Thoughtful Christmas Gift Ideas For Friends

When it comes to Christmas gifts for your friends, you want something that’s functional and commemorates your special history together. Whether you’ve been friends since childhood or met at work, a heartfelt gift shows how much they mean to you. Our list of personalized Christmas gift ideas for friends will help you be proud of the gifts you give. Whether you’re looking for DIY Christmas ornaments or unique stocking stuffers, our list has it all. These Christmas gift ideas will show your friends how much they mean to you. From wine lovers to book nerds to foodies, our gift guide has the best Christmas gifts for everyone. Make your best friends feel special this holiday with a gift that is guaranteed to touch their heart.

Custom Pillow & Blanket

custom pillows and blankets thoughtful gifts for friends With a few simple steps, you can turn your bestie’s favorite photos into a custom blanket or pillow. Design your recipient’s photo blanket or throw pillows with snapshots of your favorite memories together. Add their monogram or a favorite saying to make their personalized Christmas gift even more special.

Mouse Pad

christmas gift ideas for friends mouse pad with cat picture on the frontWho says work should be serious all the time? Dress up a coworker or friend’s desk with a custom mouse pad. Choose light-hearted or goofy photos, like snapshots of their cat or kids.

Personalized Christmas Ornaments

Selection of personalized Christmas ornaments with photos hanging The Christmas season is all about giving, so consider giving personalized Christmas ornaments to your friends this year. Adding these photo-captured, meaningful moments in the form of  Christmas ornaments on others’ trees will serve as a way to celebrate your connection in the past, present, and future. Go above and beyond with creative, DIY Christmas ornaments that are great gifts to ring in the holiday season.

Canvas Prints

custom canvas prints hanging on a wall Transform their favorite photos into custom canvas prints. These high-quality pieces of wall art are the best Christmas gifts for friends that love to decorate. They’ll love seeing their most cherished memories hanging on the walls of their home or office with this thoughtful gift created by you.

Custom Apron

A personalized apron is a perfect gift idea for your friend that loves to cook. Design their custom gift with special photos or a favorite quote of theirs to make it completely unique to their style and personality. More great personalized Christmas gifts for friends that like to host are table runners, serving platters, and cloth napkins.

Desk Decorations

christmas gift ideas for friends desk decorations.Looking for secret Santa gifts for the office? Design custom decorations, like a tabletop framed print or notepad, to liven their workspace. With office gifts, staying organized doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, we make organizing fun, memorable, and professional. With an assortment of choices, our personalized gifts are created for every space.

Personalized Shot Glasses

christmas gift ideas for friends personalized shot glasses.Have a friend who loves making margaritas or long islands? Give the gift of a personalized shot glass. Design your gift with favorite photos, messages or quotes. These are great to personalize for a newly married couple.

Photo Charm

custom charm bracelet on a blue plate with gold and silver jewelry Bring a personal touch to your friend’s wardrobe with a beautiful, unique piece of jewelry. Design a custom charm that can be strung on a necklace chain or worn on a bracelet. Choose a gold or silver plating, depending on your friend’s preference and style.

Photo Board

photos on geometric peg board with personalized photos and printsFill your friend’s home with their favorite people and places. Build a photo board out with high-quality photo prints. Clip printed photos to a board so when they open their gift, all they’ll need to do is find a blank wall to hang it on.

Personalized Bottle Opener

custom bottle opener pouring in mason jars with icecreamLooking for a gift for the soda or beer lover in your life? A custom bottle opener makes both a personal and practical gift. Choose a special photo and message to make your gift complete.

Photo Prints

shutterfly prints hung on a string with small clothes pins From portraits of their kids to vacation highlights, print a series of photos that will bring life to any space. You can frame them or leave them separate — allowing your friend to create an arrangement that matches their style. You can even order free prints when you download the Shutterfly mobile app.

Festive Custom Water Bottle

 Keep your friend hydrated while on the go with a personalized water bottle. Opt for a photo or uplifting message that will put a smile on their face even on the busiest of days. A custom travel tumbler also makes a unique gift for friends who are always on the go.

