Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Christmas is all about connecting with loved ones — whether in person or from afar with heartfelt gifts and greetings. Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate the special people in your life and show them how important they are to you.
As always, the festive season promises to be busy. End-of-year deadlines approach, events need planning and, perhaps most importantly, Christmas shopping needs to be done. But the last thing you want to do is wait in long queues just to grab something off the shelf that doesn’t feel as special as the person you’re giving it to. This year, why not make it personal? Show your loved ones you ‘get’ them by giving them something only they could cherish.
To start, read through our list featuring some great Christmas gift ideas for family and friends. Then, we’ll show you some fun ways to make the perfect personalised Christmas present for each person on your list.
- Fleece blankets
- Photo books
- Acrylic photo blocks
- Mugs
- Personalised cushions
- Custom calendars
- Canvas, metal & wood prints
- Custom T-shirts
- Custom sweatshirts or hoodies
- Custom beanies
- Personalised aprons
- Custom canvas prints
- Custom puzzles
- Custom luggage
- Custom power banks
- Custom duffle bags
- Custom water bottles
- Custom notepads
- Customised drinkware
- Personalised Christmas tree decorations
What makes custom Christmas gifts great?
Personalised Christmas gifts for friends and family make the perfect presents for a multitude of reasons. Here are just a few…
- Show you’ve put that extra effort into choosing something that’s uniquely your giftee.
- Strengthen the special bond you share with your friends and relatives.
- They’re a source of genuine smiles.
- They’re a great conversation starter for festive gatherings.
- These gifts aren’t just for now; they’re for always.
- They’re a perfect option for everyone on your list, no matter how well you know the person you’re gifting them to (yes, you’ll finally ace the yearly Secret Santa gift exchange).
Now that you’re convinced that personalised gifts are a must-have for the festive season, let’s dive into the list of different custom Christmas gift ideas.
Personalised Christmas gift guide: 20 personalised Christmas gift ideas for everyone on your list
1. Stay cosy with a customised fleece blanket
Warm up your forever chilly BFF and let them bask in the glorious vibes of the season with a snuggly fleece blanket— but here’s the twist: personalise it with a hilarious snapshot that takes you both down memory lane.
What makes it a perfect Christmas gift idea for your loved ones? The fact that it’s not just handy but also heartwarming, conjuring up that cosy festive feeling.
2. Share favourite memories with photo books
Turn the spotlight on all those unforgettable chapters from the past year with a fabulous photo book! Whether you fill it with photos of that incredible getaway or that fun-filled family wedding, capture these exceptional moments within the pages of one-of-a-kind photo books that are perfect for sharing with your nearest and dearest.
They’ll love being able to take a personalised stroll down memory lane whenever they’d like.
A personalised Christmas gift idea: a photo book featuring treasured moments from throughout the year via VistaPrint
To make this gift even more special, accompany your photo book with a personalised Christmas card. If you need some creative Christmas card message ideas, check out our article!
3. Level up your framed photo game
Want to let one extra-special photo shine? Go for an acrylic photo block. You can even add a line of text to your design to commemorate a special event or date — perfect for newlyweds or new parents. Whether the giftee adds it to their mantelpiece or brings it to their office, they’ll love this sleek, modern way to appreciate a favourite memory.
A personalised Christmas gift idea: an acrylic photo block with a custom photo via VistaPrint
If you want to make your personalised Christmas gift even more practical, opt for a custom photo frame. Adorn it with a little picture of you and your loved one, or go with a special message that only you two will understand.
4. Gift cosiness with a coffee mug
If you’re looking for a personalised Christmas gift idea for the early risers in your life, try designing a custom mug. Choose a photo from their favourite place, a snapshot of their loved ones or a picture of a beloved pet. You can’t beat this fun, one-of-a-kind way to start someone’s morning off right, and remind them how much you appreciate them.
A custom mug — a great personalised Christmas gift idea via VistaPrint
5. Add at-home comfort with a personalised cushion
Give the gift of personalised cushions… you can even add a photo to each side! This is a perfect way to repurpose snapshots from birthdays, weddings, holidays and family events, and keep cherished memories on show every day.
