Today’s gift guide is for the sentimental one in your life! We all know someone who cares most about the effort and meaning behind a gift. Any of the gifts on this list would be great for the loved one who relishes opening a thoughtful gift that shows them just how much they mean to you (and just how well you know them) – even if it might make them cry. If you know someone who prefers to receive gifts that come from the heart, check out the gift guide below for my gift ideas for the sentimental loved one!
Gift Ideas for the Sentimental Loved One
Custom Family Portrait Illustration – $20
Any sentimental person would love to receive a custom illustration of their family – and there’s no shortage of options on Etsy! I think this one is so sweet and different enough from a photo to feel unique.
Birth Month Necklace – $78
This birth month necklace is beautiful but simple and understated. I’ve heard great things about the quality of the Able brand. This would make a great gift for mom friends – just gift them one with their child’s birth month!
Engraved Handwritten Recipe Board – $53
For the loved one who takes great pride in their family recipes, this engraved handwritten recipe board would make such a special and meaningful gift. They’ll love displaying it in their kitchen!
Storyworth Subscription – $99
Storyworth is the perfect gift for a sentimental loved one who loves recalling the good old days. I love the concept – once a week for a year, you send the recipient a question to answer. They respond via email (or you can call them on the phone to make it extra special), and at the end of the year Storyworth compiles their answers into a beautiful bound book. It’s such a special gift and a great way to bond with a loved one like a parent or grandparent!
Mini Wireless Photo Printer – $90
For the one who documents every moment, gift them a mini wireless photo printer so they can actually hold their photos in their hands! I think this would be such a thoughtful gift paired with a pretty box or tray they can display the photos in.
Engraved Apple Watch Band – $31
This would make such a meaningful gift for a significant other – you can write any message to them in your handwriting, and this shop will engrave it inside an Apple Watch band. I got one of these for Darian for Christmas a few years ago (I had it engraved with the coordinates of our favorite place) and he loved it!
Legacybox Digitizing Kit – $320
If you’re looking to splurge on someone who prefers sentimental gifts, consider the Legacybox Digitizing Kit! They can send all their old tapes, audio, photos, and film to Legacybox and they’ll receive a digital version (your choice of Cloud storage, a thumb drive, or a disc set). They’ll love reliving old memories and knowing their most cherished memories will stand the test of time.
Personalized Wood Keepsake Box – $173
How stunning is this wood keepsake box? They can use it to store anything from wedding memories to trip memorabilia, and they’ll think of you every time they open it. I love that this is beautiful enough that it could be stored out in the open on some shelves instead of shoved in the back of a closet.
Memory Keepsake Dish Set – $180
This memory keepsake dish set is so special – just upload the photos of your choice and a ceramicist will turn them into a glazed stoneware catchall. Little dishes like this are so versatile – they can keep one on their nighstand and one on their desk or spread them throughout their home.
Personalized Hometown Map Glass Set – $50
This personalized hometown map glass set would make the perfect gift for the loved one who moved away from their hometown but still has a special place in their heart for the town they grew up in (or even their college town). My best friend got us glasses similar to this that featured our college town and we love displaying them on our home bar!
Custom Paw Keychain – $45
We all know someone who loves their pet more than most humans (it’s me, I’m someone). If you’re able to get a copy of their pet’s pawprint, gift them this custom paw keychain. I promise they’ll treasure it forever!
Hand Drawn House Sketch – $52
A custom hand drawn house sketch would make a great gift for someone who just moved or purchased their first home. I like that this is black and white so it would fit in with any home style – and for an added personal touch, you can order it without the frame and choose a nice frame in their style to gift along with it!
Petite Keep Classic Trunk – $229
The Petite Keep Trunk is a timeless, functional way to store keepsakes – whether gifting to a recent graduate, looking for a place to store a child’s treasures, or celebrating a bride. These are heirloom quality and a great splurge gift for anyone celebrating a life milestone. You can even get it embroidered for a touch of added personalization!
Personalized Bar Bracelet – $66
I have several pieces from GLDN and I’m always impressed with the quality. This personalized bar bracelet would be a wonderful gift to celebrate your relationship with a significant other, family member, or friend! You can have it personalized with a name, date, coordinates or a short mantra – anything that’s meaningful to them.
Night Sky Print – $39
Night Sky makes custom star maps of any night, and are the perfect gift for commemorating a day that’s meaningful to you and your loved one. Darian got me one of these as a wedding present and I love it so much – it’s still hanging in our home four years later!
