World Gratitude Day is September 21. How will you show your appreciation for the people you know best in life, or the acquaintance at school, work or church that did something nice, or the stranger — through their deeds or personal mission — that is making the world a better place? These days, it feels so easy to be cynical. Civility, compassion, thankfulness…those are the qualities we need more of in this world.

So let’s all practice an attitude of gratitude on September 21, and make it a habit thereafter. Here are 3 ways to cultivate gratitude in your life.

1. Say “Thank you” on World Gratitude Day

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou

Two words: Thank, you. They are powerful, indeed. Whether you say it, scribble it, send flowers or  write it in the sky, your gratitude can make someone’s day. Plus, just the act of saying “thank you,” can release endorphins — those feel-good hormones that course through our bodies. Decide you’re going to thank the check-out clerk at the store, your postal carrier who slogged through the rain, or your son’s teacher whose sweet nature or persistence is making all the difference in math class. We can soften life’s edges by practicing civility and kindness.

2. Keep a gratitude journal

“If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.” -Oprah Winfrey

It’s easy to flip on HGTV or browse the latest fashion magazine and feel a little envious of those who seem to have it all. Life has its ups and downs, and if you’re in the middle of a slump, it’s easy to miss all the things that are wonderful in life. If you find yourself staring into a glass that’s half-full, consider starting a gratitude journal.

Every evening, jot down 3 things that you feel happy about: friendships, family, pets and more. Granted, on those days when you lost your keys or a supervisor got testy, it might be hard to see the rays of sunlight. But even noting the smallest things can get your mind on the right foot: late summer flowers blooming; warm socks; a kind smile of the crossing guard; a soft breeze on a cool night; the strength and dexterity of your own fingers.

3. Commit to a weekly act of gratitude

“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” -Henry Ford

Beyond World Gratitude Day, you can practice gratitude so that it becomes part of  your life. Sometimes when we set a goal, it becomes more achievable.  Life is fleeting, and we need to grab those moments of grace while we can. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but just commit to saying thank you more, hugging more, giving more, surprising more. Or plan to write a formal thank you note once a week to someone — even if it’s an out-of-the-blue note to say, “I am grateful for your presence in my life.” You’ll make someone else’s day, and you’ll improve your own frame of mind, too.

Looking for something different to use at your next event or give as a meaningful gift? Monogrammed items are personalized just for you or your recipient — unlike generic items you can purchase from the store. Monogrammed gifts and decor are a great way to personalize your life and wow your friends. To get something creative and different, use our Personal Style Tool. Our process for choosing the right monogram design will help you pick out the perfect item with confidence.

Choosing a Monogram to Personalize Your Projects

You can make unique projects by adding initials in a stylish way. A monogrammed item is created by you, but a special monogram generator will help you create your ideal mark with ease. You don’t have to be familiar with design or typography to use a monogram generator and order your personalized items.

Just about everything you wear, display, use or decorate with can have a personalized mark. Monograms are the perfect way to set apart your parties, wedding, gifts and more. From etched glass coasters to napkins and bamboo cutting boards, there are tons of ways to personalize your life.

The Gift of a Monogram

Finding the right gift can be tricky. You want something that is different, but still useful and beautiful. Monogramed items are the kind of gifts that carry memories and meaning. A boss who receives a monogrammed mug for his desk will appreciate the gift as classy and professional. A bride who gets monogrammed guest towels for the bathroom or coasters for the home will see the gift as a special token of her big day. Monogrammed gifts that are given to family members can carry the weight that comes with the family tie of sharing a last name. Items that are monogrammed unquestionably belong to the recipient, which means they were carefully chosen and ordered, not selected generically.

The Right Style for the Product

Not all products are the same or have identical shapes for holding your monogram. Monograms on round coasters are probably going to look different than at the top of personalized stationery. To start in choosing the right monogram, you need to pick the item you want to mark. You may not have the space to do three letters and just prefer one. On business-focused items, you might have the letters evenly sized instead of the center letter being larger.

Consider what kind of style will work best on that item — fonts and layouts of the monogram can make the whole project look modern, chic, classic, flowery and more. Those styles will change how someone interprets the gift or how an event is perceived. A fancy wedding script might be perfect for reception table runners, but it wouldn’t look right in the clean lines of a modern office. You want the monogram to fit the product perfectly for the person or space for whom or which it is being designed.

