Promise These Sentimental Gifts Will Make Everyone Say "Aww"
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The great thing about a gift is that it can elicit all types of emotions, from laughter to tears. But there’s something special about a sentimental present. Sentimental gifts make for those moments you’ll remember for the rest of your life, and because of the thought needed to shop for one, they show the person on the receiving end that you truly care for them.
Whether your love language is "gift giving" or not, there's also something special about the intention behind a gift. Be it your boyfriend, girlfriend, mom, dad, or best friend, a sentimental gift that comes from the heart can be one that the special people in your life keep for a lifetime. Sounds cheesy, but while the holidays are here for now, a good gift will go the distance.
The awesome thing about them is that they also come in many forms. From a wooden music box, a relationship-building card game, to an adorable anniversary photo album, you can make these finds even more thoughtful by attaching a sweet note to them. Need a little inspo? See below for the 53 best sentimental gifts you can shop right now. Every one is in stock and ready to to ship for the perfect last-minute holiday gift.
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Custom Pet Pillow
Pet owners can't get enough of their furry kids, it's that simple. So why not create a pillow replica of their cat or dog? It's logic we can't argue with, as it blends cuteness with coziness, plus a little living room humor.
Personalized Custom Wallets
There was a time when people packed family photos in their wallets. Now, the wallet can be the sentimental photographic memory. This clever sentimental gift offers a custom imprint of your loved ones right on the leather.
I Wrote a Book About You
This lighthearted gift gets the wheels spinning, with prompts about the relationship at hand and plenty of space to fill in your warmest input. It's a great gift for somebody close, reminding them why they're so important. Call it sappy, we think it's proper gratitude.
Custom Puzzles Personalized Puzzle
Custom puzzles win on multiple levels, offering the sentimentality of special images with the joy of assembling something. The recipient will be able to slowly recreate that memory, traveling back in time to that special moment.
Pura 4
Can a sentimental gift smell good? We think so. Scent is, after all, closely associated with memory. Gift an evocative aroma with this modern air freshener.
CozyChic? Classic Mickey & Minnie Logo Throw Blanket
A big part of being sentimental is a sense of nostalgia. This gift banks on that, a collaboration between Disney and Barefoot Dreams. The Mickey and Minnie silhouettes remind of sweet childhood and the blanket itself will warm to the core as you reflect (or just watch your favorite Disney movie).
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
There's great sentiment in wine. After all, each bottle tells a story (some more compelling than others). This option, from one of the most prolific sub-appellations within the Napa Valley, is a real gem. Even if there's no special occasion, just the act of opening and enjoying this wine is a special occasion in itself.
Photo to Custom DIY Paint by Numbers
There's no shortage of custom photo options out there but some are a little more creative. We're drawn to this one, a custom paint by numbers piece made from a family photo. They'll love playing artist and bringing the image to life.
Succulent Letter DIY Kit
Little touches can personalize a gift. This succulent set comes with a wooden planter made in the shape of one of their initials. It's a little accent that transforms something generic to something special.
Self-Designed Christmas Sweater
Get to it, the holidays are fast approaching. And the season would not be complete without ugly sweaters. Go the DIY route with these personally-designed sweaters, made the right amount of ugly, depending on the recipient.
Cameo Video
In 2023, you can have it all. This gift is unique to no end, a custom call from a celebrity they adore. Pick a pop figure, be it a favorite actor, musician or personality, and sign them up to send a special video message to the giftee. Seems like it would cost way more, right?
Holiday Movie Night Gift Basket
Here's a great gift for the good friend you've watched countless movies with. The holiday basket is teeming with tasty treats, to be enjoyed in the company of your bestie while watching one of your joint favorite films.
Love Block Collage Woven Photo Blanket
A quilt and a photo spread all at once? Absolutely. That's pretty much the recipe for sentimental gift, combining love, memories and genuine warmth. There's room for a dozen images and one can customize the blanket color.
The History of the U.S. Open (2023 Edition)
Do you have a golf lover in your life? This gift is perfect, equal parts eye-catching and historical. The print captures the history of America's most famous gold tournament, with hand-drawn logos of the various host sites over the years and the champions over the U.S. Open's 123-year history. That's pretty cool.
