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Aye, it's that time of the year again. Over the next month and a half your digital landscape will be transformed into a smorgasbord of wrapping paper, tinsel and assorted baubles, as every blogger and their orthodontist starts pushing gift guides on every platform possible. I know they divide opinion, but I actually quite like gift guides; I'm a shit Christmas shopper, I have zero ideas and I leave everything until the last minute, so they're pretty helpful for me to continue peddling the idea that I'm prepared in any way, shape or form.
Over the next few weeks I'll be popping up a few different gift guides, each of them tailored towards a number of different potential giftees in your life. I know not everybody loves a gift guide and sometimes they can seem all too commission-hungry, so I'll be popping each of them in my newly created 'festive section' which you can find on the top menu. That way if you like them, you can find them, and if you don't, then they're easily avoidable. A lot of the items in my posts will be affiliated linked, but not all of them, and nothing will be included that I either don't already own or would buy myself. Phew - housekeeping done.
In keeping with gift guides helping me to maintain my guise of thoughtfulness, what better way to kick things off than with personalised pressies. Anything with a person's initial on seems to go down a treat, so I've rounded up 17 different items which can either be personalised or come in a range of different letters, just so you can fake thoughtfulness too (sorry to all the good gift-givers out there - I am not amongst you). Enjoy!
1. Personalised Ring Dish, £11
Trinket dishes are cute enough, but when they're adorned with your name in dainty script? Even cuter. These personalised porcelain trays come in at only £11 and each name is hand-written, meaning they're the perfect stocking filler or secret santa gift with a thoughtful edge.
2. Marbled Monogram Cheese Board, £34
Whilst this is great for somebody who loves entertaining or regularly throwing dinner parties/less sophisticated get-togethers with shed loads of cheese, this monogrammed marble board would also be super cute as a coffee table decoration or displaying candles and jewellery in the bedroom.
Believe it or not these pillows were on a gift guide I published last year, and Keiran still has yet to get the hint. Each letter or symbol is handmade by a dad and daughter team in Herefordshire, and even if your ideal colour isn't listed, you can pop a message their way and they'll do their best to match it. FYI, I asked for black, so that's me...
4. Initial Locket with Diamond Detail, £140
Okay, so this is a pricey one, but I wear my initial locket everyday and it's such a special, timeless piece of jewellery. Whilst I opted for a K for Keiran (I'm sentimental like that), you can of course opt for the wearer's initial themselves or even children's initials for a new Mum or Grandma. A real personal gift full of heart.
5. Star Sign Scented Soy Candle, £7.20
Another great stocking-filler or Secret Santa gift with thought, these hand-poured soy candles burn for 30-35 hours and each star sign is infused with its own unique scent. They're also 100% vegan, 100% natural and 100% eco-friendly, so great for your kind-to-the-earth cool girl friend.
Who doesn't love a nice set of PJs? Out-do the time-sensitive Rockin' Robin set that your giftee will be opening from their extended family, and bless them with this bougie silk set, complete with pocket monogramming. Be sure to ask for an account tag, however, as they will definitely be Instagrammed.
7. Personalised Travel Print, £28
Keiran and I went to Budapest on our first holiday away together, so last year I picked up one of these prints with an illustration of the city and as close to the ACNE pink as I could get. There's lots of different locations to choose from and you can change the colour and framing option to suit, so these are perfect as a sentimental reminder of good times.
8. Gold Plated Monogram Ring Set, £24
If you're a big group of girl friends and you're looking for cute gifts that are a secret signifier of your friendship, then these are perfect. Wear your own initial or swap with your best gal to carry the sass with you.
Another of my everyday items, I wear a 'C' and 'K' initial in my second-lobe piercings and I've not taken them out once since popping them in. They're quite dainty so can be worn with larger hoops or statement earrings, but the letters mean they're more sentimental than plain studs. Plus they don't go green in the shower!
10. Signature Initial Robe, £50
Quite pricey for a dressing gown but if you don't know what to buy the man in your life and want to get him something he'll actually use, then this 100% cotton number is spot on. Get one with your initial, just to wind him up.
11. Monogrammed Leather Wrap Journal, £23.25
The joy of a fresh, blank notebook is rarely rivaled, but even more-so if it's been created especially for you. Opt for your giftee's favourite colour and have their initials monogrammed by hand for the perfect personal gift for the writer and list-maker in your life.
Available in silver, rose gold and gold, these tiny initial necklaces are perfect for layering up with pieces you already own and at £14, are also perfect for ticking that 'little something' box. Opt for two different letters are two different lengths for a gift that's a little more substantial.
13. Double Square Rose Gold Frame, £14
This 3x3 frame is small enough to be desk-friendly but cute enough to still be an Instagram worthy gift, even more so if you pop some filtered pictures into both spaces. Feeling super creative? Put a tiny pressed flower into one space and a quote from their favourite song or book in the other.
Perfect for the home fantatic in your life, these hooks can either be used as intended - for coats - or to hold up baskets, towels or hanging plants for a little bit of alternative home storage. Plus they're limited edition from Liberty of London, so you get a plus 10 on the bougie scale.
A bargain buy at only £6, mix & match these wire initials to create words, or pick a single letter up as a perfect stocking filler or 'little something'. Be quick - they're selling fast.
Rarely have I been inside a Millenial's home without seeing this mug in one of its many forms. It's well loved for good reason: under £10, personalised and holds tea - what more could you want?
17. Floral Embroidered Ornament, £15.75
These are intended to be Christmas tree ornaments (which, btw, is an amazing idea), but post-festive season they'd make great shelf decorations or knick-knacks for flat lays. You could probably use these as coasters if you were feeling super alternative, although, obviously, they aren't waterproof.