Personalised Books for Friends: Gift Ideas
The short answer: the best personalised books for friends are built from real shared stories, not a name dropped into a template. Pick the tone first (a roast, a heartfelt thank-you or an adventure starring them), gather five or six specific memories, then choose a format. A GiftBookStory book is around 200 pages, from £24.99 in softcover or £9.99 as a digital book.
Pick the tone before anything else
The same friend can get very different books. Decide what the gift should do:
- A roast for a friend who loves being teased. Save it for groups where affectionate mockery is normal. Our funny book about a friend guide covers how far to take it.
- A heartfelt story that says what a friendship means without being sentimental. Memoir and drama work well here.
- An adventure or mystery where your friend is the hero, with their real habits and hobbies driving the plot.
- A romance for a friend who is getting married, told as the story of how the couple met.
Occasions that suit a book
- Milestone birthdays such as a 30th, 40th or 50th, where a book stands out from the usual gifts.
- Moving away or emigrating, as something to take with them.
- Weddings, as a gift from the best man, maid of honour or the whole group.
- Thank-you gifts for a friend who got you through a hard year.
- Leaving a job you worked together in.
What details make it work
Collect scenes rather than descriptions. “She is funny” gives a writer nothing; “she once talked her way into a sold-out gig by pretending to be the drummer's cousin” gives a whole chapter.
Useful material includes how you met, a trip or night out everyone still talks about, their catchphrases and habits, what they are brilliant at, what they are hopeless at, and anything they would not want mentioned. Keep private or painful details out unless you are sure your friend would be happy to see them in print.
Formats and prices
| Format | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Digital only | £9.99 | $12.99 |
| Softcover (digital included) | £24.99 | $35 |
| Hardback (digital included) | £34.99 | $45 |
Delivery is free on printed books. The digital book usually arrives within 30–45 minutes of purchase, and printed books are typically delivered 7–14 business days after printing, so order early for a birthday or leaving date.
How to make one
- Start the book wizard and choose who the book is for.
- Answer the questions with specific stories and add any other friends to the cast.
- Pick a genre and review the title, cover preview and chapter outline before paying.
- Choose digital, softcover or hardback.
For other ideas, see personalised books for adults or how to make a book about someone.
Frequently asked questions
What should I put in a personalised book for a friend?
Specific shared moments work best: how you met, a trip that went wrong, their catchphrases, their hobbies and the running jokes only your group understands. Specific scenes make a stronger story than a list of adjectives.
Should a book for a friend be funny or heartfelt?
Match it to the occasion. A roast suits a big birthday or a leaving do among friends who tease each other; a heartfelt story suits a thank-you, a move abroad or a friend going through a hard time. GiftBookStory offers comedy, memoir, romance, adventure, mystery and drama.
Can other friends appear in the book?
Yes. You can add other people to the story’s cast, so the rest of the group can appear alongside the main character.
Do you make personalized books for friends in the US?
Yes. Personalized books for friends are $35 softcover or $45 hardback in the US, printed by a North American partner with free delivery, or $12.99 for the digital book alone.