Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Design Options For Personalized Badges

The new year fast approaches and many organizations may be thinking about fund raising activities, to raise money for new projects or new initiatives inspired by their new years eve resolutions. One idea to consider for fund raising are personalized badges


Personalized badges are used by schools, retail organizations, political campaigners, non-profit groups and craft makers. Badges are affordable and easy to order in bulk quantity online. Whether a small business is advertising a new promotion or whether a non-profit group is setting up a booth to gain support at a community trade show, badges are visible and help to promote an idea, person or company.

Frequent Uses of Badge Buttons for Businesses

Businesses often find many ways to utilize badge buttons that can be worn on employee shirts or work vests as a way to advertise the business. Many companies have made it a standard requirement for employees to wear badges that inform the customer the employee is willing to help the customer.

Badges will often be used to promote a new product the company just received or to promote a new service the business is offering. When a customer visits a store and sees employees and store managers wearing badges with a picture of the new product, the customer is more likely to ask about the product. The easy visibility of badges helps to generate interest and relay a message to customers. This can generate more sales and assist a business in spreading the word of new products and services to consumers.

Using promotional items such as badges can assist a company in promoting a holiday special, seasonal products or a grand opening. When used in conjunction with promotional signs, giveaway ink pens and other similar promotional items, custom badges with unique company designs can be very effective in helping a company to obtain more sales.

Non-profit Organizations Find Badges Helpful

Many community non-profit organizations must work diligently to spread the word about the services they provide. When a non-profit organization such as a food pantry, clothing pantry or children's service ministry is able to reach out to the public to inform people of its services, it stands a better chance of gaining more financial support and volunteers to partner with them. Using personalized badges during community events and setting up an information booth will help to make people in a community more aware of a non-profit organization's services.

Because many non-profits operate on very limited funds, badges are ideal items to utilize for advertisement purposes due to their affordable costs. Purchasing badges, or as they are known in the USA, buttons, online in bulk allows non-profits to buy inexpensive promotional items that can be distributed to local neighborhoods and businesses.

Schools Utilize Badges to Announce Events

Elementary, middle schools and high schools often utilize pin-on badges that may be worn on shirts as a way to announce PTA meetings, football games, art groups, language groups and student council services. When faculty wear badges with their names or class printed on them, this can help students to know who to direct their questions to and who to go to for specific information. Badges are also often used as name tags during school orientations, academic clubs, sporting events and meetings. Students can design their own photo badges as part of an art project or the button badges may be ordered with the school's logo or mascot on them.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Stocking Stuffers what about Personalized Magnets?

Stuck for an idea for a great stocking stuffer? Think about personalized magnets. Personalized magnets come in a variety of styles. There are picture frames to hold the portraits of loved ones and pets, ranging in size from a snapshot style several inches across to frames as small as a postage stamp. Magnets attached to wooden slats on which the names of family members are painted are quite popular. Sometimes the magnet is just a flat glass marble glued over a picture of something or someone, or a written word, which has significance to the person who owns the magnet. Other magnets are bulldog clips with children's names on them, so that classroom artwork can be hung and its tiny artist immediately identified by all who see it.

When realtors are preparing homes for an open house to try to sell them, two of the most important elements they use to interest potential buyers are photographs on the walls and magnets on the refrigerator. Just as having family photographs around can make a house feel more inviting, so too can decorating with magnets make a house feel more like a home.

Though they are often referred to and thought of as simply "refrigerator magnets ," these keepsakes need not be restricted merely to the fridge and freezer. These little mementos can be used elsewhere in the kitchen, as well as in other rooms throughout the entire home. They don't even have to be very pretty to make a more welcoming environment, they just have to be special to the people using them.

Dishwashers are a great place to use custom magnets , and not just for decorative purposes. A reversible magnet on which you've written "clean" on one end and "dirty" on the other is quite useful. Magnets with the names of everyone in the house who takes a turn doing dishes can be used to keep track of just who is next in line for that chore. Certainly moving magnets around is a lot more fun than arguing over which one of you did the chore last time.

Personalized magnets can be used on the metal edges of medicine cabinets, too. Leaving a child a note on the mirror with his or her own magnet is a much more personal way to give them a reminder of something than a text or an email. Using magnets on electronics is not advisable, but placing a "World's Best" magnet, or a picture frame with a family photo in it, on your metal desk can certainly help brighten a home office.

One of the best things about photo magnets is that they are a fun and easy craft for the family to do together. With a package of magnetic strips or sheets, some glue, a little paint and a few other small items, each person can make his or her own very special keepsake. Then each one can be displayed proudly in whatever fashion your family chooses. Something as simple as a bottle cap from a family vacation can be turned into a lasting treasure in just a few minutes.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Eight Inexpensive Customized Gift Ideas

Finding the perfect gift ideas for a special occasion can be very challenging. There always seems to be that one person who already has everything. Giving a customized gift ensures that the recipient will be getting an original, one of a kind present that has been well thought out. These ideas for personalized gifts are a thoughtful way to show affection and without spending a fortune. 

For the person with a sweet tooth nothing could be better than customized candy. Many candy companies offer sections on their web pages that allow complete personalization of popular candy brands with photos or monograms. The images can be stamped directly on the sweets or the wrappers can be personalized in any way imaginable. The cost of customized candy is only slightly more than the plain version.

An item that is personalized with a special photo is a great way to give a memorable gift without spending too much money. Mugs, t-shirts, and calendars are all useful items that can be a unique gift when a photograph is added. Some companies offer a service that changes a picture into a high quality canvas that looks like a work of art.

Everyday items can be instantly personalized by adding a monogram. Putting initials on an article of clothing or an everyday object instantly makes it special and more fun to use. Ordinary items like umbrellas, bathrobes, pajamas, flash drives and journals can be easily and affordably monogrammed. Engraving or embroidering a gift with a person's name makes it an instant keepsake.

