The festive season is all about connecting with loved ones — and Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate the special people in your life and show them how important they are to you with personalised Christmas gifts. Instead of waiting in long queues to grab something off the shelf that doesn’t feel as special as the person you’re giving it to, why not make gift-giving more personal this year with custom Christmas gifts?
To inspire you, here’s a list of 20 personalised Christmas gift ideas, from photo books to beanies, so that you can give everyone on your list something meaningful and memorable this festive season.
- Personalised Christmas gift ideas include custom photo books, mugs, puzzles, calendars and beanies.
- Customise VistaPrint products by adding names, photos, quotes or artwork using online design tools.
- Turn memories into keepsakes by transforming kids’ drawings into canvas prints or adding messages to notepads and custom calendars.
- Make gifts that align with your recipient’s interests, like duffle bags for gym-goers or custom luggage for travellers.
What makes custom Christmas gifts great?
Custom photo gifts make perfect Christmas gifts, because they show you’ve put that extra effort into choosing something unique. They’re an easy way to make a gift feel personal, no matter how well you know the person. Personalised gifts are ideal for everyone on your list, from Secret Santa gifts to Christmas gifts for parents.
Personalised Christmas gifts for family
From gift ideas for mums to gifts for your sister, these personalised Christmas gift ideas for family members are all about celebrating the bonds that matter most. Whether it’s a cosy custom blanket, a heartfelt photo book or a cushion featuring your kid’s artwork, these gifts turn shared memories into keepsakes and will have your loved ones smiling long after the festive season is over.
1. Personalised photo book
Relive all those unforgettable memories from the past year with a photo book! Whether you include photos of that incredible getaway or that charming small family wedding, capture special moments on the pages of a one-of-a-kind photo book — the perfect gift for your nearest and dearest.
Make this gift even more special by accompanying your photo book with a personalised Christmas card. Check out these creative Christmas card message ideas!
2. Custom acrylic photo block
Another meaningful photo gift idea is an acrylic photo block. 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 look back on a favourite memory.
3. Personalised mug
Design a custom mug for the sentimental tea and coffee lovers in your life. Choose a photo from their favourite place, a snapshot of their loved ones, a picture of a beloved pet or simply print their name or initials. You can’t beat this fun, one-of-a-kind way to start someone’s day off right…and remind them how much you appreciate them.
Want to impress with your Christmas wrapping? Read our guide on how to wrap a present.
Custom mugs make great personalised gifts for dads
4. Custom apron
During the festive season, even family members who don’t usually cook live in the kitchen, making personalised aprons a cherished Christmas gift.
Here’s how to personalise an apron:
- 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 chef’s hat and apron.
5. Personalised cushion
Custom cushions are the perfect way to gift snapshots from birthdays, weddings, holidays and family events, preserving those cherished memories and keeping them visible every day.
Personalised photo collage cushion
6. Custom calendar
Show a loved one you’re thinking of them all year long with a custom photo calendar. Whether given to family, friends, colleagues or neighbours, a custom calendar is versatile enough to suit different tastes and relationships.
A custom wall calendar is a great Christmas gift
Wall calendars aren’t just for family photos. If it’s a Christmas gift for a friend, include inspirational quotes, tasteful art prints, holiday snaps, nights out and inside jokes instead.
Discover how to make a custom calendar in our step-by-step guide.
For an extra personal touch, capture a memory from each month of the past year and use it for the corresponding month of the upcoming year.
7. Children’s artwork custom print
Children’s artwork is like pure magic on paper, but finding ways to showcase it beyond the fridge can be a creative challenge. Snap photos or scan your little one’s artistic triumphs, transforming them into canvas, metal prints or even wood prints.
These custom prints make heartwarming gifts for co-parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. Plus, your kids will beam with pride when they see their artwork transformed into a gallery-worthy display.
Personalised Christmas gifts for friends
Custom gifts for friends are a great way to show your appreciation for the people who’ve laughed with you, supported you and made the year that little bit better. Whether it’s a T-shirt with an inside joke, a puzzle featuring your favourite group photo or a beanie with their initials, these Christmas gifts say, ‘I appreciate you’.
