Valentine gift-giving is your chance to get personal

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer

Jenn Lieu, with her boyfriend, Isaac Okita, says personalized gifts say that you're "proud to be with the person you're in love with." Photos by Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Those gifts don't have the personal touch that says, "I really thought about you, and only you, when I chose this gift."

If you care enough about someone to buy a Valentine's gift, shouldn't it be personal? It's all about wearing your heart on your sleeve and her name on your cap, or his initials on your T-shirt. The epitome of "personal" lies in personalization.

"Something personalized is the best gift of all to show that you're in love and you're really happy and proud to be with the person you're in love with," says Jenn Lieu, 20, of Kaimuki, a University of Hawai'i-Manoa fashion student who shares personalized gifts with her boyfriend, Isaac Okita, a Kapi'olani Community College marketing student. "It enables you to tell the world."

The trend toward putting initials and monograms on everything from purses to pillowcases means that personalized gifts are now more accessible than ever. We went browsing in search of specialized gifts for that special someone.

First stop: Sears at Ala Moana Center. Tucked away in a corner of the lower level is J.R.'s Caps & Embroidery, where manager Marlo Moniz and her crew can embroider just about anything at a rate of $1 per letter(with the fifth letter free). Most projects take less than an hour.

J.R.'s Caps & Embroidery can affix a message to almost any item.

They offer 40,000 embroidered motifs, or you can bring in artwork and they'll digitize it.

Pillowcases are a popular personalized Valentine's gift, as is underwear, Moniz said.

Wabi-Sabi, the little craft store in Kaimuki, carries items that can be personalized. They have stools with metal legs and plastic tops in neon colors on which they'll paint a name or message ($10).

Or add your Valentine's name to their plastic mugs, already imprinted with hearts ($8.50).

Stationery stores offer lots of options. For an old-fashioned sweetheart who still enjoys the art of letter-writing and love notes, The Paperie in Kahala Mall carries sealing wax ($4.50) and initial stamps ($10). Pair them with a pretty pack of floral note cards embellished with an initial ($8.50).

List-makers may appreciate pretty, long, narrow magnetized note pads ($5.50) with flowery initials that remind her of you each time she adds to her shopping list.

For a younger Valentine, note pads in bright construction paper colors are die-cut in the shape of an initial ($3.50).

Macy's has monogrammed sweaters in several styles. You're in luck if her name begins with "M." There's a T-shirt with a huge "M" surrounded by the words "mesmerizing, memorable, magical" ($20).

There are a few other letters featured, but forget it if she's a Roberta, Yvonne or Zelda.

Riches Kahala carries iconic leather bags, clutches, shoulder bags and totes by Tiras (featured in In Style magazine) that feature big, bold initials ($65-300).

For Tutu, charm bracelets and necklaces made by local firm Florinda's Treasures, also at Riches Kahala, are ideal Valentines. A favorite photo can be placed in a tiny frame to hang at the neck or wrist ($135 and up). It may, however, be too late to order for this year's holiday.

If so, try the sterling-silver charm bracelets made from vintage sealing-wax stamps ($64-74), sure to delight any vintage lover.

Reflections of the Heart, a new jewelry store in the Kahala Mall, carries a line of monogrammed jewelry in sterling silver or 14K gold that's reminiscent of the 1950s. You can choose your honey's three-letter monogram or stick to the first letter of her name.

The line includes pins, earrings, pendants and rings. The store can initial or monogram jewelry, luggage tags, letter openers, golf tees or key rings.

Fragrance is a romantic remembrance, and at Aveda Spa in Ala Moana you can mix a scent for him or for her. Choose from 25 aromatherapy oils to create an individualized scent that will bring fond memories.

Now, here's a clever idea for the culturally inclined: Iida's in Ala Moana Center can make a stamp with your Valentine's name, address and family crest or kanji ($24.95) if you allow them at least 24 hours.

Is she into astrology? Wet Seal has T-shirts with zodiac signs emblazoned on the front ($19). Rhinestone necklaces feature initials ($10.50), as do tank tops and deconstructed T-shirts ($12.50) in red, pink, gray and navy.

If he or she was born in the year of the monkey, you're in luck. Chinatown is chock full of monkey merchandise.