Why settle for something off the shelf when you can make it your own? From customised sneakers and engraved jewellery to quirky phone cases and laptop accessories, shoppers are now drawn to products with a personal touch. For many buyers, it is not about owning something unique, but about choosing colours, details, messages and motifs that feel distinctly theirs. “It is exciting to know that an item has been created with your preferences in mind. It feels more personal than simply picking something in a shop,” says Sikhya Gupta, a marketing professional.‘It’s not just about initials anymore’Personalisation has moved well beyond having your name on a keychain or a bag. Today, shoppers can choose from fingerprint couple bands, birthstone pendants and and a host of other customised details. “I like being able to choose the colours and details of anything that I am buying instead of just settling for whatever is available,” shares Aditi Mishra, a dance teacher.The trend has also made its way into the gadgets and accessories people use in their daily lives. Phone cases, charms, laptop stickers and sleeves can now be customised with everything from favourite quotes and song lyrics to colours and illustrations. “My phone case and laptop are things I look at every day, so I like having little references on them, like a quote from my favourite TV show or a song I really like. It says something about my personality,” shares Prateek Khandelwal, a business analyst.‘There is a certain charm in personalised gifts’The appeal of customised gifts often goes beyond how it looks. A photobook filled with memories, a bag charm or a pen engraved with someone’s initials can serve as a reminder of a person, place or occasion. “When there is a story behind a gift or product, people tend to value it differently. It becomes a keepsake rather than simply something one owns,” says Rekha, a personalised gift hamper curator.For brands, meanwhile, personalisation can extend beyond putting a customer’s name on a product. “The customisation isn’t about picking any motif or making something fully bespoke. It’s more strategic than that. Corporates ask for personalised packaging with messaging around women’s employment, custom inserts with maker stories, branded tissue and messaging cards,” says Aishwarya Jhawar, the founder of Ekatra.Box: Popular personalised picks
- Journals
- Pendants
- Laptop Stickers
- Phone Cases
- Key Rings
- Mugs
- T-shirts
