Fall parties are all about feeling warm and cozy. Cool temperatures and shorter days ask for a cheery and snug response. Gather your friends for a harvest party, a Halloween bash, or “Friendsgiving.”

It doesn’t take a lot of money or a fancy home to put on a warm and inviting fall party; just a lot of love for your guests and respect for the beauty of nature. Fall is perhaps the most generous of Mother Nature’s seasons. It’s the perfect time to celebrate nature’s bounty.

Here are 5 ways to create a fall party to remember:

Luminous Light

Lighting is a key consideration for any party. The slanting, late afternoon light of fall creates a lovely ambiance, so let it shine in. As the sun sets, light a fire or some candles to create a glowing conviviality around your guests.

Warm Beverages

Offer your guests a drink that warms them from the inside, such as hot cider in a crock pot, tea from the kettle or even a hearty beer. Added bonus: the delightful aromas will swirl around the room.

Personalize our Terrace Monogram Keepsake Ornament with your guests’ initials and use them as place tags and party favors.

Food for the Soul

On cold nights, warm and gooey foods do the trick. Think: baked taco dip with crisp tortillas; a Pershearty bean chili filled with tender vegetables; or baked onion and cheese mini-tarts.

Autumn Tunes

Your theme will determine your tunes. Halloween? Go for the Monster Mash and other Halloween-inspired music. Harvest? Try folksy fiddle interspersed with country-western favorites.

Natural Decor

Nature and woodsy themes are popular this year. In fact, woodland-inspired decor is the of-the-moment. Opt for natural materials, such as unvarnished wood, unbleached paper, rustic cork, and, perhaps for contrast and shine, a little gold-touched glass. Create a centerpiece using  branches, colorful fall leaves, or dried flowers. Or fill your favorite clear glass bowl with tiny gourds or pumpkins.

And, of course, you can personalize your fall party with delightful personalized wine glasses and mugs for cider or beer. Check out personalized cork or glass coasters and wood cutting boards. And, customize paper napkins with your party greeting or monogram. Visit www.giftsin24.com for more ideas.

No matter the occasion, personalized stationery is a gift that’s always in style. Why? Simply put, it’s thoughtful and useful. When someone opens a box of custom cards, notes or notepads, he or she gains a tool for correspondence with a little luxury, to boot.

Whether you’re shopping for birthday, graduation, wedding, anniversary, hostess or some other sort of gifts, you can’t go wrong with this choice. To demonstrate that even further, here are five reasons why personalized stationery is always the perfect choice:

1. It’s unique

Because they feature a person’s name, monogram or messaging, no two personalized stationery gifts are alike. That’s why custom notecards are a one-of-a-kind present. You won’t worry that the recipient gets duplicates. Personalized paper or notecards won’t get lost in the shuffle. Each set is as unique as the person who receives it.

2. It’s thoughtful

When designing personalized stationery for a loved one, you communicate that the person matters to you. How? By creating personalized paper, you not only took time and energy to choose a style, but you also input the recipient’s name or monogram. It shows you care.

3. It’s economical

The age-old saying that “it’s the thought that counts” rings true with personalized stationery gifts. They’re proof that you don’t have to spend a bundle to provide someone with a meaningful present. Opening custom-made stationery is always a treat — regardless of its cost.

4. It’s memorable

Unlike many generic gifts, custom-designed stationery makes a meaningful impression. It’s not a mass-produced product, but rather a gift tailored to the recipient. That’s why, for as long as the paper lasts, your recipient is sure to think of you. With every handwritten note, he or she has a fresh reminder of your care. Custom-made stationery is hard to forget.

5. It’s sure to delight

Last but not least, getting a custom gift is fun. Who wouldn’t love to open a box of personalized notecards or papers, knowing they were designed with you in mind? When you surprise someone with custom stationery, the gift recipient will cherish it for a long time. Personalized notes are something special in a world of digital interaction.

From business colleagues to family members, everyone appreciates being thought of with a personalized gift. To learn more about our tailored stationery options at Giftsin24, browse our website. Think about your recipient’s style and find a design that matches it beautifully. From elegant monograms to colorful borders, we have a wide range of options. Place your order today!

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.

Whether you’re sending a note of congratulations or love, there’s nothing like personalized correspondence cards (also called flat cards or notecards) to make it special.

Made to reflect your style and name, correspondence cards are elegant enough to be a time-honored tradition, yet meaningful enough to make a heartfelt impression. That’s why, when you are taking the time to handwrite a note, correspondence cards are the perfect way to do it. Use them for sympathy notes, thank you cards, congratulations wishes and more. If you’re looking to create and write the best correspondence cards possible, here is what you’ll want to know.

Correspondence Card Etiquette

There are certain hallmarks of correspondence cards, traditionally speaking. A correspondence card is a specific size: slightly larger than the modern A6 postcard size. It should also be a heavy enough weight of paper to create a premium feel — ideally not less than 350 grams per square meter (GSM). Include your contact information: usually your name, address and phone number. It may also feature other details such as an email address, a website and/or a social media username if desired. As for the message, write your note on only the front — never the back — of the card, and your writing should be brief and sweet. Correspondence cards belong in envelopes printed on high-quality paper. If you really want to make them special, use traditional wax seals.

