Eight Inexpensive Customized Gift Ideas

Finding the perfect gift ideas for a special occasion can be very challenging. There always seems to be that one person who already has everything. Giving a customized gift ensures that the recipient will be getting an original, one of a kind present that has been well thought out. These ideas for personalized gifts are a thoughtful way to show affection and without spending a fortune. 

For the person with a sweet tooth nothing could be better than customized candy. Many candy companies offer sections on their web pages that allow complete personalization of popular candy brands with photos or monograms. The images can be stamped directly on the sweets or the wrappers can be personalized in any way imaginable. The cost of customized candy is only slightly more than the plain version.

An item that is personalized with a special photo is a great way to give a memorable gift without spending too much money. Mugs, t-shirts, and calendars are all useful items that can be a unique gift when a photograph is added. Some companies offer a service that changes a picture into a high quality canvas that looks like a work of art. 

Everyday items can be instantly personalized by adding a monogram. Putting initials on an article of clothing or an everyday object instantly makes it special and more fun to use. Ordinary items like umbrellas, bathrobes, pajamas,   flash drives and journals can be easily and  affordably  monogrammed.   Engraving or embroidering a gift with a person's name makes it an instant keepsake.

For those really short on funds, a scrapbook is a nearly free way to let a person know how much they are special. Free online programs allow photos to be uploaded and placed into customizable templates that make a professional looking scrapbook. This is a heartfelt gift that can be enjoyed for years.

Nothing makes a sweeter Christmas gift than a customized ornament. Many companies produce completely personalized ornaments at a very budget friendly price. Creating a personalized ornament from scratch is even less expensive, and nothing is quite so heartwarming as a handmade Christmas gift. 

As more people are trying to reduce their carbon footprint, reusable grocery bags are becoming increasingly popular. Giving the gift of green gives friends a reason to smile as they shop. Adding a cherished quote or a work of art from a favorite artist can perfectly customize reusable grocery bags. This is an extraordinary gift that will be loved and used all the time.

Garden stones are the perfect present for those with yards. This is a gift that is a fun do it yourself project. Stones can be imprinted with children's handprints, names or favorite animals and flowers. All the materials needed are a mold and some mixable concrete. Home improvement stores sell kits that produce unique stones with different shapes and colors. 

Gift baskets are the perfect customized gift to give. Everyone loves getting a basket full of his or her favorite goodies. It's so easy to fill a basket with the best treats and trinkets that fit a friend's personality. This is a project that is easy to do yourself and you can spend as much or as little money as you wish. Your imagination and the tastes of the gift receiver are the limit.

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Personalized Magnets For Business Use

Personalized magnets can be a powerful sales tool. Large and small businesses alike can benefit by placing a brand, slogan and logo on a magnet. These small, inexpensive tools can give a large boost to business.

Customers and potential customers often place these custom magnets on their refrigerators and filing cabinets for future reference. Not only are the magnets useful, holding up shopping lists and other memos, but your business name, phone number and website are always there any time it is needed.

Custom, promotional magnets are an affordable advertising venue, especially for small business who mostly look for local customers. Hundreds of business card magnets can be printed for pennies per magnet. Depending on the quantity purchased, they can go for as little as $.08 a piece. Other promotional material such as water bottles, mugs, T-shirts and even pens are much more expensive. Small business owners often have small advertising budgets, making simple custom business card magnets worthwhile.

A diverse range of industries utilize custom magnets for their business. Pizzerias, restaurants, local chains, bars, plumbers, computer technicians, pest control services, real estate professionals and insurance agencies are only a few types of businesses that often use magnets to serve their advertising needs.

Business card magnets are among the most popular types of personalized magnets for advertising, but there are other types as well. There are calendar magnets, menu magnets which are great for local restaurants and bars and schedule magnets, which can be used by local sporting clubs.

Any magnets used for advertising should have a lot of color and it's even better if they have a unique shape. They should catch the eye and be memorable, as with all advertising tools. There are design professionals who design magnets, they often work for the companies who print the magnets. There is no limit to the creative imagination when making promotional magnets . Ordinarily, real estate agents use house-shaped magnets and pizza stores use pizza-shaped magnets, but the sky is the limit.

Business owners should take care to buy quality magnets. Quality magnets last a long time and the sticky paper should not peel back. A couple of pennies more per magnet may be worth the cost, if it buys better a product that is better quality.

