Your children have opened their carefully wrapped presents. The evidence is everywhere . . . ribbons and bows are strewn across the floor. Crumpled tissue paper explodes out of boxes.

The merriment of the holiday is winding down to everyday life again. Now comes a teachable moment that will last your children a lifetime: thanking the generous friends and family in their lives.

Teaching children from a young age that it’s important to express their gratitude helps lay the groundwork for thoughtfulness and appreciation. Not only will they learn the importance of courtesy, they will be developing their communication skills as well.

Holiday Thank You Note How-Tos

Here are a few helpful hints to make the “chore” of writing holiday thank you notes both fun and rewarding:

• Set aside a specific time to sit down with your children and help them with their thank you notes to Grandma and Grandpa. Find a comfortable, well-lit place to relax and settle in. This helps them focus on the task at hand and avoid distractions. It’s no fun to have to nag or rush!

• Have the writing paper and envelopes, pens, markers, stickers and stamps ready and available. Kids will especially love being able to write thank yous on their very own stationery.

• If your child is still very young, you may need to be the designated writer; however, even young children can print their name or draw a picture to accompany the words you supply. Children will enjoy embellishing the note with their own stickers and drawings.

Children will love writing holiday thank you notes on their very own stationery!

• Be sincere. You want your kids to be authentic. Even if the gift wasn’t something they love, encourage them to thank the giver in genuine appreciation: “It must have taken you a long time to knit the sweater for me. Thank you!”

• Do it sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the less enthusiastic your child will be and the easier it will be to let the good intentions evaporate.

• But do it later, too! Wouldn’t it be fun to make someone’s day by sending them a brief note, long after the holidays, reminding them of their gift and how it’s still being appreciated? “Remember that blue shirt you gave me for Christmas? Here’s a picture of me wearing it when we went to Disneyland.”

• Teach them how to fold the letter or card and tuck it into the envelope. Attach the stamp. Take a special trip to the post office to drop it into the slot. Children will enjoy personally sending their note off to its destination.

Finally, praise your child for their time and effort in writing a thank you. Explain to them how happy their note will make Grandpa or Aunt Ellen. In newspaper advice columns across the country, people are lamenting that they haven’t received thank you notes. But it doesn’t have to be a dying art. If you teach your children the joy of writing at an early age, they’ll continue it throughout their life . . . and it will help them maintain strong relationships that we all know are the key to happiness in life.

While you were going through this year’s photos to create your holiday greeting cards, did you find that one perfect shot that just makes you feel happy? The kids bundled up together. Or the sunset shot from your family vacation. Maybe your pet dressed up for Halloween. Or the quilt you are so proud of making. Whatever it was, consider using it to create holiday photo gifts for friends and family. Grandparents especially will love using your gift all year long when it includes a sweet picture!

Personalize holiday photo gifts, like this super slab, to create memorable gifts they’ll use all year long.

Personalize Giftsin24 memos, lists, agendas, tablets and slabs with your very own photo for a one-of-a-kind gift. In addition to the full-color photo, add a name or phrase of your choice to each memo item.

Easy Instructions for Creating Photo Gifts

It’s easy to do! Choose your item, upload your image to the Giftsin24 web site, do some minor photo cropping if needed, indicate the personalization in one of eight matte ink colors, and place your order. That’s all there is to it. We’ll use our state-of-the-art technology to reproduce your photo and print your order.

We produce each Family Photo item with careful attention to detail. We print and ship your gifts quickly – most within 24 hours. They’re the perfect holiday present for all the people on your list.

Browse our selection of matte ink photo items today on Giftsin24.

It’s all about the turkey, right? Or is it football for you? Pumpkin pie? Maybe it’s the Thanksgiving Day parade. Whatever it is, we all enjoy this big day of feasting and family. But there’s so much more to it. On this special Thursday, we’re called upon to appreciate all our blessings. Read on to learn our 5 fun, simple ways to cultivate that “attitude of gratitude.”