Personalised Christmas gift idea: a personalised cushion with a photo via VistaPrint
6. Give smiles that last all year with a custom calendar
Show a loved one you’re thinking of them all year long with a calendar. Whether it’s for family, friends, colleagues or neighbours, a custom calendar is versatile enough to suit a wide range of tastes and relationships.
Calendars don’t have to be made up of just photos of your children. Let your creativity flow by including…
- Aesthetically pleasing patterns
- Inspirational quotes
- Landscape photos
- Inside jokes
- Fun pics of your ‘crew’
A custom calendar to make your loved ones smile all year round via VistaPrint
Depending on the style and type of calendar you go for, you can even include more than one picture, or simply choose 12 of your favourites to create a different look for each month.
VistaPrint Tip
Elevate the charm of your custom calendar by adding an extra touch of personalisation: capture a memory from each month of the past year and place it perfectly in line with the corresponding month of the upcoming year.
7. Create a gallery wall from children’s artwork
Children’s artwork is like pure magic on paper, but finding ways to showcase it beyond the fridge can be a creative challenge.
Here’s a brilliant alternative: snap photos or scan your little one’s artistic triumphs, and then transform those creations into captivating three-dimensional prints on canvas, metal or wood. Just imagine the sheer delight of turning their masterpiece into a tangible work of art that can grace any space.
These customised prints aren’t just fantastic gifts — they’re a heartwarming present for co-parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. Plus, think about the sheer pride your kids will beam with when they witness their artwork transformed into a gallery-worthy display.
8. Design a custom T-shirt for your loved ones to rock in public and at home
A custom T-shirt is more than just a piece of clothing; it’s a canvas for creativity and a way to showcase the quirks that make your loved ones who they are.
From clever quotes to artsy visuals, the possibilities are as endless as the fairy lights on the Christmas tree. And the best part? You’re not just gifting them a T-shirt; you’re handing them a wearable piece of laughter, a dash of self-expression and a sprinkle of festive joy.
9. Opt for a warmer wearable custom gift — print a custom sweatshirt or hoodie
Custom T-shirts make fantastic personalised Christmas gifts. However, given that the weather can turn a bit chilly over Christmas, your recipients might not be able to wear them right away. If you’re aiming for a wearable customised gift that they can slip into the very moment they unwrap it, why not think about something a touch warmer, such as a cosy sweatshirt or a snug hoodie?
It really is the gift that keeps on giving since hoodies aren’t just for winter. They’re versatile enough to be worn all year round either as an extra layer in colder months or a cosy cover-up on summer evenings.
10. Surprise your friends and family with stylish winter beanies
Even for those who usually skip hats, winter demands some head-covering warmth. So, why not give your friends and family a warm custom beanie tailored just for them by none other than you?
Whether you opt for their initials, a cherished quote or a playful design, a custom beanie effortlessly infuses their winter wear with an extra dash of individuality. From chilly sunrise strolls to cosy evenings by the fireplace, these stylish beanies are the perfect companion.
Personalised Christmas gift idea: a custom beanie with the giftee’s initials via VistaPrint
11. Make the Christmas dinner prep even more fun with a personalised apron
Amid the culinary chaos, imagine a kitchen adorned not only with festive ingredients but also with personalised aprons that tell a story. Every whisk and stir becomes a delightful brushstroke on the canvas of a personalised apron.
Here are just a few ideas of how you can create a personalised apron for everyone on your Christmas list:
- Embroider their name or initials in elegant or playful fonts.
- Share a cooking-inspired quote that resonates with their culinary spirit.
- Print a cherished family recipe, transforming the apron into a functional keepsake.
- Feature a photo of them in their culinary element, or a snapshot of a favourite dish.
- Add cartoon-style drawings of them as a chef, complete with a chef’s hat and apron.
12. Elevate your loved ones’ home interior with a custom canvas print
From the living room to the bedroom, custom canvas prints add a touch of elegance and sentiment. Whether it’s a single stand-out piece or a curated gallery wall, every glance at the artwork becomes a journey back in time.
Capture moments that resonate — a family gathering, a breathtaking holiday scene or a candid snapshot.
