Make your own Christmas gift: personalize by embroidering with a photo or name

The average Dutch person receives 4 gifts and gives 7 for Christmas. Among those 11 gifts, there's exactly one that will be remembered the following year: the personal one. An embroidered artwork falls into that category.

Why an embroidery kit or embroidered piece as a Christmas gift?

A Christmas gift has two purposes: to give someone something (function 1) and to underline your relationship with that person (function 2). Generic gifts achieve function 1, personal gifts achieve both. An embroidered piece:

• Is literally handmade (your time, focused attention)
• Contains personal details (photo, names, date)
• Gets a wall spot, not a drawer spot
• Is seen every year around the Christmas tree – memory on repeat

Three types of Christmas embroidery gifts

1. Give (or have embroidered) a custom photo embroidery kit

You order a custom photo embroidery kit with a family photo, a picture of the dog, a memory from the year. The recipient receives a complete kit including pattern, thread, and fabric – and can start themselves.

2. Embroider a photo embroidery piece yourself before Christmas

You order the kit now, you embroider it between now and Christmas Eve, and you give it away ready-made. Maximum impact, but you'll have 60-100+ hours of stitching ahead of you.

3. Ready-made design that suits the recipient

Not a photo, but still personal: the dog breeds they have, a lavender field for the cottagecore aunt, a vintage camper van for the travel friend. View our complete collection of ready-made embroidery kits.

Per recipient: what works best

For your mother

Photo embroidery of her (grand)children or pet. Straight to the heart.

For your partner

A photo embroidery of a shared memory: your first vacation, your home, your dog. Tip: go for 40x50 cm for maximum effect.

For in-laws

A calm botanical design or an animal portrait. Not too photorealistic – that can feel like you're overachieving.

For a child (8+)

A simple ready-made kit on 11ct or 14ct with a fun animal. Cross stitch is a calming, tablet-free hobby that children pick up surprisingly quickly.

For a friend with their own home

An embroidered house portrait, their cat, or a quote that suits them. Personal without going too deep.

How much time is needed?

• Order a custom photo kit (give as a gift, recipient embroiders themselves): order by December 15th at the latest
• Order a custom photo kit AND embroider it yourself before December 25th: order by the end of October at the latest – no longer feasible for 2026
• Give a ready-made kit as a gift: order by December 20th at the latest
• PDF pattern + gift voucher: possible until December 24th

Does embroidery fit into a Christmas style?

Yes, beautifully. Embroidered Christmas motifs are a nostalgically recurring trend. Think of embroidering Christmas ornaments yourself, a quote piece with 'Merry Christmas' or an embroidered Christmas wreath – even an embroidered Sinterklaas is making a comeback. Also read our article on embroidery trends 2026.

Wrapping

Wrap the kit originally in beautiful kraft paper, with a sprig of pine/eucalyptus and a hand-written label. An embroidered artwork in a Christmas-themed framed frame (you can also frame it yourself – see our finishing guide) is immediately ready-to-go.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a personalized embroidery gift for Christmas cost?

Between €35 (ready-made kit for beginners) and €140 (large custom photo kit). Comparable to or cheaper than an average perfume gift.

Isn't embroidery old-fashioned?

Not at all since 2022. Cross stitch is the fastest-growing creative hobby among 18-34 year olds according to UK Crafts Council data, and the Instagram tag #crossstitch has 6+ million posts.

Can I give an embroidery kit as a gift to someone without craft experience?

Yes. Our kits are beginner-friendly and include a complete manual. For extra reassurance, add our beginner's starting guide as a link in your Christmas card.

Which embroidery size is best for Christmas?

30x40 cm is the sweet spot: impressive enough to function as a statement gift, but achievable in 60-80 hours of stitching.