!44: New Pet Memorial Picture Frame: January 2012

!±8± Engraved Gifts - Beer Mugs - Flasks - Zippo Lighters - ID Tags- Plaques

Is there a special occasion or person that you need a gift for? An engraved or personalized gift may be just the ticket. I like giving engraved or personalized gifts, because I know the person who receives it will appreciate the thought and special effort that went into getting it. I know this gift will be cherished, and may even become a family heirloom.

There are many ways to personalize a gift. The surface or effect you want will determine the technique of personalization you want.

Engraving on metal or glass is a technique that is ages-old. Most popular in the 1400-1500s, the technique has advanced from hand engraving with tools called burins to highly precise laser engraving directed by sophisticated computer programs. Engraving can be done on stone, glass, some metals, and leather.

Gifts that are engraved may be glass or metal beer mugs, wine glasses, wine stoppers, flasks, lighters, baby cups, picture frames, plaques, jewelry, or ID tags for different things such as pen sets, wine accessories, or sporting goods.

Embossing is a way to create letters or imprints on special plastics. These soft pliable plastic tags can then be used for objects like sports bags.

Screen-printing places the images or letter directly on a surface such as wood or cork. Personalized signs for a bar area, a child's room or a front door sign may be made with screen-printing. Personalized wine boxes or coasters make great gifts. Screen-printing Unity candles or memorial candles ensures that the names or initials will remain as long as the candle.

Next time you have a special occasion such as a wedding, birthday, new baby, retirement or anniversary, or a special person you want to give a gift to, think about how much that person will appreciate and cherish a gift that is obviously "just for them". Your choices are almost endless.