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Like the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So with a name like Uglydoll in a looks-obsessed culture, it’s liberating to love something that’s…well, not so beautiful. This near-cult phenomenon has caught on with kids and grown-ups alike, so don’t feel guilty if you too are the proud owner of one of these plush pals. True blue fans will love the latest Uglydoll incarnation: make your own T-shirt. Simply visit the Uglydoll site and choose from among a handful of graphics starring your favorite characters: Bop ‘n Beep, Ice-Bat, Babo, Peaco and Ox.

Each is paired with witty sayings like “Ugly is cute” or “C is for not cute.” I’m partial to the alphabet shirts starring your favorite letter—a fun birthday present idea. You can even position and size your chosen image however you like. Then choose your color (white, pink, blue, gray or black) and size (toddler, kid, women or men), and you’re good to go.

How awesome that you can watch your shirt being “built” as you go, so you’ll know exactly what you’ll be getting. Pretty cool. Or, should we say, pretty ugly.

What’s in a name? Plenty, especially if you’re a child who proudly displays his name from the first day of his life. From birth announcements, to special keepsake gifts, here are some of the coolest sites that will let your little one celebrate himself:

• Craftrimony on Etsy.com

  

  What could be more special than a personalized lullaby print for a new baby? You have the option of receiving a printed sheet music featuring your child’s name—framed or unframed—along with a downloadable MP3 recording or CD. Better yet, you can receive an original lullaby composed just for your child for an additional charge. This is a truly unique baby gift for naptime and beyond.

• Frecklebox.com

  

  Hard-pressed to find a unique gift for the child in your life, but know one bearing his name will illicit lots of “oohs” and “ahhs?” Then this one-stop-shop is the site for you. From coloring books and growth charts, to birthday party favors and lunchboxes, there are tons of choices for every age that you’ll want to bookmark this one.

• Kookoobearkids.com

  

  Forget about standard storybooks and other gifts that slap on a name and call it done. This site goes beyond the traditional and offers whimsical gifts like a mini monogrammed chef’s jacket and a personalized boudoir pillow. Tres’ chic!