When shopping for Christmas presents, babies are arguably one of the trickiest recipients to buy for; especially if, like me, you don't have a baby yourself, it can be hard to know what's age-appropriate and what they're really going to make use of. However, I think I've found a brilliant, thoughtful idea – and, even better, it can be completely customised.
This Christmas, I've bought my four-month-old niece one of Wonderbly's personalised books. I had heard about them before but had never really given them much thought, however I've struggled to know what to buy her – and these seemed a great idea.
If you're not familiar with Wonderbly's books, they're made totally bespoke; names, characters and even characteristics can be completely chosen by you. Wonderbly started off making children's book but has now expanded into designs for every age group; it's well worth taking a browse on the website ahead of Christmas.
I opted for the bestselling Lost My Name book, which starts from £29.99, and here's why I think it's going to be such a hit this Christmas...
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Image:
Laura Mulley)Pros
- Really high quality book with beautiful illustrations
- Can be personalised in lots of different ways
- Arrives quickly and fits through the letterbox
- You can preview every page before buying
Cons
- There could be a few more characters to choose from
- Different covers cost a little more
To create your own Lost My Name book, you start by entering the recipient's name and gender, and pick an appearance for their character. Wonderbly then creates a very cute story, in which the main character is on the search for their name, finding the letters – and a number of interesting creatures – along the way. At the end, the collected letters spell out the reader's own name. It's beautifully illustrated and a charming story, and you can also include a dedication at the front.
If you're buying this for a special gift, there are also a couple of add-ons you can buy, including turning it into a hardcover, and gift wrapping.
Image:
Laura Mulley)Obviously I won't see how well this gift goes down until a few weeks' time (and at four months old, I'm not sure I'm going to get much coherent feedback from my niece...), but I'm sure it's going to go down a treat. If you're struggling to think of what to buy a baby or young child, I think this book is a lovely idea.
For more personalised gift suggestions, Not On The High Street is a great place to look, and included treats such as this Personalised Penguin Fleece Robe (now £18, down from £36).
As its name suggests, Getting Personal is another option; this Personalised Children's Book Of Nursery Rhymes, from £22.99, is a lovely idea.