Promotional magnets can be given out in place of business cards, placed on windshields and at any other place where leaflets and business cards are left. Magnets are also often light enough to be mailed easily, using regular postage. This makes it simple to use them along with flyers, leaflets and other items that would be mailed anyway.

It is too easy to throw away an unwanted business card. Custom magnets for business have two purposes: they are useful to the consumer as well as the small business owner. Custom magnets for promotional use are attractive and useful to all kinds of consumers: stay-at-home mothers, mechanics, businesspeople, college students, teachers. Virtually everyone can make use of them, so for most businesses, these magnets are a worthwhile investment.

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Using Customized Mugs For Promotion

Whatever business or industry one works in, customized mugs can be a great method of promotion. These types of mugs can promote just about any kind of business or organization from coffee companies to banks to the books of self-published writers.

Why are personalized mugs such great promotional tools? There are a number of reasons. Unless a company gives them away as freebies, they are advertising at no cost. In fact, a business can break even or make a small profit on them. They are conversation starters. People bring their coffee mugs in to work with them. They are asked about the message on the mug and suddenly two people are chatting about the product or service offered by the company or organization. In addition, the fact that they are customizable means an enormous amount of creativity in how an organization can present itself.

What is the best design for a mug that will be used for promotional purposes? This is going to depend very much on the business in question. Conservative industries like financial institutions will most likely want to stick with a simple logo, but for other organizations or entrepreneurial individuals, the possibilities are almost limitless. Rather than having the name of the company or the thing that is being promoted directly on the mug, there might be a saying or a picture of something related to the company. A mug promoting a television show might have a famous line that's well-known to fans, for example. This raises the curiosity of those for whom the information is cryptic and leads to questions. For fellow fans, it will spark a conversation about what is being promoted that others may overhear and join in, leading to further interest in the show.

Another possibility for design is something more personalized. For example, a veterinary hospital might do promotional mugs that feature a photo of the pet or the owner and the pet. This would be the dominating feature of the mug, and then the name of the veterinary hospital would be written in smaller print. Such personalization could apply across a number of different industries; the important thing is that it should be something that reflects well on what's being promoted and that the name of the company or organization appears somewhere on the mug. Organizations may want to use some sort of quality control to make sure someone sees and approves any personalized images that will be associated with their brand.

An additional benefit of a product like this is the way that it makes the customer feel. Mugs are a great option for this kind of advertising and customization because people are very attached to their mugs. Walking around an office, one will note how many people have a "special" mug on their desk they use for their daily coffee or tea rather than just grabbing a generic mug from the office kitchen. Moreover, at home, families often have mugs that specifically belong to certain members of the family; this same attachment does not happen with plates or cereal bowls. These feelings of attachment will carry over to the company or organization being promoted as well.

Mugs are a terrific promotional tool for organizations or individuals. The advertising is free and the return is guaranteed.

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Make Your Own Gifts Using Your Own Photos, Logos, Designs And Text

Given the rise in popularity of photo gifts and the corresponding number of websites that have sprung up to meet the huge demand, it is now easier than ever to make your own gifts!

When you design your own gift it allows you to make a statement to the recipient; the gift can be easily personalized with a meaningful photo along with a special message or commemorative text. Such creativity allows people to express their true feelings while also providing the recipient with the feeling that the gift giver has put a lot of thought and effort into their gift giving. This is the main reason why photo gifts have become so popular - they make it incredibly easy for absolutely anyone to create their own personalized gifts .

To provide readers with a little inspiration, I describe below a few events that are tailor made for personalized gifts.

The birth of a child

In these days of digital photography it's never more than a few hours before the new arrival's photos are sitting in your inbox, or proudly displayed on one of the social media sites. With such rapid communication available to anyone with a computer or smart phone, it's easy to get your hands on the new baby's photos; photos you can use to create your own gifts, gifts that can be personalized with those freely available baby pictures.

One of the most popular personalized gifts for new arrivals is a custom made baby blanket. Can you imagine the reaction of new parents when you give them a blanket personalized with a photo, or maybe even a collage of photos, of their newborn child? To provide the finishing touch all you need to add is the baby's name and date of birth.

