Why Do We Celebrate The Fourth of July

Why Do We Celebrate the Fourth of July

Why Do We Celebrate the Fourth of July

If you’ve ever wondered why do we celebrate the Fourth of July, it all starts in the American Colonies in the late 1700′s.

In 1776, the Continental Congress began drafting The Declaration of Independence.  This was not a haphazard decision.  It came after years of petitioning the King of England to listen to the requests of the American Colonies.  To offer them equal representation in Parliament.  To reduce the excessive taxes that were such a burden on the colonies.

Finally, after the start of the Revolutionary War, the citizens of the American Colonies realized that England was not going to hear their requests, and that American Independence was the only answer. [Read more...]

Four Great Unique and Personal Wedding Gifts

Unique Wedding Gifts

Find that Special Wedding Gift

Soon the bride will be standing there in her flowing white wedding gown, the groom in his pressed tuxedo, and you want to give them both a great unique wedding gift to help them celebrate the occasion.  But not something from a box store off of the registry, you really want something that has a personal touch.

Check out these ideas that are sure to get you started in the right direction.

A Cover Up

There’s nothing more relaxing and comforting than laying down in your bed after a long day of work.  The soft cushion on your back, and the warm blankets around you.  Imagine the newly weds cuddling up under a handmade quilt that you got for them, just before they doze off to sleep.  If you don’t have the time or skill to make a quilt from scratch, then talk to your local quilting/sewing shop.  They will tell you how to get in touch with someone who can get/make you a handmade quilt – Odds are you’ll even be able to participate in the design process to make it more personal.

A Look Back

As the years go by, the newly weds will want to stop and remember their times together.  Their wedding day, in particular, will be filled with fond and happy memories.  They will have pictures to look at from their hired photographer, but you can add a personal touch, by taking your digital video camera, and recording all the action.  Interview their friends, ask them to talk about the newly weds, and about the wedding.  Talk to their parents, and leave a special message from yourself on the end.  When you’re done, download it to your computer, and burn it onto a DVD, and give it to the new couple when they get back from their honeymoon.  The newly weds will always love this stroll down memory lane.

Tip:  Since you’ll have to burn the DVD after the wedding, give the newly weds a nice wedding card with a note inside saying there’s a special surprise to come.  That way they have a gift from you at the wedding, and they’ll be excited to see what else they’ve got coming!

Memories

Everyone enjoys looking at pictures and remembering when….. Talk to the newly weds parents/grandparents and friends, and see if they have any photos or special memories they would like to share with the newly weds.  Get digital copies of the photos and download them onto a nice digital photo frame.  They will be able to look at these great photo you saved for them, and as the years go by they will  add more and more!

Bonus:  If the family and friends have printed photos, and no digital copies, you can take them to Walgreens, or any other store with a photo section, and they will be able to scan them into digital format.  If you have a high quality scanner, you can do it yourself!  They could also scan things like diplomas, grade cards, etc.  Any kind of keepsake digitized can go onto their digital photo frame.

Upgrade Em!

The newly weds are going on a honeymoon after the wedding.  It will be a fun, enjoyable and memorable time for both of them.  You can help make it more enjoyable by upgrading their flight to first class.  Or you could pay for a Luxury Hotel Suite.  This can all be worked out by contacting their parents and/or family members well ahead of time, and letting them know what you want to do.  They will be glad to help you, and will know the details of the newly weds honeymoon.  And the new couple will enjoy all the extra luxury that you arranged for them.

Tip: If you can’t afford the upgrade your self, then get some of your friends to go together with you and pay for it.  The bride and groom will appreciate all of you for the extra pampering they get on their honeymoon.

Everyone’s wants to give the newly weds a great wedding gift, but adding a personal touch to yours will make it memorable and unique.  The new couple will cherish it for years.

Here’s to the Newly Weds!

The Hot Gift Guys

P.S.-  Here is another personalized wedding gift idea that you can get especially for the new couple!

Great Wedding Gifts For The Kitchen

The weather is warm, everything’s green,  a lot of people are getting married, and you are looking for some great wedding gifts to give. The options are unlimited, and if the couple to-be enjoys cooking and baking, then some special items for the kitchen are a great place to start.

They have probably registered at a few stores, and you could get some ideas there.

We have come up with a list of items that are popular for the kitchen. We know you want to give something that is thoughtful and unique, and we tried to take that into account when we came up with the following list.

Make sure if you do decide to get something for their kitchen, that they will put it to use, and it won’t end up sitting on the shelf collecting dust.  You might spend a little time talking to them, and see if any of these gifts would come in handy.

Great Wedding Gifts - The Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer

Great Wedding Gifts - The Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer

Mix it Up

We found the Kitchen Aid® Stand Mixer to be one of the most requested items for the kitchen.  It’s powerful, has dozens of attachments, and you can get it in eight different colors (Even though we’re guys we kind of like the Cook For The Cure® Mixer – It’s Pink! ;-) )  We use our mixer all the time, and if the couple to be enjoys baking, they’ll love their new mixer, and it will last a lifetime.

