Monogram Madness: Tips on Scoring the Best Personalized Gifts

Whether you are shopping for a loved one or you want to snag something special for yourself, personalized gifts are always a great option. They are a popular choice for birthdays and holidays like Mother’s Day or Christmas. They’re also perfect when you are in need of a one-of-a-kind gift for a bridal shower, wedding or baby shower. When you buy a personalized or monogrammed gift, you are showing that you took the time to find something specifically for the recipient. It also shows that you put thought and effort into your shopping rather than just buying the first thing you spotted. If you are in the market for a personalized gift that will be treasured for years to come, here are a few tips for scoring the perfect one.

Consider the Recipient’s Preferences

This should go without saying, but you should always consider the recipient’s preferences when shopping for a gift. If, for example, you are shopping for your sister who tends to have a simple style, a chunky necklace emblazoned with her name probably isn’t the best option. Instead, you would be better off choosing a simple monogrammed necklace on a delicate chain. Likewise, if you are shopping for someone who lives in a hot climate, a personalized tank top would be a better choice than a winter jacket.

Think about their favorite colors and designs, too. Personalization is about more than just adding someone’s name or initials to something. It’s also about choosing a gift that, in itself, matches their likes and personal preferences.

Think About Your Relationship with the Recipient

The recipient’s preferences and tastes are the most important things to take into consideration, but you should also think about your relationship. Are you choosing a gift for your sister? Your mom? Your best friend? Your niece? Infuse your relationship into the gift to make it even more special. If you are creating a gift for your daughter, for example, you could add an inscription saying how proud you are of her. If you are gifting your mom, give her something that says “Mom” rather than her first name. These little touches can serve as beautiful representations of your relationship with your loved one and ensure that the gift is treasured for years to come.

Step Outside of the Box

There are all sorts of personalized and monogrammed gifts out there. Before you fall into buying one of the stereotypical gifts–like a tie for a man or a heart-shaped necklace for a little girl–take some time to explore more unique options. For your friend who loves hanging out on the beach, a monogrammed beach towel or a tote bag with a built-in cooler would be perfect. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for your son’s favorite teacher, skip the coffee mug (Trust us, she has plenty of them). Instead, get her something like a laptop case or a large monogrammed tote bag that she can use to carry all those papers back and forth to school.

Thinking outside of the box when shopping for a personalized gift is the best way to get something that is, well, personal. Avoid the stereotypical gifts and get something that matches the recipient's interests and lifestyle.

Double Check Your Spelling, Grammar, Etc.

If you are giving a gift that is emblazoned with the recipient’s name or inscribed with a special message, double and triple check your spelling. Nothing is more embarrassing than giving someone a gift with their name on it only to discover that you spelled it wrong!

Be careful when giving monogrammed gifts, too. There is a specific format for monograms. When all of the letters are the same size, the initials should be ordered as first, middle, last. In other words, Lindsay Louise Smith would be LLS. If, however, the monogram features a larger center initial, the order should be first, last, middle. Using the Lindsay Louise Smith example, a monogram with a larger center initial should look like LSL. Make sure you are absolutely certain that the order is correct before placing your order.

Personalized gifts are a great way to show someone how much you care. Monogrammed gifts are trending right now, and they are the perfect option for nearly any occasion. Consider the recipient and your relationship to her when searching for the perfect gift and choose something unique. Here at Marleylilly, we have monogrammed gifts that are perfect for any occasion.