Category Archives: Engraving

Kitchen Stock Up

Now that the holidays are in the rearview mirror, it is time to take stock. Did you entertain and found that some of your serving platters, utensils, wine glasses, cutting boards, or other kitchen items are looking old, dated, or need replacing? Or were some items left at neighbor’s and friends homes each time you have brought a dish? If that is the case, now is the time to stock up on your kitchen needs that will have you entertaining again in style this year.

Entertaining

Every kitchen needs certain items if you plan on entertaining or attending parties where you bring an hors d’oeuvre or dish. Serving platters, dishes, barware, utensils, cheese plates, and bottle openers are just the start to your kitchen inventory. Having more than one of these items is always a smart bet as well. Here are some of our favorite kitchen items for entertainers.

A cheese and cracker spread is a staple when it comes to hosting parties. It’s easy to prepare, makes for a great starter, and can be carried while guests mingle and move around at the beginning of a dinner party. This cheese plate is made of rubberwood board, and comes with three stainless steel utensils with rubberwood handles and a clear glass dome. Add a personalization such as your initials or a monogram.

Appetizers

There can never be enough serving sets! This particular piece is unique in that it does not take up much table space and can hold three different types of appetizers in the glass dishes. Perhaps you are offering fruits, nuts, candies, or even condiments or dipping sauces. The choice is yours! The glass dishes are square and measure 2 1/2″ H x 4 1/8″ square, with a 2″ square base.

Prepping the Meal

Plan on serving a roast or a traditional turkey meal? Then you will need a carving set that shines! This fork and knife set features smooth stainless steel easy to grip handles and includes a rosewood finished box with dual metal hinged and clasp closure. The lid can be personalized with your name, initials, or monogram.

We have so many kitchen items to match your home’s decor. Check out all of our kitchen and entertaining items that would make a great addition to your next dinner party.

Ready for Retirement?

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After decades of commitment, diligence, and passion, the time has finally come for retirement. What a huge milestone that deserves to be celebrated with family and friends. There should be great food, close friends, and gifts to remember the years spent with coworkers.

Retirement gifts can be tricky depending upon the wish list of the recipient, but we have a few clever ideas that can make the retiree’s day! When considering a gift for someone who’s about to retire, think about what their plans are for the months and years after they stop working. Some retirees plan to travel, while others plan to spend time with grandchildren or doing a hobby they haven’t had time for such as gardening or golf. This may help when choosing the perfect gift for a retirement party.

Golf Lovers – If your retiree loves being out on the links with the sun shining and grass freshly mowed, then Creative Gifts Direct has several ideas with the golf lover in mind. This Golf Flask with Golf Tools is a great gift that can be used over and over again. Not only does this stainless steel, leather-wrapped Golfer’s Flask hold 6 oz. of your favorite beverage, but it has four wooden tee’s, two silver golf ball markers and a divot tool. Check out some more of our golf-themed gifts here.

For the Traveler – Now that the years of work are through, it may be time to take that trip to a luxurious beach resort or around the globe! The sky’s the limit. For this retiree, we suggest a gift of luggage tags. Stand out from the crowd at baggage claim with our grey leatherette luggage tag. Make it even easier to identify with a monogram or initial. This piece comes with a clear window on the other side so a name, address, and phone number can be added for protection.

For the entertainer – If your loved one likes to entertain or attend gatherings often, chances are they may want to have a way to transport wine or other beverage. This canvas and grey colored leatherette wine holder is the perfect gift for someone to arrive at a party with a bottle of wine! It can be used to deliver wine to a friend or for use on your own back deck. Either way, have it personalized and make it even more special.

Check out our wide range of gifts that can welcome your retiree into the next phase of his/her life. Check them out on our website.

Spring Into Entertaining

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Our favorite time of year is almost here! It’s time to plan for your spring and summer patio parties that you’ve been dreaming about all winter long. Creative Gifts Direct has some unique gifts and special touches that can bring your food spread to the next level. Check out some of our favorites below. Bring as a hostess gift or, better yet, treat yourself!

Kiss the Cook

The best part of a BBQ or patio party is the fun you have while standing or lounging around the grill. Give your chef an apron fit for their personality. We offer many styles and colors that can suit just about any cook! We especially love this one about “Mr. Good Lookin’!”

