How to choose your letters

What is actually in this category

Two different things live here, and they work well together: letter glasses, which make up most of the range and work both for everyday use and for dressing a table, and the light-up letter, which is pure decoration for a shelf or a bedroom. If you came looking for an initial to give as a present, either will do the job. If you came to spell a whole name across a wall, start with the light-up letter.

An initial is a personalised gift with no personalisation

A letter is one of those presents that feels made to measure without any custom order or waiting time. It works for birthdays, new homes, new babies and secret santa, which is exactly where getting it right on a small budget matters most. It also has a practical advantage: no size to guess and no taste to second-guess, just a name.

Letter glasses: one each, and the argument is over

The obvious use is the best one — everyone gets their initial and nobody asks which glass was theirs. In a house with children it earns its keep. For a big lunch, a Christmas dinner or a small wedding, an initialled glass at each place works as a place card and as a favour to take home at the same time, which costs less than buying both.

Spelling names and words

They are sold separately, so you can put together a name, a double initial or a short word. One useful warning: vowels and common consonants run out long before the K or the W. If you have a date in the diary, order the vowels with time to spare.

Where to put the light-up letter

It stands on its own, so there is no drilling involved: a shelf, a bedside table, a mantelpiece, or leaning on the floor beside a child's bed. Letters like these usually run on batteries, which is what lets you put them where there is no socket, but check the product page for the exact power source before you buy.

What to put with it

A single letter on an empty shelf looks sparse. Next to a couple of books, a candle and a photo frame, it looks deliberate. If you are building a whole corner, wall decor and home decor have the rest.

Frequently asked questions about our decorative letters

Do the light-up letters need batteries or a plug?

Most run on batteries, which means you can put them anywhere without worrying about a socket. The exact power source is listed on each product page.

Can they go on a wall?

Yes, or on a shelf, a bedside table or a mantelpiece. They stand on their own, so you do not have to drill anything unless you want to.

Can I spell out a word?

That is half the fun. Buy the letters separately and put together a name, an initial or a short word. Bear in mind popular letters sell out faster, so order the vowels early.

Are they a good gift?

An initial is one of those presents that feels personalised without needing any actual personalisation. It works for birthdays, new homes and new babies. See more in wall decor.

The rest of the drinkware is in mugs and glasses, and there are more ideas in new baby gifts and weddings.