For those really short on funds, a scrapbook is a nearly free way to let a person know how much they are special. Free online programs allow photos to be uploaded and placed into customizable templates that make a professional looking scrapbook. This is a heartfelt gift that can be enjoyed for years.

Nothing makes a sweeter Christmas gift than a customized ornament. Many companies produce completely personalized ornaments at a very budget friendly price. Creating a personalized ornament from scratch is even less expensive, and nothing is quite so heartwarming as a handmade Christmas gift.

As more people are trying to reduce their carbon footprint, reusable grocery bags are becoming increasingly popular. Giving the gift of green gives friends a reason to smile as they shop. Adding a cherished quote or a work of art from a favorite artist can perfectly customize reusable grocery bags. This is an extraordinary gift that will be loved and used all the time.

Garden stones are the perfect present for those with yards. This is a gift that is a fun do it yourself project. Stones can be imprinted with children's handprints, names or favorite animals and flowers. All the materials needed are a mold and some mixable concrete. Home improvement stores sell kits that produce unique stones with different shapes and colors.

Gift baskets are the perfect customized gift to give. Everyone loves getting a basket full of his or her favorite goodies. It's so easy to fill a basket with the best treats and trinkets that fit a friend's personality. This is a project that is easy to do yourself and you can spend as much or as little money as you wish. Your imagination and the tastes of the gift receiver are the limit.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Personalized Phone Cases Make Great Gifts Ideas For The Holidays

Thinking of the ideal holiday gift for the hard to please person in your life? Do you know anyone that doesn't own a mobile phone? Do you know anyone that wouldn't like a stunning personalized case to make their phone stand out from the crowd? I rest my case…. That is why personalized phone cases make such wonderful gifts ideas; nearly everyone needs one to help protect their expensive devices and better still, most people want one too! 

It doesn't matter if it's an iPhone or any other mobile phone, the concept is the same, personalized cases not only help protect your investment in modern communication devices, they can also give it a stunning look and provide it with its own identity.

The best thing about fully customizable phone cases is they can usually be found for any make or model phone, they are easily personalized with your own photos, logos, designs and text, they can usually be personalized free of any additional costs and they are always freely available online at most photo gift web-stores. Better still, when you design and create your own personalized case, it is often cheaper than its ready-made cousins you find in mobile phone shops the world over!

It's not difficult to make your own design and place it on a mobile phone case. If you have the artistic skills the world is your oyster when it comes to making your own designs, however, for most of us, we are sadly lacking in this area and even fewer of us are capable of producing our own graphic designs, so we need to look elsewhere.

There's no need to panic though - we are all capable of making our own designs by simply using our own photos, logos, text and a few other things I will get into later…. It's not as hard as it sounds!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Personalized Watches Are Suitable For Any Occasion



If you are looking for the perfect present to give to your friend or loved one this holiday season, consider a personalized gift. Most everyone loves receiving these types of gifts as they show that you took the time to get something just for them. Personalized watches make great gifts, and you can get them with special engravings to make a cherished present for any occasion.

Choose a Style

The first thing you should do when choosing custom watches is to consider the style you would like to buy. Think about the recipient and what style he or she would like. While some people may prefer a modern look, others may like a classic or trendy look. Yet other people might like a funky, silly look.

Although you want your gift to be unique, you also want it to be something that the recipient will like wearing. With that said, you need to take into account the personal style of the recipient as well as such things as his or her favorite color and designs. In this way, your gift will be cherished for many years to come and not just tucked away in a drawer.

Consider Your Budget

In a perfect world, people would never have to think about money when purchasing gifts for their friends, family and loved ones. However, many people are on tight budgets today. If you are one of those people, you will want to shop around for a personalized watch that you think will be well received, but that will fit into your budget as well. This does not have to be difficult, as there are many fine replicas that look exactly like the real things.

Choose Your Personalization

The next thing that you will need to do is choose how you want your gift personalized. One of the most popular personalization is the recipient's initials. This is a classic choice, and your gift recipient will be sure to love it. However, if you want to be unique, you can add such things as a personal message, a meaningful saying, a date, or even a small symbol or picture.

Choose Your Setting

The last step is to decide how you would like to give your gift to your friend or loved one. Do you want to give your gift in a personal, intimate setting, or do you want to give it during a party? The answer to this question depends upon the event and you. If the watch is a birthday gift, giving it at a party should be appropriate. However, if it is an engagement gift, you may want to give it to your partner while the two of you are alone.

Personalized gifts make some of the best presents ever, and watches that are personalized are favorites among both men and women, alike. When you are shopping for that perfect watch though, you will want to keep the above points in mind. In doing all of this, you will be sure to find a terrific gift that your loved one will cherish for several years 

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Surprise Your Spouse This Christmas Design Your Own Gift for them

When the holidays come around each year we always face the same dilemma - what can we buy for our wife or husband for a Christmas surprise? While often our spouses' tell us exactly what they want for their main present, most of us still like to get a second or even third gift, so our loved ones' still have a surprise or two on Christmas morning. The single best way to achieve a real surprise, a present that will get the reaction you are looking for, is to design your own gift . 

The term "design your own gift" sounds like something that's difficult to accomplish, but in reality it's not difficult at all, in fact it's rather easy.

There are dozens of photo gift web-stores on the Internet, all of which offer a wide array of fully customizable gifts. These web-stores allow you to upload your own photos, logos and designs to their websites, and then provide a platform that lets you design your own gift by adding your photos, logos and designs to any of their customizable products. After you have added your photos and designs, you also have the option of adding any text you choose, maybe the person's name, your name (the giver's name), the date or perhaps something as simple as "Happy Christmas". Follow this easy process and you will be able to create your own gift in no time at all!

A few gifts ideas to help you on your way…..

