Personalized Childhood Memories Leave Lasting Impressions

My Personalized Childhood

One of the things I enjoyed most as a kid in the late 70s and early 80s was the abundance of personalized products that flooded the marketplace, and subsequently my pockets, drawers, folders and various other hideaways. Although my name wasn’t always readily available in off-the-rack items, I still had tons of brightly colored, personalized stationery sets, hair clips, shoelaces, tee shirts, stickers – you name it – everything that made the 80s so wonderfully fascinating and tacky all at once.

Even children enjoy personalized stationery

One of my favorite items was actually a set of personalized stationery with my name in yellow at the top of each sheet and again repeated across the back flap of the envelopes. Although I disliked yellow, I loved seeing my name in big, fat ‘Cooper Black’ lettering over and over again on the paper.

Thinking back on all of that personalized excess makes me wonder why I was so enthralled by it all. So here’s my Psychology 101 analysis of why kids (and grownups) love receiving custom gifts and buying personalized stationery.

Seeing your name in print boosts your self-esteem

Let’s face it: we all appreciate recognition. Personalization puts our names out there for the world to see. Made-to-order items boost our self-esteem by showcasing our names in an attractive, positive way. Personalized stationery in particular makes me feel special, because it makes me feel as if I am sending a little bit of myself to my recipient. As a kid, putting specially made labels on my folders and books made me feel good because I put my own ‘stamp’ on my little world.

As a young girl, one of my most treasured possessions was a little painted wooden box with my name hand-painted on the lid. Inside were a personalized notepad and pencil that also had my name on them. That gift stood out against all the rest because the friend who gave it had something made just for me, and she filled the box with more custom-made gifts I could use. My name looked so pretty in delicate, white brushstrokes. To this day, I still have that personalized keepsake box tucked away in my closet; it holds mementos from my childhood. And when I see that gift, I think of the kind friend who carefully selected it just for me.

Personalized gifts show extra thoughtfulness

Don’t get me wrong; gift giving is always thoughtful. But there’s a big difference between a gift and a personalized gift. Giving unique, customized gifts shows that the giver has put extra time and effort into getting something specifically for that recipient. She didn’t go into her gift drawer and pull out what was handy! Chances are, the giver didn’t only think of getting something with your name on it; she probably also thought about what it was you would really appreciate and chose that personalized gift especially for you.

Personalized gifts are always appreciated

Personalizing Kids’ Stuff

I think that, of all people, kids get a special kick out of personalized gifts. I know I did, and I know my kids love it, too.  My son has a sticker folder, and his favorite stickers are custom-made labels with his name in shiny letters. He sticks them on everything! Kids feel good seeing their names, especially on special things that matter to them, like their books, games and toys. It’s also fun to give kids personalized stationery to encourage them to write and practice the kindness of thank you note etiquette and the dying art of letter writing. Kids are more inclined to write on personalized paper because they feel good about using something with their name on it.

Yes, I was a victim of the 80s, but it had its positives. Maybe it even boosted my self-esteem to be a child of the 80s, submersed in the burgeoning world of personalized products.  Who knows…it was fun, anyway!