Sentimental Gifts The Best Meaningful Gift Ideas for Girlfriends, Boyfriends, Family and Besties
Whether it’s personalized, custom, bought from a small business or large company, a sentimental gift is always thoughtful and sure to be cherished for years to come.
The 48 best sentimental gifts that’ll make anyone feel loved, from custom portraits to personalized jewelry
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With so many gift ideas out there, the options can be overwhelming. If you’re stuck, you can’t go wrong with something sentimental, a gift pays homage to their unique passions, inside jokes, or a shared memory between you two.
The best part is that with sentimental gifts, it truly is the thought that counts: You don’t have to spend a fortune to show your loved ones you really care. If you’re looking for great gifts for your sentimental friends or family members, we have some ideas to help you get the ball rolling. From monogrammed accessories to jewelry with a personal touch, this list has plenty of sentimental gifts that’ll make anyone feel special.
A customized collage
Best for: The scrapbookers
Remember the good old days of making scrapbooks for the ones you love? This customized collage from Minted is the much more sophisticated, grown-up version. Upload 30 of their favorite photos, or your favorite photos featuring them, and Minted will organize them into a sweet, heart-shaped collage that looks great on display.
A love letter they can wear
Best for: The minimalists
Is there anything more romantic than a love letter? This mini, 100% gold charm version can be engraved with up to 30 characters, which is the perfect amount for a short but sweet message. Pair it with a dainty chain and they can always keep it close to their heart.
A book you can fill in with things you love about them
Best for: The one who needs a boost whenever
With over 110 pages of fill-in-the-blank prompts, this book lets you get as mushy-gushy as you’d like. You can be sure they’ll have this stored somewhere special so they can reread your answers whenever they need a boost.
A thoughtful card, just because
Best for: A just-because gift
You don’t need to have a special occasion to show them you care. A “just because” card is something anyone with a sentimental side will appreciate. This one has a sweet, punny design and a thoughtful message to boot.
Wishes they can watch bloom
Best for: The plant lover
For the one who’s always looking to improve, give them a gift that’ll help them pursue their self-growth goals — quite literally. This set of plantable wish cards calls them to write down their goals or wishes on each card, then plant them, water them, and watch as they bloom into beautiful wildflowers.
A luxurious journal to last forever
Best for: The lifelong journaler
Leatherology’s monogrammable, full-grain leather journal is built to last and be refilled as much as needed. If you know someone who loves writing but can’t find the right journal, this will show them that you care. Whenever they write in the journal, they’ll remember who got them started.
A picturesque plaque that links to music
Best for: The music lover
From cassette tapes to CDs, making someone a playlist has always been seen as an act of closeness. Give this classic gesture a modern twist with this personalized acrylic song display. You can customize this gift with a photo and Spotify link to a memorable song or road trip playlist.
A book holder for their nightstand
Best for: The bookworm
Your book lover can get rid of their paper bookmark and replace it with this wooden book holder. They can place their book on the stand and pick up where they left off later. You can choose from six different wood color options.
A cartoon book illustrating you and your giftee’s relationship
Best for: The bestie
LoveBook has customizable cartoon books for you to create your own nonfiction story of you and your giftee. Whether it’s a birthday gift for a friend or an anniversary gift for your significant other, LoveBook offers over 10 occasions for you to choose from.
A personalized gift box
Best for: The long-distance bud
Let them know you’re thinking of them with a cute custom gift box from Greetabl. Choose a mini gift like caramels or chocolates, a gift card, and add a note and photos to be delivered to their door.
Mara Leighton is a senior digital culture reporter. If you want to get in touch, please send an email to [email protected], or send a DM on twitter to @maraleighton.
Kenedee Fowler is a Home Fellow on the Insider Reviews team. She is a recent graduate from the University of Missouri – Columbia where she studied journalism. Previously, Kenedee was a multimedia journalist for mid-Missouri’s local news station. In her free time, you can find Kenedee trying out local coffee shops, adding new plants and decor to her home, and spending time with her family and friends.
Andrea Bossi is a freelance writer at Insider Reviews who primarily covers beauty and style. She is also a published poet and Forbes contributor who covers music, especially, hip-hop and r&b. If she’s not writing, you can probably find her exploring on her bike, trying new vegan recipes, or dancing with friends (virtually, for now). Although born and raised in Chicago, she went east to study Cognitive Neuroscience and a minor in African American Studies at Harvard. Between what she studies and what she writes about, it’s clear Bossi remains fascinated by the ways in which so many things are unexpectedly connected. Follow her on Instagram at @BossiBB or Twitter at @Bossi147
Remi is a former reporter for Business Insider’s affiliate commerce team, Insider Reviews. After graduating from Colgate University with a degree in Creative Writing and Political Science, Remi joined Business Insider to help readers find the best products worth buying. Since joining the team in 2018, Remi has reviewed hundreds of products and interviewed founders of industry disruptors, such as direct-to-consumer startups Koio and Absolut Art. She specializes in women’s lifestyle, but loves to learn about any and all products that add value and excitement to our everyday lives. Say hello at [email protected]. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.
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Sentimental Gifts
In my opinion, there’s definitely an art to gift giving. Knowing and finding that perfect gift takes time, talent, and patience.
Think back on the very best gifts you’ve received in your life.
Chances are, those gifts were many things, including meaningful, personal and sentimental.
A well-chosen, sentimental gift is one that keeps on giving.
Every time you use or look at that gift, you think of the thoughtful person who gave it to you.
Sentimental and Meaningful Gifts
Wanting to be a better gift giver, I decided to round up my favorite sentimental gifts.
These meaningful gift ideas are perfect for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, or just because.
I’m including sentimental gifts for her, for mom, dad, girlfriends, boyfriends, siblings and friends.
Whether it’s personalized, custom, bought from a small business or large company, a sentimental gift is always thoughtful and sure to be cherished for years to come.
I just know you’ll find the perfect something for when you need a meaningful gift idea.
Sentimental Gifts / Meaningful Gift Ideas
Sentimental Gifts
Looking for a sentimental gift idea for a loved one? This post is for you!
I’m sharing 15 of the very best sentimental gifts for family, friends and significant others!