For him and for her

Some of the most popular personalized gifts ideas around include custom tablet computer and mobile phone cases. People just love to dress-up their communication devices in their own clothing - it helps them to distinguish their own devices from the masses.

However, the only way to guarantee total uniqueness is to make your own design - that may be something as simple as a photo of the owner of the device, a photo of their spouse, a photo of their child(ren), a logo or if you have the skills to produce it, your own intricate design.

Other popular custom personalized gifts ideas that are suitable for both sexes include camera cases, photo to canvas prints, dog tags, key rings, mouse pads, mugs, photo bags, umbrellas and watches.

All of these items can be customized with your own photos, logos, designs and text. All you need to do is choose an appropriate product, personalize it with photos, designs and text that you know are dear and meaningful to the gift recipient, and you will have the perfect surprise present on Christmas morning!

For her

If you are looking for a unique gift idea for your wife you may want to consider some of the following fully customizable items:

Blankets, charms, clothing, compact mirrors, cosmetic bags, earrings, flip flops, handbags, necklaces, sleep masks, sling bags and tote bags.

For him

Conversely, if you are in need of a unique gift idea for your husband, the custom items that follow may be just what you are looking for…

Belt buckles, business card holders, car accessories, cufflinks, golf accessories, hip flasks, money clips, playing cards, toiletries bags and wallets.

The bottom line

The secret to finding the best gift ideas for anyone, whatever the occasion, regardless of age or gender, is firstly to make sure the product you choose is something you think they need and are therefore likely to use.

Secondly you need to have a good understanding of their likes and dislikes - for example, if a lady loves her dog but hates cats, you should never personalize her handbag with a picture of a cat, but obviously a picture of her dog would work extremely well.

I know this example sounds obvious and it clearly is, but the lesson here is to make sure that when you design your own gift , you think long and hard about the best way to customize it rather than just personalizing it with the first photo or design that comes to mind!

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Photo Handbags Make Excellent Gifts

If you are looking to give the ultimate gift that is not only personalized, but is uniquely suited for that special individual, consider the appeal of photo handbags. There are a number of different ways in which these bags can be created, one of which is to simply order the handbag from a photo specialist offering various photo gifts. However, there are also some handbags that you can purchase in order to make your own photo gift right at home.

Many times mothers are so proud of their children that they like to display photos of them just about anywhere. This is especially true when it comes to displaying pictures on key rings, lockets and even t-shirts, coffee cups and other such items. Today's photo transfer techniques have made it possible to put your favorite pictures on just about anything imaginable. Whether you decide to purchase a photo transfer kit to transfer a favorite photo onto an item, or you prefer to order a product that is produced by a print shop, you can be sure that the gift will be something that is cherished for many years to come.

Of course, these photo gifts are not just something that a mother or grandmother will appreciate, they can be an excellent idea for just about anyone. Whether it is pictures of the family or a favorite vacation destination, sharing and enjoying photos can be a wonderful way to keep these happy memories close at hand. This is definitely true when you consider how often photo handbags will be used. Most women keep their handbag with them wherever they go; however, when it is embellished with beautiful photos of their children, pets or treasured vacation destinations, this everyday essential can become something that is extremely pleasant to carry.

If you enjoy arts and crafts, you can even make your own photo handbag that can be changed to reflect your latest photos. Many of these bags are available in a variety of sizes and colors to suit different design preferences; however, they come with pockets where photos can easily be inserted. Depending on the type of handbag you choose, there are typically photo pockets of various sizes and shapes. This can help add interest and style to your handbag.

One of the nice things with these simple pocket type handbags is that they allow you the flexibility of being able to change your photos whenever you choose. This can be a great way to reflect the changes in your children or even your latest exploits. Whether you enjoy camping, traveling, sports or other recreational activities, it can be nice to have an attractive photo display to remind you of these enjoyable pastimes. Of course, the types of photos you choose are almost unlimited; however, most people like to pick larger photos that do not include too many details. After all, a small photo can be much more difficult to appreciate from a distance.

If you choose to make your own photo transfers and place them on a handbag or other item, you will need to follow the specific directions that come with the kit you choose. One of the advantages with these transfer kits is that you have a little more flexibility over your photo choices. You can generally enlarge, crop and make other enhancements to your photo prior to the transfer process.


Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Personalized Calendars: The Perfect Holiday Gift

I know it is a little early to start talking about Holiday gifts but if you are thinking of a personalized calendar, now is the time to start collecting the pictures you will need for the calendar so that you can give that perfect present to your loved one.

Some gifts are like a bouquet of red roses on Valentine's Day. They are perfectly suited to specific holidays, but do not translate nearly as well to other holidays. Then there are gifts that are always a good idea regardless of the holiday. This is where personalized calendars fit into your life. This is one gift idea that you can count on to send the perfect message to everyone you love regardless of occasion.

There are thousands of calendars printed each year with stock images on different themes. If you look hard enough, you can find something that nearly everyone on your gift list will enjoy. The problem is most people prefer to pick out their own calendars unless there is something unique or special about the product.

When you give a calendar that features pictures of your recipients and their loved ones, you grab their attention and give them a reason to hang it on the wall and study it monthly. There is nothing more unique or special than a calendar created out of love and kindness.

Deck the Halls with Custom Calendars

How long is your gift list at the end of the year? Whether you are purchasing just for your immediate family or the entire town, you will appreciate custom calendars for being affordable and suitable for many people on your list.

You can order calendars online and have them printed and delivered rather quickly, so you have plenty of time to gather your favorite pictures of your favorite people and collect them into a calendar. Order a unique calendar for everyone on your list who might appreciate a gift with sentimental value. You can prevent last-minute holiday stress by taking care of many gifts at one time.

Ring in the New Year with Memories

New Years Eve is the perfect time to present this type of sentimental gift to someone you love. Collect your favorite pictures from the year that is ending and give a gift that your recipient will cherish for years to come. If you select the right pictures, you can condense a year of someone's life into a single calendar. Every month they will turn a page in their life while remembering something special that happened the year before.

