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Christmas 2015: 13 best personalised gifts for adults

From maps and mugs to pet portraits and wrapping paper, give a bespoke present this year

Thursday 10 December 2015 14:58 GMT

Personalisation has never been so big. From Not on the High Street to Selfridges, growing numbers of retailers are enabling customers to either add a name or photo to an existing item or even design a product themselves. Read on to find out the best this season has to offer.

1. Alex Foster Illustration Personalised Pet Portrait: from £69, Alex Foster

These pet portraits have an adorably quirky style and you can choose from different background colour options and get them with or without a frame. No pet? Check out the artist’s other personalised prints, from maps to homes. Alex has a limited number of slots for Christmas commissions so order asap to avoid disappointment.

2. Keyrings: £3.50, Photobox

You can get a photo printed onto practically anything these days, but it doesn’t have to cost the earth, as this set of three handy keyrings – all for under a fiver – proves. Simply send in your favourite family pic, then get them sent back in the post in pronto time ready for three different relatives or friends.

Last order date: December 20

3. Personalised Cake Tin: £39.75, Not On the High Street

Avid bakers will love this cake tin to store the fruits of their labour. The enamel tin has a sealed rim and is top quality, as well as being a good size. Choose from different colours and any wording you like from four different fonts.

Last order date: December 16

4. Personalised Mug: £11.99, Cassini Historical Maps

Everyone’s got a location that’s close to their heart, whether it’s where they live, where they grew up or where they met their partner, just to name a few. This mug means they can be reminded of it every morning when they have a cuppa.

Last order date: December 17

5. The Oak and Rope Company Up and Away Swing: £95, John Lewis

If you know anyone with a low-ish hanging tree in their garden who has a love of hand-crafted items, then this charming monkey swing made from solid oak and manila rope at a traditional workshop in Kent is a must. The wording ‘Up and Away’ is hand-engraved on one side, leaving the other for wording of your choice.

Last order date: December 15

6. TicketCoasters: £6

Know anyone with a wad of tickets for theatre performances, gigs or sporting events that they’ve really loved. This gift means you can turn them into coasters to rekindle their nostalgia by having them on show all the time.

Last order date: December 17

7. The Rustic Dish Personalised Leather Journal: £35, Not on the High Street

There can be few people who don’t have need for a notebook in life, and this traditional leather one is deeply satisfying, as well as being a handy size for anything from sketches to do-lists. Choose up to 30 characters to be engraved.

Last order date: December 21

8. Custom Made Map: £16.99, Ordnance Survey

Many a household has an OS map, but few have a custom made one. You can pick anywhere in the UK – such as a favourite walk or fishing location - then choose the scale, add titles and a personalised image and even centre a favourite spot like a birthplace or local pub.

Last order date: December 17

9. Personalised Wrapping Paper: from £6.99, Wrap Me

This fun wrapping paper means personalisation can start before your recipient even opens their gift. Simply upload a bunch of pictures of them from Facebook, Instagram or camera roll images or go with just one or two pictures, perhaps of a favourite pet or place.

Last order date: December 15

10. Slate Do-Your-Own Doodle Coaster: £25, Marble Tree

Get your kids to write a message or draw a picture, or both, for a loved one on the Marbletree website. Once you’re happy with it, save it and send it to these guys who will engrave it onto handcrafted slate quarried from the Lake District. An adorable keepsake.

Last order date: 22 December

11. Personalised Blanc de Blanc Champagne: £37.50, Fortnum and Mason

Champers is a great gift, especially if you’re stuck for ideas, and this sophisticated blend, produced by Laurent Hostomme, is delectable. Make your choice look even more thoughtful with a personalised message on the front. There’s a Rosé version available too.

Last order date: December 22

12. Personalised Initial Necklace: from £60, Harry Rocks

Harry Rocks offers an entirely personalised service with its hand-made jewellery. You select whether you want a necklace or bracelet, the length of the chain, the metal, the disc size, the finish, the type of engraving and the letters or shapes. We think this top quality initial necklace is particularly gorgeous and it comes beautifully presented.

Last order date: December 13

13. Personalised Handbag: from £270, Susannah Hunter

The best part of buying one of these handmade bags is putting it together yourself. You choose the colour, size and design (a favourite flower, for example), with plenty of choice across all three, and you can add initials or wording, as well as leather charms. Email shop@susannah.com your preferred design by December 14.

Verdict

If you know someone with a much-loved animal, be sure to check out Alex Foster Illustration’s Personalised Pet Portrait. And for making a practical present that bit more special, we'd recommend the customised OS map.