Gather ’round for a spectacular unveiling of the undeniable champions in the world of gifting: personalized gifts! Get ready to embark on an epic journey through 11 mind-blowing science-based reasons why these personalized gifts reign supreme and leave their generic counterparts trembling in their plain packaging.
We’ve all been there. The frantic search for the perfect gift, only to end up settling for something as exciting as watching paint dry. Yawn!
But fear not, because personalized gifts are about to turn your gifting game upside down. In this blog post, we’ll be shining a light on the science that proves personalized gifts are the ultimate game-changers. We have 11 reasons to share with you. From their unrivaled ability to make every recipient feel special to their astonishing power to connect!
Table of Contents
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#1 People actually want personalized gifts
Let’s start with the most obvious reason. People actually like
personalized gifts more than generic gifts. And no, that’s not just me talking, this is the numbers talking.
According to a study by VistaPrint, a whopping 64% of Americans actually wish they received more personalized gifts. And not only do people desire personalized gifts, but 62% of Americans also admit that they would rather receive a heartfelt personalized gift over a generic store-bought one. And honestly, can you blame them?
A gift that’s tailor-made for the recipient shows that you’ve put in the effort and thought to make them feel truly special (but we’ll talk about that later). And people appreciate the emotional value, the symbolic representation of the giver, and the creative process that led to that personalized gift. It’s about making a connection, touching hearts, and bringing smiles to faces.
(Source 1 & 2)
#2 They stand the test of time
We’ve all received gifts that made us go, “Well, that’s nice,” only to stash them away in the back of our closets, never to be seen again. But when it comes to personalized gifts, this is a different story.
According to that same study by VistaPrint, 55% of Americans said they keep personalized gifts much longer than those generic, store-bought ones.
Talk about staying power!
Now, prepare yourself for another astounding fact that might just blow your mind. According to that same study, 40% of the people would keep their personalized treasures FOREVER!
Yep, you heard it right! Personalization has the power to transform a mere gift into a cherished keepsake that stands the test of time.
Oh and if you love fun facts, you’re in for a treat because I have two more posts that you will love!
(Source 1)
#3 Add a fun touch to otherwise generic gifts
Now, let’s dive into the third reason why personalized gifts reign supreme: they add a unique touch to an otherwise generic gift. You know, it’s like adding a sprinkle of fairy dust to turn something ordinary into something extraordinary.
Because let’s be honest, we humans love feeling special. We want to stand out, be noticed, and have our individuality celebrated. And personalized gifts are the perfect solution to this desire.
When recipients unwrap a personalized gift, you’ve taken an everyday item and transformed it into a personal treasure. It’s no longer just a generic gift; it’s a reflection of their identity and a symbol of your thoughtfulness.
(Source 3)
#4 One size does fit all: suitable for anyone
Here is the fun part about personalized gifts.
Because they can be personalized for everyone, they will actually work for literally anyone! Quite a paradox right?
It’s a one-size fits all gift (alright, except for the fact that you will need to use the right name 😉)
No matter if it’s for a dear friend, an acquaintance, or someone you’ve never met, personalization is the key to pleasing everyone (and their grandma)! Because we humans are addicted to our own names.
I mean, there is a reason why companies love using your first name when they’re trying to sell you something.
It works.
It’s like magic for our egos, whether it’s a customized necklace with their name engraved, a personalized photo calendar, or even a monogrammed bathrobe. These gifts have the power to make anyone feel special (and remember point 3? Humans love that feeling too).
(Source 4)
#5 Work for all occasions
Not only are personalized gifts perfect for anyone, but they’re also perfect for any occasion.
Christmas? Check.
Thank-you gift? Check.
Host gift? Check.
Graduation? Check.
Valentine’s Day? Check.
Birthdays? Oh, you betcha!
The list goes on and on. You can whip out a personalized gift for any occasion, and it’ll be a guaranteed hit. And the best part? It’s not just acceptable—it’s highly valued (remember reason number 1?).