Our 5 Favorite Ways to Develop Gratitude

• Keep a Blessings Jar – Throughout the year, write the things that give you happiness on a piece of paper. Save the scraps in a decorative jar and read them aloud on Thanksgiving.
• Create a Thankful Tree – Give everyone a leaf cut from paper. Have them write down three things they are most grateful for in their life. Attach the leaves to a small branch or tree, or create a tree shape on the wall and tape the leaves on.
• Share thanks – Go around the dinner table and ask everyone to name at least one thing they’re thankful for this year.
• Start a gratitude journal – Studies show that gratitude journaling can have a positive impact on your emotional and physical well-being. Write about what you’re thankful for to keep yourself in a positive state of mind.
• Write a “gratitude letter” – Writing a gratitude letter to an important person in your life whom you’ve never properly thanked can have a strong and long-lasting happiness boost. This is especially true when gratitude letters are delivered in person. Gratitude brings us happiness, reduces anxiety, strengthens relationships, promotes forgiveness and is good for our bodies.

Survey your family and see if any of these ideas resonate. Then get to work and make this Thanksgiving the thanks-giving-est one ever!

Anthony Memo Square with CrystalClear Holder

Today we have a little Typography 101 for you. Put simply, typography is the design and use of typefaces. We use typefaces to communicate visually. Typefaces are powerful. They can convey emotion. That’s why you prefer some typefaces over others when you make stationery at our website.

Designers create typefaces by including many elements that make them unique and identifiable. They pay attention to things like how straight or round a g is at the bottom. Or how high or low a line crosses a t. In addition, the little feet that go at the ends of letters are called serifs. Many typefaces have no serifs at all.

The history of typography moves from old-style calligraphy to today’s digital type. Believe it or not, the first handwritten letter forms still inspire today’s typography.

Giftsin24 offers exclusive lettering styles from Embossed Graphics. EG’s skilled designers use them to create some of the most elegant personalized stationery available today.

Anthony is our Most Popular Lettering Style

This is why we’re proud to showcase our most popular lettering style . . . . Anthony. Anthony is a casual, yet graceful lettering style that feels like handwriting.

According to Ryan Monahan, Giftsin24’s graphic designer, “Anthony is a typestyle created to capture the traditional flow and stroke of a true hand lettering. The combination of the cursive and roman aesthetic really lends itself to having the appropriate movement and rhythm that many look for when trying to represent a hand written look and feel.”

Because of its casual appeal, Anthony is a best-selling choice. We offer it in notes, cards, napkins, cutting boards, mason jars, ornaments and memos. Customer favorites include the Anthony 7 Tablet Set, the  Highland Memo Square and the Anthony Studio Card. These items are very popular gifts.

Embossed Graphics is the leading maker of social stationery in the country. Giftsin24 offers exceptional quality at affordable prices. Best of all, we offer super fast production and free FedEx ground shipping. In fact, most orders ship in 24 hours.

Trick or Treat! Halloween will be here in just a couple of weeks, and it’s all about having fun. Who doesn’t love costumes, pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating? The spooky spirit and element of surprise makes this holiday fun for all ages. You never know when something is going to pop out and scare you!

Here’s a little trivia to get you in the Halloween mood:

• Halloween is the second highest grossing commercial holiday after Christmas.
• The first Jack O’Lanterns were actually made from turnips, not pumpkins.
• Boston, Massachusetts, holds the record for the most Jack O’Lanterns lit at once – over 30,000.
• The average American household spends $44 a year on Halloween candy. The top selling candy: Candy Corn.
• A whopping 90 million pounds of chocolate candy is sold during Halloween week.

Plan Your Halloween Napkins and Other Decor

Now that you know the facts, it’s time to plan your Halloween bash. Giftsin24 has the perfect Halloween napkins and guest towels for all your holiday fun. Serve up appetizers, desserts and beverages with our spooky Halloween-inspired napkins. Choose from ghosts, cats, pumpkins and bats! We will foil-press your design in your choice of shimmering color. The napkins will delight your guests with their whimsical appeal.

