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Occasions & Holidays

Gifts Ideas, Occasions & Holidays

Personalized Bridesmaids and Groomsmen Gift Ideas

July 12, 2018

Happy Wedding Season! The time has come to celebrate your love, and what better way to do so than with your favorite people by your side? We put together a guide to help you show your bridesmaids and groomsmen just how special they are!   

Bridesmaid Gifts  

Let’s talk about personalized bridesmaids gifts! There is so much planning that goes into a wedding, so it is important to not leave bridal party gifts until the last minute. Your bridesmaids are the ones who have supported you as you prepare for your big day. Here are some DIY ideas to show your ladies some love!  

Bridesmaid Thank You Tote  

Say goodbye to boring bridesmaids gifts and give them something they will really use. Check out our Personalized Bridesmaid Tote Bag to give to your bridal party to show them how much you appreciate everything they do for you! You can even turn this stylish tote into a DIY project by making a “Thank You” gift bag – fill it with a bottle of wine/champagne, a matching robe, bath and beauty products, or even a candle! Trendy and versatile, this tote bag is the perfect bridesmaid gift this wedding season.  

Bridesmaid Keepsake Box  

You want to remember your special day forever. Let your bridesmaids share in that excitement with a box of memories! Provide all your special ladies with a Bridesmaid Keepsake Box to put mementos and photos in to enjoy for years to come. You can fill this with different photos or notes – anything that is unique to your special bond! 

DIY Bridesmaid Boxes 

Wondering how to ask your girls to be in your wedding party? A bridesmaid box is the perfect gift to ask bridesmaids or your maid of honor! This allows you to create a fun DIY project with hand-picked items that you know your bridesmaids would love. Below are some unique gift ideas that will show your ladies just how special they are.   

Personalized Wine Bottle  

Who doesn’t love wine? Adding an engraved “Will You Be My Bridesmaid” wine bottle will be the perfect touch to your bridesmaid box.  

Personalized Wine/Champagne Glass  

 

Add a personalized wine or champagne glass for your bridesmaids can enjoy their wine in style.  

 Personalized Lighter and Flask  

  

Provide your girls with a Personalized Lighter and Flask to help them celebrate your big day! Make sure to use the flasks during your bachelorette party.  

Other ideas could include personalized jewelry, a miniature bottle of bubbly, chocolate or other sweet treats, or nail polish. Be sure to add a touch of your wedding color to each bridesmaid box!  

Groomsmen Gifts 

You can’t forget about your guys! They have always been there for you, and now they have been a part of such a special time in your life. Show your groomsmen just how much you appreciate them with these unique groomsmen gifts!  

Groomsmen Personalized Flask  

 

This Personalized Flask is a gift that your groomsmen can use on the big day! Use these flasks for a memorable toast right before you walk down the aisle. Your groomsmen will remember how much fun they had on your special day every time they look at this unique gift.

Groomsmen Keepsake Box 

 

Give your guys a place to store memories of your special day forever! Provide them with different notes and keepsakes in their Personalized Groomsmen Box. You can add things in before you gift it and let them put their own twist on it in the coming years! 

Personalized Lighters 

 

Share this momentous occasion with your best man and your groomsmen by giving them their own Personalized Lighter! Whenever they use this unique gift they will remember your special bond and how much they loved spending your special day with you! 

 Personalized Money Clip  

Personalized Money Clip is a functional gift that your groomsmen can use everyday!  

To see more awesome personalized wedding gifts, check out our wedding collection! We at Personalization Universe would like to wish you a happy life together! 

 

 

 

 

Occasions & Holidays

4th of July Party Ideas and Essentials

June 27, 2018

Wondering how to make the most of your 4th of July party? Here are some helpful 4th of July party ideas to make your night memorable. The Fourth calls for a fun and festive celebration to honor the birth of our amazing country!  What better way to have an Independence day celebration than with good food, drinks, and games?  

 Be a Master – not just at grilling… 

 

 

Our Personalized Grill Apron is sure to make you look as professional as you feel when preparing these savory snacks for your guests! 

