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Exchange Gifts

March 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Gift giving can be a tricky business.  Knowing what to buy, whether or not the intended recipient has it, or if someone else bought it are all common questions.  Once the gift is given, however, a truly challenging dilemma can rise:  how to exchange what you don’t want or received in duplicate without hurting the gift-giver’s feelings. 

The Solution and the art of the Gift Exchange

If the gift giver was smart and considerate, they will have included a gift receipt with the present.  Receipts should include the date of purchase.  For unwanted gifts, simply do an exchange.  For duplicate gifts, note which gift was bought the earliest and return any extras.  In the event that identical gifts were bought the same day, note who bought the gifts and consider your relationship with that person. From whom was the gift more meaningful?  Whose feelings would be hurt more if you returned their gift?  In any case, let the gift giver whose gift you’re going to return know in private of your intentions.  He or she will appreciate not only your candor, but your discretion as well.

The most awkward scenario is a gift given from a store you don’t frequent.   This can be embarrassing for the giver who thought they knew you well enough to buy from there.  What is more awkward is that chances are, you won’t be able to return the gift for cash.  Do not fret.  Instead, unleash your creativity!  Return the gift for a gift card to give to someone else—friend or family—who shops there.  You’ll save money on future gift-giving, and you can always claim you put the gift to good use in an exchange.

Gift exchanges are all about timing and relationships.  When the gift was bought, from where, and its meaningfulness from the gift-giver are two criteria you can use to make returns discrete and pain free.  Follow these simple steps and you’ll preserve relationships, as well as make gift-giving and receiving a meaningful and joyful experience.

 

Filed Under: Family Gifts, Gift Ideas, Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

What are Family Roots

February 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Family Roots and heraldry is part of our personal heritage, and there is worldwide interest in this topic over the last number of decades. Some say it defines us to some degree and there is constant research into this absorbing subject.

In the dictionary, heraldry is described “as the art of or office of the herald” is this satisfactory?

It is in fact medieval in origin and is concerned with a means of identification. Everybody in the world today would like to know exactly where their origins lie. This is in fact very important from people of European origin, because of the need for emigration in centuries past, you will find family names scattered all over the world, whose family roots hail from some country in Europe.

When Heraldry began an interest in Family Roots began.

There’s a great deal of confusion, too, over when heraldry first began. Arms have been attributed to such diverse figures as Adam and Eve, Pontius Pilate, Noah, Julius Caesar and even the Children of Israel! The truth is that it took form in the second quarter of the twelfth century, at least in Western Europe. There were three basic reasons for it.

Firstly, when the great helm, or totally enclosed helmet, came into fashion, it was very difficult to distinguish between friend and foe. Secondly, literacy was considered a long way down the requirements for knighthood, or indeed for most people, save those of the church, and thirdly the growth in charters and other paperwork which had to be ‘signed.’ When tracing your family roots you will find amazing amounts of history which is quite fascinating to say the least.
Hence, in many cases, the Signet Ring which carried the Crest of the particular knight or office holder. By the beginning of 1300, heraldry had come of age and is widely used still. Millions of family members throughout the world display their heritage by wearing a family crest ring or have a coat of arms hanging somewhere in their home.

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History Of The United States Army

February 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The history of the United States Army was born out of necessity in 1775 to have soldiers for the American Revolutionary War. The American people needed to defend themselves against the British Army in order to gain independence. After the Army came many of the other divisions of the military, however it was the Army before any of them.

Throughout history, the Army Reserves has participated in a lot of different battles including the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and both World Wars, the Korean and Vietnam Wars as well as the most recent ones including the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and North Korea.

During or after serving in the military, many people like to remember their service by purchasing military rings. These rings can include a particular infantry, a specialty as well as the years served. Some people particularly want to remember their military deployment to different bases around the world and can do so with these rings similar to the way that students get class rings.

The United States Army, in 1775, was called the Continental Army and was comprised of troops from each one of the 13 colonies. As the country expanded, so did the number of troops. The US Army not only battled in wars but also helped with Manifest Destiny from 1815 to 1860 in the country’s desire to expand West.

In 1910, the US Army flew their first biplane. The Army National Guard was formed for World War I in 1917. This included the largest draft of able-bodied men that the country had seen to date. The army itself had 286,000 troops while the National Guard expanded to an approximate count of 450,000 troops.

Military deployments, especially in recent years, do not include the Army Reserves and the Army National Guard working on their own accord. In many cases they combine arms with the Air Force, Marines and Navy, as well as Special Ops in order to invade countries, overthrow governments and defend territories so that no attacks are made on American soil.

