I've been packing coolers for years and never knew this great trick! This is such a cool technique I thought I would pass it along.
How to chill your drinks in minutes:
1.. Fill 1/4 of your cooler/container (party tub) with ice. 2. Fill with 1/4 more of water 3. Pour a handful of salt into the ice and water mixture. 4 Place your closed bottles or cans of beer in ice, water, and salt mixture and stir gently.
In approximately 5 minutes your cans and bottle should be ice cold and ready to drink!
One of the most important decisions in buying a monogrammed gift is selecting the monogram style and order of the initials. Here are a few general guidelines for monogramming to make it easier for you:
For a Married Couple:
The monogram will contain the bride's first initial, the surname of the couple, and the groom's first initial, in that order. For instance Rebecca and Andrew White would be:
The monogram style should be chosen to complement the taste of the couple and the item you are monogramming....traditional, modern, ecclectic, whimsical and so on. Tradition dicates that a woman's maiden initials are always appropriate to use, even after she is married. However, it is more common to use a woman's first, maiden, and married surname initials once she is wed. For instance, if Jessica married Anthony Dalton, her new monogram would be:
Monogramming Gifts for Children:
Children often receive monogrammed or personalized gifts when they are born and to commemorate special occasions such as birthdays and christenings. The same monogramming rules apply for children as for adults. Gifts for small children, both boys and girls traditionally follow the first, last, and middle initial order. For example, both Sarah Ann Whitney and Sean Adam Whitneys monogram would be as follows:
Monogramming a Gift for a Woman:
A monogrammed gift for a woman should include her first, middle and last initial or if she is married, her first, maiden name, and married name initials. Traditionally, a woman's monogram is presented in first, last, middle initial order. So for Jennifer Casey Pingress her monogram could be as follows:
Monogramming a Gift for a Man:
For men's gifts, it is very important to consider the shape of the item to be monogrammed when choosing the order of the initials. When monogramming something for a man, many people prefer to use the initials in the first, middle and last order. This letter format is often found on personal items such as briefcases, luggage, shirt pockets and cuffs. For these kind of items, Ben William Ross would be:
It is also correct to put a gentleman's surname initial in the middle. You might use that style on items such as cufflinks, keyrings, and glassware. for Ben that would be:
1. My friend thinks it is bad manners to give away a gift someone gave me. What do you think? For years I kept all sorts of items in my basement, never to be used. I ran out of room. Once I receive a gift, it belongs to me to do with as I please. I may throw it way, exchange it, and even give it away to someone else I think will enjoy and appreciate it. The only major caution is never to give the gift to someone even remotely related to the original gift giver.
2. I hate the gifts my relatives give me each year. Is it okay to ask for cash for Christmas and birthdays? I don’t think it is appropriate to ask for cash, generally. Instead, you could make the request as it relates to something purposeful.. A relative of mine asked everyone in the family to please only give her cash gifts for all occasions, because she was saving up to buy a new car. A couple of years later, she finally got her car and then sent everyone a nice thank-you note with a photo of herself, standing in front of the car. It made me feel good to have contributed money to something that was real and meaningful.
3. I was recently invited to a wedding to which I am unable to attend. Do I still have to give a gift? Whenever you are invited to attend a special event that has a custom of gift-giving,depending on how close you are and feel to the person and how much you want to show that you care, it is always a nice gesture to send a gift, regardless of your attending the actual event. Put yourself in the reverse position: Wouldn’t you think more fondly of a person who sends you a gift, even when that person didn’t attend your event? We all love receiving gifts.
4. I am planning to attend a wedding where the bride and groom have specifically stated they want gifts from one of their gift registries. Everything listed is way beyond what I want to spend. What should I do? Purchase a gift card to the store at which they have registered, in an amount you feel comfortable giving. Enclose a positive message about your desire to help contribute toward a particular, higher-priced item you saw listed.
5. I’ve been invited to a friend’s house for dinner. Do I have to bring a gift? It is always a nice gesture to bring a small hostess or house gift whenever invited to someone’s home for dinner.
6. I recently held a dinner party where several people gave me gifts. Do I have to send a thank-you note for these gifts and if I do, can I do it by email? Guests bring house/hostess gifts as an expression of appreciation for having been invited to your home for dinner. As such, it is not as required that you send a thank-you note, as it would be for a regular gift. However, it is never wrong to send someone a nice note of appreciation (in this case even by email) especially for an extra special gift received.
7. My friend believes it’s totally tacky to give people gift cards for any reason. I don’t think so, especially when I don’t really know the person to whom I have to give a gift. What do you think? Gift cards are now available for an ever-increasing variety of items and services, in stores and online. The main consideration is to choose a gift card that the person will enjoy using. My opionion, giving a generic Visa, MasterCard or American Express gift card is not as valued as one that is a bit more specific. If you do give a generic gift card, the amount should be larger than perhaps a more specific gift card. To me, a $10 Borders gift card appears better than a $10 Visa gift card. Additionally, think about whether the store is a good match for the amount you choose to spend. As much as I would love a gift card to Tiffany’s, a $10 gift card may be of little or no use, since most items in that store are valued much higher. I would be required to put out my own funds just to use your $10 gift card.
I’ve always loved receiving jewelry gifts. I feel that a woman can never own too many accessories! One thing that makes jewelry a great choice is that every woman needs a nice variety of it for different occasions, outfits, and moods. Of course, a wedding ring or other sentimental piece may be worn everyday, but most women enjoy mixing it up with a variety of earrings in different sizes and shapes, fun bracelets, and unusual necklaces. From chunky and funky to dainty and feminine, you can find a piece of jewelry that will fit your recipient’s taste. The key is to look past the mass produced styles in the popular stores, and seek out the more exclusive boutiques and online shops. I feel that jewlery that has someone's name or initials is truely unique. Instead of having the same look as all of her friends, your recipient will enjoy a piece of personalized jewelry that people notice as being unique and beautiful. Talk about a unique jewelry gift!