Personalized Family Recipe Board
Mom's recipes are the best and they're even better when they're immortalized via a wooden board. It's a great way to both honor her unmatched cooking and produce a handy reference you can use anytime you try to recreate that casserole or souffle.
Thick and Thin Friendship Necklace
Bond with your closest allies with this sentimental friendship necklace. It comes with a symbolic charm and a tender note, the perfect gift for a close friend, mom or sis.
Coffee Subscription
Atlas Coffee's beans are so good they'll bring the coffee-lover to tears. The subscription service sources from single origin sites all over the planet, setting the member up with incredible flavors and a true and vast taste of the coffee map.
Custom Photo Calendar
It's hard not to include a custom photo calendar as it's basically the OG of sentimental gifts. We like the modern look of this option from Artifact Uprising, essentially an elevated clipboard with high-quality parchment months.
Personalized Hand-Written Letter Blanket
We can't get enough of these custom blankets. This one incorporates a hand-written letter, giving it a level of sentimentality that's through the roof. We love modern tech but there's something lovable about a tangible note of affection, especially a big old fuzzy one.
Sometimes You Forget You're Awesome Cup
Can you be self-sentimental? Of course you can. This mug reminds the giftee of their greatness, something easy to forget as we look out for others or just plain get lost in the hustle and bustle. It's a coffee cup with a little dose of self-care included.
Holiday Sparkly Clean Beauty Kit
This beauty kit will remind of all those special holidays and nights when you set on for a memorable evening. Best, it will allow her to recreate those moments with a cast of best-selling products just waiting to be applied.
You are My Sunshine Wood Music Box
A music box alone has some nostalgic sentimental vibes, but this one that says "you are my sunshine" on the inside feels even more special. For under $15, it's a surefire win.
Anniversary Photo Album Scrapbook
Fill this in yourself before gifting it, or fill it in with your BFF/S.O for a fun activity you can do together. You'll have tons of fun reminiscing on fun times together, and continuing to fill it out with more adventures to come.
Couple Reconnect Game
Designed by a psychologist with questions that'll facilitate deep conversation, this makes a great gift to buy for you and your partner to do together. Hey, why not order your favorite takeout and make a night out of it?
Family Date Calendar
Functional and sweet, this has to be the cutest way someone found to remember important dates in the family, from couples' anniversaries to birthdays and more.
Love Letter Capsules in a Glass Bottle
You'll have tons of fun putting your love in to words, and the person on the other end will have even more fun opening one of these up when they need a little pick-me-up. Don't be surprised if they open them all in one day, though.
Explosion Gift Box Set
Rarely have the words "sentimental" and "explosion" been used in the same sentence, but here we are! They'll open up this box to find roses surrounded by pictures you fill it up with, making for a truly unique gift that's filled with lots of memories.
Custom Viewfinder Reel
My fellow '90s babies will understand how cool this viewfinder is. Customize it with pictures of that fun vaca you both took together, and then enjoy reminiscing together.
Family Card Game
A lot of these card games cater to couples, but when you want to make family game night go a bit deeper, pull out this Our Moments deck of cards. It's specifically designed to help facilitate deeper conversations for families—a great activity to do when everyone's in town!
Smallest Love Letter Charm
Write someone a short (but sweet!) love note on this custom charm. They can add it to a necklace they already own, or you can choose to buy and gift them a chain, too.
Marylebone Chain Bracelet
Maybe you're too far away to go on a welded bracelet date with your giftee. The next best thing—buying two matching bracelets that are designed to never be taken off.
Read more: Best Friend Gifts
The Soiree
When you're looking for a failsafe option, a bouquet of flowers has never failed to elicit a few "aww's." Send some in the receiver's favorite colors or flower types.
London Ammy Magnolia 3H Watch
Watches are a staple piece in everyone's jewelry treasure chest. Grab one and you can instantly remember when and where you got it or who gave it to you. Create that memory for a special person in your life with this gift.
Velma Pavé Heart Huggie Earrings
Show someone just how much you heart them with these beautiful stud earrings. They're made with pavé crystals that add sparkle to any look.
Grandma's Kitchen Candle
Scents can instantly transport you to old places and memories. Send someone back to their grandma's kitchen with this unique candle from Homesick.
Read more: Couples Gifts
Collage Metal Photo Panel
Give your parents or grandparents a collage of precious family memories they can proudly keep on display in the living room. The photos you choose may or may not elicit a few tears.