Grilling

What’s an outdoor party without tools for the “Grill King or Queen?” A new set of stainless steel wood handled tools for outdoor grilling is a must have item. The oversized tools include tongs, a fork, and a spatula. Each piece comes with leather ties for easy hanging on the grill. The carrying case makes it easy to store and protect for the next party.

Taste Testing

Even if you don’t brew your own beer, this Tasting Flight will make for a fun night trying out the beverages you are offering. The wooden holder has a handle and six circular indents in the wood for the cups to sit in securely. It is both functional and fabulous. Color code your tasting with each finely crafted glass.

Save Room for Dessert

Serve your signature dessert in these beautiful glasses that come with a miniature spoon to scoop out that last bit of heaven. These 4.75-inch glasses can also double as shot glasses after removing the spoons. Who doesn’t love multifunctional kitchenware?

Creative Gifts Direct offers a huge variety of gifts for entertaining, both indoors and out. Check out our hostess gifts and serving platters that can make your tabletop shine during your next event. Pair our items together for a cohesive look and a night your guests won’t soon forget. Check out our options and our newest items on our website. See you at the grill!

What’s New at Creative Gifts?

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We pride ourselves on having exceptional gifts for moms, dads, grads, and all those milestone occasions like welcoming a baby, buying a first home, or retiring after a successful career. What makes us even more special is that we are always adding and changing our products to suit events of the season or new trends. What puts our products over the top, however, is that so many of them can be personalized to the recipient, whether it is an initial, monogram, or special quote. Check out what’s new here at Creative Gifts on our “New” page. Here are some of our favorites to get you started.

Stainless Steel Necklaces – We have a new assortment of necklaces that come in many different shapes including: hearts, a cross, an angel, a star of David, a circle, or a rectangle. Each 18-inch necklace is made of stainless steel so you know it will last. These brightly polished pendants come displayed in a beautiful black-flocked presentation box. Choose the design that matches the person’s personality or the event, such as a cross for confirmation or a Star of David for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

This beautiful black leather jewelry case is one of our favorite new items. The elegant case is made from genuine top grain leather and features a black leather exterior and a brushed saddle interior. This great travel accessory has two compartments that allow for safe storage of watches, rings, or small jewelry. It comes in a black presentation-style gift box and it’s perfect for the graduate or college-bound senior.

For the new driver in your family or the student heading off to college, this black key chain with multifunction tools and a light is the perfect gift. This small personalized gift is nice to look at and handy when in a pinch. Overall this handy little multi-tool is just 3.5″ long, but it opens to reveal numerous tools inside and out, including: a knife blade, slotted head screwdriver, phillips head screwdriver, and a bottle opener. Then, press the button to turn on the LED light that’s also included.

Choosing the Right Personalization

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One of the best parts of giving a gift is seeing the reaction of the person upon opening. Hopefully the giver gets to see just how much it made the person’s day to see the love and thought that was put into finding the perfect gift for them. This is especially true when a gift has been personalized with a name, initial, quote, or special date. Just think about how special it is for a newly married couple to finally see their last name on an item that they will share for years to come, or a newborn’s name and birthday on a frame that will contain his/her first picture! Choosing the right personalization is key. Here is a quick guide to doing just that next time you are in gift giving mode.

Initials, Monogram, or Letters – Giving a gift that has a person’s initials, monogram, or first letter of their name makes it a fun and personal gift. For example, if you have a wine lover as your friend, what could be better than a personalized wine cork to keep handy when entertaining? Or if you have a friend or relative who loves to travel, why not get a set of luggage tags that have their initials so baggage claim is a breeze.

A Full Name – While not as popular as initials and monogramming, a full name is a great personalization to consider when there is a wedding to celebrate or the birth of a baby. Everyone loves to see their name on new items, especially when that name is something new and precious. For example a baby bank or cross would look lovely with the full name of the child. In addition, newly married couples who have taken the same name also love to see items with their family name engraved!

Quotes or Dates – While not all items have spaces big enough for a quote that is meaningful, some do and this should be considered if there is a special message you would like to get across such as “I love you” or “Forever Mine”. Dates are also a spectacular idea when a milestone is being celebrated. For example, a birth date, a retirement, a wedding day, graduation, or any big milestone in a person’s life is a great time to include a date as personalization.