Knowing how you want the result to turn out and what product you are planning to get it on is the first step to creating a great monogram. Once you’ve determined the shape and style of the monogram you are going to create, the next step is to look at lettering styles.

Selecting a Unique Font for Your Monogram Design

Monogram fonts can be plain or intricate. A font that is generic will look like something that could be made in Word on your computer and printed. Some fonts are not well-made and don’t create elegant design elements. At Giftsin24, we offer specialized fonts in our design generator so that even the non-designer can create a professional-grade product.

The right monogram font will enhance your design and convey the style you determined was best for the product you are marking. A font should easily fit into the space designated for the monogram without looking cramped or stretched. The monogram letters should flow into a design element but remain easy to read.

We’ve chosen great fonts specifically for monograms that you can’t find anywhere else to give your gifts a one-of-a-kind look. We make sure those fonts are well-suited to monograms by choosing a wide variety of styles in fonts that have good spacing, balance and are readable.

Initial Etiquette for Monograms

The last name initial is always the largest in the center if you are doing the traditional trio of letters. You can use initials for individuals or couples in a monogram.

• For a married couple: The woman’s first initial is first, then the last name initial. The man’s initial is on the right.
• For a woman: Typically, her last initial is in the center with her first initial on the left and her middle initial on the right. However, if she is married, she can use her maiden initial on the right instead of the middle name initial.
• For a child: Monograms are perfect because they don’t give too much information in public. While the use of a first name might allow a stranger to act familiar with a child, a monogram personalizes the item to make it special and easily identifiable. A child’s monogram will follow the first, last middle initial format.

If the initials of your mark are the same size (instead of the traditional monogram with a larger letter in the middle), then the initials are in a first, middle, last name order. This often happens on shirt pockets, briefcases and luggage — among other items where lettering may be kept more straightforward and less decorative. When you’ve determined the shape and style, creating the monogram is simple.

Monograms Made Easy

Creating a unique monogram doesn’t have to be hard or time consuming. Our special tool for generating your monogram makes the process incredibly easy. Rather than paying a designer or struggling with the process yourself, you can choose a product and use the monogram generator tool to finish the personalization process. For each of the items on our website, you can enter your information and choose the lettering style. An immediate preview will show you exactly how the monogram will appear on the product, so you don’t have to guess if a specific style will look good in the space or fit correctly.

Finishing With Finesse

When ordering, certain products can be finished specially to give them an even more unique edge. You can use embossing or raised ink for a classy look that visually pops from the page. Your monogram design can be engraved on wood or etched into glass for a lasting, classy mark.

Now that you’ve completed the design process, you can proudly show off your monogrammed items within days of ordering them. At Giftsin24, we pride ourselves on carefully creating and quickly shipping your items. We know you trust us with your gifts and specialty items, expecting each piece to be crafted with care. We have a great customer service team that is backed by a production team built over decades. So, what are you going to personalize?

Some people are addicted to clothes, cars or food. Others may be in deep for gardening or makeup. And then there are people who are obsessed with stationery.

How can you tell if you have a normal appreciation for stationery vs. a full-blown obsession? Take our quiz to find out.

Question 1. When is it time to re-order your stationery?

A. When I have 5 notes left in the box, it’s time to reorder. That’s about a month’s worth for me.

B. When I have 5 boxes that are half-full, it’s definitely time to reorder. It would be full-on panic if I ever get down to only 4 boxes.

Question 2. You arrange your pens…

A. by placing them in a pretty glass or jar on my desk. I like looking at them.

B. by arranging them in rainbow order in a special tray in a dedicated drawer designated just for them.

Question 3. You follow ___ stationery related accounts on Facebook.

A. 2

B. 20

Question 4. When you find a monogram you like, you…

A. order a set of monogrammed cards or notes and call it a day.

B. order a set of monogrammed cards AND a set of monogrammed notes, plus a coordinating monogrammed notepad.

Question 5. If the envelope color doesn’t match the stationery paper …

A. Take a hard pass. It’s a sign of bad quality to have ecru notes with white envelopes.

B. Never consider purchasing from that company again. How dare they?

Question 6. If you run out of pretty postage stamps and only have generic ones left…

A. I peel and stick. It will get where it’s going regardless of what the stamp looks like.

B. I make an emergency run to the post office. There’s no way that ugly stamp is going on my beautiful, self-addressed, envelopes with hand-inserted linings.