Spooky napkins make your party fun!

Attending someone else’s Halloween party? Bring them a gift of personalized autumn-themed napkins and make their next event, like Thanksgiving, a little more colorful. They’ll love the warm designs and the personalization.

Giftsin24.com has the greatest selection of low-priced personalized snack and beverage napkins. Our everyday low prices make it affordable to create personalized napkins for every event.

We have the absolute best Halloween napkins and we ship your order in 24 hours. Set the mood for a spooktacular Halloween party this year!

Nothing says quiet sophistication quite like classic a embossed monogram. Giftsin24 has a large selection of monogrammed notes and cards to choose from. We have traditional script monograms, classic initial monograms and eclectic, artistic monograms. All of our monograms are deeply embossed and showcase your initials in delicate detail. Whether you personalize a foldover note or a flat-panel card with your personal initials, you will appreciate the fine quality and exceptional beauty of our monograms.

Classic and refined. The Classic Frame Note has the perfect embossed monogram!

Choose from a prominent 2 ½” size monogram or a traditional 1 ½” monogram, embossed borders and frames, and multiple paper colors. Our paper is smooth and thick – a pleasure to write on. You will truly enjoy corresponding with these luxurious papers!

Need help choosing? Here’s a little Monogram Etiquette 101:

• Couples – The monogram will be the bride’s first initial, the couple’s last name, and the groom’s first initial, in that order. For example, Mary and John Smith would be M S J.

• Women – A woman’s monogram is traditionally presented as first, last and middle initial. So Mary Elizabeth Jones would be M J E. It is always appropriate to use a woman’s initials in this way, even if married; however, it’s more common to use her first, maiden and married surname if she does marry. For example, Mary Elizabeth Jones Smith would then be M S J.

• Men – A gentleman’s monogram is often done in first, middle and last initial order. John Andrew Smith would be JAS. In this instance, the initials are all the same size. You may also choose to put the gentleman’s surname in the middle, as J S A, with the center initial larger in size.

• Children – A child’s monogram follows the traditional first, last, middle initial order.

As with any monogrammed gift, you will want to consider the age and tastes of the recipient – traditional, modern or whimsical.

The sculptured look of embossing has a timeless appeal. It’s a classic that never fails to impress. Browse our selection at Giftsin24.com today and find the perfect gift for every occasion.

Here at Giftsin24, we’re always working to offer you the most exciting stationery designs. That’s why our graphic artists strive to create beautiful monograms and one-of-a-kind  lettering styles. In fact, this month we’re so pleased to offer four new monogram notes in raised ink – Whitlock, Elise, Paris and Firenze Monogram. Each is a work of art. Intricate swirls and eclectic letters combine to create stunning monograms.

Victorian inspired and regally impressive: Whitlock Note in raised ink.

Victorian typography inspired the royal and impressive  Whitlock Monogram.

Dream of the sunny Mediterranean and correspond with the Firenze Monogram note, where Italian flair meets American ingenuity.

Or showcase your joie de vivre with the graceful Paris Monogram note.

Our New Monogram Notes Make Beautiful Gifts

A new monogram note is the perfect gift for the writer on your list. We offer each set of notes on smooth, luxurious paper in a choice of 10 glossy raised ink colors. We include 50 matching envelopes. To add even more luxury, we wrap your order in tissue and nestled it in a champagne colored gift box. The presentation is as beautiful as the stationery itself.

Giftsin24 is the leading manufacturer of social stationery in the country. Combined with our exceptional quality and manufacturing, we produce the very finest in personalized writing papers. Furthermore, we offer you amazing stationery at affordable prices. In addition, you can take advantage of our fast production and free FedEx ground shipping for all your gift-giving needs.

Animal Embossed Napkin

Do you know someone who is having a baby? Are you planning a baby shower for a friend, family member or co-worker? If so, Giftsin24 has adorable personalized napkins for any shower or party.