8. Custom T-shirt
A custom T-shirt is more than just a piece of clothing; it’s a canvas for creativity. From clever quotes to artsy visuals, whatever you print on it, a custom T-shirt can be a wearable piece of self-expression and Christmas joy.
9. Custom sweatshirt or hoodie
When the weather is colder, recipients might appreciate something warmer than a custom T-shirt, such as a cosy sweatshirt or hoodie. Custom hoodies are also versatile enough to be worn throughout the year as an extra layer.
10. Stylish winter beanie
When it comes to giving hats as Christmas gifts, beanies offer the cosy warmth everyone needs. So, why not give your friends and family a custom beanie tailored just for them? Whether you print their initials, a favourite quote or a fun design, a custom beanie adds a dash of individuality to their winter wear.
11. Custom canvas print
Whether it’s a single standout piece in the bedroom or a curated gallery wall in the living room, custom canvas prints offer a journey back in time. Print special moments, like an annual family gathering, a breathtaking landscape or a candid snapshot.
Browse our full range of customisable photo gifts to give something one of a kind this Christmas.
Personalised Christmas gifts for travellers
For the jet-setters and adventure seekers in your life, personalised travel gifts strike the perfect balance between thoughtful and practical. From custom luggage they’ll spot instantly on the carousel to power banks that keep their devices charged on long journeys, these gifts are designed to go the distance. Add names, photos or even travel-inspired quotes to make every trip feel a little more personal.
12. Custom luggage
If your friends and family members prefer to escape during the festive season, help them embark on their adventures in style with personalised luggage.
Custom luggage isn’t just a unique and creative Christmas gift idea, it’s also practical. As the festive season unfolds and airports are bursting with travellers, the baggage carousel quickly becomes a procession of look-alike bags. Custom luggage is here to save the day, making sure cases are never lost again.
Source: Fe Melo and Ossobüko Studio via 99designs by Vista
Pair this gift with a personalised luggage tag for the most identifiable luggage in the airport.
13. Custom power bank
In a world that thrives on connection, a drained battery can feel like a disaster, especially on a road trip or a plane. That’s why everyone on your Christmas list will appreciate a personalised power bank, ensuring that smartphones, tablets and other gadgets never run out of juice again.
14. Custom water bottle
This year, give a thoughtful gift that keeps your loved ones hydrated: personalised water bottles. This custom Christmas gift will come in handy during the festive season, so give a water bottle that’s stylish and unique.
15. Personalised duffle bag
It’s normal to indulge over the festive season, which is why going to the gym is at the top of most New Year’s resolutions lists. This year, help your friends and family stick with their resolutions with custom duffle bags that inject personality into their workout routine.
Personalised Christmas gifts for colleagues
Whether you’re looking for gifts for your employees or a Secret Santa gift for a colleague, these company Christmas gift ideas are great for work environments or when you don’t know the recipient well.
16. Custom notepad
In the whirlwind of life’s moments, staying organised and nurturing mindfulness can feel like a challenge. That’s what makes a custom notepad a great Christmas gift. Customise it with the recipient’s name, and you’ve got the perfect personalised Christmas gift idea.
17. Customised drinkware
Make happy hours at home even happier with etched wine glasses, pint glasses or even can glasses. Engrave a monogram, inside joke or name to create custom drinkware, and gift it with their favourite cocktail ingredients or a bottle of wine for an extra-special Christmas gift.
A set of personalised photo coasters is the perfect complement to personalised drinkware. Personalise with photos of favourite places or graphics in seasonal colour palettes.
Personalised Christmas gifts for kids
Custom gifts for kids turn Christmas magic into something they can hold. Whether it’s a fleece blanket with their favourite cartoon, a T-shirt with their name in bold letters or a photo puzzle starring their face, these gifts make little ones feel seen and celebrated. Plus, they’re way more exciting than socks.