Quality Cooking!

Most of the couples to be are probably cooking on pots and pans that came from the local retail  or thrift store.  Sure, they do the job, but anyone who’s cooked much knows how great it is to cook with quality stainless steel cookware.  The results are better and the process of cooking is much more enjoyable.  The couple to be will be genuinely surprised when they start to use the quality cookware you got them.

(Bonus: Another great cookware idea is cast iron.  It will last forever.  It’s naturally non stick and will probably end up handed down to their kids!)

The Gift of Health

This is a great idea for the couple that either likes being healthy, or likes entertaining.  A great blender can be used to make a multitude of different drinks, whether it’s a healthy morning smoothie, or crushing ice for the beautiful dinner party.  They could even use it to make homemade soups.

Java, Java, Java

If they drink coffee, they’ve probably already got a coffee pot.  If it’s like ours, it’s slow and noisy.  Getting them a quality coffee pot that lasts for ages will ease their busy morning schedule because they won’t have to wait for the coffee pot to finish gurgling before they can leave. :lol:

(Bonus: Getting them a french press for their coffee is another great idea.  You can get them in different sizes, and it really brings out the flavor of the coffee so much better than a drip pot.  And you’ll be the only one who thinks of this!)

Unique and Personalized

We know some people are looking for gifts they can buy and wrap up, but others enjoy giving gifts that are a little more unique.  This one is for you.  You can get a nice wood or metal recipe box just about anywhere.  Decorate it and make it unique.  Then fill it with 3×5 cards and some of your favorite recipes.  You could even contact the bride and groom’s parents/grandparents, and have them put some of their favorite recipes in the box as well.  A great wedding gift that will sit on their kitchen counter for years to come.

Whether you’re looking for a quality appliance for the kitchen, or a unique personalized gift, there are many great wedding gifts that the future husband and wife will enjoy together.  And these days, buying online is often far less stressful than the hassle of running from store to store looking for a gift.

Here’s to the Newly Weds!

The Hot Gift Guys

P.S.- Kitchen Aid’s Outlet Store offers discounts of up to 80% off of the retail price.  Watch it closely, and you may be able to get a great gift at substantial savings.  Also, check out their rebate offers.  You may even be able to get some cash back!

Looking For A Perfect Father’s Day Gag Gift?

Fathers Day Gag Gift - Big Daddy Driver

Fathers Day Gag Gag Gift - Big Daddy Driver

Nobody appreciates a great practical joke or gag gift more than Dad.  That means a Father’s Day gag gift is the perfect present to give.  Dad is sure to laugh as you give him a ribbing – and that makes for great memories.

It’s a Gag

What are we talking about?  It’s a hot new golf gift on the market (We’re all about hot gifts! ;-) )

In the Rough?

Does Dad spend most of his time in the rough (Like I do)?  Then the Big Daddy Driver is the perfect way for you to poke fun at Dad all the while making him the center of attention on the course.

The Next Time Dad Hooks

He can break out his Big Daddy Driver, clear the tall grass, and get a nice clean hit onto the green.

So if you’re looking for the perfect Father’s Day gag gift for Dad who loves to golf, the Big Daddy Driver is your answer.

Happy Father’s Day!

The Hot Gift Guys

P.S.- See our other Father’s Day golf gifts for more ideas!

Need Last Minute Fathers Day Gift Ideas?

Last Minute Fathers Day Gift Ideas

Last Minute Fathers Day Gift Ideas - Fathers Day Gift Cards

If Fathers Day being just around the corner has you looking for last minute Fathers Day gift ideas, you need to find something that meets two criteria.

Fast and Convenient

If you waited till the last minute, you need something fast and convenient.  You can’t wait for the item to ship, and you don’t have time to shop around for something.  You need to have it yesterday.

Something Personal

You need to get Dad something that he will enjoy, and use.  These days there are gift cards for almost any business, and Dad will surely enjoy any of them you get.

When time is ticking and you are looking for something personalized to get Dad, Amazon Gift Cards meet all the criteria.  They have thousands of items Dad can choose from (not just books!), and Amazon will help you instantly print, email, or snail mail (with a Father’s Day Card) a personalized Gift Card that Dad can spend any way he chooses.  They even have gift cards for movie AMC Theaters, Home Depot, Kohls, Outback Steak House, among many others.  You name it, and you can get it from Amazon.

So when you’re looking for that last minute Fathers Day gift idea, check out Amazon’s Gift Cards.  They’re personalized, fast, and Dad can use it to get any number of items that he has been wanting.

Happy Father’s Day!

The Hot Gift Guys

P.S.- Dad would love to get his gift card in the mail with a Fathers Day card – and it won’t cost you any extra!