Read more: Grandparent Gifts
Custom Spotify Plaque
Pair a cute photo of you and the receiver with a song that reminds you of your relationship, and you get this gift—a total winner. The QR code will actually take them to Spotify to listen to the song.
Always Pan? 2.0
You may be trying to figure out what makes a pan sentimental. If so, think a little outside the box. This pan can be the start of many at-home cooking dates making your favorite meals together.
Personalized Family Wall Art
Sure you could get the fam another framed photo, but you can do them one better. This cute illustration can even feature the family pet, so what's not to love?
AirBnb Gift Card
To make this gift sentimental, you aren't just going to send them the gift card. You're going to give them a sweet note telling them that you want them to use this gift on a well-deserved staycation. Thank me later.
Custom Sports History Book
Cater to a sports' fan's heart by gifting them a book that details the history of their favorite team from the New York Yankees to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Custom Neon Signs
If you want to hear the little one in your life squeal, get them an uber cool personalized neon sign to hang on display in their room. It really is the little things.
About Us Fill in the Love Book
With 30 fill-in blanks about whoever you give this to, you can make this gift as sappy or funny as you like. Trust, your partner or friend will have a ball reading through it.
Hand Embroidered Corner Bookmark
Someone who loves books can never have enough bookmarks. This one is hand designed and can be embroidered with the initial of the person you're gifting it to.
Special Perfume
Whether your fam or friend enjoys warm cozy scents or refreshing florals, on this site you can take a quiz to find the perfect personalized perfume for them. That's so much better than just picking one up at the department store.
Family Recipe Book
If you can't get enough of dad's or grandma's cooking, this book is the perfect way for the fam to preserve those recipes forever. Get it started with a recipe of your own.
Zodiac Layer Necklaces
Show your friend just how much you appreciate their astrological intellect with a personalized zodiac necklace. Plus, you can choose between a gold, rose gold, and silver finish.
Cabernet Sauvignon
There's something romantic about a bottle of wine. Attach a sweet note to it or bring it to date night as a sentimental thought your partner will love.
Ultimate Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Chocolate-covered strawberries make a sweet 'just because' gift. Just make sure you don't forget to include a sentimental note to go with them.
Custom Leather Jewelry Box
This custom jewelry box can be personalized with the name and birth month flower of the special person who's receiving it. They'll love it for travel and storing special trinkets, like the one you gift with it.
Affirmation Cards
What's sweeter than a daily boost of inspiration and good vibes? Gifting these affirmation cards is like gifting a box of positive energy. Good vibes only.
Bountiful Harvest - Fruit Gift Basket
This bountiful gift basket is teeming with goodness. It includes a medley of snacks, from fresh fruit and cheese to cookies and jam. Great for folks short on time or hustling students in need of some fuel, it's a nicely curated option full of seasonal goodies.
The Everywhere Bag
To make this travel bag from Away even more sentimental, pack an itinerary into it for a sweet surprise for someone special. What's a better gift than a fun and relaxing vacay?
Woodfire 8-in-1 Outdoor Oven
Just think about all the fun memories your family will make building pizzas together on your next movie night. The Woodfire oven can add a woody taste to almost anything using temps from 105-700°F.
Personalized Grandma Mug
You can personalize this mug with the names and birth month flowers of all of grandma's kids for a sentimental gift that's sure to take the cake this year, promise.
Friendship Lamp
You may not be able to see your bestie or family everyday, but you can still feel connected to them every time it lights up or you tap it. You can customize it using any of the 250 color options.
Waffle Bath Robe
Give this to someone who doesn't splurge on themselves enough and it's a guaranteed pleaser. The waffle robe is made from cozy and soft ribbed terry.
Lovebox Color & Photo
This gift goes a step beyond a friendship lamp. You can use it to send messages, photos, and even drawings to someone else who you also give a Lovebox to. It's a thoughtful high-tech way to stay connected.
Pacific Northwest Assortment
A good batch of tea soothes the soul and warms the heart. This thoughtful sampler from esteemed tea creator Steven Smith will please to no end, made up of blends inspired by the Pacific Northwest.
Famille Rose Tea Set
The person in your life who swoons over pretty dishes and fine china will go gaga for this beautiful tea set. They'll be sure to bring it out the next time you're over for a tea sesh.
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