The Christening or Baptism of a child

Common gifts at Christenings and Baptisms include silver spoons, egg cups, bowls and drinking mugs. We've all seen these gifts given over and over again, with and without inscriptions, so they never surprise the parents in the slightest. Now, if you want to be different, next time you are invited to a Christening or Baptism, how about making your own gift displaying a picture of the baby along with the child's name, date of birth and date of the Christening? Such a gift is almost certain to turn heads, especially those of the parents!

When people are looking for Baptism gift ideas they normally want to find a keepsake type of gift. If that is what you are looking for you may want to consider a custom porcelain plate? The great thing about porcelain plates is they look great wherever they are placed, hanging on the wall or positioned on a plate stand on the sideboard.

Once a porcelain plate is personalized with a photo, name and date it makes a perfect keepsake; the greatest advantage they have is as the child grows up and eventually moves to their own home they can take their plate with them and hang it on their own wall. If you are looking for the perfect keepsake this is probably it! 

Graduation Gifts

Like births and Christenings, graduations usually call for a special type of gift. While there are hundreds of fully customizable gifts to choose from, if you want a meaningful keepsake, the best thing to do is create your own gift, featuring an appropriate photo and meaningful text.

Obviously gifts are better if they can be used as well as appreciated. With that in mind, a great idea for a graduation gift is a custom personalized bookmark . All you need is a good photo of the graduate that you can place on the bookmark, then, simply add their name and date, and you will have a gift both you and the graduate will be proud of.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is, you can always make your own gift for any occasion. No matter if the recipient is a man, woman or child, if you look around you will always find a suitable gift. It is also always great fun when you design your own gift; finding the appropriate photos on your computer often leads to you reminiscing over old photos that you had forgotten you had! Happy memories…..

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Put The Fun Back Into Card Games

In the depths of winter many of gather with friends to play cards, one way to enhance the experience is to personalize the deck of cards you are playing with at the game.

Customized playing cards allow almost anyone to put the fun back into card games. It doesn't matter what game you are playing, Poker, Barbu, Spades or Bridge, playing the game with personalized cards always makes it a lot more fun!

If you look around, you will not only find regular shaped playing cards, you will find round cards, heart shaped cards and who knows what else?

Playing cards can be customized in a number of different ways, so much so in fact that you should be able to find exactly what you are looking for.

Standard customization involves having your photos, logos and other designs printed on the back of each card - this is customization in its basic form - each of the 52 cards plus the 2 jokers has the same photo on the reverse side. Playing cards customized in this way are suitable for serious card games such as bridge or brag.

Taking customization to the next level, you will find there are many photo gift websites where you can put a different photo or design on each of the 54 playing cards. Clearly, making your own playing cards with 54 different images means they are not well suited for serious card games, but they really come into their own when playing fun games with the kids and other family members.

The final option offered on personalized playing cards is to have 54 different photos printed on both the front and the back of each card - this is a firm favorite of children and your kids will probably get a real kick from playing with them.

As I already mentioned, although playing cards with 54 different designs are not much use for a serious game of bridge or poker, they make for great fun when playing with the kids. Try testing your memory to see which of you can remember what picture is on each card? Chances are the kids will be telling you you have the ace of hearts and the 10 of spades in your hand.... and you won't have a clue what they have!

Apart from the obvious fun, personalized cards can also help both children and adults to improve their memories!

If you do decide to make your own playing cards, before you upload your photos and designs to a photo gifts website, it's worth taking the time to find out how the cards are printed. The standard for high quality playing cards is Fuji Xerox Docucolor or the equivalent. By following this advice you will ensure your custom playing cards are finished to the highest quality standard.

There's no mistaking it, customized playing cards really do make great gift ideas for just about anyone, men, women and children will all get a kick out of playing with their own personalized cards!

To sum up, if you are like the majority of us, you love "Do it Yourself" projects and custom photo gifts are almost certainly no exception. You will find making your own personalized playing cards is great fun, especially when you design and create them yourself using your own special pictures, logo's and text.

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The Best Gift Ideas Are Personal

It is often said that it's the thought behind a gift that counts, and it's hard to deny the wisdom behind the expression. The best gifts are usually those that demonstrate thoughtfulness, gifts that show that the recipient's personal tastes, passions and interests were taken into consideration. Gifts that demonstrate the full regard, affection and appreciation of those who give them are always welcome too. The best gift ideas do both, expressing how much a person cares with a gift that seems tailor-made for the individual. 

