personalised gifts - what do you think?

rosiek63

What do you think to personalised gifts - are they ok or naff? I've given photo calendars in the past which my mother in law loved, but was wondering what other people thought of photo mouse mats, mugs etc. Would you want one with a photo of your kid/grandchild or pet on?

I've ordered from Vistaprint in the past but I found that they draw you in with really cheap offers (like 99p for a photo calendar) and then sting you on the delivery charge. Not very ethical in my view. Which company do Moneysavers suggest for this sort of gift?

Kitten_Pie

I love these ideas and have done them previously. I also use vistaprint but remember you can get cashback with them too and if you order well enough in advance the postage isn't too bad.

carlamarie_2

I have given these kind or gifts to grandparents which have gone down well. But for me, I'd prefer a normal framed or canvas pic to a mouse mat/cup/jigsaw etc
But that could be down to my age (late twenties) maybe when I'm older I'll enjoy the novelty.
My kids have received cups with their pictures and names on which they loved!

So I'd say stick to older and the very young in my personal experience

I have used snapfish for the things I have bought before and had no problems with the quality at all

Twisted_Cherry

Someone gave me a calendar last year with their dog on it, all 12 pages... it was rather sad really! The picture quality was poor, taken with some low megapixel camera, so the pictures were not exactly looking professional! If your going to give personalised gifts make sure the photos are of a good quality and not pixelated!

jackomdj

It depends what it is and who it's for. We made a photo collage jigsaw for my dad, he adored it. We have given mil photo's which just get stuck in a pile with other carp! I have seen good and bad personalised stuff at work, some of it is awful, but the recipient has kindly used it (even though the person who gave it to them would not know if it was hidden in a drawer!)

kerri_gt

It depends what it is, for instance if someone presented me with a mug or mouse mat (anyone actually still use these?) of their cat / dog, I'd accept gracefully but wouldn't be my ideal gift. Similarly, unless it was a really special photo of even my own pet, no ta.

However, if its something personal to me - such as a holiday photo with friends (my bf did this when we had our first group holiday), or perhaps a photo book of a special holiday / event, I'd be chuffed. We did my bf a photo book of loads of photos of our friendship group when she moved to Oz - I cried uploading all the memories and she cried when she opened it...which set us all off. So I guess it was a success.

macma

I've given mugs and calendars, pics of grandchildren to their parents and other grandparents.My hubby loves his granddad mug with their pics on.Recently an elederly neighbour was 80 I took pics of his garden and a suitable inscription and he absolutely loved it.

DigForVictory

+1 for mugs, photo books & collages for the senior family members.
Me, I make a calendar of holiday snaps to remind me why I'm at my desk.
Small cousin has his Favourite Mug - shows him and a newt, both apparently beaming.
Completely agree the photos have to be good enough to start with...

himalipatel

i love the concept of personalized gifts. i give this kinds of gifts to my husband on the different occasions like birthday, anniversary. it is a very good ideas.

davenport151

Look out for offers with Truprint. They often have offers on their website for items such as this. If you join & sign up for their newsletter you also get extra deals.
Quality is always good, it warns you if you are using a photo that might not be of best resolution. I have used them for calendars as we have a freind that loves these (I always do pics from trips, meet ups that we have had through out the year). I also have enlarged photos done that I can get framed - good for a special picture.

twisted cherry -weird one that!

scooby359

Sister did calendars for the whole family with pics of her first baby in "seasonal" pictures for each month.. dressed as Santa for December, in a pumpkin costume for October.. with mummy for her birthday month and daddy for his.. a messy cooking scene for pancake day.. etc

Was really sweet to have pics of him up all year that kept changing.. something I'll keep too! Something to bring out when he turns 18 haha