Personalized Leather Gifts

Benefits

Unique and Thoughtful

Personalizing a gift sends a strong message to the recipient. It shows that you didn’t just drop in and buy something as an afterthought. You considered the right gift, and made it unique… just the like the person you are giving it to.

Durable and Long-lasting

Leather has been used for thousands of years because of its natural durability. High-quality leather is made to last and, with proper care, can sustain regular use for many years or even decades.

Versatile Usage

Leather is versatile and regularly used for diverse items like bags and cases, wallets, clothing, key fobs, journal covers, and luggage tags.

Style Statement

Classic and elegant, leather can elevate a casual look or augment something more formal.

Suitable for Various Occasions

Leather items make great gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, promotions, and just about any other celebration.

Compatibility with Other Brands

Leather notebook covers to suit a variety of notebook brands and standard sizes, phone cases are available for major brands and models of phone – and custom sizes might even be available.

Memorable Keepsake

Full grain leather develops a patina as it ages, highlighting the grain in the leather and maturing into a beautiful, rich, and unique look.

Eco-Friendly Choice

When ethically sourced, leather is a great alternative to some synthetic materials. Hides are a by-product; if they weren’t used for leather goods, they would go into landfills.

Endless Personalization Options

Leather is easily personalized with stamps or embossing of initials, names, or even a special sentiment.

How to Choose

Selecting the ideal gift can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. To make it an enjoyable and exciting activity, consider the following things to zero in on the perfect gift.

Type of Leather

Start by making sure that the right leather is used for the item you want.

Full-Grain

This is usually considered the highest quality of leather. It is the thickest and most durable, and develops a beautiful patina over time. If there is a downside, it is that it doesn’t take bright colors well, and is a bit heavier than less durable types.

Top-Grain

Still a high-quality type, top grain leather has a smooth surface and takes bright colors well. It is still quite durable and puts up well with moderate use.

Bonded Leather

The lower-budget option, this is made from leather scraps fused together. It is not as durable, and is almost always colored, because it has no natural grain.

Faux/Vegan Leather

A non-leather alternative, this vegan product looks and feels similar to leather. It is not as durable, but does come at a lower price point.

Grain Quality

Full-grain leather shows the natural grain and unique marking of each hide used. It lasts longer than other leather types, and gets more beautiful over time.

Tanning Process

Chrome tanning is less eco-friendly than vegetable tanning, and is more easily dyed with bright colors. The process is a lot quicker and so it is therefore cheaper, too.

Vegetable tanning results in a better finish and a higher quality product, overall. It will age better too, with each item getting more beautiful as it develops its unique patina.

Where available, we recommend you choose vegetable tanning over chrome.

Thickness and Flexibility

Choose a thickness that suits the intended use of the item. A bookmark should be thin, a journal cover a bit thicker, and a belt quite thick and sturdy.

Fragrance

Real leather will have a distinct smell, especially when new. Though loved by aficionados, some do not care for it. If you (or the recipient) are in the latter group, don’t worry: the smell fades with time and use. Airing out when first purchased will speed up this process.

Craftsmanship & Origin

Items made in a certain place, or by a certain craftsperson, can give a gift an additional sense of value or specialness.

For example, choosing a bag made of Italian leather will have more perceived value than one made of leather from a different place, with a lesser tradition and reputation around leather treatments and production.

Personalization Options

Consider adding a special touch to the gift by personalizing it with raised or stamped lettering or a special symbol, like a zodiac sign, a school mascot, or a business logo. Metal or glass objects can be engraved.

Design & Aesthetics

It is a good idea to match the look of the gift to the style of the person who is to receive it. Does the recipient have a minimalist style, a classic one, something flashier, or are they quirky? Choose a gift that suits their overall aesthetic.

Color Variations

Leather can come in natural finishes, or it can be colored. Classic tones, like brown or black, are popular and go well with a wider range of clothing and situations.

Bolder colors, like red, green, blue, and so on, make a stronger fashion statement, but are more limited when it comes to complementing other clothing.

Size & Portability

Some people or situations are best served by a compact item, like a wallet, clutch, or small handbag, while a briefcase, tote, or messenger bag might better suit others.

Maintenance Needs

Different leather items may require different levels of maintenance too. Generally, leather goods require occasional wiping with a damp cloth to clean them, and leather conditioning once or twice per year.

Some finishes, such as suede, are more susceptible to damage. Consider the care the recipient is likely to be comfortable with.

Budget

How much do you want to spend on the gift? There are high quality gifts at a wide range of prices, but knowing what you want to spend will help you filter out the items that are not on your list.

Sustainability & Ethics

Do you, or the person you are buying for, want to ensure the item is eco-friendly, ethically sourced, or sustainable? This is a big consideration for many people; many leather products fit those criteria quite well.

Related pages:

• Leather
• Leather tanning
• What is full grain leather
• Where does leather come from
• Leather grades
• How is leather made
• Italian leather
• How to tell if leather is real
• What is Real Leather
• Buying a leather bag

Types

Within the category of leather gifts, there are several types that you can choose from. Let’s take a look.

Wallets & Billfolds

These come in bifold, trifold, and minimalist designs. If you can catch a look at the wallet the recipient is currently using, you’ll have an idea of the number of cards, cash, etc. the new wallet will have to hold.