Question 7. Whenever I see a stationery company issue new designs…

A. I’ll take a look. It’s fun to explore new products.

B. I’ll seriously consider buying one, especially if it’s brand-new, hot-off-the-shelf. Variety is the spice of life.

Tally it up

If you answered…

1-2 Bs…you have a mild stationery obsession, but nothing out of the ordinary.

3-5 Bs…you are obsessed with stationery and seek ways to indulge your habit.

6-7 Bs…congratulations, you have a profound obsession with stationery.

Need a stationery fix? Explore new designs here.

Custom business stationery from Giftins24.com ships in 24 hours.

Life as a small business owner is never perfect, but always exciting. There are so many tasks to carry out — administrative, sales, accounting — on top of your core business area. One thing you might not have time for is branding: creating a personality for your business and then carrying that through all your communications, such as your website, brochures and business stationery. Do you wish you had a more polished image? Maybe you have a logo and have put it on your business cards. You may even have some printed brochures or fliers, and a website.

How about business stationery? Alas, when it comes to writing those thank you notes to clients, you may be reaching for the generic kind at your big-box store. They give off a flimsy appearance, but truth be told, you’re just happy they get written and mailed, right?

And that scratch pad next to your phone does the job, but you sometimes wish you had a more attractive and neat desk area, especially if you meet with customers or clients regularly.

Here’s the good news. In less than 15 minutes you can up your game by ordering business stationery crafted just for you. The steps are simple: upload your logo, click a few decision boxes, and then…wait. Within a few days you’ll have professionally printed, branded stationery with your company logo. All at an affordable price, too.

Here are four of our best image-polishing products for businesses.

Your Logo Knightsbridge Frame Note

Your Logo Card Convey a professional image every time to write your customer thank you notes. This flat correspondence card is precision-crafted from luxury, triple-thick paper. Your logo will appear in traditional embossing, which imparts a classic look and feel.

Your Logo Knightsbridge Frame Note This folded note offers an elegant embossed border on double-thick paper. At a price that fits your budget, it also offers an optional colored border, return address or hand-inserted envelope lining paper to create impressive stationery.

Custom Image Agenda Offering up to three lines of personalization, plus a logo or other four-color image, this agenda is just the right size for jotting down phone calls or daily to-do lists. Choice of lettering style and ink color for personalization. Acrylic holder neatly corrals loose sheets.

Custom Napkin offers many foil ink and paper colors to reflect your company’s colors.

Custom Napkin  Company picnics, sales meetings, trade show booths…whenever you’re serving refreshments in a public-facing setting, offer these napkins, too. They are an easy way to polish your image.

See the entire collection of business stationery.

That short walk across the stage represents many years of hard work, and if it’s happening at a college, many thousands of dollars in tuition. Whether you’re celebrating the accomplishment of a high school or university graduate, you want to give them a gift that truly reflects their sacrifice and achievement, as well as the excitement of embarking on a new path in life. Here are four personalized graduation gifts that say “congratulations” to a new graduate, ranging from Freshman level (simply smart) to Senior level (high achiever).

Freshman level:
Flowers + keepsake ornament 

Bring a bouquet of flowers for photos after the ceremony. In the photos, the flowers will soften the lines of their monochromatic graduation gown. Later, they’ll serve as a reminder of their accomplishment for the next week or so. To personalize it, tie an engraved keepsake ornament, such as the Graduation Cap Keepsake Ornament ($17.95, free shipping) around the flower stems. After graduation day, they can pin this personalized glass keepsake to a bulletin board along with their tassel. Plus, years from now, they can hang it on their Christmas tree as a reminder of how far they’ve come in life.

Sophomore level:
Picture frame + transit pass or gas card

Finishing their school career is bittersweet. They’ll be leaving behind friends, familiar places and amazing memories. Give them a personalized, engraved picture frame, such as the Treasured Moment Picture Frame ($34.95, free shipping) to capture a cherished moment from their school days. Their favorite photograph will enjoy pride of place in this solid wood frame precision-engraved with two lines of text. Tuck in a transit pass or gas card they can use in their new city, where they will build new memories and an exciting new life.

