The best gifts mean something today and even more years from now. A personalized push pin map does both: it celebrates where someone has been and gives them a reason to keep exploring. Here is how to choose the right map and the right words for each occasion.
Weddings and engagements
Best maps: USA maps for road trip couples, world maps for honeymoon planners, and the Wooden Hearts USA Map with 50 heart pins.
What to write: "[Name] and [Name], Est. [Wedding Date]" or "Our Adventures Begin."
Tip: Add wooden heart pins to mark where they met, got engaged and said "I do."
Anniversaries
Best maps: Any cotton map. Cotton is the traditional 2nd anniversary gift, and a wood frame or wooden pins covers the 5th.
What to write: "Two Years of Adventures," "Every Trip With You" or simply both names and the year.
More ideas in our 2nd anniversary cotton gift guide.
Retirement
Best maps: World maps for the big trip, the US National Parks map for retirees with an RV, or the RV Travel Map.
What to write: "Retired and Exploring," "Our Next Chapter" or "[Name]'s Retirement Travels."
Tip: Pin the places they have already been before you wrap it, so the map tells a story from day one.
Graduation
Best maps: Mini maps fit dorm desks perfectly, and world maps suit grads planning travel or study abroad.
What to write: "The World Is Waiting," "Class of [Year]: Go Explore" or "Adventure Awaits."
Father's Day and Mother's Day
Best maps: A family USA map, a ballpark or golf map for the sports fan, or a national park map for the parent who plans every hike.
What to write: "Dad's Ballpark Tour," "Mom's Adventures" or "Places We've Been With Dad."
Missionary farewells and homecomings
Best map: The LDS Missionary Map, personalized with the missionary's name, mission dates and country flag, with a key for Areas Served and Currently Serving.
What to write: "Elder [Name], [Mission]" or "Called to Serve, [Years]."
Tip: Give it at the farewell so family can pin each new area as letters arrive.
New homes and housewarmings
Best maps: A state map or USA map.
What to write: "Home Sweet Home, [Year]" or "Every Place We've Called Home."
Tip: Add wooden house pins for each place they have lived.
Gifting tips
- Use your own email for the proof so the surprise stays secret.
- Add extra pins with a push pin refill pack or wooden shaped pins.
- Order early for holidays, since every map is made to order and proofed before printing.
Need help with wording? See 60 title ideas, or learn how personalization works.
