If you’re looking for some cool, truly unique personalized gifts for kids this year, we totally understand. Personalized gifts for kids are easy way to make a holiday gift extra special — and it doesn’t have to cost a lot either. That extra touch of personalization really makes these gifts stand out.

New for 2023

That said, if you do want to buy a personalized gift for kids in time for the holidays or a special occasion, jump on it ASAP! Because while the hot toys of the year may fly off shelves each holiday season as December approaches, these are the gifts that take a little longer to make in the first place–and can be a whole lot more meaningful.

Rest assured, there is often wiggle room with personalized gifts; if you think you may be cutting it close, contact the seller (especially an Etsy maker, and we have a lot of them here) and you can always try expediting your shipping. You’ll pay more, but it may be worth it compared with the stress of checking your delivery status every day.

Don’t ask me how I know this.

20 of our favorite personalized gifts for kids

This post contains affiliate links and some purchases may generate a small commission that helps support our team at no additional cost to you. All items have been selected editorially by our team — there has been no compensation in exchange for inclusion in our guide.

Personalized hot cocoa mug for kids

It’s finally hot cocoa season! For stellar (and affordable) personalized gifts for kids, we’ve found these personalized hot cocoa mugs — put their name on it and and maybe they won’t hide it under their bed once they’ve finished drinking. (This isn’t just my kid, right?)

Mugs come in many different designs and sizes, including one with a lid for you-know-who. (We call her “Jillian.”)

Make this even more of a treat by including some of my favorite Trader Joe’s organic hot chocolate packs and peppermint marshmallows for a ready-to-drink gift. (from $18, Petaled)

Fun personalized book with up to three names (a reader favorite!)

If you have kids between the ages of 4-10 who really, really get into a great story, you’ll know why this personalized gift idea from CMP favorite Wonderbly is one of our readers’ most shopped items for the holidays. We fell In love them years ago when they launched their original Lost My Name personalized gift books and one of their newer titles, Where Are You? ups the ante in a Where’s Waldo-esque story with such detailed personalization in Marija Tiurina’s illustrations that your child really feels like they’re in the story. Even better: you can now include up to three names inside! Maybe it’s your three kids, or your child and their grandparents. Or maybe it’s three besties who are inseparable. ($34.99)

A colorful personalized name sign for their bedroom wall

A personalized name sign that looks as much at home in a baby’s nursery as well as a high-schooler’s bedroom? This simple and striking personalized acrylic name art is bold, bright, and simple enough to make that transition. Maybe they’ll even take it to college. Sniff. ($99, Pottery Barn Kids)

Personalized retro gamer glasses

No, not VR glasses –these are actual glasses. Which isn’t to say you can’t use your Oculus 2 VR headset while drinking a milkshake out of these wonderful personalized retro gamer glasses — but don’t spill the milkshake. And definitely not on your gaming equipment. ($32/ea, Uncommon Goods, with discounts for 2 or more)

Personalized name block necklace from a favorite independent artist

Favorite California jewelry artist Peggy Li makes this personalized Alphabet Name Necklace and it’s such a nice combo of sweetness and sophistication. Not too expensive, but definitely not junky costume jewelry, I love how the small pastel alphabet blocks look on the sterling silver or gold-filled chain. Buy a single strand or double as shown above. ($49+, or a little less with an ultrasuede cord)

Personalized hair clips in every color

Adorable and affordable, these nicely made personalized acrylic hair clips from Piggies & Posies make a perfect stocking stuffer for kids. Grab a few colors—there are 20 colors and two font styles—so they can match their clip to every outfit. ($10.99 each)

Personalized cookies

We know kids love treats of all kinds around the holidays, and getting these gorgeous personalized rainbow cookies with their own name meals siblings keep their hands off! If they’re sold out, or something more holiday specific, they’ve got their popular personalized gingerbread house with a Christmas theme, or a personalized Hanukkah gingerbread house that make fun gifts when you’re shopping for a few kids in one family. ($34.95-69.95, Williams-Sonoma)

Personalized worry stones to help ease anxiety

A lot of kids have struggled with anxiety over the past years, so we love the idea of these personalized handwritten message Worry Stones from Heidi J. Hale. It preserves your words forever. Crafted of fine pewter, I can think of so many people who would love this gift, especially when they are facing a challenge or having a bad day. Perfect size for stashing in a pocket, under the pillow, or tucked into a backpack. (on sale for $25 or add $20 for two-sided engraving)

Cool personalized photo puzzles for kids

Curious toddlers will love the surprises they’ll find behind the puzzle pieces in this Personalized Montessori Peekaboo Photo Puzzle from Familiar Faces Toys on Etsy. Look how cute that baby is, they’ll think, all while they learn to use their tiny fingers to lift up the pieces and fit the different shapes into their correct slots. Since toddlers love looking at themselves, an entire array of cute expressions is perfect, though it’s easy to switch out photos for pics of the grandparents, pets, or favorite babysitter. Suddenly the puzzle becomes new again! ($49 on Etsy, or if the shop is on break, they’re on sale for $37 on Amazon!)