This is one of the few gift ideas that never get old. You can give the same person a new calendar every year, and they are not going to complain. They are going to look forward to receiving the next calendar. They are going to collect these calendars as representations of their life. You cannot get more sentimental than that.

A Gift for Every Day

You can give customized calendars for birthdays and on any other holiday. Try to select pictures that fit the special occasion being celebrated. For instance, you may create a Thanksgiving calendar by presenting pictures of the twelve biggest blessings in your life. If you need a wedding gift, your calendar may present pictures of the couple from the first day they met to the day of the big proposal. You capture their relationship in one calendar.

You have all of those pictures stored away. Why not put them to good use and create affordable gifts that will always be cherished?

Make Your Own Design If You Want A Really Unique Gift For Someone Special

Gift giving is all about putting a smile on someone's face and the warm glow of satisfaction we all feel when a gift does the job it's intended to. There's not a better feeling in the world when you give the right gift, but often, unfortunately, our gifts do not get the response we hoped for and we miss out on that wonderful feeling of satisfaction.

If that happens to you more often than you'd like, there's no need to despair; there is a way to choose the right gift almost every time - all you need to do is make your own design , depicting photos and words that you know are close to the recipient's heart. Do this and you will nearly always experience that warm glow of satisfaction we all get when we give the right gift!

Choosing the right gift becomes far easier when it is to be customized - for example, if you buy a basic blanket for someone you will get the customary smile, a thank you, but after that, there is a fair chance the blanket will end up in the back of a cupboard.

Alternatively, you could buy a customizable blanket and personalize it with a meaningful photo and perhaps a few carefully chosen words - how do you think a mother would react to a personalized blanket featuring a picture of her child, with the child's name, the date, the event etc. emblazoned on it?

The second example is the same actual gift as the first, the only difference is the personalized design you have put on it. The personalized blanket will be met with a really broad smile, a huge thank you and maybe some hugs and kisses - the chances of the personalized blanket ending up in the back of the cupboard are almost zero - the recipient is ecstatic and you, the gift giver, are assured of that warm feeling of satisfaction!

You see, when you make your own design and apply it to a customizable product, the product takes on a completely new demeanor; assuming you choose a suitable customization design.  A personalized gift will always mean more to the recipient than one bought straight from the shop shelf - a custom personalized gift also expresses the thought and effort you have put into your gift giving - so it's always a win-win situation for both parties.


Wednesday, October 8, 2014

How To Make Great Looking Photo Handbags

It seems that no matter where you go, you find people carrying photo handbags, key chains, buttons, t-shirts, and other items featuring pictures of their children or grandchildren. It is easy to see why these items are so popular; after all, keeping photos of your loved ones nearby can be an excellent way to share your joy with others. Of course, precious photos also help provide pleasure and a sense of desire every time you look at them, especially when you cannot be with the ones you love as often as you would like.

For women, choosing a custom handbag or for a man choosing a tote bag that allows them to display photos of their favorite travel destinations, loved ones or even pets can be a fun way to keep these memories alive.

Additionally, sharing photos is something that everyone loves; kids, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, everyone enjoys pictures. Whether it is a cute holiday photo of the kids, a major sporting accomplishment, or simply a treasured family heirloom picture, a handbag offers both a functional way to carry personal items, as well as a great way to display these photos.

While it is possible to purchase photo handbags that are ready for you to simply slide in your pictures, these handbags can also make a great craft project. If you want to try making your own photo bag, be sure to choose a material that is both durable as well as light in color. Dark colors tend to make photos difficult to see. In addition to the fabric, be sure to purchase either a matching or contrasting thread, depending on your own personal preference and any embellishments you would like to include. 

There are many patterns available for making handbags and totes. The pattern you choose should allow enough area for photos to be shown. If you choose a small handbag design, you will be very limited in the number of photos you will be able to include in your project. You will also want to choose a photo transfer kit that is intended to work with the type of fabric you have chosen. These kits are easy to use and require nothing more than your home computer and printer.

Once you have transferred your pictures to the fabric, you are ready to begin assembling your handbag. Follow the pattern directions and sew your bag, including adding any embellishments, such as zippers, buttons or trim. Making your own personalized handbags is a fun and rewarding project and something that even the kids will enjoy.

However, there are some simple tips that can help ensure that your project turns out great. For example, choose photos that are in focus and do not have a great deal of background clutter. Simple portraits or close-up shots often work the best. Take your time and lay out your photos, trying various combinations and patterns. Only after you have found the best lay out for your project should you begin printing. 


Another important point to consider is how you will protect your photo bag once it is completed. You can find spray fabric protectors that provide an easy wipe-clean surface; however, it is important to read the directions that come with your photo transfer kit and follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding care and cleaning.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Men's Cufflinks Personalized With His Dog Picture

The Perfect Piece Of Dog Jewelry!

Dog cufflinks are in all probability the most appropriate piece of dog jewelry for men, they make perfect gifts for most dog lovers, but it's essential that you don't just rush out and get a pair of men's cufflinks with any old dog on them! At a bare minimum you should find a pair of cufflinks with an image of a dog that looks something like your man's best friend.

If you really want to excel you should get your hands on a digital picture of his actual dog and create a pair of 100% unique personalized cufflinks with it!

There are all sorts of dog jewelry items available, much of which can be personalized with specific dogs, but by far and away the most popular dog gifts for men are cufflinks and studs, preferably personalized with a picture of their own dog.

Personalized cufflinks are very much part of the photo gifts industry and as such offer almost limitless options, so if you look around you are bound to find exactly what you are looking for.

Personally, I think some of the sharpest looking dog cufflinks are those made of chrome, with an enamel cufflink face featuring a full body picture of the dog.