Junior level:
Monogrammed pint glasses + recipes

Here’s a super easy way to work in personalized graduation gifts into the mix: Help them exchange the red Solo cup for something a little classier: pint glasses engraved with their monogram. The Altamira Monogram Pint Glass ($24.95, free shipping) is a good choice. It features clean lines and a choice of lettering style. A set of four would be perfect, enough to invite friends for a potluck dinner party or game of cards. Inside each one, tuck in your favorite entertaining recipes, remembering to keep it simple for a beginner cook. Include ideas like: a recipe for guacamole; your two favorite cheeses and a crack brand that goes with everything; a simple pasta dish; or an easy strawberry shortcake.

Senior level:
Personalized stationery + gift card

These days, the Millennial generation is drowning in digital communication. They are craving anything handwritten and tactile. Outfit them with the Henley Monogram Wardrobe ($62.95, plus $59.95 for envelope linings; free shipping). This graceful assortment of embossed, monogrammed papers will give them options to fit any occasion: Folded notes are perfect for the job search. Letter sheets help them keep in touch with far-flung classmates. The set includes 50 letter sheets, 50 notes, and 50 enclosures with 150 paper-matched envelopes. Choose hand-inserted linings to make this stationery extra special. Whether they are moving back home or to a new city, give them something to write home about: a dinner at a hot restaurant or visit to a cute boutique in their new city, on you. Check TimeOut.com, Yelp.com or the city’s Chamber of Commerce website for gift card ideas.

Graduation is an exciting time, filled with pride. It’s also filled with anticipation, and possibly some trepidation about “what comes next.” Help new grads transition into the next phase of their life with personalized graduation gifts that make them feel recognized. They will cherish these gifts for a long time.

Create a memorable wedding gift that combines personalization with utility.

Invitations are beginning to arrive in the mail. Brides and grooms are busy with last-minute preparations. It’s almost here…June, that time of year when couples walk down the aisle and proud parents tuck hankies into their pockets. Choosing a special wedding gift doesn’t have to break the bank or be overly complicated. Yes, you could buy something off the gift registry or stuff some cash into a greeting card. And yet… by spending just a few minutes on Giftsin24.com, you could also create a memorable gift that will express your love and good wishes for this special couple.

Say “I do” to these out-of-the-box wedding gift ideas:

Wedded Bliss Cutting Board  Featuring “Eat, Drink & Be Married” artwork, this cutting board makes a statement. Personalize it with up to two lines of text in a choice of eight popular lettering styles. Pair it with items from the couple’s gift registry, such as a set of cheese labels, a good chef’s knife, a muffin pan, tea towels or cloth napkins. Or you might go off list and include a book of breakfast recipes or entertaining ideas.

Fortaleza Wall Sign   Chic and refined, the Fortaleza Initial Wall Sign offers a sophisticated touch to any room. The newlyweds can display it on a bookshelf, hang it in a powder room, or give it pride of place over the sofa with other treasured photos and artwork. Enhance this gift by adding cash for framing a favorite wedding day candid shot. Includes wall-safe adhesive squares for hanging.

Dorset Duogram Note  After all the excitement of the wedding comes the task of writing thank you notes to all their  party guests. The Dorset Duogram Note is a popular choice among newlyweds because it offers room for initials and names or a special brief sentiment. Crafted from double-thick paper and raised ink, this folded note includes upgrade options such as a border, hand-inserted envelope lining or return address.  Or, give them a set in 100% cotton paper for extra luxury.

See other wonderful ideas for memorable wedding gifts and party accessories. Cheers!

All our lives, our mothers have been our biggest cheerleaders and our most ardent allies. Want to go beyond the traditional Mother’s Day greeting card and flowers this year? Here are some creative ways to celebrate mom on her special day.

1. Write a beautiful letter to her. Whether you are young and still at home with mom, or grown with your own children, you likely have many examples of the ways that your mother is special. The letter needn’t be long, but it should be personal and specific. Not sure where to start? Sometimes creating a themed list can loosen those creative juices and get your writing flowing. List the ways she’s helped you over the years; her delicious recipes; or most quotable quips and sayings that have saved you/inspired you/made you smile. She’ll likely want to save this letter, so write it on pretty stationery, such as the Anthony Letter Sheet.
   
