Gift giving has become a respected tradition over the years. We all love to be on the receiving end of a great gift? But the problem with this wonderful tradition is always this: “What is the right gift?” or “I want to give something unique.” Personalized gifts have more and more become the most distinctive and thoughtful gifts to give. It’s easy to go the mall and pick something at random of the shelf, but that someone can tell the difference between that and a gift that shows you have gone out of your way to get just the right thing. Whether your shopping for a gift for the love of your life, a special friend or a business aquaintance, a personalized gift will always have more meaning as it shows you took the time to fine something specifically for them. There are so many different ways you can personalize a gift.

Let’s face it. The gift women most like to receive from their “special someone” is jewelry. Most women get weak in the knees when they received jewelry that their honey picked out especially for them. And for men, this can often be the first thing they think of. But they don’t always think of just the right piece of jewelry that will tell her he was thinking of HER. Personalized rings, perhaps with stones or a design they have always dreamed of are gifts that would please any woman. Engraved rings, with a personal message inside the band can be an even more perfect gift.

There are many fun things you can do with photos. Try using photos from a vacation, a party, or other occasions and design a calendar, with a different picture of friends and family for each month. Add captions to make it even more fun. Copy favorite pictures onto a CD or put together a DVD with pictures from a vacation taken together, with his or her favorite music included. Have a favorite photo of the two of you enlarged and framed. Taking the time create a scrapbook that documents your time together is not only a popular gift today, it’s an incredibly meaningful and thoughtful one. Make a scrapbook of special occasions shared by you and your and friends.

A gift basket full of all of your friend’s favorites – music, delectables, wines, bath products, – will show them that you know them.

Treat someone special with a monogrammed scarf or a throw or embroidered pillow with a personalized message embroidered on it.

Business gift giving can be an effective way of rewarding performance or wooing clients. Gift baskets are especially appropriate here.

With any gift, given for any reason, to family, friends, or business associates, a personalized note should be included. When you tell someone how much you appreciate them, it can create a lasting impression.

When you see the reaction from giving a gift that’s truly personal you’ll find that it’s almost as much fun as receiving a gift yourself.