Although many people don't have the capability to take a full body picture of a dog and put it on a plain background, if you shop around, you can almost certainly find a full body picture of almost any breed of dog on a pair of readymade cufflinks. When you see the way they look you will be delighted and understand why they are my favorites too!

For those of you that really prefer to personalize the cufflinks with the recipient's own dog, you will find it's easiest to take a head shot of the dog. Once you have the picture you are happy with all you need to do is upload it to a photo gifts store and create your own unique men's cufflinks, or obviously, if you prefer, create any one of a whole host of other photo gift products with it.

Conclusion

If you know a dog loving man then a pair of personalized dog cufflinks will make a great gift, regardless of whether his best friend is a Chihuahua or an Irish Wolfhound.

The only choice you need to make is whether to go for a readymade pair featuring his favorite breed of dog, or create your own 100% unique cufflinks with a picture of his own dog.

Whatever you decide to do, you can be certain of one thing, he will absolutely adore them!

You will probably have fun creating them too!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Give A Wedding Anniversary Gift That Will BeTreasured Forever

I just celebrated my 45th Wedding Anniversary and over the years I have had trouble deciding what would be an appropriate gift. 

It is easy if you follow tradition, you are supposed to buy certain gifts for each anniversary, but honestly, I really did not want a gift made of paper for on my first anniversary, something made of wood for my fifth or how about a tin box for my  tenth? So what to do? Well the idea of personalized gifts is one way to go and it is easier today then ever to do this. 

A wedding anniversary gift should be something that can be treasured, something romantic, something totally unique that your loved one will adore. 

For many of us we have problems when it comes to coming up with a unique wedding anniversary gift ideas. Here are a couple of things you need to know: 
  1. For many of us, it is the "thought that counts", so although your love may want a new designer jacket or an expensive piece of jewelry, you are not getting the bang for your buck! 
  2. There are two key ingredients when it comes to creating a gift that will be treasured forever. The first is your wedding picture; the second is a heart shaped gift to put it on. 
It sounds really simple doesn't it? Well it is; there is nothing more romantic than giving your woman a heart shaped gift with a picture of you wedding day on it. Better still, it won't break the bank either! 

The development of the personalized photo gifts industry has made it very easy for absolutely anyone to create their own unique gifts. There are hundreds of products to choose from and with an endless amount of pictures, designs and text available to put on them, you have an infinite number of options. Your only limitation is your own imagination! 

Let's get back to some gifts ideas 

As I already mentioned, what you need to be looking for is a heart shaped gift you can personalize with pictures of your own wedding. Two of the most popular items are: 

HeartShaped Watches 

There are obviously many heart shaped watches to choose from, but what you are looking for is a heart shaped watch you can personalize. This cuts down your options a little but still leaves you with a good choice. 

You may want to consider a heartshaped Italian Charm Watch . The reason I suggest this is you can also personalize the charms that make up the wrist band, a really cool idea. 

Most Italian Charm Watches have a wrist band made up of sixteen 9mm ItalianCharms . To create a really unique gift you may want to consider putting a different wedding picture on each of the sixteen charms that make up the wrist band. If you do this you can pretty much guarantee she will absolutely love it! 

HeartShaped Key Chains 

Heart shaped key chains make a very popular gift, but make sure if you are going to give your loved one a personalized key chain that it is good quality; avoid plastic at all costs. ChromeKey Chains are certainly worth considering as they look really sharp, especially when they are customized with your own pictures. 

Other items you may want to consider include heartshaped jigsawsheartshaped magnetsheartshaped dog tagsheartshaped ornaments and heartshaped mouse pads . 

A heart shaped jigsaw with your wedding picture on it can be very romantic when you are leaning over the puzzle together, giggling and revisiting some very special memories. 

Most people would be happy to put a heart shaped wedding picture magnet on their fridge for everyone to see, while heart shaped ornaments and mouse pads also make most unusual gifts they are sure to appreciate. 

Then there's the heart shaped dog tags; a novel idea is to create dog tags for him and for her, they make cute romantic gifts for any loving couple. 

Conclusion 

Wedding anniversary gifts are a symbol of a love that grows stronger with each year that passes. Personalized anniversary gifts can help put the fire back in any romance and best of all, you don't need to re-mortgage the house to pay for them! 

Why don't you spoil your special someone with a very special and unique personalized gift today?

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

How To Find Tons Of Personalized Gifts Ideas

As the calendar continues to flash past we are quickly approaching that time again - the holiday season! We all have to get our thinking caps on again and come up with a whole new list of gifts ideas for our family and friends. 

If you are interested in finding the best gifts ideas the easy way, I strongly recommend you explore a few photo gift websites; such as Hummingbirds and Butterfly Gift Shop or Magical Gifts that Work.  you can quickly find thousands of fully customizable products, most of which can be personalized free of any additional costs! These stores offer a plethora of different gifts ideas that are sure to satisfy your needs.

If you are not familiar with photo gifts I am totally confident that as soon as you get to know them you will be hooked! In essence, in their basic form, photo gifts are no different to the gifts you find in shopping malls up and down the nation, however, the difference is, photo gifts can be customized with your own photos, logos, designs and text - that's what makes them so special - that is why they make such wonderful gifts ideas.

To give you an example of how special and meaningful a photo gift can be, I am going to illustrate how they can turn a good gift idea into a great gift idea:-

Let's say a dog loving lady wants a new tote bag for her birthday…..

The first alternative would be to go to a local store and buy a tote bag with a picture of a dog on it - not a bad idea, but it's very easy to do a lot better!

The second alternative would be to go to a photo gifts website, choose the tote bag you think would be most suitable for its recipient, then personalize it with a photo of her own dog, and for a finishing touch, add her dog's name to it in fancy graphics.

Which tote bag do you think that dog loving lady would like best?

If you are not familiar with how to make your own personalized gift , I am going to explain just how easy it is.

