Gifts to Proudly Display Your Family Crest
You must be very excited to have found your ancient family crest in the course of your genealogy research. On the other hand, you may be one of those practical people who would rather create your very own modern day family crest using the colors and symbols you think accurately portray your family history. Regardless of how you sourced it, your family crest can still be enjoyed by the other members of the family when you give them gifts that proclaim your heritage in countless ways.
The Power of Family Crest Gifts
A family crest represents more than just a design—it embodies your family's history, values, and identity. When transformed into gifts, these symbols become daily reminders of family connection and heritage. Whether you're planning for a family reunion, celebrating milestones, or simply wanting to strengthen family bonds, gifts bearing your family crest create lasting impressions and treasured keepsakes.
Inexpensive Gifts Bearing Your Family Crest
There are occasions where you need to gift family members with items bearing your family crest. A classic example of gifts are the small keepsakes given away during family reunions. Anything with your family crest on it would give each family member a sense of pride in being part of the family. If you have a rather large clan, you might need to keep a close watch on the cost per gift. You may need to limit your options to those gifts within the lower price range just to stay within budget and give everyone a gift bearing the family crest.
Affordable Options That Make an Impact
Wearable Pride: Several low cost articles would make great family crest gifts. Consider baseball caps where you can have the family crest embroidered on the front. Online companies can easily reproduce the artwork of your family crest and have it printed on the caps. Try sourcing this item from suppliers of business "give-aways." Similarly, you can order t-shirts and mouse pads with your family crest printed on them.
Practical Keepsakes: Still on the low cost range are key chains. Extremely handy, key chains with the family crest imprinted on them will serve as a constant reminder to family members of who they are and where they come from. Custom made key chains are available from various suppliers. A more economical way would be to purchase blank, clear key chains which you can "personalize" yourself. Simply print the family crest yourself, cut it out to fit and insert inside the tag.
DIY Options:
- Framed Prints: Another inexpensive yet effective gift is a framed print-out of the family crest accompanied with a brief family history or description of the meaning of the family crest
- Bookmarks: Laminated bookmarks featuring the family crest
- Stickers and Decals: Weather-resistant versions for cars, laptops, or water bottles
- Photo Magnets: Combine family crest with family photos
- Coasters: Print-your-own coaster kits with the crest design
Budget-Friendly Bulk Options
For Large Family Gatherings:
- Buttons or pins with the family crest
- Temporary tattoos for children (and fun-loving adults)
- Printed tote bags for reunion materials
- Customized pencils or pens
- Family crest patches for sewing onto items
Mid-Range Gifts Bearing Your Family Crest
A bigger budget would of course increase your family crest gift options. In that case, you may look into more expensive but equally more interesting items.
Cultural Heritage Items
If your family is of German descent, you could probably get beer mugs or steins and have your family crest proudly displayed on the side. Note that steins are considered symbolic of the German culture. Other culturally specific options include:
- Irish: Claddagh rings incorporating the family crest
- Scottish: Clan badges or kilt pins
- English: Tea sets with crest designs
- Italian: Ceramic tiles or platters
Display Pieces
A plaque of your family crest is also a good idea as family members can proudly hang it in their own homes. Consider these display options:
- Wooden Plaques: Hand-carved or laser-engraved designs
- Metal Wall Art: Bronze, pewter, or aluminum renderings
- Canvas Prints: Modern artistic interpretations of traditional crests
- Garden Stones: Weather-resistant markers for outdoor display
Functional Gifts
Individual watches with your family crest printed on the face would also make attractive and functional gifts. Additional functional options include:
- Office Accessories: Desk sets, paperweights, or business card holders
- Home Items: Cutting boards, serving trays, or wine bottle stoppers
- Personal Accessories: Cufflinks, tie clips, or jewelry boxes
- Tech Items: Phone cases, tablet covers, or laptop skins
Ceremonial Items
Banners with your coat of arms can be both ornamental and practical in the homes of the family members. A banner is an excellent gift for a prospective bride or groom. During the wedding or at the reception, the respective family crests of the two parties can be displayed side by side as a symbolic presentation of the union of two families.
High-End Gifts Bearing Your Family Crest
In some instances, you would not want to be limited by cost considerations, especially if the whole family is sharing the expense. In this case, you may want to look into very special gifts for special family members like the matriarch or the patriarch.
Jewelry and Precious Items
One option is to buy a ring and have the family crest engraved on it. This type of ring can be made for both men and women. By themselves, the rings are attractive and make good conversation pieces. They can also serve as signet rings to create a wax imprint or a seal with the family crest, the same way they were used in history.
Luxury Jewelry Options:
- Signet Rings: Traditional gold or silver with deep engraving
- Pendants: Family crest medallions on fine chains
- Brooches: Decorative pins for formal occasions
- Cuff Bracelets: Wide bands featuring the crest design
Investment Pieces
Heirloom-Quality Gifts:
- Silver Service: Engraved platters, bowls, or tea sets
- Crystal: Etched decanters, vases, or commemorative pieces
- Leather Goods: Embossed briefcases, journals, or photo albums
- Artwork: Commissioned paintings or sculptures incorporating the crest
Special Occasion Gifts
Milestone Celebrations:
- Graduation: Diploma frames with family crest corners
- Wedding: Unity candles or ceremonial items
- Anniversary: Commemorative plates or clocks
- Birth: Silver baby cups or frames
Creating Your Own Family Crest Gifts
With the many merchants available online, ideas for family crest gifts abound. A little time spent searching the Internet could yield you the ideal gift. However, if you have the time and are creative, you can craft your own family crest gifts to make them even more special and personal.
DIY Project Ideas
Handcrafted Options:
- Embroidery: Pillows, wall hangings, or clothing
- Wood Burning: Plaques, boxes, or furniture
- Etching: Glassware or mirrors
- Painting: Canvas art or decorative items
- Quilting: Family crest incorporated into quilt designs
Digital Creation Tools
Modern DIY Approaches:
- Use graphic design software to create custom designs
- 3D printing for unique dimensional pieces
- Laser cutting services for precise reproductions
- Print-on-demand services for various products
- Digital embroidery files for sewing machines
Choosing the Right Gift
Consider the Recipient
Matching Gifts to Individuals:
- Age and interests of the family member
- Their home décor style
- Practical versus decorative preferences
- Cultural or religious considerations
- Space limitations in their living situation
Occasion Appropriateness
Different Events Call for Different Gifts:
- Family Reunions: Affordable items for all attendees
- Weddings: Ceremonial or home establishment pieces
- Birthdays: Personal items reflecting individual tastes
- Holidays: Seasonal items incorporating the crest
- Achievements: Commemorative pieces marking accomplishments
Preserving Family Heritage Through Gifts
Whether your family crest gifts are store bought or handmade, they will undoubtedly be appreciated by the recipients. Gifts bearing your family crest will serve as constant reminders to family members of their roots, giving them a sense of belongingness and pride.
The Lasting Impact
Beyond the Physical Gift:
- Strengthens family identity across generations
- Creates conversation starters about family history
- Builds pride in family heritage
- Encourages genealogy interest in younger members
- Preserves family symbols for future generations
Start Your Family Crest Gift Tradition
Transform your family crest from a historical symbol into living reminders of family connection. Whether you choose simple keepsakes or elaborate heirlooms, each gift bearing your family crest strengthens the bonds that tie your family together across time and distance.
Begin exploring the possibilities today, and discover how family crest gifts can become treasured symbols of belonging that unite your family for generations to come.