Check out the wide array of gift Creative Gifts Direct offers to all of these milestones. Consider personalizing your item to make it even more special. Visit our website to find out more.

Getting Personal on Every Occasion

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Gifts are wonderful no matter what the occasion, whether it is an anniversary, birthday, retirement, christening or graduation. Young, old and everyone in between enjoys getting a well-thought-out gift. This is especially true if the gift is personalized in some way. Trending in the gift giving market this year are personalizations that mark a special date, a unique message or an engraving of a monogram or name. Here are just a few ways that getting personal with your gift giving is the right way to go.

Weddings – When two people are celebrating joining themselves together as “one” there is no better way to get personal than by monogramming their new initials or last name on a special wedding gift. Toasting glasses, picture frames and clocks are especially popular keepsakes that will be around for years to come.
Welcoming a New Family Member – The birth or adoption of a family member is a momentous occasion. Personalize your baby gift such as a piggy bank, frame, or birth certificate holder with the important date, name and weight/height of the child. This keepsake can remind you of the special moments and be passed to the child as they grow.
Retirement – The act of retiring can be very bittersweet for many people leaving the career they have loved and the people they have loved for many years. What better way to celebrate the event than a gift that had a favorite message or quote that inspired you? Say farewell to your co-worker in a personal way.
Graduation – Gifts that mark graduating from high school or college provide a unique chance to personalize the date of the event or a beloved quote. Personalize picture frames, jewelry boxes, cuff links and more for the soon-to-be graduate.
Christening – This holy day can be commemorated not only with a special gift but made even more unique with a personalized quote from the bible or an inspirational quote to live by. A gift of an engraved cross or picture album can be especially personal.

If you are looking for a way to get personal for your next gift giving even check out the many options at Creative Gifts Direct.

Party Favors to Ring in the New Year

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Hard to believe that yet another year has come and gone. Nonetheless, here we are ready to start yet another year. The New Year promises to be an exciting one, and what better way to mark the occasion than to celebrate with friends and family? What’s a party without food, spirits and, of course, fun party favors to ring in 2017 with style? Depending upon your style, theme or budget, party favors can be a great treat for each guest. Pick a theme, style or just something fun and whimsical to delight your guests this new year.

330x330-1187 Many people wish for a better financial situation every new year. If you want to wish your party guests much fortune in the new year, perhaps a money clip or card case can give them luck as they begin 2017. This tan leatherette card case/money clip combo has three slots for your cards on one side and a money clip on the other side. You can add personalization to make it truly unique for each party goer.

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Perhaps you are going with a theme such as “Ring in the New Year” where you present each guest with a personalized key ring that suits their personality and interests. We have many styles and shapes to choose from including: hearts, a home, ovals, apples, angels, bottle openers, stars, a wrench, a grand piano, and a dog bone. One key ring that is very popular is the locket key ring that holds two mini pictures in a hinged oval compartment. Add a monogram and make it even more personal.

330x330-1142 (1) For the party revelers who want to remember kicking off the year with friends an engraved flask for their spirits will be a whimsical and fun gift. We offer several different styles and colors to suit each guest from black or brown leather to “bling-ed” out pink crystal flasks. Your best gal pals will remember this New Year’s Eve with this darling pink crystal covered flask. The lid is hinged so that you won’t lose or misplace it. In addition there is a space reserved for personalization to give it that special flair!

Anniversary Gifts

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Weddings and the anniversary celebration each year after are a common tradition in many countries. In the United States a special gift for the couple is traditional. It may come from close family and friends or from those who were part of the wedding party.You may even be searching for a special gift for your better half. With over 2.3 million weddings every year in the US that is a lot of gift giving. How do you make your gift special and unique? Creative Gifts Direct has a few ideas to help you choose that “just right” gift for your spouse or that perfect couple getting ready to celebrate an anniversary.