2. Plant flowers. Cut flowers from the florist are lovely, but try something different and give her a living plants she can enjoy this summer or all year long. Help her set up a container garden, filled with tomato plants or herbs. Create a window box filled with colorful annuals. Research native plants that grow in your area that attract special wildlife, such as butterflies or hummingbirds.
3. Shhhhh….kidnap her and take her on a picnic. Tell her to be ready at a certain time for an “outdoor adventure.” Pack a picnic, and bring her to a pretty natural area or park for dining al fresco. Bonus points if you go for a walk or bike ride. Remember to take a selfie with her, then put the photo in a pretty frame, such as the Mother’s Day Picture Frame.
   
4. Bake together. Even if you use a boxed mix and store-bought frosting, you can create a pretty layer cake or mini cupcakes. Don’t forget the sprinkles. This is especially fun with little kids. Serve cupcakes or cookies on the Valentina Cutting Board personalized with her initial.
   
5. Donate or volunteer to help women. Sometimes the most meaningful gifts are the ones we spend in service to others. Sign up to volunteer at a food pantry or shelter. Knit baby caps or quilt baby blankets for drug addicted or sick babies. Ask your community’s women’s shelter what they need and go shopping for sanitary supplies or clothing.

Accessorize your gifts with cute engraved mason jars from Giftsin24.com

You’ve spent a lot of time and money to find the cutest top for your sister, or the most elegant item on your friend’s bridal registry, or the perfect man-cave item for your husband. Why not make the gift presentation the best it can be, too? One answer is to accessorize your gifts to make them feel extra special to the gift-ee and help them stand out above the rest.

Here are 3 easy ways to dress up your gifts with a personalized touch.

Tuck in a Personalized Gift Enclosure

A beautifully embossed or printed gift enclosure folded into its envelope and tucked into the gift bag is so easy to accomplish when you have a supply in your gift drawer at home. Try Henley Monogram Portrait Enclosure in raised ink, which offers a selection of our most popular monograms in your choice of raised-ink color.  Like embossing? Try the Durham Framed Portrait Enclosure with gorgeous embossed borders and your first and last name.

Make them yours! See the full collection of Gift Enclosures

Use Keepsake Ornaments as Gift Tags

Want to add something a little unusual, and a little sparkly, to your gift wrapping? Try using a personalized keepsake ornament as a gift tag. The Classic Monogram Keepsake Ornament works beautifully when you personalize it with your friend’s monogram. It makes hand-delivering your gift that much more special when you give a gift with such a wow-factor presentation. Other options are Giftsin24 sports-themed ornaments, such as the Baseball Keepsake Ornament, which offer a range of sports themes for the children, teens and sports fans in your life.

Make them yours! See the full collection of Keepsake Ornaments

Accessorize a small gift, like a pair of earrings or necklace, by tucking it into a personalized shot glass.

Use an Engraved Glass as the Container

For something even more unique, try using a personalized, engraved glass as the container. This strategy creates wonderfully simple gifts for larger groups, such as bridal parties, party favors or work colleagues. Try slipping a pair of earrings wrapped in tissue into the Altamira Monogram Shot Glass for your bridal party besties. Or roll up a fabric gift — a cute tank top, set of cloth napkins, fuzzy socks, fashion scarf, etc. — and tuck it inside a personalized mason jar like the Iguala Mason Jar, personalized with each work colleague’s name. The possibilities are endless.

Make them yours! See the full collection of Engraved Glassware

Pair personalized coasters with bridal registry items like glasses, trays and ice buckets.

Every now and then, when we go to a bridal shower, we see a gift that elicits those oohs and ahhs from the guests. “Wow! Look at that gift!” “Oh, that’s so neat!” Want to be that gift-giver? We’ve got some bridal shower gifts that really shine, especially when you combine them with bridal registry gifts the couple asked for.

These days, most brides- and grooms-to-be create bridal registry lists at major retailers, so it’s easy to choose something you know they’ll use.

