Week 2: Googled "meaningful D&D gift," found Reddit threads, clicked through to Etsy. Discovered custom art exists. Bookmarked some artists. Started comparing portfolios. Couldn't decide which one to trust. Kept researching.
This week: You're still here. Still searching. Christmas is 6 weeks away. You've looked at so many options they're all blurring together.
The same generic fantasy merch. The same template portraits. The same uncertainty about who to trust.
You know what would actually mean something.
Custom fantasy art: them as their character, with those specific personal details that prove you've been listening.
But every time you get close to ordering, the anxiety hits:
"What if the artist ghosts me?"
"I don't understand D&D—how do I even describe what I want?"
"What if it doesn't look like them?"
"What if I spend $100 and they have to fake being excited?"
Here's what I know after 500+ commissions since 2022:
You already know custom art would be the perfect gift.
The problem isn't figuring out what to give.
The problem is trusting someone to execute it.
Let me show you why this is different.