All you need to do is visit a photo gift website, browse their products, then when you have found a suitable item, all you need to do is decide how you want to personalize it.

The next step is to browse the photos on your computer, locate the photo you want to personalize the product you have chosen with, then upload it to the photo gift website.

Using the site's product personalization platform, you will find you can easily drag and drop your photo onto the product. If you want to add some text, a name, date, occasion etc. you can do whatever you want.

Once your personalized gift is complete, all you need to do is preview it to ensure you are happy with it, then put your finished personalized gift in your shopping cart and proceed to check out.

Most custom personalized gifts will be on your door step in a very short time

Tips about how to choose the most suitable personalized gifts for specific individuals

The process is not wildly different to choosing a traditional gift. The first thing you need to do is identify a product that you think the recipient will find useful - something they will use on a regular basis. It's even better if you can find something they don't already have!

Once you have found a suitable product you need to think about how you are going to personalize it. The secret to this is knowing the person; what do they like, what are they interested in? You may want to use a single photo or you may want to be a little more ambitious and make your own design, maybe a photo collage?

A great example of using the most effective customization would be buying young parents a blanket personalized with a photo, or even a photo collage of their baby…. What a wonderful gift idea!

To conclude, it's worth remembering that most custom gifts can be personalized free of charge - the consequence of which is custom personalized gifts often cost less than the traditional gifts you have bought in the past…

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Personalized Dog Tags: A Gift With Many Purposes



Personalized dog tags have quite a long history, which dates back to between 1861-1865. During the American Civil War, soldiers were given these personalized tags, and they used them for the same reason that soldiers use them today--to identify the fallen and wounded comrades.

Back Then Versus Right Now

Today, soldiers are not the only people wearing them. Ever since dog tags fell into the teenage realm, they have been one of the coolest accessories on the market, and they are currently in high demand. Teenage boys and girls alike wear them for various reasons, but given the fact that teenagers enjoy standing out, it is safe to assume they mostly wear them to make a fashion statement.

Ordinary Ones Versus The Embellished Ones

Dog tags with cool embellishments do a bunch of things that ordinary ones do not. For starters, they enhance people's sense of style, no matter what. Whether the style is bland and somewhat outdated or sharp and snazzy, such tags can step it up several notches, making it more appealing and interesting. What is more, they enable people to exercise their individuality, showcasing what makes them one of a kind. They also open the way for people to express their true feelings for someone.

Embellished Dog Tags As The Perfect Gift

Using embellished dog tags as a gift is certainly creative, practical and convenient, especially when it comes to love because finding the right words is just as difficult as saying them. Amazingly, anything a person wants to say can be engraved. Whether it is a favorite quote, words of encouragement or just the person's name, it will fit perfectly on a set of these tags. Most importantly, it will look perfect as well, thus, making the person who is receiving the gift extremely happy and appreciative.

Dog Owners & Extra Optimism

Aside from identifying soldiers, enhancing people's sense of style and being the perfect gift, embellished tags are the best things for dog owners. Although they are incapable of preventing a dog from getting lost, they give dog owners the optimism they need. One of the reasons they do is because the contact information presented on them will be easy for the dog finder to see and read.

Embellished Dog Tags As A Consummate Accessory

In a nutshell, embellished tags are versatile, comfortable, durable and attractive, so anybody can wear them to any event. Whether as a bracelet or a necklace, embellished dog tags are the consummate accessory that any dog owner would love. Both dog owners and dogs can wear custom dog tags for long periods of time without experiencing discomfort.

A Gift That Is Not Too Good To Be True

There is no need to question if customized dog tags are a terrific buy, especially considering that they can represent something special, such as a friendship's bond or a gift of appreciation. They can even serve as either a promotional item, a complementary item or a commemorative item.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Personalized Watches Are A Gem In Any Collection

Personalized watches can be a symbol of many things, and they can reflect the amount of love one person has for another. As an ideal gift for both men and women, they can even be given out during any event, with hopes of expressing appreciation and creating a sense of closeness that words cannot describe. Because of this verity, the greatest gift a person can buy for someone, especially a loved one, is a handpicked watch that has been personalized in every possible way.

In general, giving a watch peculiar features would enhance its level of uniqueness and overall appeal, and that would certainly make the person who is receiving the watch extremely happy and appreciative.

Individuality Versus Typicality

Personalized watches can look and feel unlike any other watch or, better yet, any other accessory. They can even serve as both commemorative and promotional giveaways. If there is a casual function or a formal one like a business party, these watches would not only convince a client to do business or an employee to stay, but they would certainly open the way for untold opportunities to roll in. Aside from that, they could do a lot of other things simply because they are quality assets that look good and feel nice.

Benefits Meet Advantages

For starters, these watches could lure in people from all directions, enhance any sense of style and make people feel more sophisticated and proud of what they choose to wear. One of the reasons they can do this is because such watches possess elements that typical watches do not.

Some of the most creative elements they can possess are engravings. A father's nickname can be engraved; a mother's initials can be engraved or anything else that has some degree of significance. Then again, it does not have to be significant at all. That is what makes personalizing watches so special and one of a kind.

Most of the personalized accessories that have engravings on them are expensive, but that is not the case for engraved watches. Although the price for such watches does vary from brand to brand, they can be purchased without breaking the bank. Therefore, they are the most wonderful gifts to invest in, especially during the holidays when there is a lot of people in need of gifts.

Comfort Meets Quality & Quality Meets Convenience

All throughout the day for seven days a week, these watches can be worn without a problem because they cause little to no discomfort. Moreover, because these watches are so complementary, they do not have to be worn in order to be a practical, wonderful buy.

These watches are, in fact, wonderful as collectible items. Whether the collection is teeming with antique or contemporary pieces, a personalized watch would fit in perfectly.

