Send a Message

I  must admit that I have become a bit obsessed with these mugs! The idea is so simple and versatile that my brain has been coming up with all sorts of ways that it could be used - even when I try to turn it off! As a last attempt to get my mind re-focused I thought that I would make a list of these ideas in case they might be useful to someone else! Here goes...

Stand Alone Gift Item

Since this is such a clever idea and can be customized before gifting, it really can stand alone as a great present. Simply add a message or favorite quote that your friend will appreciate and you have a unique, yet useful gift item.

Gift Bundle

It just so happens that I have a few friends with a fondness for tea and coffee. For those with a little bigger gift budget, add a few beans or exotic tea leaves with some coordinating items (honey, flavored syrups, stain removal wipes for any beverage mishaps, etc) to your messaged mug to create a lovely little gift package.

Invitation Mug/ Party Favors

Event invitations and party favors have progressively become more and more creative in their selections. For the person with a fabulous party budget, these mugs could be a great invitation and/or favor item with personalized messages or event details added for customization. Forget the candied almonds that send people to the Dentist... this is a gift they may actually use again!

Gift for the Troops

It might be some residual emotion from the holiday season, but I also started thinking about the organizations that allow you to send care packages to the troops. (Disclaimer note: I have not yet investigated the do and do not list of items...) How fun would it be to send them a postcard mug with a message of thanks and maybe even your city and state so they know its city of origin?

Teacher Gifts

I realize that teachers have mug collections that could rival the shelves of Goodwill, but IF you know that your child's teacher enjoys their warm beverages, this might be an exception to the rule of "no more mugs". How could they resist a personal message from one of their students?!

I suspect that in spite of this idea download my brain will continue to come up with ideas. Anything useful or even mildly interesting will get added as an update... just in case you can use it! Of course, if you think of any ideas I would LOVE to hear them!

Forget the Man Flowers...

Father's Day is around the corner and like most people I struggled with what to get my dear old dad this year. After exploring a variety of options I settled on a framed piece of family heritage, but not before considering a few other interesting options. Take a look and see if any of these items might be a good fit for the dad-man in your life!

Have you ever seen the trunk of an avid golfers car? Though there are the rare few who keep things tidy, most trunks are a tornado inspired collection of bag, clubs, balls, shoes and various other accessories allowing them to sport up in the parking lot of the club. If this mess makes you crazy, you might consider a Trunk It Golf Gear Organizer designed specifically for golf gear. This handy accessory keeps all of their golf gear in an easy to find location with the added bonus of a slightly less cluttered trunk space. ProActive Sports Trunk It Golf Gear Organizer, Black

If your Father's Day gifts have become a trend of tie giving, you might consider reaching out to your inner artist and creating a custom tie for dad this year. Adding to the personalization of the gift giving experience, a custom designed tie also ensures that dad has a truly one of a kind item to wear with his favorite suit!

If you have a dad who is:

A) The man that already has everything

B) Not a fan of nick-nack items

C) Just plain difficult to shop for

.... Consider something that feeds something on his "favorites" list without the need for dusting! We have all heard of the famed "Jelly of the Month Club" and live in fear of this cliche gift option, but I am hear to tell you that the item of the month club offerings have evolved and now offer a wide range of items your dad might actually enjoy! Take a look..

BBQ Sauce Club

Ice Cream Club

Beer Club

Wine Club

Cigar Club

Hot Sauce Club

Coffee Club

Salsa Club

Happy gifting and, as always, feel free to share your favorite gift selections!

Dear Old Dad

With Father's Day right around the corner, I have started my attempts at getting Dear Old Dad to give me some hints on things he might want or even need. Unfortunately, like most men I know he has not been very receptive to these fishing expeditions. So, I have gone back to the proverbial drawing board to see what I can come up.

With the weather changing lately, I have noticed the men in my life frequently migrating to their trusty grill around dinner time. This got me thinking that perhaps some unique fire friendly items may be a good option for Father's Day this year. After a little investigation, here are a few fun things that I found.

Option 1: The Beer Can Chicken Holder

I must confess that this is not something I have ever tried or experienced myself. However, I have heard A LOT of people talking about it recently which made me think this could be a fun option. A bit more professional (and likely safer) than the original version of just plunking the chicken on an open can of beer, this device offers the safety women need and the grilling fun men crave!

Bayou Classic 0880-PDQ Stainless-Steel Beercan ChickCAN Rack

Option 2: Nonstick Slider Grill Basket

I am sure by now that everyone is familiar with the slider - the miniature favorite of the classic hamburger. With this handy little device, you can enjoy them at home while your Mr. Mister has fun playing with his grill - everyone dines happy!

Outset Nonstick Slider Basket

Option 3: Custom Miniature Branding Iron

A truly frivolous toy for your favorite carnivor, this miniature branding iron can be customized with the recipient's initials allowing them to "mark" their meat during the grilling process. A variety of options and styles are available for purchase, but this option will get you started down the selection path.

Personalized Branding Iron with Box

Option 4: Wallet Size Bottle Opener

Although most bottles these days are the twist tab variety, every once in a while you encounter one that requires the old-fashioned style of opener. For the man on the go, this handy little opener could make him the hero of any bottle opening emergency!

Bottle Mate: Credit Card Size Beer Bottle Opener That Fits In Your Wallet

Option 5: Grandpa's Fire Fork
Ok - here is my "honesty in advertising" admission for the day.... I am not 100% sure that I understand how these little gadgets work. However, they are compact and compatible with fire which makes them a worthy gift option for the men in my life! What I have been able to determine is that these are a safe and hygenic option to pointed sticks when grilling over the campfire. The colorful plastic pieces are safety caps making transportation of the device a non-poke experience. On one end are the prongs needed for securing hot dogs or marshmallows. The other end features two round loops through which you can insert your extension device (aka: stick).
Light My Fire Grandpa's FireFork 4-pack

Hope these get your gift giving fire started! Please share if you have additional ideas!