Personalised Christmas gift idea: a custom canvas print featuring a special moment for the giftee via VistaPrint
13. Introduce a fun way to spend a Christmas staycation with custom puzzles
Family gatherings filled with stories and laughter are Christmas moments to treasure. But, in the midst of the warmth, there’s always a point when you crave more than chatting, turkey and repeats of old Christmas films.
This is where board games come in. This Christmas, gift your loved ones a custom puzzle featuring… themselves! A puzzle with their picture adds extra motivation to finish and conquer the challenge together.
Personalised Christmas gift idea: a custom puzzle with the giftee’s favourite image by Paresh Jadhav via 99designs by Vista
14. Elevate your loved ones’ Christmas trip with custom luggage
And if your friends and family members aren’t exactly fans of staycations and prefer to go away over Christmas, make sure they embark on their adventures in ultimate style by presenting them with personalised luggage.
Custom luggage isn’t just a unique and creative Christmas gift idea, it’s also exceptionally practical. As the festive season unfolds, airports tend to burst with travellers, and the baggage carousel can quickly become a puzzle of look-alike bags. Custom luggage is here to save the day — and their travel experience.
Personalised Christmas gift idea: a custom suitcase by Fe Melo and Ossobüko Studio via 99designs by Vista
15. Keep them charged — literally — with custom power banks
In a world that thrives on connectivity, a drained battery can feel like a mini disaster, especially if you’re on a plane or heading out on a road trip. But this isn’t just a personalised gift idea for those who love travelling. In fact, everyone on your Christmas list will appreciate a personalised power bank.
Weaving seamlessly into their daily routines, these power banks ensure that smartphones, tablets and other gadgets never run out of juice.
16. Boost your friends’ New Year’s resolutions with personalised duffle bags
Indulging in scrumptious treats is all part of the joy of the festive season — but sometimes the result is a few extra pounds! And that’s precisely why ‘start going to the gym’ often lands at the top of people’s New Year’s resolution lists. This year, help your friends and family take on their resolutions with gusto by gifting them with personalised duffle bags that inject some excitement into their workout routine.
Personalised Christmas gift idea: a custom duffle bag for your giftee to rock at the gym via VistaPrint
17. Make sure your loved ones are hydrated at all times by presenting them a custom water bottle
This year, help your loved ones tackle their rehydration resolution head-on with a thoughtful gift that keeps them refreshed and rejuvenated: personalised water bottles.
This personalised Christmas present will definitely come in handy during the festive season. After all, Christmas time tends to see plenty of outings and gatherings, often accompanied by a few more drinks than usual. It’s the perfect time to embrace a hydration buddy that’s not only stylish but also uniquely theirs.
Personalised Christmas gift idea: a custom water bottle with the giftee’s name via VistaPrint
18. Elevate daily organisation and embrace mindfulness with a custom notepad
In the whirlwind of life’s moments, staying organised and nurturing mindfulness can feel like a challenge. But what if there was a simple, yet powerful, tool that effortlessly combines both?
A notepad. A gift that not only offers organisation but also embraces the importance of journalling in our lives. Make it custom, and you’ve got yourself the perfect personalised Christmas gift idea.
It’s also a great option for when you don’t know your giftee too well — did someone say Christmas gifts for your colleagues?
19. Say ‘cheers’ with customised drinkware
Make happy hours at home even happier with customised wine glasses, pint glasses or can glasses. Engrave a monogram, inside joke or personal motif to create a unique drinking glass — gift it with a six-pack of their favourite beer, mocktail ingredients or a bottle of wine for an extra-special Christmas present.
VistaPrint Tip
A customised coaster set is the perfect complement to whatever personalised drinkware you’re planning on gifting. Personalise a set with photos of favourite places or graphics in their favourite colours.
20. Deck the halls with one-of-a-kind Christmas ornaments.
Did someone you love celebrate a major milestone in 2023? Commemorate it with a customised ornament that they can enjoy for years to come. Whether they’re celebrating a new baby (or a promotion to Grandma), an engagement or a much-anticipated holiday, celebrate it with a one-of-a-kind photo ornament.
