Personalised name bracelets for Christmas: letters, sizing and gift notes

A beaded name bracelet is a small present that can only belong to one person. Most of ours cost between £7.99 and £11.99, they're threaded by hand to order in our Berkshire studio, and UK delivery is free. The hard part is the decisions: what to spell out, which size to pick and what to say when you hand it over. This guide goes through each one.

Choosing the letters

On each name bracelet, there's a box on the product page where you type what you want. It takes up to 14 characters, using letters, numbers and the symbols ♥ & : !. We thread exactly what you type, so whatever is in the box is what goes on the bracelet.

Some ideas that work well:

• Their first name, or the shortened version everyone uses. If they're Elizabeth to their boss and Lizzie to you, Lizzie is usually the better gift.

• A family title, such as Mum, Nan, Grandad or Auntie. The Round Bead Custom Bracelet takes a name or a family title like these.

• Initials, with or without a heart or an ampersand between them, for example J♥M or A&L.

• A year or a number that means something, such as the year a grandchild was born or a football shirt number.

• A short word. The Faith & Scripture Bracelet is made for a Christian saying, a scripture reference or a word of encouragement.

Short words leave more room for the coloured beads, which matters most on a small child's wrist. If you only want one letter, the Personalised Initial Bracelet has glossy gold-tone beads and a single colourful initial bead.

Before you pay, read the box back letter by letter. Personalised pieces are made for one person, so they can't normally be returned for a change of mind. This doesn't affect your rights if something arrives faulty or not as described, and our returns policy has the details.

Picking a style for the person

• For children: the Fruity Pop Bracelet mixes bright beads with a name, initials or a number. The fruit character beads are chosen at random, and you can message us with a special request.

• For someone who likes a quieter look: the Lava Rock Name Bracelet comes with white and gold, black or white letter beads. You can ask for a gold, silver, rose gold or all-black finish in the note to us.

• For a pet lover: the Personalised Paw Print Bracelet can carry the pet's name or the owner's.

• For a bit of sparkle: the Crystal Rondelle Beaded Bracelet comes in ten colours and takes a name, initials or a number.

You can see every style in one place in personalised name bracelets.

Getting the size right

Most of our name bracelets come in sizes from X-Small (6 inches) to XX-Large (8.5 inches). The Round Bead, Crystal Rondelle and Faith & Scripture bracelets also come in a toddler size of 5.5 to 6 inches.

To measure, wrap a piece of string round the wrist, mark where it meets, measure the string against a ruler and add about half an inch for comfort. That's easy if you're buying for yourself and harder if it's a surprise. A few ways round it:

• Borrow a bracelet they already wear and measure that instead.

• Ask someone who lives with them to measure.

• If you're between sizes or can't measure, add a note at checkout and we'll look at it before we make the bracelet.

There's more on this in our guide to buying a bracelet when you don't know their wrist size. Please don't give bead jewellery to a child who still puts things in their mouth.

Two names, one order

If you're buying for two people, many styles have a "Make it a matching pair" option on the product page. It adds a second bracelet with a second name to the same order. It's useful for siblings, a parent and child or two friends who'll want the same thing.

What to write in the gift note

If you're adding a card of your own, keep it to a line or two and say why you chose the name or word. "Because you'll always be Nanny Jo to us" says more than a long message. We've written a whole post on gift notes that make a bracelet feel chosen if you'd like more ideas.

Ordering in time for Christmas

Personalised pieces are made to order and posted within 1 to 2 working days. Standard UK delivery is free with Royal Mail and usually arrives 3 to 5 working days after posting. You can choose express delivery at checkout. Our Christmas gift guide shows the last order date for UK delivery before Christmas.

Questions people ask

How many letters can I put on a name bracelet?

Up to 14 characters, using letters, numbers and the symbols ♥ & : !. The Personalised Initial Bracelet takes a single letter.

Can I order two bracelets with different names?

Yes, on many styles. Choose "Make it a matching pair" on the product page and add the second name. Both bracelets come in the same order.

What if I don't know their wrist size?

Measure a bracelet they already own, ask someone close to them, or add a note at checkout so we can review it before making the bracelet.

Can I return a personalised bracelet?

Bracelets made with a name, initials or a custom word can't normally be returned for a change of mind. Your rights are not affected if one arrives faulty, damaged or not as described.