Custom Gifts
By Parenting
All these presents can be custom-made for your favorite people -- or give them a gift card and let them do it themselves!
[PURPLE_TEXT_BOLD {Good scents}]
Giving someone perfume is a tricky business. The Sephora Scent Sampler is the solution: She gets to try out ten great new scents, then turn in the certificate for a full-size bottle of her favorite. ($45; Sephora stores and [OPENWINDOW "http://sephora.com" "sephora.com"].)
[TOUT_ARROW_LINK {1677404_2} {Next: The Write Stuff}]
Turn a creative kid into a true-blue author with a write-your-own storybook. He comes up with a story based on the pictures in one of four wordless, illustrated books, and then the publisher makes it into a hardback book. And, so cute: On the back, they'll print the child's "about the author" bio and photo. ($13 for blank workbook, $30 for printing; [OPENWINDOW "http://thinkitinkitpublishing.com" "thinkitinkitpublishing.com"].)
[TOUT_ARROW_LINK "1677404_3" "Next: Library Labels"]
The most stylish way to say "Mine!": For these bookplates, you get to choose from more than 200 whimsical, vintage designs and 12 sweet fonts. There's such a great selection of images, these are a good choice for grown-ups, too. ($24.50 for 36; [OPENWINDOW "http://sillygoosecreations" "sillygoosecreations.com"].)
[TOUT_ARROW_LINK "1677404_4" "Next: A Cut Above"]
Send artist Karl Johnson a photo (of a child, a bride -- hey, even the dog), and he'll cut out a perfect silhouette. Original custom artwork? That's hard to beat. ($25 for 5 x 7 black-and-white, color and full-body options available, too; [OPENWINDOW "http://cutarts.com" "cutarts.com"].)
[TOUT_ARROW_LINK "1677404_5" "Next: Shoe-In"]
There are other places to make custom sneakers, but we love Vans for its fun, retro slip-ons. Kids and adults can choose from hip fabrics (pink skulls) and trendy colors (bright yellow) to design a groovy pair. ($50 for kids and adults; [OPENWINDOW "http://vans.com" "vans.com"].)
[TOUT_ARROW_LINK "1677404_6" "Next: Table Toppers"]
Durable and pretty, these waterproof reversible place mats come in dozens of monogrammable patterns, so each family member can have her own. For discerning diners, they're also available in kid-friendly motifs like mermaids and turtles. ($18 per mat; [OPENWINDOW "http://whitneyenglish.com" "whitneyenglish.com"].)
[TOUT_ARROW_LINK "1677404_7" "Next: Rubber Soul"]
Save the music with a silicone iPod case. There are thousands of combo possibilities, thanks to the many colors and designs you can choose for the cover, protective band, and wheel decal. The best part: The finish repels lint and dust. ($20 to $30, available for all iPod models; [OPENWINDOW "http://ifrogz.com" "ifrogz.com"].)
[TOUT_ARROW_LINK "1677404_8" "Next: Photo Finish"]
What's more special than a homemade card? Create greeting cards from personal photos or from the website's own collection. Print unlimited cards on your own, or the website will print 20 for $30. ($4 for a one-day membership, $20 for a year, from POC Technologies; [OPENWINDOW "http://mycardmaker.com" "mycardmaker.com"].)
[PURPLE_TEXT_BOLD {Good scents}]
Giving someone perfume is a tricky business. The Sephora Scent Sampler is the solution: She gets to try out ten great new scents, then turn in the certificate for a full-size bottle of her favorite. ($45; Sephora stores and [OPENWINDOW "http://sephora.com" "sephora.com"].)
[TOUT_ARROW_LINK {1677404_2} {Next: The Write Stuff}]
[PURPLE_TEXT_BOLD {The Write Stuff}]
Turn a creative kid into a true-blue author with a write-your-own storybook. He comes up with a story based on the pictures in one of four wordless, illustrated books, and then the publisher makes it into a hardback book. And, so cute: On the back, they'll print the child's "about the author" bio and photo. ($13 for blank workbook, $30 for printing; [OPENWINDOW "http://thinkitinkitpublishing.com" "thinkitinkitpublishing.com"].)
[TOUT_ARROW_LINK "1677404_3" "Next: Library Labels"]
[PURPLE_TEXT_BOLD {Library Labels}]
The most stylish way to say "Mine!": For these bookplates, you get to choose from more than 200 whimsical, vintage designs and 12 sweet fonts. There's such a great selection of images, these are a good choice for grown-ups, too. ($24.50 for 36; [OPENWINDOW "http://sillygoosecreations" "sillygoosecreations.com"].)
[TOUT_ARROW_LINK "1677404_4" "Next: A Cut Above"]
[PURPLE_TEXT_BOLD {A Cut Above}]
Send artist Karl Johnson a photo (of a child, a bride -- hey, even the dog), and he'll cut out a perfect silhouette. Original custom artwork? That's hard to beat. ($25 for 5 x 7 black-and-white, color and full-body options available, too; [OPENWINDOW "http://cutarts.com" "cutarts.com"].)
[TOUT_ARROW_LINK "1677404_5" "Next: Shoe-In"]
[PURPLE_TEXT_BOLD {Shoe-In}]
There are other places to make custom sneakers, but we love Vans for its fun, retro slip-ons. Kids and adults can choose from hip fabrics (pink skulls) and trendy colors (bright yellow) to design a groovy pair. ($50 for kids and adults; [OPENWINDOW "http://vans.com" "vans.com"].)
[TOUT_ARROW_LINK "1677404_6" "Next: Table Toppers"]
[PURPLE_TEXT_BOLD {Table Toppers}]
Durable and pretty, these waterproof reversible place mats come in dozens of monogrammable patterns, so each family member can have her own. For discerning diners, they're also available in kid-friendly motifs like mermaids and turtles. ($18 per mat; [OPENWINDOW "http://whitneyenglish.com" "whitneyenglish.com"].)
[TOUT_ARROW_LINK "1677404_7" "Next: Rubber Soul"]
[PURPLE_TEXT_BOLD {Rubber Soul}]
Save the music with a silicone iPod case. There are thousands of combo possibilities, thanks to the many colors and designs you can choose for the cover, protective band, and wheel decal. The best part: The finish repels lint and dust. ($20 to $30, available for all iPod models; [OPENWINDOW "http://ifrogz.com" "ifrogz.com"].)
[TOUT_ARROW_LINK "1677404_8" "Next: Photo Finish"]
[PURPLE_TEXT_BOLD {Photo Finish}]
What's more special than a homemade card? Create greeting cards from personal photos or from the website's own collection. Print unlimited cards on your own, or the website will print 20 for $30. ($4 for a one-day membership, $20 for a year, from POC Technologies; [OPENWINDOW "http://mycardmaker.com" "mycardmaker.com"].)