Alternately, kids who are getting old enough to tackle real puzzle pieces will love these personalized photo puzzles from Minted — a great source for photo gifts we’ve shared for many years. I adore this colorful firetruck design from Alethea and Ruth which includes your child’s face and name across the front of the fire truck, though there are lots of designs available. Plus puzzles can be cut to have 12, 60 (shown above), or 252 pieces. ($42)

Personalized Star Wars aprons for your entire fleet

If your kitchen has the energy of the Mos Eisley Cantina, you’ll love these personalized Star Wars aprons from Williams- Sonoma. With pockets in which to sneak broken Wookiee Cookies, they featured several of the most-loved characters in both adult and kids sizes — though the little BB-8 is just for kids. Which makes sense when you consider the droid’s size. Get several, andhoose who in your family will be on the Rebel Alliance vs. the Galactic Empire –but no food fights, please. ($9.99-$39.95 personalization extra)

…and maybe some personalized, kid-sized wooden baking tools

If you’re looking for a personalized gift for kids who are always trying to help in the kitchen, they may love their own kid-sized utensils, like this personalized 3-piece baking set. Each beechwood piece has room for a name on it, along with a special image on the wooden spoon — like a rainbow as shown above, browse all the styles including a construction truck, unicorn, or owl. ($11.65+ for individual items from A Few Spare Moments on Etsy)

Rainbow-swirl personalized name crayons

A true classic gift, Art2theExtreme makes affordable and rainbow-hued personalized name crayons that we’ve recommended in gift guides for years. They come beautifully packaged, whether you’re sliding this into a stocking or putting under the tree. While you’re at it, you may still be able to grab one of their amazing Advent Calendars before December 1st. ($15.96+)

A personalized basketball that’s court-ready

We’ve seen some personalized basketballs that come with instructions that say: Not for play. Say what? This personalized Wilson basketball from Sports Customs on Etsy is not only cool looking, it’s made to hit the court. I love this gorgeous pink color which really pops, though your b-baller may prefer the striking black-and-gold personalized basketball instead. Either way, you can be sure they’ll come home with their ball. ($64.99)

A personalized AirPod case for the kid who’s not getting a second pair so fast if they lose them

If you have more than one AirPod loving person in the house, you’ll know why these personalized silicone AirPod and AirPod Pro cases from eStore4Crafts are so needed. Choose from lots of colors with different lettering options, making it much easier for me — uh, you — to know which kids’ room you need to put it in when you inevitably find it in tucked into a couch cushion or on the floor of the car. ($6.50+ on sale, with a little more for personalization)

A personalized galaxy robe

Do we get to use an out of this world joke for this personalized fleece galaxy robe from Lands End? Ha, too late. There are some great solid colors too — and even a tie-dye. And the prices are…well, you know. (Regularly $44.95, but the sales prices are amazing right now)

The cutest personalized kids’ purses

Whether they prefer to carry their little trinkets in a beautiful swan purse or spiky dinosaur purse, the personalized crossbody animal purses from Aha Aha Moments are ridiculously adorable. Personalization is on the back side of these cuties so as not to mess up their fluffy “feathers.” And the price is fantastic for such huggable cuteness. ($25 or $30 with personalization; dog, cat, unicorn, and other cute styles available too)

Personalized 7-color gamernight light

Your kid’s gaming system may have to be shut down by 9, but their personalized game controller night light by SnobsGifts will keep them from getting lonely in the dark. Find other designs too including unicorns and rocket ships, which have made our list of favorite custom gifts in the past because they are awesome. Clearly gamer gifts don’t just have to be….more games. ($26.49+; fast shipping from UK but order with plenty of time for the holidays!)

Alternately, we love this soothing personalized unicorn nightlight, which is exquisitely crafted from beechwood and sure to send them to sleep with magical dreams. ($57, Uncommon Goods)

Personalized sleeping bag or nap mat

Even scary underwater predators need their rest at a sleepover, and hopefully the personalized sleeping bags and nap mats from Pottery Barn Kids with designs like shark sleeping bags, Disney Princess sleeping bags, and Star Wars sleeping bags will remind your child to get some zzzzz’s. Also check out the fun patterns of nap mats for younger kids who need a little encouragement to wind down during the busy Pre-K day. (Nap mats starting around $36 on sale; sleeping bags starting around $76)

Personalized wooden music box

We love these personalized handmade wooden music boxes from the woodworkers at Art Toy Shop. such a sweet, classic personalized keepsake gift done in a beautifully modern way; choose from themes like ballet dancers, carousel horses, teddy bears, or a magic castle. Also check out the wonderful and very affordable personalized animal music boxes ($16-34 with personalization, Art Toy Shop)