Baby Tote Bag

For a new parent, having everything they need in one spot is one of the best gifts they could ever receive. Fill a personalized tote bag with all the baby essentials — diapers, wipes, pacifiers, hand sanitizer, and a few snacks for the parents.

Tea Towel

personalized tea towel If you’re hoping for practical Christmas gift ideas for your friends, look no further. A custom tea towel has a myriad of uses: from wrapping baked goods to decorating a guest bathroom. If they’re an avid baker, take it a step further and include a new bread pan or custom cookbook.

Photo Coasters

christmas gift ideas for friends photo coasters. Collect your favorite memories from the year and turn them into an unforgettable gift. A set of photo coasters will charm your friend’s year, from sipping hot cocoa in the wintertime to lemonade in the summer.

Playing Cards

christmas gift ideas for friends etched mason jars. For a loving parent, give them the gift of family and fun. They can use these custom playing cards all year long to enjoy some quality time with their kids.

Photo Coffee Mug

Coffee mugs and tumbler with personalized messages on the frontCustomize a cup for their morning joe or chai. With a photo or phrase, you can create a crisp, professional design. Each time your friend reaches for their custom coffee mug, they’ll know you made it just for them.

Phone Card Holders

custom phone card holder on the back of an iphone Affordable, stylish, and extremely convenient, our custom phone card holders make excellent gifts for friends who don’t want to carry around a purse or wallet. These functional holders adhere to the back of your smartphone or smartphone case, enabling you to keep your essential items, like credit cards and IDs, in a slim leather pocket. We also offer phone cases ranging from custom iPhone 12 cases to ones for an iPhone X, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and more.

Custom Drinkware & Barware

christmas gift ideas for friends personalized serving tray.We all have that friend that hosts the best dinner parties and happy hours. Make their job easier with the basics like stemless wine glasses or wine stoppers they need to host a crowd. We offer a vast selection of custom barware options like pint glasses, flasks, and steins.

Engraved Jewelry

christmas gift ideas for friends engraved jewelry.When we’re given a special piece of jewelry for our collection, we think of that person every time we wear it. That’s what makes this Christmas gift so precious: it’s gorgeous and becomes a cherished keepsake.

Personalized Journal

christmas gift ideas for friends floral journal.For your friend who loves to write everything down, a personalized journal makes for a heartfelt Christmas present. When they open your thoughtful gift to record memories or jot down notes, they’ll be reminded of the beauty of your friendship.

Personalized Candle

While a candle you buy at a shop is a lovely gift, one you craft specifically for your friend is one they’ll cherish. It’s a great way to individualize their gift as well. Use special photo memories to add to your personalized candle. With a variety scents, you will be sure to find the best personalized candle for your best friend. Whether they love to relax or they’re always on the go, you can customize a scent that’s perfect for them.

Everywhere Tote Bag

custom cotton tote bag Do you have a friend who’s always on the go, from the office to the gym to the park? Give them the gift of organization — a carry-all custom tote bag with compartments and pouches will keep everything in its right place. Being on the move doesn’t have to be stressful when everything they need is at their fingertips.

Letter Art

christmas gift ideas for friends letter art.Jazz up a spot in your friend’s home with custom wall art. Spell “eat,” “love” or “laugh” with framed letter art. Select photos that correspond with the word to form a cohesive look.

Personalized Potholder

christmas gift ideas for friends personalized potholder.Have a friend who loves to bake? Give your favorite chef a potholder that’s designed just for them. Personalize the front pocket with a pre-made design or one of your own favorite photos.

Interior Design

Do you have a friend who loves all things interior design? Whether they’re always looking for their next project or just love to redecorate for the people in their life, gift them a coffee table book of design ideas, photo book memories, and iconic projects to keep their inspiration sparked all year.


Stemless Wine Glass

christmas gift ideas for friends stemless wine glass.Looking for gifts for wine lovers? Whether they love pinot noir or chardonnay, a custom stemless wine glass will make their favorite beverage even richer. Choose a phrase that will inspire them, such as a quote from an author, poet or friend. Or, add a favorite photo of theirs to make a Christmas present they’ll never forget.