The most popular month for weddings in the United States has long been the month of June but is quickly followed by August, September, and October. You may have an anniversary quick approaching and need to find a gift that sends a message of love. What says a couple will stand the test of time better than a clock engraved with their wedding date, a monogram, or a special saying unique to them and their love? The optic crystal is clear and heavy but contains no lead so it can be etched by laser engraving. Check out this timepiece that can be a gift that they treasure for years to come.

For the couple who loves to celebrate with a nice meal and some bubbly a stainless steel wine bottle or champagne cooler may be just the ideal gift. Add the couples monogram wedding date or the couple’s wedding song to make it even more personal. The couple will enjoy this gift not just on their anniversary but during dinner parties and holidays.

Anniversaries many times come with flowers and rose petals to show how much you care for the couple. Give the couple something special to display their bouquet in every year with this crystal Rose Bowl. The bowl has a beautiful crisscross diamond cut topped with a wheat cut. It could be used for candles, votives or fragrant rose petals to celebrate every year. A one to three letter monogram with the couple’s fist initial and last initial will make this gift as unique as they are.

Making Memories Outdoors

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Whether it’s a week of casual, comfortable trailer camping with family, a weekend telling ghost stories in the backyard, a week bunking in cabins with people you’ve just met, or an epic journey through challenging wilderness, spending time outdoors is great for creating lasting memories. So many of us have childhood memories of trips like these – experiences that shaped who we are today, that influence how we’ll relate to our families for years to come.

Having the correct gear to see you safely through these outdoor adventures (like bug spray, a sleeping bag, or warm socks) is understandably crucial. But it’s nearly as important to have a memento that reminds you of your once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Sending someone off on a journey with a thoughtful, personalized gift appropriate to the trip on which they’re embarking is a great way to do that.

For the casual weekend camper, consider an engraved leatherette flask – something to keep the beverage of their choice close at hand. And clearly marked so no one sneaks off with it by mistake!

For the young scout headed off on a first camp cabin adventure, send them with a watch marked with their initials so that whenever they look at that watch while they’re at camp they’ll be reminded of you. And in the years to come, they’ll instantly be transported back to the heady excitement of camp whenever they look at their memento.

For the avid, intrepid adventurer (perhaps headed out for a months-long through hike of the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trail), a personalized pocket knife with a host of handy tools or an engraved whistle for deterring inquisitive potential predators.

But however you commemorate a great outdoor adventure, personalization takes the thoughtfulness of your gift to the next level. Browse our entire selection of memory-making gifts now.

Bridal Shower Checklists and Gift Ideas

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We are coming upon that time of year again! Spring and summer weddings mean that it’s “shower time”. There’s lots to do and planning that is needed to make a shower a once-in-a-lifetime event. If you are the Maid or Matron of Honor or the Mother of the Bride or Groom, you may feel overwhelmed at planning the party and finding the perfect gift for that perfect couple, but here is our easy reference guide to help the shower go off without a hitch and help you find a special gift for the couple.

Preparing to “shower” the couple with gifts to start their new life together? Here are some things you will want to check off your list:

Pick a date – Try to keep it a few months before the wedding and be sensitive to planning dates if their are relatives coming from out-of-town.
Plan the Guest List – Consult the bride and groom to see how big or small an affair they want this to be.
Choose a Theme– Is this shower going to be in a garden or a different type of venue? Choose according to the personalities of the bride and groom. If they are a relaxed couple, maybe a backyard Jack-and-Jill style shower or if they are more formal maybe an afternoon tea or brunch at a local restaurant.
Send the Invitations – Our suggestion is to send it several weeks in advance and give several options of how to RSVP.
Plan a Menu and Decorations – Depending upon how elaborate or simple your shower will be plan a menu accordingly. Shop for fun theme type decorations.
Decide on Activities– Again, depending upon the audience and the personality of the bride and groom, you may want to consider some fun activities that will keep guests entertained during the shower. Here are some wedding shower activities courtesy of Pinterest that range from hilariously funny to adorably sweet! Wedding Activities at Pinterest.
Buy the Perfect Gift– Here is our specialty! Creative Gifts has so many personalized items that will be a true keepsake for the wedding couple. Mantle Clocks with their wedding date engraved upon it, frames for their stunning photos with their new family name on it or kitchenware for their future parties or dinners as a married couple. Check out all of our unique gifts that can touch the couple by reminding them of the day they wed!