What is more, given the fact that it is in a class by itself, there is no doubt that it would enhance the collection's distinctive quality or, in other words, increase the collection's value and overall charm

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Back to school gift ideas

Design your own phone case using photos of loved ones

This is the easiest way of the lot to create a really cool gift. All you need to do is find a suitable digital photo on your camera or computer, upload it to a photo gift web-store and place it on the appropriate customizable phone case.

If your personalized phone case is destined for a mother or grand-mother, the number one choice for customization is a photo of their children or grand-children. This is also a popular design choice for fathers and grand-fathers.

Other popular design choices include photos of spouses, and for the younger generation, photos of boyfriends and girlfriends. Of course, many people also like to see pictures of themselves on their personalized case.

Create your own phone case using other photos

It's obviously impossible to outline all the options available here, but I would like to run through a few of the other types of photos that are commonly used on personalized cases. Second only to "human" loved ones in popularity are photos of pets, particularly dogs and cats, and to a lesser degree birds and fish. Then of course there are the men that love their cars - lots of phone cases are personalized with photos of all sorts of cars; this is a great idea for a car buff. Other popular designs include pictures of tropical beaches, mountain scenery, flowers, butterflies and big wild animals, lions, tigers, elephants, wolves and hippos to name but a few. As I already said, your options here are completely unlimited…..

Make your own phone case using children's drawings

This is an awesome idea for any parent of young children. The process is simple - take the child's drawing and scan it into your computer, upload the image to a photo gifts web-store and proceed as you would with any other photo. This design makes a fantastic idea for one parent to give to the other.

Conclusion

However you decide to personalize your phone case, you always have the option of adding text to the design. Maybe something simple like the person's name, perhaps you may want to add the date or the occasion, whatever personal message you want to add, you can! This is what makes personalized gifts so personal…..

Saturday, July 12, 2014

If You're Looking For A Unique Gift Idea...

Unique Personalized Gift Idea of the Day

Today we are looking at personalized gifts from a slightly different angle, rather than focusing on a single item we are looking at an entire category.

When it comes to buying gifts we're all looking out for something unusual, something unique. Have you ever thought about personalizing a photo bag? What most people don't realize is photo bags come in all shapes and sizes and can make great gifts for men and children as well as women.

The first thing that comes into most peoples minds when they think of photo bags is the good old fashioned tote bag, but you know, tote bags are just the tip of the iceberg!

The purpose of today's blog is to make you aware of some of the different types of photo bags that are available, and to provide you with some unique gift ideas of how they can be customized to create really unusual gifts for him, her or the children.

First of all we are going to take a look at the different types of custom bags that can be personalized with your own pictures, designs, logos and text.

Photo Bags for Women

Handbags

There are hundreds of different types of handbags that you can personalize with your own unique pictures for the women in your life. Some of the more popular designs include classic double handled handbags, shoulder handbags, chain purses, clutch bags, sling bags and oversize handbags that are suitable for both work and leisure.

Bucket Bags

Bucket bags are becoming increasingly popular. If you shop around you will find custom bucket bags made from all sorts of different materials, but if you really want to impress her you should go for real quality, and customize a leatherbucket bag.

Tote Bags

The good old fashioned tote bag is still really popular with women everywhere. If you personalize a tote bag with a meaningful picture and/or text it will always be well received, and of course it will always be unique too! Don't just buy the first tote you see.... if you check around properly you will find loads of different designs including classic totes, colored totes, two tone totes, accent totes, striped totes and many more.

Makeup or Cosmetics Bags

Most women own a ton of personal makeup, therefore a personalized cosmetics bag is always sure to be well received and it makes a great gift too!

Unisex Photo Bags for Men, Women, and Children

Everyone travels from time to time so a toiletries bag personalized with meaningful pictures and designs always makes a great gift for him, her or the kids.

Just about everyone owns a digital camera these days so if you are really struggling for a gift idea it's always worth considering a personalized camera bag - they always make a cool and unique gift.

Something else everyone owns is CD's and DVD's. Personalized CD/DVD wallets or bags are always a great gift idea that you can always fall back on.

If someone you know owns a netbook then a personalized netbook case makes an unusual gift.

If you are looking for a gift for a gamer you may want to think about personalizing a custom PSP or NDS Lite case?

Personalized pencil cases are pretty popular with kids so if you need an unusual gift for a child you may want to take a look at a custom pencil case?

Although there are a ton of other types of photo bags available.... we hope the examples we have given you here are enough to give you a good idea or two?

Popular design ideas

Photo bags can be personalized with any pictures, designs, logos or text you can think of. You really do have an infinite choice - if you can think of it you can probably create it!

When it comes to personalized gifts for women, pictures of children are by far the most popular design. Other popular design ideas for the ladies include pictures of pets, particularly cats and dogs, other animals, animal skin prints and vacation pictures.

Popular designs for men include pictures of their cars, logos, particularly golf club logos, dogs, monogram's and of course, just like the ladies, pictures of their children.

For youngsters you can't go far wrong if you create personalized photo bags with pictures of rock bands, sports teams, cartoons or even pictures they have drawn themselves.

Conclusion

When it comes to designing a photo bag, or for that matter any custom photo gift, your only limitation really is your own imagination, if you can think of it you can almost certainly make it!

Most of us are aware of the things our friends and family like, their loves, their hobbies and their dreams. With that knowledge in mind there is absolutely no doubt that you can find a perfect photo bag to personalize with the pictures and designs that will make them very happy….

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Personalized Gifts Make The Perfect Fund Raiser

The meteoric rise of the personalized gifts industry is well documented; with annual sales of more than $25 billion and growing, it is clearly a marketplace that is here to stay. 

Personalized Gifts enable you to give your members and supporters something they want – something they would buy anyway – regardless of your presence in the marketplace

Personalized gifts offer an outstanding fundraising opportunity for non-profit organizations because they allow your organization to provide your members and supporters with something they want, something they would probably buy from elsewhere anyway! 

