‘Tis the season and the start of the holiday gift buying madness. I personally love hunting for the perfect gift, so I thought I would kick off the holiday season with a series of gift guides over the next week covering everyone on your shopping list. With the short season already in full swing, I thought we should start with personalized gifts so that you can order them right away and they are set to arrive on time. Here are some ideas to make your loved ones feel a little more special by giving them a little something made just for them.

1. Loyalty & Blood Letter Tote bags $22 {I gave these to my bridesmaids at my wedding} | 2. Zodiac charm necklace $70 |  3. 14K Gold initial pendant $250 {I have the gold plated version and wear it all the time} | 4. vintage blue personalized book plates $15.95 | 5. Lucite trays $200 {For the hostess who has everything} | 6. Modern Alchemy Zodiac Candle collection $18  {this is such a lovely gift with bonus gift box} | 7. Classic Terry Monogrammed Robe $69 | 8. Silver plated breakfast tray $79 | 9. tiny text bowls $22 | 10. Bright leather luggage tags $23 {Your black suitcase will always stand out from the crowd} |11. Zebra Initial Melamine Plate $22 | 12. Jonathan Adler Zodiac Pillows $98 | 13. Floral Monogram Cards $18 {Check out all the other beautiful personalized items from Rifle too!} | 14. Monogrammed playing cards $55 | 15. monogrammed mugs $6 | 16. Custom perfumes by CB I Hate Perfum, contact for price | 17. monogrammed sachets $18

Preserving photo memories tops the list as the most treasured gift to receive. In the past few years, I have made my loved ones very happy using these companies to make everything from cards, calendars and books. The process is very easy: just upload your photos, use their streamlined templates to design your item, and order away. The finished product has always impressed me. Here are my favorite sources for all your photo gift needs:  1. Make your own photo books with Blurb $12.95-$83.95 {I have made several books using Blurb including a Wedding album} | 2. Photo books, cards, and calendars from iPhoto by Apple | 3. Tastebook cookbooks $29.95+ {If I have time this year, I want to make one of these!} | 4. Silver plated engravable frames $29-$49  | 5. Set of 2 frame ornaments $7.90 {So simple, yet people love these every time} | 6. Photo book by Lulu $44.95

Any time I visit a guest’s house, I am secretly delighted if I find monogrammed guest towels while visiting the powder room like the ones here in Lonny Mag. This particular applique style has been popping up a lot recently, and I have been trying to find the creator.

Here they are spotted again in Bazaar’s spread on Tommy Hilfiger’s home at the Plaza

After a lot of looking around, I finally found the source of these appliqué initials by Leontine Linens.

Been wanting a Goyard anything for years. I have such an appreciation for beautifully handcrafted travel accessories. Goyard allows you to customize with initials and stripe colors that you select, and are painted in Paris upon ordering. Clockwise left to right: Gwyneth Paltrow, Hollister Hovey’s custom made tote, Tote spotted on Madison Avenue.

Here are a few more ideas of what to monogram. Personalized stationary is always needed: striped monogram notecards | custom notecards by Rifle Paper Co with a hand-drawn letter, you choose the color!

Leather photo albums and diaries from Horchow.  The bright blue 2011 diary on the bottom right is such an amazing color.

Rubber stamps from Paperwink which I have and love

Lucite trays and paperweights from Iomoi. I’ve often thought these would make great gifts.

Pretty gold necklaces: custom lace monogram necklace | monogrammed disc necklace with diamond

I was lucky enough to receive a couple of these monogrammed items from Williams Sonoma as wedding gifts last year.

Have fun with your initials!