Loaded Bacon Cheddar Baked Potato Salad 

Let’s start out with an easy 4th of July recipe! While burgers and hot dogs on the grill are an Independence Day classic, side dishes are just as important!  Here is an easy loaded bacon cheddar baked potato salad recipe from The Complete Savorist to compliment your main course. 

Serves 8 

⌚ TOTAL TIME: 30 MINS

Ingredients:                                                                                                                                                                                        

  • 2 lbs. russet potatoes cubed 
  • 10 oz. bacon 
  • 5 green onions diced
  • 4 oz. cheddar cheese grated 
  • 2 tbsp. mayonnaise 
  • 2 tbsp. sour cream 
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt 
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper 
  • Kosher salt; to taste ~ 3 large pinches
  • 3 tsp chives diced

Instructions:

  1. Bring the cubed potatoes to boil in generously salted water, about 15 minutes or until fork tender 
  2. While the potatoes are boiling, fry the bacon; cool and crumble 
  3. Drain in a colander; set aside to cool 
  4. While the potatoes cool, grate the cheese, dice the green onions, and chives
  5. In a large bowl, mix the potatoes, Greek yogurt, sour cream, mayo, cheese, bacon, and green onions together until well combined
  6. Add the salt and pepper and mix well; tasting for any additionally needed salt
  7. Serve immediately or cover and chill until ready to serve 

Homemade BBQ Sauce 

Since BBQ food is very popular on the fourth, why not try a homemade BBQ sauce recipe to really WOW your friends? Thanks to Gimme Some Oven, we have the perfect recipe for you to do just that! 

⌚ TOTAL TIME: 30 MINS 

⌚ PREP TIME: 5 MINS 

⌚ COOK TIME: 25 MINS 

Ingredients: 

  • 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce 
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 
  • 1/3 cup honey or agave nectar
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste 
  • 1/4 cup molasses 
  • 3 Tbsp. Worcestershire* 
  • 2 tsp. liquid smoke** 
  • 1 tsp. smoked paprika 
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder 
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly-ground black pepper 
  • 1/2 tsp. onion powder 
  • 1/2 tsp. Salt 
  • (optional: a few pinches of cayenne powder for extra heat) 

*If you are making this sauce vegan, be sure to find a brand of Worcestershire sauce that is vegan. I recommend Annie’s. 

**If you are making this sauce gluten-free, be sure to find a brand of liquid smoke that is certified GF. I recommend Wright’s or Colgin. 

Instructions 

  1. Whisk all ingredients together in a medium saucepan
  2. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer (uncovered) for 20 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened
  3. Use the sauce immediately or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 1 week

Pair your delicious food with the right drink 

Sparkling Red, White, and Blue Sangria 

When it comes to a party, presentation is everything! With our Personalized Mason Jars, you will not only make your guests feel special, but also add a creative touch to their festive summer drink. The adults can indulge in red, white and blue sangria which makes for the perfect holiday cocktail. Add a festive straw or umbrella to our engraved mason jars to impress your friends. Below you can follow this easy yet delicious recipe, courtesy of Gimme Some Oven!   

Serves 8-12 

⌚ TOTAL TIME: 10 MINS 

⌚ PREP TIME: 10 MINS  

⌚ COOK TIME: 0 MINS 

Ingredients:   

  • 1 bottle dry white wine 
  • 2 cups fresh blueberries 
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries 
  • 1 cup apple juice or white grape juice 
  • 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced 
  • 1 bottle champagne (or any variety of sparkling white wine) 
  • 3-4 Granny Smith apples (*or see alternatives below) 
  • Ice 

Instructions: 

  1. Stir together white wine, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and apple juice together in a large pitcher.  Cover and refrigerate for 1-4 hours, so that the flavors can meld. (Heads up that the longer the mixture sits, the redder it will become.) 
  2. When you’re ready to serve the sangria, gradually stir in the champagne and apples and ice.  Serve immediately
  3. *Other options for the “white” fruit could include fresh pears, jicama, pineapple or starfruit
  4. **If you would like the tiered red, white and blue presentation in individual glasses that I used, just add extra red berries to the bottom of empty serving glasses, followed by a layer of blueberries, then strain out the sangria wine, and add some apple stars on top

*If you’d like to give your sangria an extra kick, I love stirring in an extra 3/4 cup St. Germaine.  Or you can use any other favorite liqueurs too. 

