airbnb, from $50
Travel might not be an option right now, but Airbnb is currently offering Online Experiences held by instructors from around the world. Treat them to a coffee master class, history lesson, or even a dance class. And in the meantime, they can daydream about their next far-flung adventure or cozy staycation.
Grafomap
Custom map poster, available at Grafomap, from $49
Grafomap is a website that lets you design posters with maps of any place in the world — including their hometown, college town, or favorite travel destination.
Snapfish/Business Insider
Personalized Snapfish photo book, available at Snapfish, from $12.99
Convert their pile of photos and favorite mementos into one glossy book they can showcase around the home for a cohesive, beautiful keepsake.
Framebridge
Framed photo, available at Framebridge, from $25
Framebridge gift card, available at Framebridge, from $25
Framebridge makes custom framing for not-custom-framing prices. You can print or paint something on your own and have it framed, or have them print and frame it. You can take advantage of a team of designers to help decide what frame to get.
Uncommon Goods
Personalized watch, available at Timex, from $75
If you're looking for subtle and impactful, engraving a watch is a classic for a reason. They can keep it forever, wear it every day, and know how much personal significance it has without always answering questions from onlookers. It's functional, thoughtful, and timeless.
Etsy
Custom comic book, available at Etsy, from $433.88
If you have the means, few comic book nerds would turn down owning a detailed, beautifully designed comic book featuring them as the lead character or superhero or a comic book version of the story of how they met their partner.
Purchase the comic, email the makers telling them the story, and send photos of the characters and event setting to make sure everything looks right. You'll see a rough draft, send back any edits you have, and they'll complete the final copy. Opt for a digital print (emailed) or get it sent to you as a canvas print.
AUrate
Mini Letter Charm Pendant with White Diamonds, available at AUrate, $560
AUrate offers engravings and personalized jewelry, like this necklace with a mini letter charm. Pick a letter and select from 14-karat or 18-karat white, yellow, or rose gold. Learn more about online startups making sustainable, relatively affordable fine jewelry here.
Minted
Personalized custom quotes, available at Minted, from $38
Frame one of their favorite quotes, lyrics, or sayings and customize everything from font color to matting to make it theirs.
HappyMomentsArts/Etsy/Business Insider
Custom family portrait, available at Etsy, from $15
A perfect gift for a couple or a family, you can get a digital download of a custom family portrait that includes their furry roommates.
CanvasPop
Custom pet portrait, available at CanvasPop, from $89
If they love their pet more than pretty much anything in the world, a Pet Portrait immortalizing them is a uniquely thoughtful gesture — and decor they're unlikely to have already. You can also get them a custom painting (from $250) if that's more their style or a framed print (from $35.55) of them with their pet.
Uncommon Goods
Personalized family mugs, available at Uncommon Goods, from $30
Turn your family or friends or a newly engaged couple into characters that actually look like them. One side features the artists' depiction of them (personalized through your choices of skin tone, hair, and clothing color) and the mug owner's first name, while the other displays your family name and year established — for friends, this could be the year you met.
Etsy
Soundwave art print, available at Etsy, from $70
Send in a song and artist or email an audio file of you or a loved one speaking, and this Etsy shop will turn it into personalized sound-wave art. This gift is particularly thoughtful for long-distance relationships or for commemorating a loved one.
Uncommon Goods
Set of two Filimin Long-Distance Touch Lamps, available at Uncommon Goods, from $85
Everyone is busy these days, and it's not as easy to keep up with loved ones as we all wish. A set of paired lamps, one of which lights up when the other is touched, lets them know you're still thinking of them even when you don't have time to talk. One Insider Reviews editor uses them to keep in touch with her parents.
Uncommon Goods
Hand Embroidered State Pillows, available at Uncommon Goods, $225
Bring their favorite state to them with detailed and brightly embroidered pillows that pay homage to each state's cities and cultural touchpoints.
Uncommon Goods
Intersection of Love Frame, available at Uncommon Goods, from $75
Commemorate the moment their paths first crossed in a sophisticated, unique design.
TopBananaPrints/Etsy/Business Insider
Custom wine labels, available at Etsy, from $4.47
Celebrate a loved one's birthday, achievements, or new life stages such as a marriage with a bottle of wine and a thoughtful, personalized label they'll want to keep.
Uncommon Goods
Ski resort blueprints, available at Uncommon Goods, from $75
Whether they grew up on the slopes or drag friends and family along as adults, skiers can take their favorite slopes home with them with this blueprint-inspired art. Featuring iconic ski resorts such as Park City, Vail, and Breckenridge, each officially licensed print is created with a vintage, distressed finish and contains detailed historical and statistical facts about the area.
Uncommon Goods
How Do I Love Thee From A-Z, available at Uncommon Goods, $20
Follow 26 prompts laid out in old-school typewriter font to leave your loved one with a bound book of love letters they can keep forever. It's the perfect spot for recording your favorite romantic moments, memories, inside jokes, and all the tiny and enormous reasons why you love them.
oflifeandlemons/Etsy/Business Insider
Personalized drinks print, available at Etsy, $22.95
Whether you're turning a best friend or a lifelong partner into a cocktail avatar, the quirky Personalized Drinks Print is a sweet and fun approach to sentimental gifting.
Target
Polaroid Hi-Print Printer, available at Target, $99.99
Polaroid's Wireless Mini Printer prints mini photos from your phone or tablet using a WiFi connection. It's small enough to stow in a purse for travel, and there are customizable features like stickers, filters, and borders to edit photos within the Polaroid app.
Uncommon Goods/Business Insider
Create your own reel viewer, available at Uncommon Goods, from $14.95
As a kid, flipping through a reel viewer was one of life's greatest joys. Just because they're all grown up doesn't mean they won't like playing with the gadget. Fill the reel with snapshots of their most cherished memories (use the redemption code included with your viewer) for a gift that'll flood them with all sorts of nostalgia.
JustArtinAround/Etsy
Custom watercolor wedding venue illustration, available at Etsy, from $35.99
For a deeply thoughtful gift for newlyweds, commission a custom watercolor of their wedding venue or location. All you'll have to do is send the artist a photo of the location, the couple's first and last names, and the wedding date.
Uncommon Goods
Homesick Candles, available at Uncommon Goods, from $34
It's hard to put a finger on just what makes home smell like home, but a whiff of a Homesick candle will transport them there with its nostalgia-inducing scents. Uniquely specific scents are made to capture the ethos of states and cities or memories like road trips, backyard BBQs, and cooking in Grandma's kitchen.
If they're far from home, this affordable candle is a small but meaningful gesture that can bring them just a little closer.
Uncommon Goods
Family Recipe Cutting Board, available at Uncommon Goods, $100
There's something about family recipes that make them taste even better. This cutting board offers a unique way to preserve those special favorites. Ingredients and directions are engraved on solid cherry wood and can even be etched in the recipe writer's handwriting.
source https://www.businessinsider.com/best-sentimental-gifts-ideas