Personalised Birthday Gifts

Birthday gift ideas by milestone

Big birthdays deserve a gift that marks the number. Here is what tends to suit each one.

• 18th: a photo keyring for a new driver ("Drive safe x" fits easily), or a photo phone case with their friends on it.
• 21st: an engraved pint glass with their name, "21" and the date, or a 40oz tumbler in their favourite pattern.
• 30th: photo engraved wooden coasters for a first flat or a new place together.
• 40th: engraved beer mats to name the home bar, or matching photo t-shirts for the party.
• 50th: a crystal photo block with a favourite family picture.
• 60th: a set of four photo coasters, one for each of four decades.
• 70th: a photo slate on its stand, with a caption such as "70 years young".

Gifts that get used every day

Not every birthday is a milestone, and a practical present that carries their name often gets more use than anything else. A photo mug comes in eight handle colours, and the named water bottle suits gym-goers and anyone who loses theirs at work.

Joint and surprise parties

Organising a group gift? Matching t-shirts with a photo of the birthday person are a guaranteed laugh at a party, and each size goes into the basket separately.

Getting the wording right

Shorter text always comes out larger and clearer. The pint glass main line takes up to 16 characters, so save the age or date for the second and third lines. Check spellings twice, especially for names with several common versions, because we make exactly what you type.

Birthday timing

Allow 1–3 working days for making plus 2–3 working days for Royal Mail. If the birthday is close, choose one item rather than a bundle so there is less to approve. You can send a gift straight to the birthday person by entering their address at checkout. For more ideas by person, see our gifts for him, gifts for her and gifts for kids.