Play the name game

As M&S launches personalised presents, join 2021’s trend for bespoke

Faced with a ‘what do I get them?’ dilemma, who hasn’t wound up panic-buying something that’s destined to be re-gifted?

The solution is a personalised present, which makes every gift thoughtful, meaningful — and impossible to pass on!

They are big business this year, with 43 per cent of online shoppers searching for personalised gifts.

So it’s perhaps no surprise that this week M&S is launching a special online service for christmas, with a range of 55 fashion and home products — including organic cotton bath robes (£55), velvet stockings (£15), and, er, Percy Pig cushions (£22.50) — that can be tailored with a name or message.

Ready to step off the re-gifting whirligig? Here’s our pick of the best bespoke gifts ...

ENGRAVED PENDANTS

WITH Monica Vinader’s complimentary engraving service, you can have your own handwriting and even drawings engraved on a range of pendants, bracelets and signet rings. (We love the delicate gold vermeil deia pendant and beaded choker set, £100.)

at checkout, just click ‘add free engraving’ and then you can write or draw something. Or you can choose text in a variety of fonts or choose from a range of motifs (hearts, emojis) to create something individual. n Last day for Christmas orders: December 21, monicavinader.com

COLOURFUL CORNISHWARE

YOU can’t go wrong with a classic piece of cornishware with its signature stripes. Pick from four sizes of mugs (from £9) which go all the way up to a hefty 15oz vessel for caffeine addicts. You can also personalise teapots, jugs and a dog bowl.

Select one of 12 colours for your stripe — from vibrant primaries to soft summer rose — then add a name or phrase (up to 12 characters) for an extra £6. comes in a gift box. n Last day for Christmas orders: December 11, cornishware.co.uk

COOL CROSSBODY LEATHER BAG

Made of soft, pebble grain leather with a detachable strap and coordinating tassel, Mila & eve’s Sophia Tassel Bag, £45, is the perfect size for essentials.

It comes in more than ten colours — safe navy and black but also metallics, brights and jewel tones. For an extra £10 you can add up to three small embossed initials in gold foil.

For £20, you can add on an additional patterned bag strap — think stripes, chevrons and leopard spots — so your lucky giftee can switch up the style. n Last day for Christmas orders: December 18, milaandeve.com

LUXE LEATHER AIRPOD CASE

THIS smart tech accessory, made from leather, houses a pair of apple airPods snugly and securely — ideal for anyone who is constantly misplacing them.

Starting from £25, the cases come in a range of colours and three sizes to fit the different ‘generations’ of airPods. You can add up to three initials: choose from a classic typeface in chic gold foiling (£8 extra) or more contemporary fonts painted in bright colours (£15). It comes in a gift box, too. n Last day for Christmas orders: December 20, notanotherbill.com

SUPER SMART NOTEBOOKS

WHILE a notebook might sound boring, just wait until you see the huge range of chic designs that online stationery boutique Papier has on offer. From botanic illustrations to pop-art prints, shimmering gold stars and marbled swirls, these are far more stylish than a regular old notebook — they’re mini works of art. Starting at £21.99, the covers can be personalised with monograms, names or words of inspiration, for no extra charge.

Fiddle with the font, size and spacing of the text to your heart’s content with the online editing tool. n Last day for Christmas orders: Dec 20, papier.com

COSY PYJAMA SET IN FESTIVE RED

Made from sumptuously soft brushed cotton, Marks & Spencer’s festive red check pyjama sets, £29.50, can be embroidered with a name of up to 13 characters in glistening gold thread, as part of their new personalised gifting service for christmas.

The classic button-down set, with long-sleeved shirt and drawstring trousers come in men’s, women’s and children’s sizes, so you could even sort out a matching set for a family.

Launching this week, expect additional personalisation options from baubles to babygrows. n Last day for Christmas orders: December 10, marksandspencer.com

LIBERTY PRINT PICTURE

FOR something pretty special, the cheltenham-based designer catherine colebrook takes pieces of gorgeous Liberty print fabric and personalises them with a word or name of your choice (between three and nine letters).

The contemporary lettering is available in pale pink, neon pink, or — for a touch of extra fabulousness, blue or red glitter.

The framed prints cost £58 (for three to five letters) or £70 (for six to nine letters).

catherine also makes eye masks and hot-water bottles from the same striking Liberty fabrics. These can be personalised with a single letter. n Last day for Christmas print orders: December 12, catherinecolebrook.com