Edible Berry Cubes 

Don’t forget to make a red, white, and blue drink for the kids to enjoy too. Simply add a variety of berries to ice cubes which would pair great with water, soda, or seltzer for a fun and festive touch.  Check out Crate and Kids Blog to perfect these Edible Berry Cubes 

 Show your stomach who’s boss with these sweet treats 

Ready to treat yourself to a scrumptious patriotic dessert? These brownie bites are not only easy to make but also delicious! Here is an awesome and easy 4th of July dessert recipe from Real Food by Dad to do just that! 

4th of July Brownie Bites 

Yields 16 bites servings 

⌚ TOTAL TIME: 10 MINS 

Ingredients:  

  • 16-18 brownie bites, store bought or homemade
  • 1/2 cup whipped cream
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 5-6 strawberries, quartered
  • 3 oz. blueberries

Instructions: 

  1. To make whipped cream: Place cream and sugar in a chilled bowl, and using a hand held electric mixer beat on high until stiff peaks form. Transfer whipped cream to a pastry bag fitted with an open star tip. Pipe whipped cream onto brownie tops and layer with strawberries and blueberries.  

Add Some American Flare… 

We know you all want to display your red, white and blue desserts in a delightful way. Check out this Engraved Patriotic Cutting Board which is great for showing off your sweet treats!   

Top off the night with some fun festivities… 

To end the night, here are some fun party games for everyone to enjoy, regardless if you are 5 years old or 75 years old! We all love a great game, so why not make it a competition? With cornhole and kan jam, you can let your competitive side shine while still enjoying yourself and being outside with those you love. 

How to Play Cornhole 

 

Teams of two stand across from each other and throw bean bags at an elevated wooden surface. Your objective is to get the bean bag through the hole in the platform, and the first team to reach 21 wins! Getting the bean bag through the hole is 3 points and getting the bean bag to land on the platform amounts to 1 point.  This game can also double as a great red, white and blue decoration!

How to Play Kan Jam 

 

Each player stands across from their teammate and behind the Kan Jam Goal to throw each disk. For you to win, all you have to do is get the most disks in the goal by deflecting or throwing the flying disk into the goal – the first team to score 21 points wins! 

Ping Pong

Show off your ping pong skills using your own Customized Ping Pong Paddle! For those of you who do not have a special table, you can use your paddles to have a friendly back and forth with your close friends. 

For some bonus decorations 

Sparklers  

Be sure to light up the night with fun sizzling sparklers that we know won’t disappoint! 

With these 4th of July ideas and tips, we know that your party will be the talk of the town! Have a happy 4th of July from all of us at Personalization Universe 🙂  

 

 

 

 

 

Gifts Ideas, Occasions & Holidays, Tips & Tricks

How to Make Father’s Day Extra Special

June 17, 2018

Grandfathers, uncles, and dads all do their best year-round to keep a smile on your face. Father’s Day is the day to celebrate them and show them that you care about them just as much as they do for you. To make this Father’s Day one that your dad will surely remember, take a look at these fun and helpful tips!

1. Make it a Low-Maintenance Day

Try not to focus on making Father’s Day an absolutely perfect day because that could put too much pressure on your dad! While you’re doing nice things throughout the day for him, if something doesn’t go according to plan just remember to go with the flow. Take care of his usual chores too as an extra-special touch. This way, you’ll make it a hassle-free day for your dad!

2. Do His Favorite Thing Together!

Whether it’s playing golf in the morning or watching his favorite game in the living room, make sure to spend time with your dad or husband. He’ll appreciate you taking out the time to explore his hobby with him!

3. Gift Him Something Personalized

What other way to make your dad feel special than with a personalized gift? It’s a present just for him! Get him something that will make him think about his loving family and friends every time he uses the gift. We suggest a sleek, personalized leather business card case or a personalized leather watch box to help simplify his life!

