It doesn’t matter what the occasion is, it’s always heart-warming to see someone’s face light up as they open the gift you spent so long picking out or working on. The satisfaction is definitely two-sided.
If, however, you never know what to choose as a gift or you don’t have the time or the skills to make something personally from scratch, then this blog post’s for you! I trawled the internet for some of the best handmade gifts for virtually every occasion so you don’t have to.
I put special emphasis on ‘handmade’ because if there’s one thing better than a gift that matches the occasion and the gift receiver’s preferences, it’s a gift that’s also been lovingly crafted with someone’s own hands as opposed to produced in a factory.
Well, enough rambling for now; let’s get on with the gifts!
Handmade Birthday Gifts
Birthstone jewellery: a birthstone for your special someone’s birth month is both eye-catching and meaningful. Abiza Jewelry in particular carries necklaces, earrings and bracelets for all birthstones, but we picked out this gorgeous 14k gold-filled topaz necklace especially for November birthdays.
£43 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Handmade Ring: perfect for men or lovers of chunky jewellery, this handmade ring by Sycamoon Jewellery is fashioned from two copper wires hammered into a twist shape reminiscent of Viking jewellery.
£15 on Folksy. Buy it here.
Desk Organiser: For the practical, a quirker desk organiser that comes with a docking station for phones and a place for hanging keys is a useful gift. This one by Secret Creation can be personalised, too. We do love personalised presents like this; what about you?
£20 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Succulents: puppies and kittens make big-commitment gifts, so why not give something a little more low maintenance but aesthetically-pleasing – something like these ‘ex-succulent’ bad boys by Glasgow’s Green Growers.
£8 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Wedding Anniversary Gifts
Photo Album: document one year or one decade together with a photo album of all the best (and worst) moments of marriage. This rustic scrapbook by Bright Heart Design is an ideal handmade gift which can help you do that.
£23 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Plaque: For a charming gift that will stand the test of time like a marriage, why not go for a plaque? Darkling Designs 10 offers a personalised ‘Spooning Together Since’ wood plaque, complete with actual spoons.
£10 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Personalised Newspaper: a bespoke newspaper front page celebrating the journey through marriage makes a unique gift perfect for a one-year anniversary (or any year, really!).
£70, right here on our personalised gifts website. Buy it here.
Bridal Shower or Party
Personalised Engravement: celebrate the happy couple with a personalised engravement Dust and Things offers an eco-friendly wooden keepsake box to store the memorabilia of a long marriage.
£35 on website. Buy it here.
Personalised Matching Passport Holders: a passport holder serves as a euphemism about the journeys of marriage – and also another reason for the bride to look forward to her honeymoon! These leather passport holders by JB Crafts UK Shop even comes with matching luggage tags.
£21 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Wedding Dress Hanger: a personalised wedding dress hanger is a marriage of functional and appealing. Baba Roo’s handmade wire hangers come with bows and customisable messages.
£20 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Engagement
Custom Portrait: surprise the newly-engaged with a custom portrait that celebrates the spouses-to-be in charming form. So Cute Company, as its name implies, offers super cute renditions of couples.
£37 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Survival Kit: Looking for something unique? This engagement survival kit by Sazzamaroos hits the spot.
£4 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Classic Wedding Tokens: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. This keepsake set by Little Letter UK contains all four in the form of a silver sixpence, a lucky horseshoe, advice, and a personalised letter.
£13.95 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Baby Shower
Booties: keep baby’s feet warm with some cosy booties! These hand-knitted unisex wool booties by Snug Creations can be worn folded down or pulled up like socks for ultimate warmth.
£21 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Swaddle: this personalised organic cotton muslin swaddle, lovingly produced by Katy Ferrari, comes in a variety of colours, and you can even customise the text on the blanket for an extra special gift.
£25 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Dummy Clip: the new mum likely already has a dummy checked off on her registry, so why not gift her a dummy clip? This personalised silicone dummy clip by Hope Dreams Jellybeans comes in many colours and has eye-catching crochet beads. It can even be used as a teether for older babies.
£12 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Christening
Personalised Chair: looking for a unique christening gift? This elegant wooden chair, printed with the child’s name by In Between The Kids, is both charming and functional and will last through the years.
£32.95 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Rocking Horse: this hanging rocking horse ornament by Forever Bespoke features the words “On Your Christening,” the name of the special little one and the date of their christening. This cute gift will look great in any nursery.
£10 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Teddy Bear: a classic teddy gift never hurts, does it? This lovely, cuddly companion is handmade by Babyblooms Bespoke and can be personalised with the child’s name.
£22 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Graduation
Word Photo Collage: surprise your new grad with their name (or any word) spelled out by their best photographed memories from uni! Red Canvas can make this beautiful ‘college collage’ for you.
£75 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Felt Mouse Keepsake: if you give a mouse a diploma or degree…he’ll want to find success alongside your new grad! This adorable handcrafted felt grad mouse is made by As Nice As Mice.
£15 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Diploma Frame: let your grad show off their new achievement with this natural walnut wood certificate frame, perfect for keeping in home offices or bedrooms. This simple but handsome frame is handcrafted by Morgan Peter.
£19 on Etsy. Buy it here.
Like these handmade gift ideas? Let us know by commenting below!
Until next time…
This article was lovingly created by Difa Abdin here at The Occasional Reporter HQ.
