As is often the case with the end of the school year, I have a lot of gift-giving occasions coming up. My 10-year-old is graduating elementary school, right on the heels of Teacher Appreciation Week. A cousin's Sweet 16 is on the horizon, and my mother-in-law's birthday just recently passed.
You wouldn't think I'd be able to come up with one gift that would work for all these disparate gift-getters, but I have an ace up my sleeve: the personalized Jellycat.
For the uninitiated, Jellycats have become incredibly popular with almost every age group, partly due to their adorable designs, and partially because their fur is so, so soft. And while you can find them in the shape of lots of different animals, foods, and even planets—making them easily collectible. You can pretty much find a Jellycat to suit any gift-getter's interest, and a smaller subset can be personalized for those extra-special occasions.
These are the best Jellycats to give as personalized gifts. Some pointers from a pro: If you see one you like, don't hesitate. They often go out of stock—like the bunny with the birthday cake, which I'm personally gutted is not available right now—and it's a bummer to have to wait for re-stocks.
If you have a bunch of gift-giving occasions stacked up like I do, it might be worth investigating the Purrks Program, which is free to join and could earn you some rewards.
And the most important tip: Do not go casually browsing around the site, because you will find Jellycats that you'll want to buy for yourself. (Hello, mozzarella cheese wearing a tomato hat!) But if you do, hey, right now there's free shipping for orders over $75.
Graduation gifts
When it comes to graduation gifts, the bunny with the mortarboard is a slam-dunk. I can really see it working for any graduation ceremony, from pre-K kids' stepping-up ceremonies to college graduations.
The puppy with the personalized sweater requires more out-of-the-box thinking: I remember when I graduated high school, I was gifted a bear that was wearing a sweater with the name of the college I was about to attend. I loved it! These jumpers look collegiate to me, so I can see them sporting the name of a giftee's dedicated university.
(Just note: You only get 11 letters, so maybe you'd have to do something like "UVA" instead of "The University of Virginia.") It also comes as a bear or a fox, and the sweaters come in other colors, too, so you can try to match the school colors.
Baby gifts
Take it from a mom: New parents spend so much time and energy picking out the perfect baby name, nothing makes them happier than seeing their choice embroidered into a baby gift. The bunnies come in different colors, including white, gray, pink, and beige, and in addition to bunnies you can get things like a moon, a sun, or a giraffe.
Birthday Gifts
Technically, any Jellycat would make a good birthday gift. But going the extra mile to get a personalized one just feels more special—they'll know it's uniquely theirs. These have cool, spacey vibes, and they also don't scream "birthday" or any other specific occasion, so the recipient can keep them out year-round.
Engagement and wedding gifts
Yes, even wedding-related events can be blessed with some Jellycat love! While the diamond ring itself is the same for all, it comes in a bag that can be personalized with a wedding date or engagement date. I can see this sitting out on a gift table, or as a fun centerpiece in a low-key engagement party or shower. Truly, there is a Jellycat for every occasion.