Whether you’re planning a baby girl shower, baby boy shower, or a gender reveal shower, you have countless choices. Today’s new moms are sophisticated and stylish, and their baby showers are more upscale than in the past. Themes are popular, such as rustic/western, vintage, nautical and glam. And don’t forget the “sprinkle” for the experienced mom-to-be, or the “sip and see” get-together for after baby has arrived. These are all great opportunities to express your party-giving flair.

Have fun with it! Order personalized napkins from Giftsin24 to coordinate with your theme. We have cute and fun designs to choose from, including baby animal, circus, pram, flower and lollipop. You can choose an embossed or foil-pressed text, paper color and foil color.

3 Favorite Baby Shower Napkin Choices

Animal Foil Pressed Napkin for a baby shower or other baby themed parties

• Toddler Foil Pressed Napkin – There’s plenty of room for the child’s name, birth date and one more line. Choose among several motifs, including train, rocking horse, crown, stars and moons, baby carriage, rocket and paper airplane.
• Animal Embossed Napkin A variety of adorable baby animals highlights this playful design, perfect for the baby animal theme shower. Choose among several motifs, including bear, lion, giraffe, elephant, deer, monkey, duck and squirrel. Embossed or Raised Ink.
• Serenity Napkin – A bold single initial with two lines of text displays the new baby’s name or a cute phrase.

Browse our selection on Giftsin24.com and order yours today. Most orders ship in 24 hours.

The calendar may say August, but that back to school time is right around the corner. Organize yourself and your family for the year ahead. Our personalized tablets, memos or cards makes it easy. Whether you’re a teacher planning your day, a mom organizing your family, or a recent grad off to your first year away, we have the stationery to help you stay focused.

Products That Help You Get Organized

The Apple Memo Square is perfect for your favorite teacher. 275 personalized memo squares in an acrylic holder will be a welcome addition to any educator’s desk.

The Carnival Anthony Tablet Set makes going back to school fun.

For the student who needs to stay on top of assignments and deadlines, the Organize by Day Slab or Organize by Week Slab is the perfect tool. They offer plenty of room to write down all your tasks and goals. One glance at your sheet will help you stay on track throughout the day. The Anthony 7 Tablets with Holder features an exclusive, modern lettering on a set of seven notepads. Simply supply a name and choose from one of eight matte ink colors. It’s a unique gift or an attractive accessory for your own desk. A white-wrapped textured linen holder keeps the set neat and organized.

Back to school time offers fresh opportunities for students and teachers alike. Help them be their best with fun, personalized and affordable stationery.

Throughout our lives people we love get hurt or sick. A handwritten note expressing our concern and wishes for recovery will mean so much to the recipient. It shows that we’re thinking about them and we’ve taken the time to let them know. Writing a get well soon message is not complicated.

5 Tips

• Be positive and upbeat. This is not a formal letter, so express yourself naturally.
• If the letter is going to a friend or family member, you could bring up something that you both experienced or shared. This will make your message more personal.
• Let them know you miss them, and perhaps offer a specific example.
• A humorous anecdote or good news is always welcome and will lighten the mood.
• Reassure them of your support and assistance.

Dear Elizabeth,
I was so sorry to hear that you’ve been under the weather recently. I certainly hope that you’ll be back up and feeling like yourself again soon. We really miss your sense of humor around here at the office — not to mention your homemade cookies.
I hope that you’ll get plenty of rest and feel better soon. Please let me know if there’s anything at all that I can do for you to make things easier. I’d be happy to go to the grocery store or run an errand for you. Don’t hesitate to call me if there’s something I can do for you. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Sincerely,

Don’t procrastinate — write your get well message in a timely manner. They’ll appreciate your sincere and genuine interest in their well-being.

Writing a heartfelt get well message for someone, whether family, friend, colleague or co-worker, is a thoughtful and considerate gesture. They’ll greatly appreciate and remember your thoughtfulness.