Stepdads rarely get the credit they deserve. They step into a family that already exists, learn its habits and in-jokes, and often end up doing all the unglamorous parts of fatherhood without anyone asking them to. Personalised stepdad cufflinks give you a way to acknowledge that, with something he will wear on the occasions where family matters most.
For the man who chose to be there
The best gifts for a stepdad reflect the relationship you actually have, rather than a greeting-card version of it. For some families he has been Dad in all but name since you were small. For others, he arrived when you were a teenager and things took a while to settle. Both are worth celebrating, and the design you choose can be as heartfelt or as light-hearted as feels right. Stepdad cufflinks are also a gift that does not demand a big conversation. If words have never come easily between you, handing over a small box and letting him discover the picture inside can say what a long speech might not. And if you have younger half-siblings, a design featuring all of the children together is a lovely way of showing that he is at the heart of a family that belongs to everyone.
Getting the words right
Wording is often the part people agonise over. A few options, from understated to open-hearted:
- His first name, or the nickname the family uses for him
- "Bonus Dad", which many families have adopted
- "Dad", if that is what he has become to you
- "Thank you for choosing us"
- The date he joined the family, whether that was a wedding or the day he moved in
If you are unsure, go for something that would make you both smile rather than something you think you ought to say. You can always put the longer message in a card inside the box. Some families like to include a date, such as the year he first came into your lives, which turns a simple gift into a small record of your shared history. Others prefer no words at all and let a photograph do the job.
Moments that suit a stepdad gift
Father's Day is the natural moment, and a lot of stepdads are quietly touched to be included in it at all. Other occasions where stepdad cufflinks fit well:
- His wedding to your mum, given on the morning before the ceremony
- Your own wedding, especially if he is walking you down the aisle or giving a speech
- An adoption day or the anniversary of it
- A big birthday such as his 50th or 60th
- Your graduation, as a thank-you for getting you there
Picking a photo that is about all of you
The right photo usually includes him and you, or him and the whole family. Look for:
- The holiday photo where everyone is squashed into the frame
- A picture of him teaching you to drive, fish or ride a bike
- His wedding day with your mum, with you and any siblings in the shot
- A candid moment, such as the two of you asleep on the sofa after Christmas dinner
- A shot of him on the touchline at your school sports day, cheering louder than anyone
Photos with lots of people should be cropped tightly so faces stay recognisable at cufflink size. If your best picture is an old print, scan it or photograph it flat in daylight. We print from the full-resolution original you upload, so start with the highest quality file you can find.
Preview, order and give
Once your photo is uploaded, it appears straight away on a preview of both cufflinks. Drag and zoom until the faces or words sit centrally, then check out securely. One pair is £40, shipping included. If you and your siblings want to order for other family members at the same time, several different designs can go in one basket, and once you have 5 or more pairs each is £15, plus £5 shipping per order. Every pair is made in our Cornwall workshop and arrives gift boxed.