4. Surprise Him with Appreciation

What’ll make your personalized gifts even better is a thoughtful card or even a token of appreciation. Gather the family to write all the things you’re thankful for your dad or husband! Have him wake up to it so he’ll start his day already feeling loved and praised. As a small token of appreciation, have him also wake up to his favorite breakfast in bed!

5. Frame the Memory!

As you carry on a fun-filled, relaxing Father’s Day, take a picture with the dad in your life. As you capture the memory, don’t forget to frame it too! Make it personalized with one of our special “Dad” frames like this one. Whether it’s for your dad, husband, or an uncle, they would love to look back to the photo and remember the great Father’s Day they spent with everyone!

Occasions & Holidays, Tips & Tricks

How to Make This Mother’s Day Unforgettable

May 12, 2018

An easy guide to make this Mother’s Day perfect

  1. Let her sleep in

Whether it’s letting her sleep in, take a nap, or rest, your mom will appreciate the time to herself. Create the perfect sleeping environment by taking away any distractions and loud noises. If there are little kids running around the house have them play in a different area of your home or take them to the park.

  1. Leave the House Spotless

What mom doesn’t love a clean house? While she’s resting take the opportunity to help tidy up the house. Take on some everyday chores like washing the dishes, doing the laundry, and picking up around the house. Imagine her joy at waking up to a clean home!

  1. Make her a Meal

Breakfast in bed is always a good idea, unless of course your mom is a clean nut and doesn’t like food in the bedrooms! Don’t worry though, that’s what tables are for. Make her a quick breakfast with some fresh coffee before you head out to do any fun activities or cook her favorites for dinner.

  1. Take her Out

There are many things that you can do with your mom on Mother’s Day! If you can’t cook, take her out for a nice dinner. After all, who doesn’t love being wined and dined? Another activity that you can do together is going to the spa. She’ll love getting pampered on her special day!

  1. Give her a Personalized Gift

You can never go wrong with making your mother a sentimental gift. Personalized keepsake boxes are an excellent way to commemorate memories that you both cherish. Fill them up with photos of you two throughout the years and you are guaranteed to make this Mother’s Day unforgettable.

Now you know just what to give your mom for Mother’s Day to make it unforgettable! Have a happy day from all of us at Personalization Universe.

Gifts Ideas, Occasions & Holidays

4 DIY Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

May 3, 2018

What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than with a gift made by her (favorite) child? Today we will be sharing 4 DIY Mother’s Day gifts & gestures that may just have your mother shedding happy tears.

  1. DIY Cookbook

A DIY cookbook is the perfect gift for any family that loves to be in the kitchen. One easy way to do this is by using a photo album! Alternate the placement of photo and recipe to create an aesthetically pleasing layout. Pair her cookbook with a personalized cutting board and apron to really bring everything together. As an added bonus, this cookbook can be passed down from generation to generation.

  1. Host Mother’s Day Brunch

It’s time to put those family recipes (or Pinterest) to good use with Mother’s Day brunch! Whether you are having brunch inside or on the patio, paying attention to details will turn it into a special event! Set the table with flowers, a table runner, accent plates, and personalized mason jars. From French toast to frittata your mom’s day will be off to a great start.

Tip: Pick a set of colors such as pink, purple, and green and stick to them for a look that is bright yet simple and put together.

  1. Make her a Gift Basket

The best part about making a gift basket yourself is that you’ll be able to fill it with mom’s favorites. Set the mood for a relaxing evening at home by filling a basket with her favorite bottle of wine, a  wine glass with her name on it, and of course, chocolate! Use a personalized tote as a basket for a fun twist and fill it up with anything and everything she loves. Remember, you can never go wrong with a gift basket!

  1. Plant her Favorite Flowers

Whether you decide to plant potted flowers or seeds, taking the time to plant your mother’s favorite flowers in her garden is a beautiful gesture. Why send flowers when you can give a gift that keeps on giving – plant perennial flowers such as Shasta daisies that will bloom year after year. Be sure to add a garden flag or stone for a decorative touch. Your mother will think about you every time she lays her eyes on the flowers that you planted for her.