The United States Army is a constantly changing entity, getting new technology, new formations and even different task forces within the Army in order to deal with particular areas of battle. Those who have served in the Army take on a number of different roles and they become veterans afterward.

One of the best ways to remember the Army as well as what they did in the military to defend their country is purchasing military rings. The styles have changed over the years but many are handed down from generation to generation. It serves as a reminder of what family has served and in what branch of the military.

Filed Under: Deployment Rings, Gift Ideas, Military, Military Bases, Military History Tagged With: , , , , ,

Gift Ideas For Men

January 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It’s the season to be jolly and to go shopping! The question looms what to give the man in your life. Whether it’s family or friend, giving the wrong gift to a man can be embarrassing and disappointing. We all want to give a gift that shows we care and know exactly what our loved one wants.

Remember what may not be a gift you would ever want to receive could be the perfect treasure for the man in your life.

Here are 12 gift ideas to wow your man!

1. Music. Not all men are really into music but everyone has their favorite singer, band or genre. Don’t bother with a CD because it might not be the style he likes (and who really uses them anymore anyway?). Think MP3 player or a good quality and cool looking set of headphones.

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2. Car Stuff. If he has a car chances are he loves it. Think car accessories that are unique such as personalized license plates or interesting seat covers or stick shift ornaments. Be unique but try not to be too cheesy, unless you know that’s his thing. There is always the classic dashboard hula dancer to make someone smile.

3.Video Game Gear. Most men are into gaming and own an Xbox, PS3 or other platform. Don’t buy games since again you can’t be sure if it’s what he will like. Think accessories. New controllers or specialized equipment for certain games such as Guitar Hero. Also, think to add a personal touch and include gift cards for pizza delivery or wholesale bags of chips and other snacks.

4. Booze. This one is age appropriate of course. Specialty beers from foreign countries or quality liquors. Include books on beers or how to make cocktails as a personal touch. Consider a variety of wines from different countries for an international feel. Match wine and beer with nice wine glasses or beer mugs and liquors with interesting shot glasses.

5.Tickets. You can’t go wrong with tickets to events he enjoys. It could be concert tickets, seasonal sport tickets, movie, theatre or special event tickets. Remember to buy a set of two so that he can take a friend. Give him the gift of a good time and show support of his spending time with friends. He’s bound to be delighted.

6. Cologne. A lot of men won’t spend the money to buy good quality cologne, but they will soon be converted if they’re impressed. Buy quality cologne that isn’t over powering or reminds anyone of their father. His first reaction may not be excitement when he opens the package, but when he starts hearing all the compliments later that day he’ll have retrospective delight for his gift.

7. Boxers. Unless he goes commando, this is part of his daily wardrobe and again he may not deem it worthy to spend much on his underpants. This is how to impress him. Stay away from cheap, cheesy prints and go for a little expense. Comfort and class is the key when giving boxers as a gift. Choose a pair he wouldn’t spend the money on himself. Try silk or if need be cotton, but stay away from lycra and spandex. These two materials will only make him sweat and itch. Buy a pair you know he’ll be impressed by and after one wear he will be reconsidering his undie budget.

8. Nostalgia. Think about his memories, things he mentions with that far away look in his eyes. Some comic book or movie he was into when he was growing up. These things never quite fade from memory. A movie poster or action figure can bring a surprising smile to his face Christmas morning.

9. Sunglasses. Yes its winter, but it won’t be for long and they are always good for driving in the daytime. Fashionable sunglasses are a perfect gift. Think aviators, think James Dean, think super-awesome and cool. Guys like to think they are the coolest guys on the planet, so make them feel that way and give their ego a boost with a pair of so-cool shades.

10. Gloves, Scarves, Hats. These gifts are great especially if he is not fashion minded man. If he is walking around looking like a mismatched Maggie then this gift is the perfect choice. Take some time and match up the gloves, scarves and hats with what you know he always wears. Find some classic pieces to match with his usual attire and show him how good he can look with a little thought, effort and the right woman behind him!

11. Jewelry. Military Rings are fantastic if the man in your life is in the service or has retired from the service. You can personalize rings with the soldier’s name, rank and the dates he served along with emblems of units, divisions and brigades

12. Coat of Arms. These are the most treasured gifts one can send, and can be in the form of family crest rings, an embroidered banner or a painted plaque.

This gift giving season, impress him with a little thoughtfulness. Show him who knows him best and watch the smile spread across his stubbled face Christmas morning or on his birthday! Happy Gift Giving!

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