Initial Ideas

Monogram Items Make Great Gifts — for Secret Santas, St. Nick, Teachers, Neighbors and More

As we gear up for gift-giving season, we have a tip for you on a fool-proof present: anything with a monogram. Not only does it instantly personalize the gift, we’re pretty sure the recipient will love the item that much more because of it. 

Monograms have been popular for centuries — invented by the Ancient Greeks who used them on currency, used by artisans in the Middle Ages to identify their work and by aristocrats in the Victorian era to show status — but now they are sought after and adored by all, especially Southerners, like award-winning actress and producer Reese Witherspoon. “My rule is, if it’s not moving, monogram it!” she has said.

We couldn’t agree more.

Last week we featured some of the initial throws we have in the store, but that’s only the beginning. We have a number of monogrammed pieces across a range of price points. All of our items have a single initial, which means you can pick the letter to represent either a last name or first name.

We have fashion items like necklaces, small zip-top bags/pouches and gloves that make excellent Secret Santa, St. Nick or even teacher gifts.

We have initial Christmas ornaments which you can tie onto the ribbon of your wrapped present as a fun way to identify who it’s for or you can use them to personalize your Christmas décor. We love the idea of buying an initial ornament for each of the members of your family or to spell out seasonal or silly words. You also can add them to Christmas stockings to signify whose is whose.  If you’re really crafty, you can use the initial ornaments to create a custom garland that spells out M-E-R-R-Y-C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S or something else festive, using seasonal greenery or even ribbon as the base.

For the home entertainers on your gift list (especially any brides-to-be or newlyweds), you can’t go wrong with an initial marble cheese board. And these initial hand towels can be a fun neighbor gift or a hostess gift for any parties you attend post-pandemic. Add a mini loaf of homemade zucchini bread or a small plate of Christmas cookies, and you’ll have a really thoughtful and warm gift.

Or course, there’s no rule against buying any of these monogrammed items for yourself! If you’re looking for a way to jazz up a small Christmas dinner you’ll be hosting for your household family this year, a new cheese board bearing the family initial could really dress up the table. Or an initial throw for your favorite reading nook could bring you comfort in these unusual times.

So this holiday season, celebrate what makes you you ­– your name!