So, whether it’s a heartfelt message on a keychain or a customized photo album, personalized gifts have you covered for any occasion. Talk about being versatile!
#6 They make gift-giving easy
Personalized gifts are actually one of the easiest gifts to buy. In fact, they’re a secret weapon for those tricky-to-shop-for recipients.
You see, even if the actual product itself doesn’t hit the mark, the recipient will still value your gift.
Don’t believe me?
Believe the science!
According to a qualitative study, gift recipients value personalized gifts for both the utility they derive from the product and the ability of that gift to express the giver’s sentiments.
So, even if it doesn’t quite hit their specific taste, they’ll still cherish it because it carries your personal touch.
(Source 2)
#7 Create stronger personal relationships
Studies have shown that gifts can help build strong relationships. That is if you give good gifts. Bad gifts can actually hurt relationships.
But here’s the good news.
A personalized gift is a good gift for anyone on any occasion (as we have just discussed). So you will always give a great gift with a personalized present, meaning that you will always enhance your relationship with the recipient. Whether it’s your significant other, a friend, or a colleague, it will help you to build stronger, longer, and more meaningful relationships.
(Source 3 & 5)
#8 It’s truly unique: Spot it in a flash
Alright, now this reason may not be the most shocking of them all, but I still felt like I had to include it.
Personalized gifts are truly one-of-a-kind.
No one else will have the exact same item as they have, and that will make them feel special (which we all love remember). Plus, having something that others don’t comes with another benefit. For that, check out the next section.
(Source 3)
#9 Thiefproof
Besides easily spotting their unique personalized towel, mug, shirts, bags, and whatnot in a sea of stuff, personalized gifts come with another pre.
Who would dare (or want to) steal something with somebody else’s name on it?
That’s right! No one!
Personalization adds that extra layer of protection, ensuring their gift remains safe and sound, surrounded by a forcefield of uniqueness.
#10 No more returned gifts
In line with the uniqueness of a personalized gift, it also ensures that you will never gift something the recipient already has.
Because even if they do, that personalization will ensure that your gift is still one-of-a-kind.
#11 Shows you put in the effort
Alright, I’ll be honest here. I think this should never be the main reason to buy a personalized gift.
If all you care about is to show the recipient you know them well, you put a lot of thought in this gift, or that you made the time for them to get something personalized instead of a generic store-bought gift, you’re buying gifts for the wrong reasons.
You don’t give gifts to show off or to gain anything from them yourself. (Check out this guide to learn more about giving better gifts).
Your intention when giving should always be to make the recipient happy or help them out. It shouldn’t matter if your gift shows you put thought into it or not. It’s way more important that you give something they truly want and use, whether that’s a boring generic gift or not.
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Final notes on personalized gifts
From the utility and expressive nature of personalized gifts to their ability to make us feel unique and cherished, personalized gifts are the way to go. We hope you’re inspired to explore the endless possibilities that personalization offers and discover the joy of giving gifts that truly touch the heart.
Sources
- Vista Print Study
- Pizzetti, M. & Gibbert, M. (2018). The value of gift personalization: current insights from the gift recipient’s perspective and future research directions. Journal of Consumer Marketing. 35(10)1108/JCM-04-2017-2186.
- Zhen, J., Zhao, L., & Yan, J. (2017). Why would people purchase personalized products online? An exploratory study. Journal of Information Technology Management. 28(4)1042-1319
- Aguirre, E., Mahr, D., Grewal, D., de Ruyter, K., & Wetzels, M. (2015). Unraveling the personalization paradox: The effect of information collection and trust-building strategies on online advertisement effectiveness. Journal of Retailing, 91(1), 34–49.
- Balconi, M., Fronda, G. The “gift effect” on functional brain connectivity. Inter-brain synchronization when prosocial behavior is in action. (2020). Sci Rep 10: 5394