Personalized Picture Frames

custom picture frames Make photos of you and your best friend extra special by presenting it in one of our personalized photo frames. Design personalized picture frames with hand-selected photos and sentiments for a one-of-a-kind gift—perfect for their kitchen or office.

Stylish Custom Notepad

christmas gift ideas for friends fun notepad.Everyone has to-do lists and reminders. Why not make it fun? Design a custom notepad with an uplifting phrase like, “you go, girl” or “you got this!”

Quote Book

Everyone needs a little inspiration every now and then. Compile a custom photo book of inspiring quotes categorized by subject for your friend to read through every time they need a boost. Include some of your homemade bookmarks so they can always go back to their favorite pages.

Acrylic Print

christmas gift ideas for friends acrylic print.Have you ever given or received a Christmas gift that was easily forgotten about? That won’t happen with an acrylic print. Turn a favorite photo into a work of art that can be hung in the bedroom, living room or another favorite spot in the home.

Glass Picture Frame

A custom glass picture frame is a classic, timeless piece for any living room or bedroom. Etch a special friendship message, such as your shared mantra or the year that you met.

Pet Parent Gifts

pet photo book If your friend is a loving pet parent to a furry friend, make sure they’re taken care of this holiday season as well. A Christmas tree ornament with a photo of their pup or a coffee mug with an adorable snapshot of their cat will help show that you care about every aspect of their life. These different personalized gifts for pet lovers will make them and their pets feel loved.

Photo Cube

christmas gift ideas for friends photo cube. Turn your favorite friendship photos into a decorative photo cube that’s ready to display. With five panels on each side, you can include photos from throughout your friendship—commemorating your early years and recent adventures.

Custom Notebook

christmas gift ideas for friends custom notebook.Give your friend something truly beautiful to unwrap this year: a custom notebook for recording memories and ideas. Choose a cover design with their initials, a favorite quote, or photo from a recent trip. They’ll love jotting down notes in this all year long.

Themed Photo Book

christmas gift ideas for friends themed photo book.Did you and your friend just go on a fun day trip? Remember your adventure with a custom photo book that includes photos of sights seen, foods eaten, and roads traveled.

Personalized Cutting Board

shutterfly custom cutting boards Gift a friend who loves to cook or host a custom cutting board with their monogram, family name, or favorite quote on it. Shutterfly’s cutting boards double as charcuterie boards, too — so they’re perfect Christmas gifts for friends that love to throw dinner parties.

Photo Puzzle

Puzzle with dog.Is there a friend on your list who loves games and puzzles? Design a custom puzzle for them with family portraits, vacation photos or snapshots with their pets. They’ll love putting it together over a cup of hot cocoa or tea during the winter season.

Corkboard Wall Prints

Cork tiles on wall.If you’re in the market for secret Santa gifts or gifts for your coworkers, this idea might be perfect. They can display the board above their desk and then pin their favorite photos. The best part? They can change out of the photos at any time.

Desk Calendar

christmas gift ideas for friends desk calendar.Make each day a little brighter with a custom desk calendar. Gather photos of your friend’s favorites, from candids of their boyfriend to snapshots of their dog.

Framed Prints

christmas gift ideas for friends framed prints.When you walk into a room, what do you notice first? Probably what’s on the walls. Invigorate your friend’s living room or bedroom with a framed photo. Choose a gorgeous framed print from their recent vacation or trip to the park with their family. Turning their favorite memories into custom wall art is a wonderful Christmas gift for friends.

Photo Tiles

custom photo tiles Does your friend enjoy cute home furnishings? Photo tiles made of special memories make excellent gifts to share with loved ones. The hassle-free piece of custom wall art gives your recipient the ability to decorate their walls with no commitment necessary.

Custom Trivet

christmas gift ideas for friends custom trivet. The chef friend in your life will love this personal and practical custom trivet. Choose a photo or message to place on the front for display during dinner parties and holiday gatherings.

Wrapping Up

Our friends touch our lives and make our days more meaningful. They support us during the hard times and laugh with us when we need it most. Show your love and appreciation this Christmas season with a personalized gift that will last for years to come. Don’t forget to check out our collection of custom Christmas cards to send to your closest friends this holiday season.