A Personalized Gift Book: The Gift That Feels the Most Personal
Some gifts you buy and some gifts you make. A personalized gift book is the second kind, minus the all-nighter with scissors and glue. You tell us about the person, and we write and illustrate a whole book with them as the hero. In this article: who it suits, what goes inside, and how to make sure it comes out moving and not embarrassing.
Who a personalized gift book suits
- Mom or Dad, for a milestone birthday: 50, 60, 70, or 80.
- Grandparents, from the grandchildren, with the stories they tell at every Sunday dinner.
- A partner, for an anniversary, a wedding, or just because you feel like it.
- A best friend, a coworker who is retiring, or an entire team.
- A child, of course. For kids we also have children's books where the child is the hero of an illustrated story.
What goes in the book
The book is built from seven short questions: the occasion, the tone (funny, moving, or somewhere in between), three memories that have to be in, favorite places and hobbies, and one sentence for the last page. From that, a ten-page story is written, and every page gets an illustration in which the person appears based on the photo you uploaded. Up to four people can be in the book, so you can add the aunt and mention the dog in your answers.
How to make sure it turns out well
First, read the whole story. You can edit every page yourself, ask for a rewrite, or leave a note like "add the story about the camping trip," and we write it accordingly. Only when the text is right do we illustrate the cover and two pages for free, and you decide whether to go on to the full book.
What arrives at the door
A printed hardcover with 21 pages: a cover, ten text pages, and ten illustrations, with a personal dedication at the front. The price for your country is shown before you pay, and you can see current prices on the create page.
Three mistakes to avoid
- Putting in only compliments. A book that is all "you are the best" gets forgotten. A book with the story of the time you got stuck in the rain gets kept.
- Forgetting the ending. The sentence for the last page is the thing that will be read out loud. Write it the way you would say it.
- Choosing a photo with sunglasses. One clear photo, face toward the camera, in good light, is all it takes to make the illustrations look like the person.
Start a personalized gift book and see the sample before you decide.
Questions and answers about a personalized gift book
How far ahead of the occasion should I start? Start at least three weeks ahead, four is better. The book itself is ready in minutes, but printing and delivery take time. In the US, plan on about 12 days once it is sent to print.
Can I write a personalized gift book together with other people? Yes. One person collects a memory from each, and you pick the best three. You can also put up to four people in the illustrations, so friends or siblings can appear next to the person getting the gift.
What if I do not like the text? You can edit any page yourself, ask for a rewrite, or leave a note and we write it accordingly. And if the illustrated sample is not what you hoped for, you have not paid anything.
Can I order a personalized gift book to be delivered abroad? Yes, in Hebrew, English, German, Spanish, or Arabic. The price for the destination country is shown before you pay.
Is there a dedication? Yes, a personal dedication on the opening page, in your own words, included in the price.