TL;DR: if you want personalised gifts for mum that feel properly thought through, a photo locket is the answer. The heart and oval lockets cost EUR 34.90 each, open to hold two photos, and the engraving is included in the price. You choose the chain length when you order; delivery to the EU and UK takes 3-7 business days.
Last updated: 22 October 2026
Mum is the hardest person to buy for precisely because she has spent years buying for everyone else. She does not need more, and she will tell you so. What she does keep is anything with her family in it. That is why personalised gifts for mum work best when they carry a face, a name or a date, and why we think a small locket beats most of the usual ideas. Our heart photo locket and oval photo locket are the two we recommend, and you can use either for a birthday, a milestone or no reason at all.
What makes a personalised gift for mum feel special?
It comes down to specifics. A card that says "Happy Birthday" could be for anyone. A necklace with your two photos inside, and her nickname on the front, could only be for her. The more particular the detail, the less it feels like a purchase and the more it feels like attention.
Price helps as well. It is easy to assume that a meaningful present has to be expensive, but that is not how mums think. YouGov asked British adults in November 2025 what they typically spend on Christmas presents for different people, and the median for parents came out at £31 to £50. A gift under EUR 50 with engraving included in the price sits easily inside that kind of budget, and the personal touch is what she will remember.
Which locket suits which mum?
Both lockets are made of gold-tone stainless steel, hold two photos and are priced at EUR 34.90. Choose by taste, not by cost.
| Heart locket | Oval locket | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | about 25 mm | 30 x 23 mm |
| Finish | gold-tone stainless steel (IP coating), clear zircon border | gold-tone stainless steel |
| Look | romantic, with a little sparkle at the edge | classic, roomy, understated |
| Best for | a mum who loves delicate, glittery pieces | a mum who likes a timeless pendant she can wear daily |
| Price | EUR 34.90, engraving included | EUR 34.90, engraving included |
The heart tends to feel more like a gift, while the oval feels more like an heirloom. Neither is wrong. If she already wears a particular tone of metal, both are gold-tone, so they will sit with warm-coloured pieces rather than silver ones. See the full range in our jewellery collection.
Which photo pairings work best for mum?
Each locket holds two photos, so you are choosing a pair that says something together. Here are six combinations to borrow:
- You as a baby in her arms, and the two of you now.
- Her wedding day, and a recent picture with her grandchildren.
- Your siblings side by side, so every child is in one place.
- Mum with her own mother, and mum with you.
- Your first day at school, and your graduation or first job.
- Her dog or cat on one side, the whole family on the other.
Pick close portraits where faces are clear. If you only have a group photo, crop tightly before uploading. Our short guide on putting a photo in a locket walks you through how to prepare an image so it looks sharp at pendant size.
What should you engrave for a birthday, milestone or just because?
Engraving space is small, so a few characters carry more weight than a sentence. Here are ten ideas, split by occasion.
Birthdays and milestones
- Mum, 60
- Happy birthday, Mum
- 12.03.1966
- Forever 50
Just because
- Mum, with love
- Thank you, Mum
- S & J
- 51.5072 N, 0.1276 W (the coordinates of the place you grew up)
- Always home
- Love, Lucy
If she has a pet name for you or a phrase she says often, use it. It will mean more than any generic line. Keep the wording to a few short words, and put anything longer on a card.
How do you order a personalised locket for mum?
- Choose the heart or the oval locket.
- Upload two photos from your phone or computer.
- Type the engraving text you want on the front.
- Choose the chain length when you order.
- Pay, then wait 3-7 business days for delivery across the EU and UK, Ireland included.
Every locket is personalised and engraved in the EU, and the whole process takes a few minutes. If you are ordering for a birthday, give yourself a comfortable margin, since delivery times are estimates from order to door and we do not guarantee a particular date.
How can you present the gift?
Make it a small occasion. Write the card by hand and say one specific thing, such as why you chose these two photos. A line like "I picked these because they are my two favourite days" does more than any slogan. Add a bunch of her favourite flowers if you can, or hand the locket over at a quiet moment instead of in front of a crowd. Many mums like to open this sort of gift privately and then show everyone.
How do you care for a locket?
Treat it like any fine chain. Put it on last when you dress, take it off before swimming, showering or cleaning, and wipe it with a soft, dry cloth. Store it flat in its box. If mum wears it every day, a quick wipe each evening keeps the finish clean.
Looking for more ideas? Our guide to personalised Christmas gifts for mum and our Christmas gift for mum locket guide cover the winter season. For a gift for her mum, see gifts for grandma.
Frequently asked questions
What size is the locket?
The heart locket is about 25 mm across and the oval locket is 30 x 23 mm. Both are sized for everyday wear, light enough not to feel heavy and large enough to hold two photos. Measure a coin against the dimensions if you want a feel for how it will look.
What is the locket made from?
Both are gold-tone stainless steel. The heart locket is gold-tone (IP coating) and has a clear zircon border, while the oval has the same gold-tone finish without the stones. That finish keeps the price at EUR 34.90 while still giving a warm, polished look.
Which photos fit inside?
Each locket takes two photos, one per side. Close portraits give the best result, as faces stay clear at a small size. You upload your images at checkout, so you can use a recent phone photo or a picture of an old print without any posting.
How does engraving work?
Type your text in the order form and we engrave it on the front. The engraving is included in the price of EUR 34.90. Because the area is small, short names, initials, dates and brief phrases look best. Longer thoughts belong on a card that goes in the box.
Can I choose the chain length?
Yes, you choose the chain length when you order. Think about the necklines mum wears most and whether she prefers a pendant that rests close to the collarbone or hangs lower. If she wears glasses on a chain as well, a slightly different length can stop the two tangling.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery to the EU and the UK takes 3-7 business days from order to your door, and that includes Ireland. Your locket is personalised and engraved in the EU first, so please allow for that and order a little ahead of any birthday or event.
Is it a good birthday gift for mum?
Yes, it works for birthdays, milestone birthdays and non-occasions alike. A locket with two photos and a short engraving feels personal at every age, and at EUR 34.90 it suits those looking for a gift under EUR 50 without it feeling like a compromise.
Can I add a gift message?
The engraving is the place for a few words on the pendant itself. For a longer message, write a card and tuck it into the box. A handwritten note about why you chose the two photos is often the part mums remember most.