Most people have a list of goals that they would like to accomplish or events that they would like to experience within their lifetime. Often referred to as a "bucket list," after the movie of the same name, a gift that makes it possible for a friend or family member to cross an item off their wish list is sure to be a memorable gift. An array of gift experiences are available for purchase that can help a loved one fulfill a goal, follow a dream or pursue an interest. 

Whether it's a dream vacation or the opportunity to indulge in a lifelong passion, making it happen needn't be exorbitantly expensive. For someone who has expressed an interest in history or archeology, an historical artifact or fossil can spark an enthusiastic response. A book can become an inspired gift when it's a rare edition of the recipient's favorite author. For a sport's fan, a signed memento from an admired athlete is sure to be well-received. Gifts with provenance, those with documentation that links them to their historical origin, may be more expensive but are sure to elicit a favorable response. 

A unique tour can help fulfill someone's lifelong dream as well. Many sports venues offer private or small-group tours of their facilities. Children will love to take advantage of the opportunity for an after-hours tour of a museum. Some theaters offer backstage tours as well. Making it possible for a baseball fan to stand on the pitcher's mound of their favorite team's field or for a theater buff to stand on the stage where a favorite actor or actress once strutted the boards is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is sure to be treasured for years to come. 

Lessons can make a memorable gift as well. An amateur golfer will surely appreciate the opportunity to enjoy private coaching from an expert. An amateur cook will relish a lesson from a chef from a favorite restaurant. Signing up a would-be musician or a comedian for amateur night at a night club or comedy club is another option with the potential for fun. The gift of lessons also opens up possibilities for friends and family to try activities that they've wanted to explore. From scuba diving lessons and archery lessons to classes on carpentry and cooking, the gift of learning can be a memorable gift. 

When the giver takes the time to think about the recipient's personal tastes, interests and dreams, the gift is more likely to appreciated. The best gift ideas are those that demonstrate the thought behind the gifts, presents that let the recipient know that they are valued for who they are.


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The Best Gift Ideas Are Not Always The Most Expensive

At this time of year we have to watch our budget, so gift giving will be fun and not stressful. Gift giving is an excellent way for loved ones, co-workers, and significant others to express thanks and love for each other. The best gift ideas are those which are not necessarily the most expensive, but rather those which come from the heart. Here are some suggestions to help you in your pursuit to find that perfect gift. 

Fruit and gift baskets are ideal for that hard to shop for person. This "gifts within a gift" contains lotions, creams, colognes, candy, coffee, tea, and many other miniature goodies. Along the same lines, business gift baskets can be given to a fellow co-worker who is celebrating a special occasion or is in need of a pick-me-up. Coffee gift baskets are often exchanged between co-workers and are supplied with some of the best coffee in the world. Known as Koa Coffee, it is homegrown in some of most lush regions of beautiful Hawaii. Whether receiving fruit, gift, or coffee baskets, that coworker or loved one will surely get a lot of use out of their many novelties. 

Another unique gift idea is gift cards! Gift cards can be used at a variety of discount stores and fine dining restaurants. The wonderful quality of gift cards is that they give gift recipients the freedom to buy what they want at their own convenient time. Givers can specify the amount to be spent directly on the card. Gift cards are ideal gifts for couples celebrating an important anniversary or newlyweds who simply need a romantic night out. 

Mugs are another unique gift idea that are practical yet decorative. Gift recipients will enjoy a personalized mug with a unique slogan or message with a spin on life. In addition, your loved ones will have something to drink their freshly brewed coffee out of in the morning before starting their day. A variety of creative mugs are available online, including face mugs that have a special compartment in the bottom for storing refreshments. These mugs are very affordable and most are available at under $25. 

Handmade crafts add sentimentality to any special occasion, from birthdays to Christmas. Birth stone flower necklaces let your loved ones know that you have a special place in your heart for them. Fathers can give their wife and daughter matching mother and daughter necklaces with an inscribed message as a token of his love or appreciation. In addition to necklaces, your significant other will look so much more elegant wearing bracelets and rings that are made with a personal touch straight from a craftsman's hands. 

Lastly, stocking stuffers are small little affordable accessories that are charming and quaint. Inscribed key chains which communicate a special message are affordable novelties that can be placed in Christmas stockings at the last minute. These can be bought at novelty and gift shops at a very affordable price. 

Some of the best gift ideas are not necessarily found in expensive shops or boutiques. These suggestions show that you don't have to dig deep into your wallet to find that perfect gift; you only need to search your heart.

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