Timeframe for Sending Specific Types of Cards

The timing of certain cards depends on the occasion — yet there is always flexibility. Etiquette dictates you should send sympathy cards, for example, within two weeks of someone’s death. At the same time, expressing condolences is still appropriate weeks or even months after that point, as it communicates care to a grieving person. With thank you notes — whether for birthday, anniversary, graduation, shower or baptism gifts — ideally send notes within four weeks of receiving presents.

What Makes Personalized Correspondence Cards Special?

The elegance of correspondence cards is in the attention to detail. Rather than generic paper, they feature heavier, higher-quality paper. This gives each notecard a sense of importance. Likewise, correspondence cards are as unique as you are, made to showcase your style. At Giftsin24, we offer a wide selection of cards to give you plenty of ways to customize them. Create your design with a monogram and choice of lettering. We also offer a variety of decorative elements such as crisp embossing, rich raised ink, borders and more.

For the best personalized correspondence cards, Giftsin24 is your resource. Our established, family-owned company not only creates the finest cards in the industry, but we also provide a fast turnaround on all designs. Most orders ship within 24 hours, so you can get what you need quickly. We provide free FedEx ground shipping, exceptional packaging and a commitment to order accuracy on every card set.

Browse our personalized notecards online and place an order today!

Plans are moving like clockwork for your big event. The invitations went out. You’ve planned the menu and decor. What’s next? Think about coasters or beverage napkins, especially if you are entertaining at home and want to protect your tables and other surfaces where guests will land their drinks. Want the latest, greatest party idea? Consider coaster napkins, Giftsin24.com’s newest product addition. As their name implies, these products combine the best features of coasters and napkins, all at an affordable price.

Personalized beverage napkins are wonderful and offer flexibility. For a modest investment, you can announce the reason for your celebration at the dining table, beverage cart and buffet. Coaster napkins add an advantage: Sturdier and more absorbent than beverage napkins, coaster napkins won’t shred when wet and will stand up to multiple uses.

Compared with coasters, coaster napkins also save space and are cost-effective, especially if you are expecting more than 10 guests. Investing in dozens of cork or glass coasters would add to the cost of your party, plus they’d have to be stored in between events.

It’s easy to personalize coaster napkins with popular Giftsin24 monograms, lettering styles and designs. Personalize them for weddings, showers, anniversary parties, birthday celebrations and other special events.

The 4-1/8” x 4-1/8” squares work equally well for hot or cold beverages. Made from textured paper that has a bit of latex in it, they stay in place, won’t shred and will even look pretty for a second or third event.

The white paper has a linen-like finish, which lends it some texture and a slight sheen. Even when wet, the coaster napkins stay attractive because the personalization does not rub off.

Coaster Napkin Collection

Explore the collection of coaster napkins now so you can personalize them for your next party.

Chesterfield

Cheers

Derby

Rosario

Serenity

Soho

Delavan Monogram

Pamplona Couples

Pearl String Monogram

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.

Stationary vs. Stationery — which one is it?

As the saying goes, you say to-may-to, I say to-mah-to. A single word may have different pronunciations, depending on regional dialects or traditions. There’s another category of words, such as stationery and stationary, which sound identical, but have vastly different meanings. They are what grammarians call homophones: new and knew; sweet and suite; sole and soul.

‘E’ for Envelope

Needless to say, many people confuse the two words when writing. Here’s one way to remember: the stationery we use to write a letter has an “e,” for the envelope in which we send it off.

‘E’ for Enlivening Environment

When we write on stationery with an “e,” it’s usually done from a stationary position with an “a.” Walking and talking usually works (unless you’re on a cell phone, crossing a busy street), but walking and writing? Not so much. Find a comfortable chair and writing surface… maybe a desk or table by a sunny window, or in your garden, seated under a shady tree, and allow the thoughts to flow.

‘E’ for Expressive Energy

Our hands are decidedly not stationary with an “a” when we write on stationery with an “e.” Grasping a pen to achieve legible penmanship takes finger dexterity and a certain amount of wrist action. Use a pen with ink that flows easily but doesn’t smudge. Perhaps employ your free hand to sip your favorite iced latte or lemonade. And, of course, by all means, employ your wit and creativity to express your heartfelt and innermost thoughts.

‘E’ for Envoy

After you’ve finished writing on your stationery with an “e,” and you’ve stamped and addressed it, you’ll want it to not remain stationary with an “a” on your desk. Like an emissary or envoy, the post office will transport your missive to your recipient, whether it’s across town or around the globe.

‘E’ for Explore 

Finally, explore collections of stationery cards, notes and letter sheets at Giftsin24.com. You’ll find a range of styles and sizes for every use.

So there you have it. The difference between stationery and stationary comes down to the “e”…whether it’s envelope, environment, energy, envoy or explore, that little letter infuses meaning into one of our favorite words.

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.