Millions of people make their own personalized gifts every day of the week; they make everything from custom buttons to photo handbags, designed with photos depicting their loved ones, dogs, cats and other pets, or any other photo or design they choose to use.

It’s essential to be aware that the largest share of the personalized gifts market is made up from people making their own gifts, by this we mean people uploading their own photos and creating their own unique gifts. 

Make sure the base cost price of your custom products is low enough to be able to return a margin in the region of 25% to 30%, while ensuring you can still provide your members and supporters with competitive pricing

One of the most common mistakes organizations make when they evaluate fundraising  is to not look closely enough at base prices, mark-ups, margins and selling prices.

Any proposition you come across that offers less than a 20% margin, (a mark-up of the base prices of less than 25%), or relies on the goodwill of your members to pay higher than average prices, to allow you to accommodate your target margin, should definitely be avoided. 

One idea for fund raising is our fully customizable greeting cards and custom postcards. These can be personalized with your own photos, logos, designs and text. They are made from either (depending on style) heavyweight 300gsm or 12pt card. They are fully customizable from front to back including the inside covers. They can be designed in portrait or landscape and are finished with a matte lamination. Envelopes included. If you don't want to go to the extra work of designing your own cards,you can select one of ours here

We try to offer our customers some of the best gift ideas available - using our "state of the art" card creation software, making your own personalized photo card is easy, but more importantly, it's a lot of fun too!

If you like to make your own designs, personalized greeting cards are probably the best and most impressive way to show off your artistic talents - better still, you will enjoy creating them, and, when they're done, they make the ultimate photo card for any occasion! The same can also be said for personalized postcards.

A custom personalized greetings card always says more than a traditional card ever can - it expresses the thought and effort you have put into it!

To get started on your own one of a kind personalized greetings card, all you need to do is upload your photos and designs, add your personal message and you'll have your own custom personalized photo card with just a few clicks of your mouse.

Don't forget, you can make your own personalized postcards and greeting cards using any photos, designs and text you choose. Remember, you really can say it all when you design and create your own custom photo card

DIY personalized photo cards are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, Christenings, graduations, valentines, mother's day, father's day, Christmas or any other occasion.


Saturday, June 28, 2014

Guidelines for successful personalized gift giving

First and foremost, always be sure to choose a suitable base product. It doesn't matter how good your personalization is, if the underlying product is something the person doesn't need or want it will not do the job!

Secondly, once you have identified a suitable product, be sure to personalize it with the appropriate designs, designs that are meaningful to the intended recipient.

Get these two things right and your family and friends will soon give you the reputation of being a great gift giver!

Some of the more popular customizable gifts ideas that you may want to consider include:

For the home and office

Bar mats, blankets, bookmarks, calendars, clocks, coasters, door mats, letter openers, memo pads, mouse pads, mugs, ornaments, photo cubes, pillow cases, place mats, porcelain plates, rubber stamps, shower curtains and towels.

Personal accessories

Belt buckles, camera cases, cosmetics bags, flip flops, lighters, hip flasks, key rings, luggage tags, money clips, photo bags, umbrellas, wallets, watches and jewelry.

Other popular customizable gifts include badges, canvas prints, clothing, tablet computer cases, golf accessories, magnets, mobile phone cases, photo books, playing cards, posters and stickers.

While I have mentioned quite a few customizable gifts ideas here, remember, there are thousands of others out there, so you should always be able to find exactly what you are looking for.

To conclude

When you identify the exact gift you are looking for, all you have to do is make your own design using your own photos, logos, designs and text, place your design on your product of choice, and low and behold, you will have the perfect gift for just about anyone, regardless of age, gender or the occasion…

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Photo Gift Ideas For Any Occasion

Photo gift ideas can be an inspiration to mark any milestone in life or simply to provide someone with something of sentimental value that cannot be bought. The old expression, "A picture is worth a thousand words," holds true. A snapshot takes a moment in time and preserves it. It can close the gap between loved ones who are separated by great distances. A photograph is a true treasure that can carry a person down Memory Lane. When given as a present, it can become priceless.

Photo books have become extremely popular and are simple to make through a variety of companies. A person can go to various websites which specialize in photo products, download a selection of pictures, and then create a tailored gift. If access to the Internet is not possible, many stores have machines to develop pictures. Individuals also have the option of creating a book. The background can be selected page by page. Text can be entered as pictures are organized according to preference. The book can be softcover or hardcover. This is a wonderful way to share the excitement of a wedding with others, presenting loved ones with highlights from that special day. A child's journey from infancy to graduation can be presented in a book of family photos. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and retirement can be organized and preserved in a book.

Scrapbooking is another approach to creating a book of photos with a personal touch. Although it is more time-consuming, the imaginative individual who loves to produce a unique gift can really run with this idea. Craft and department stores have a host of materials to design scrapbooks from a variety of books, paper, and accents. Each page can be devoted to a different theme. Pictures can be scattered throughout as well as drawings, selections of writing, and every sort of decoration imaginable. A scrapbook proves that both thought and effort have been dedicated to that special someone.

This is the age of technology and mobile devices are always attached at the hip. A perfect gift is a personalized photo case for iPhones and other brands. There are many companies that specialize in all things mobile, including customized cases . A memorable photograph will be in a loved one's hand every time there is a call.

Photo cards and photo stamps are also popular options. These are perfect for Christmas when it is time to send something different to the grandparents. A holiday scene with grandchildren can be caught in a card and popped in the mail. A matching stamp on the envelope adds a finishing touch. The card is likely to be framed and hung on the wall while the stamp is saved in a wallet. Pictures are a way to carry a loved one everywhere. Calendars, mugs, playing cards, and t-shirts are just a few more photo gift ideas . 

A photo is a versatile gift that can be presented in a myriad of creative ways. Photographs warm the heart more than anything else that money can buy.