Leather Journals & Planners

Journals or journal covers make a great gift and allow for a lower price point than many other items. Planners are also a good idea; they come in refillable versions to allow for use year after year.

These gifts lend themselves well to personalization through embossing, stamping, and custom colors to match a nation, sports team, university, or other institution.

Leather Cases (Phone, Tablet, Laptop)

Used frequently, and one of the best ways to elevate daily activities with a touch of personalized elegance, a stylish leather phone, tablet, or laptop case can be a treasured gift. Easily personalized, and always appreciated, this one is a surefire success.

Travel Accessories (Passport Holders, Luggage Tags)

For the travel enthusiast, smaller items such as passport holders and luggage tags are a budget-friendly way to elevate the travel experience – and they can add to the convenience and security of the traveler’s belongings.

Consider one of these items, or give a few of them together to make up a larger gift.

Leather Bags

The most luxurious option for a personalized gift is a leather bag made from full-grain leather. The recipient will think you’ve gone above and beyond, and really appreciate the gesture. This is an excellent present for someone special or for a special occasion.

Alternatives

For certain conditions, leather might not be the best choice. Before deciding on it, consider a few situations in which an alternative material may work better.

Wet Environments

If the recipient is frequently in wet environments, such as rain, workplaces with sprayers, hoses, buckets of water, and similar hazards, a leather wallet might not be the best idea. Vegan leather, fabric, or cork might be a material to consider.

Vegan Contexts

If the one you’re buying for, or those in their immediate circle, feel strongly about avoiding the use of animal products, you may also want to consider alternate materials.

Environmental Priorities

This can be a tricky one. On the one hand, leather is a byproduct of the very large meat industry, and so it is environmentally friendly by using up materials that would otherwise be put in landfills.

They also last a long time, which is excellent for environmental concerns. You may want to give this gift along with some explanation on why and how it is a good environmental choice.

You will also want to avoid chrome-tanned items, opting instead for items with our eco-friendly badge, which are vegetable-tanned and sourced from companies with similar desires to be sustainable and ethical in the production of these products.

Type of Personalization

If you are concerned about putting someone’s name on an item, for security reasons, consider alternate types of personalization. You could put initials on luggage tags, or a discreet phone number so you can be contacted in case of loss.

A journal cover could include a zodiac sign, a university logo or mascot, or a cherished saying or inside joke. Personalization needn’t be the usual “name or initials;” let your imagination flow and you might find an alternative that makes the gift even more special than a name would.

Post Purchase Considerations

Ensuring the Right Personalization

Check and double-check any written personalization before ordering. Our minds can play tricks on us of we know what something is supposed to say, so get someone else to look at it too – they may spot something you’ve overlooked.

Variation in Leather Appearance

Leather is a natural material, and finishes vary. Each item is unique; therefore, some differences will occur even after the same treatment. This is to be expected and celebrated. In the world of mass production, a little something special can be a welcome thing.

Durability of Personalization

At Von Baer, we use the best techniques for engraving and embossing to ensure that the personalization, like the gift itself, will endure for many years of use and appreciation.

Matching Personalization Style with the Item

Sometimes a busy personalization can mar a minimalist design, or a subtle personalization gets lost in an item with bold design features.

Spend some time with our style guide, and feel free to consult with our customer service team to ensure the personalization is a good fit with the item itself.

Timelines for Delivery

We work hard to get your item out to delivery as soon as possible, but personalization takes additional time, as does shipping across borders or during busy seasons of the year. To ensure the item gets to its destination on time, check delivery time estimates before placing an order. Of course, shopping early is always a good solution, and we offer expedited shipping if you do run a little behind schedule.

Product Care and Maintenance

It is a good idea to read through the guidance on cleaning and care of the item you are giving. Many people purchase a care item – such as leather conditioner – to include with the gift itself. This encourages a good start on caring for the item, ensuring a longer usable life and lasting beauty.

FAQs

What type of leather do you use for these gifts?

All Von Baer products use the finest quality full-grain leather, vegetable-tanned and certified Italian.

How is the personalization done?

We can either monogram or laser engrave your item depending on the type of product it is.

Can I choose the font and design for personalization?

Yes. View the options during the customization process to see if the item lends to front and back personalization.

How long will the personalization last?

The personalization is designed to last as long as the item itself.

Is there a limit to characters or words for personalization?

In many cases, yes. Due to size constraints or some products, there might be a limit to what can be put on them. This information is included on each product page.

How do I care for my leather item to ensure its longevity?

Specific guidance for each product is found in the product descriptions and included with each gift. In general though, periodically use a leather conditioner, and avoid prolonged exposure of the item to sunlight, extremes of heat and cold, and excessive moisture.

Do you offer gift wrapping or special packaging?

Yes. We offer elegant wrapping options and always use premium packaging to ensure a pleasant unwrapping experience for any occasion.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our article on choosing a personalized gift made from leather.

If you have any questions or comments, contact us at info@vonbaer.com, or leave them in the comments.

Author: Albert Varkki

Albert Varkki is the co-founder of Von Baer. He understands leather products as a consumer, supplier, and a manufacturer, helping you with the inside knowledge you need, to choose the perfect leather product for you.

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