Often these lists are very utilitarian: whisks, cookie sheets, and colanders. So it’s fun to customize gifts to give them something not only that they’ll use, but that they’ll LOVE too. It feels great to hear all the oohs and ahhs, and to see the delighted surprise on the couple’s faces when they open your gift.

Here are ways to combine a typical gift registry item with a personalized gift that stands out in a crowd. We’ve chosen some of our favorites.

How to Personalize Beverage-Themed Gifts

Couple registered for ….ice bucket for holding bottles of wine or champagne
Personalize this shower gift by adding … 2 engraved Altamira Monogram champagne flutes with a couples monogram and bottle of champagne.

Couple registered for…a pretty glass or metal tray
Personalize this shower gift by adding… 2 Fortaleza shot glasses with their last name and initial.

Pair shot glasses with bar-themed bridal registry items.

Couple registered for…wine opener
Personalize this shower gift by adding…2 engraved Iguala stemless wine glasses   with their last name and an inspirational or fun inscription.

Couple registered for… a bar cart
Personalize this shower gift by adding…Camden Embossed Frame Monogram personalized napkins with their new last initial in an elegant embossed and foil-pressed design

Couple registered for… a beverage dispenser
Personalize this shower gift by adding…a set of 8 Pareja personalized mason jars with their initials in a pretty design

Couple registered for…everyday beverage glasses
Personalize this shower gift by adding…a set of cork Bronson Chevron Monogram personalized coasters with a couples monogram in an eye-catching design

How to Personalize Food-Themed Gifts

Couple registered for… knives
Personalize this shower gift by adding…Established Cutting Board with their new last name and wedding year

Pair muffin pans, cheese knives and knife sets with our bamboo cutting boards

Couple registered for…cheese knife and labels
Personalize this shower gift by adding…  Millport cutting board for instant appetizer set with lots of appeal

Couple registered for…muffin pans
Personalize this shower gift by adding…Merida serving platter, a pretty tea towel and your favorite muffin recipe

Couple registered for… dinner plates
Personalize this shower gift by adding…Rosario personalized guest towels for their first dinner party

Couple registered for…appetizer plates
Personalize this shower gift by adding…Blissful beverage napkins with their names

One you experience the thrill of giving the most popular gift at the shower, you’ll never go back to using just the straight gift registry again.

Foil pressing

January…it’s the time of year for new beginnings and new ideas. New pledges. Resolution. Sometimes bold or even wild imaginings. You don’t stay in business for more than 40 years without taking some risks.

Here at Giftsin24.com, the retail website of Embossed Graphics, we emphasize precision and quality above all else. But we also stand for…

• Optimism.
• Passion.
• Effort.
• Will power.
• Grit.
• Determination.
• Resolve.

We are proud of our products and the effort we put into them. Our New Year’s resolution is to continue our pursuit of excellence in all we do.

Embossing

Which got us thinking…do you know how we do what we do?

The world of printing is fascinating. There’s a lot going on in our production facility. Here are a few of the processes behind the products you buy from us.

How We Do What We Do

Embossing – Our embossed stationery features elegant, textured images. We achieve these through a traditional, centuries-old process known as embossing, where we press a die (a block with a reverse image of your monogram) into paper. While we employ no ink in this process, nevertheless, our embossed monograms and lettering styles convey meaning: tradition, quality, energy and style.

Foil Pressing – Our foil-pressed napkins and stationery embellishments offer just the right amount of color plus shimmer to make your personalization stand out. To create foil-pressed products, we use a heated die to adhere a thin sheet of foil to the paper. The result can range from soft and elegant silver or opal … to vivid blue or red … to bold gold or black.

Thermography

Thermography – It’s a big name that means “raised ink.” We use this process on our stationery. First, we print an image on paper. While the ink is wet, we dust it with a powder and apply heat. The heat fuses the ink and powder together and makes it raise above the paper surface. The result is a delightful, shiny image filled with texture and color.

Laser Engraving  –  We use a laser to personalize our engraved gifts, such as wine glasses, bamboo cutting boards and cork coasters. It’s flashy and fun and high-tech. We use a laser beam to etch into wood, glass, cork or other material. The laser creates such high heat that it vaporizes the material. It takes just a pulse with the laser, so we work very quickly and precisely.