18. One-of-a-kind Christmas ornament
Did someone you love celebrate a major milestone this year? Commemorate it with a custom Christmas ornament. A one-of-a-kind ornament also makes a great Christmas gift for kids, so they can hang their photo on the tree for years to come.
19. Custom puzzle
In those days between Christmas and New Year, there are moments when you crave more than chatter, leftover turkey and repeats of Christmas films. That’s where board games come in. This Christmas, give your loved ones a custom puzzle featuring…themselves! A photo puzzle with their picture adds extra motivation to finish and conquer the challenge together.
Source: Paresh Jadhav via 99designs by Vista
20. Custom fleece blanket
Embrace the cosy vibes of the festive season with a snugly fleece blanket. Personalise the blanket with a hilarious snapshot, photo collage or, for Christmas gifts for kids, feature their favourite cartoon character.
How to customise VistaPrint gifts
Whether you’re creating a heartfelt photo book or a custom mug, here’s how to make the most of VistaPrint’s customisation tools.
Step 1: Start with the right product
Think about the recipient’s interests and daily life. Do they drink coffee every morning? A custom mug with a funny quote or pet photo is perfect. Do they travel often? Go for a personalised luggage tag or duffle bag. You can browse by category to get inspired.
Step 2: Choose a design template or start from scratch
VistaPrint offers professionally designed templates that make it easy to create something polished. But if you have a strong creative vision, you can start with a blank canvas and upload your own design, photo or artwork.
Step 3: Customise the gift with personal touches
Upload images, photos, scans of kids’ drawings or brand logos. Then customise the text to include names, quotes, milestones or inside jokes. You can also adjust fonts and colours to match the recipient’s style and play with layout tools to move elements around.
Step 4: Get festive with seasonal flair
Add festive-themed backgrounds, stickers or seasonal colour palettes to bring extra cheer. Red and green accents, snowflake illustrations or gold foil embossing can make your custom gift even more Christmassy.
Step 5: Preview your gift and order
Once you’ve personalised your item, use the 3D preview tool to see how it will look in real life. This is your chance to spot typos, check spacing and ensure everything’s aligned. Once you’re happy, press print.
Creating matching gifts for a group? Once you’ve perfected your design, you can apply it across multiple products, like custom T-shirts, mugs or notepads. Perfect for families, friend groups or employees.
Start customising unique Christmas gifts
By taking the time to personalise, you’re turning a gift into a memory. So have fun with it, get creative and don’t be afraid to go a little over the top. It’s Christmas, after all!
Get inspired by this list of Christmas gift ideas and personalise them to your taste for a festive touch. You can also adapt some of these ideas for other celebrations, such as birthday gifts, Mother’s Day gifts, Father’s Day gifts and anniversaries.
Custom Christmas gifts FAQs
What are the best personalised Christmas gifts?
The best personalised gifts are meaningful and practical. Photo books, custom puzzles, mugs, calendars and fleece blankets are all thoughtful options that can be tailored to your recipient’s personality and interests.
How do I personalise a gift on VistaPrint?
It’s easy! Just choose your product, upload photos and customise text or artwork using the online design tool. You can adjust fonts, colours and layouts and preview your gift before placing the order.
What are some good custom gift ideas for colleagues?
Think practical gifts with a personal twist. Notepads, mugs, calendars and custom drinkware make great gifts for colleagues, especially when you add their name, a funny quote or an inside joke.
Can I create matching personalised gifts for a group or family?
Yes! You can order in bulk and easily replicate a design across multiple products like T-shirts, mugs or ornaments, great for families, teams or group trips. Just upload your design and apply it across all the items you want to order.
What are some personalised Christmas gift ideas for kids?
Custom puzzles, printed T-shirts, fleece blankets and photo ornaments are popular gifts for kids. You can even turn their drawings into a canvas print or notepad cover, making the gift extra special.
How far in advance should I order personalised Christmas gifts?
We recommend ordering at least 2–3 weeks before Christmas to allow time for production and delivery. Leave plenty of time, especially during peak times, and always check estimated delivery timelines when placing your order.
