The hardest part of a personalised gift is often the blank box where the words go. This guide collects wording that works on small engraved pieces, organised by occasion, with practical tips so the result looks as good as it reads.
First, a few rules that always help
- Shorter engraves larger. On a small face, two or three words read far better than a sentence. The character counter on each product page shows the limit for that piece.
- Split long messages across sides. A name on the front and the message on the back is easier to read than both squeezed together.
- Write dates the way you would say them. 12.06.2025, 12 June 2025 or XII.VI.MMXXV all work.
- Check spelling and dates twice. We engrave exactly what you type, character for character.
- Use the preview. It shows the layout we follow, so you can judge size and spacing before you order.
Christmas
- "Merry Christmas" with the year
- "Our first Christmas" with both names
- "Love always, [names]"
- "Home is wherever you are"
- Initials and "Christmas 2026"
A four-sided bar keychain works well for Christmas: a name on each side, or "Merry", "Christmas", "Love" and the year.
Anniversaries and couples
- Your initials joined: "J & A"
- The date you met or married
- "Then, now, always"
- "You and me"
- Coordinates of where you met, got engaged or married
The calendar keychain marks your date with a heart on the month, and a heart love lock takes your names on the front and the date on the back. See couples gifts.
Weddings
- Groomsmen: initials on one cufflink, role and date on the other
- Father of the bride: "Father of the Bride" and the date, or "Thank you for walking me down the aisle"
- Bride: a line from the groom on a small engraved tag for her bouquet
- Shoe tags: "I do" and "Me too" on a pair of engraved shoe tags
More in our groomsmen gifts guide.
New babies and new parents
- Baby's name with date and time of birth
- Weight and length, for example "7lb 4oz"
- "The moment you became my..." followed by "Daddy", "Mummy" or "Nana"
- "Hello world"
Our The Moment You Became keychain is designed for exactly this.
For Mum and Dad
- Each child's name on a separate side
- "Love you, Dad" or "Love you, Mum"
- "Drive safe, we love you" for a keyring
- A child's own handwriting, engraved from a photo
See gifts for Dad and gifts for Mum.
Birthdays and milestones
- Name and age, for example "Sam 18"
- "Est. 1976" for a big birthday
- Birth flower or birthstone with a name
- Graduation: name, course and year on an engraved pen
Friendship
- "Friends since 2009"
- Coordinates of the place you met
- An inside joke that only the two of you understand
- "Never forget how strong you are"
Retirements, new jobs and thank-yous
- Retirement: name and years of service, for example "1989 to 2026", or "Enjoy every day"
- New job: "Go get them" with the start date
- Teachers and coaches: "Thank you, Miss Patel" or the class year, on a pen or a whistle
- Colleagues: the team name and the year
For work gifts, a full name in a clean font usually looks most professional, and a steel name badge can carry a name and role.
Memorial and remembrance
Gentle wording often works best: "Always with me", "Forever in my heart", a name with years, or a loved one's handwriting. For guidance on handwriting and fingerprints, read meaningful memorial keepsakes.
Songs, links and codes
If words are not enough, engrave a song. A Spotify keychain carries a scannable code for a track, and the other side can hold a short message. A QR code keychain can link to a video, a playlist or a web page. Read Spotify code gifts explained.
Symbols and emoji
On most products you can add one of our symbols, such as a heart or a star, wherever your cursor is. Symbols are engraved in the same tone as your text. They are a nice way to replace a word: "J ♥ A" says the same as "J loves A" in less space.
Fonts
Script fonts look romantic but need a little more space; capitals in a clean font read best on the smallest pieces. If your text is long, choose a simpler font. The preview updates as you switch, so try two or three before deciding.
When you have your words, browse every personalised gift or start with stocking fillers.
Frequently asked questions
How much text fits on an engraved item?
It depends on the piece. The character counter under your text on each product page shows the limit; shorter text engraves larger and reads better.
Can I add a heart or other symbol?
Yes, on most products. Use the add symbol button and it is placed where your cursor is, engraved in the same tone as your text.
What if I make a spelling mistake?
We engrave exactly what you enter. If you spot a mistake after ordering, email us straight away with your order number; if we have not engraved it yet, we will change it.
