Raising the Bar on Personalized Gifts

Was ecstatic to get this 35 years ago...

How are you? Seriously, how are you doing?

Are you lucky enough to be living somewhere where COVID is under control and mostly eradicated or are you in the unfortunate majority, dreading the daily numbers and feeling powerless to stop this pandemic?

I posted about this challenge of our lifetimes for the first time on April 11. It now feels like a lifetime ago since we were able to go about a normal existence. When our city gradually reopened in early June, I described how we only had 574 active cases.

Through the month of November, our cases have been increasing by about that number on a daily basis. While we were put under a new set of restrictions just this past week, the sad reality is that it won't be enough to make a real difference. (More alarmingly, our province is led by someone who aspires to be a less toxic version of DJT; in that sense, I have to commiserate with my neighbours to the south who have been living with the real thing.) The stress is tenfold from the levels in the spring and I'm not sure where we are going to end up come Christmas.

Which is why — on this significant weekend of giving thanks in the U.S. — I'm truly interested: how are you?

While you ponder whether you might want to share your answer, let me move on with today's post...

Do you know how far we've come since we were first able to order a personalized t shirt? For those of you who haven't noticed, the bar has definitely been raised in terms of what we can get customized these days. In the spirit of the season that starts this weekend — such as it is — I thought I'd round up some unique ideas for gift giving.

I can personally vouch for this first one. Hubby's mouse started to act up earlier this year. For his birthday, I wanted to see if there was such a thing as a customizable mouse. Seek and you shall find, as the saying goes. In this case, the best find was at Shutterfly. This weekend, in fact, you can grab one on sale (20% off) for $23.99 USD... this sample is based on a fabric of mine.

Mockup image courtesy of Shutterfly...

The custom mouse I designed for hubby features three photos of his prized muscle car. My only concern would be that perhaps the quality of the mouse is not up to standard, but he's been using it for months now and says he loves it. Win!

You've likely noticed that I have a fondness for text and script fonts. Well, how about translating your own handwriting — or that of a loved one — into jewelry? This person's Etsy business does exactly that. Take a look.

Image courtesy of Caitlyn Minimalist...

That is truly lovely and would make a meaningful keepsake for someone. Pricing seems very reasonable (and of course, varies depending on the actual item).

Is there a gardener in your life? How about this personalized garden stone, on sale this weekend for $29.99 USD.

Image courtesy of personalizationmall.com...

Print up to twenty-one names — or words of inspiration — in five colours and assorted fonts. Not as big as I'd assumed when I first saw it (it's about 10" around), but pretty neat all the same.

Finally, are you the teeniest, tiniest bit creative? (You must be to a certain extent, if you're reading this.) 

I've long advocated for those of you who are so inclined to create customized items via Spoonflower, where things from children's artwork to your grandparents' letters can be immortalized forever on various types of fabric.

Last week, I stumbled upon a site called Contrado. Within a couple of days, I had my own shop there.

My Contrado shop...

Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought that I could design and sell my own shoes! And yet here they are, in three different styles even.

P&P shoes! (Mockup image courtesy of Contrado)

I took two of my fabric designs, this one and this one, and used them to customize twelve items for sale.

These leggings are my fave. I feel like I should buy them, even at the $70 CDN price point. (People apparently spend more than that on Lululemon brand leggings, so it's not out of the realm... well, maybe it's out of my realm.)

Love these! (Mockup image courtesy of Contrado)

Once you open up a shop and stock it with at least one item, you can be up and selling — even if it's just to yourself — in no time. However, the shop is unnecessary if you're just interested in a one-off item for yourself.

The range of products that Contrado can manufacture for you is wide and varied. They can custom print over one hundred different fabrics and materials, including leather. With that leather, you can then have purses and bags made (pricing starts at $168 CDN).

I wouldn't say no to this! (Mockup image courtesy of Contrado)

If a bag is not impressive enough, how about designing your own rollerboard for the next time you want to travel? You'll be sure to spot your luggage if it's got your personal imprint on it. One of these will set you back $212 CDN.

If any of this is starting to churn your creativity, it might further interest you to know that Contrado also promises to ship within 2 days, with deliveries within another 3-5 days. And while you have to pay for shipping ($19 for the rollerboard), consider the unique aspect of what you're getting.

I know that during this challenging year, we have to support our retailers at home as much as possible. In many cases, however, there may be no safe opportunities to browse and shop like we used to do at physical stores. Certainly I encourage you to do what you can to support your local economy, but if you're searching for something different to commemorate this totally different year, there are unique options to be found online.

Before I sign off, let me clarify for the record that apart from my Contrado store, I have no affiliation with any of the companies or products discussed above. Also, other than Shutterfly, I have no previous experience with any of the vendors.

'Til next...