Wine-Inspired Gifts for the Holidays

Wine gifts have long been a popular choice for the bride and groom to give their respective wedding attendants as a ñthank youî for participating in the Big Day. Even if your ceremony isnÍt until next season, youÍll appreciate the impressive array of tasteful wine gifts for men and women at Groomstand.com. Recent demographic have shown that the consumption of vino is fairly evenly split among the sexes; the category of ñcore wine drinkers,î with ñcoreî meaning consumer who drink least one glass of wine per week, is 53 percent of women and 47 percent of men. Wine gifts are obviously bound to please connoisseur-type couples and make thoughtful gifts for the host and hostess for all those Christmas, New YearÍs Eve and other holiday parties youÍll be attending. Here are some sensibly sophisticated gifts for men and women, inspired by the great grape: Personalized Wine Box: If you have a favorite vintage of wine and would like to share it with friends this holiday, our wooden wine box makes a classy presentation. Each box holds a standard 750ml bottle of vino and the slide-off lid may be personalized with up to two lines of text such as ñMerry Christmas from the The Smith Family.î Counter Balance Wine Bottle Holder: For an out-of-the-ordinary Christmas gift for wine enthusiast, this seemingly magic accessory sits on the counter and suspends a standard bottle in mid-air. Really itÍs just the simple science of counter-balance, but impressive none-the-less! Crafted from wood with a natural finish, this useful and unique gift for men and women who love wine may be engraved with a single initial. Buono Vino Wine Stopper: For those times the bottle canÍt be drained, this contemporary cap is a fantastic way to seal up and preserve the contents. The silver-coated brass stopper with a rubber bottom pops right in the top of the wine bottle and features a clever indention meant to hold the original cork. For that finishing touch, the recipientÍs three-initial monogram may be engraved on the top. Wine LoverÍs Cufflinks: Wherever he goes, these oenophile-inspired accessories sparkle as tastefully as expensive champagne on his cuffs. Plated in high-shine rhodium, these cufflinks are different by design _ one looks like a wine bottle and other a corkscrew. These wine-themed cufflinks make a tasteful holiday gift that he (or she) will enjoy wearing all the year round.

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KISS Lothorio Quite Possibly Engaged

Hard to believe, but KISS bassist Gene Simmons may actually settle down and marry his long-time steady, Shannon Tweed. Reports from the Daily Mail are saying that the 61-year old rocker is finally ready to wed his girlfriend and mother of his two children after a 28 year relationship! The proposal was filmed for the final episode of “Family Jewels,” the reality television series that follows his antics. This guy, who has claimed to have hooked up with at least 4,600 women, actually got down on a bended knee to ask the former Playboy playmate to get hitched. Whether publicity stunt to generate interest for next season or sincere gesture of commitment, we certainly hope they tie they do tie the knot – nothing quite like a platform booted, kabuki makeup wearing groom! If you’re a huge fan of the band, why not have a KISS inspired wedding for yourself – or at least a wild bachelor party where you rock and roll all night (and party every day)! There will be nothing quite as memorable as having the best man and groomsmen dress up as the other characters worn by band members such as the Starchild, the Spaceman, the Catman or the Fox and perform to the karaoke machine – this will be great for blackmailing videos! Even if you’re not going to get this KISS-crazy, rocker-inspired groomsmen gifts will still make your bachelor party rock. If your buddies are actually musicians, our personalized guitar pick makes a great choice in groomsmen gifts that he can use at his next gig – with every riff, he’ll think of you! A personalized harmonicawill also hit a high note in best man giftsthose talented wedding attendants. Finally, nothing says rock-and-roll more than a skull-and-crossbones and a pair of edgy engraved cufflinks bearing this design will toughen up the dress shirts worn by your groomsmen.

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Possible Celebrity Weddings This Winter

The summer isn’t the only season for celebrity weddings, late fall and winter are also popular times for A-listers to tie the knot. Of course, the latest big stars to get married are Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel who wed in the Italian countryside in October of 2012. Other engaged celebrity couples who are rumored to be getting married in the near future are Britney Spears and her former manager Jason Trawick, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux, and Sofia Vergara and Nick Loeb. Looks like quite a few sexy screen sirens are about to be taken off the market! The details of celebrity weddings are often kept hush-hush; often guests and vendors even have to sign confidentiality statements. So, unless a famous guy specifically states what he gave for groomsmen gifts, it’s really just speculation. However, we’ve read that Prince William gave his groomsmen personalized poker sets to honor their friendship, but we’re not sure if this is quite royal enough to be true! Groomstand.com does have a wide array of best man gifts and groomsmen gifts that are classy and cutting-edge enough for a celebrity (and you!) to present to best buds. Ever since the Rat Pack days, engraved cufflinks have been a must-have on the sleeves of those who like to be seen out on the VIP scene. From traditional cufflinks to those more modern, we’ve got just the pair to suit every guy in your wedding day lineup. Another choice for awesome groomsmen gifts includes a cigar humidor, either a more causal one that feature a favorite hobby or sport on the lid or one that is first-class all the way and worthy of sitting on the movie mogul’s desk.

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Guy Wedding Registries: Ask & Ye Shall Receive

While the wedding to-do list may seem like a chore for most guys, there is something that may just grab your attention more than picking out centerpieces or talking about up-do hairstyles -- and thatÍs wedding registries. WeÍre not talking about wedding registries where you aimlessly follow your betrothed around in the kitchen and linens section of a department store and where the only thing you have to look forward to is the little scanner gun. Think bigger, better and let out a caveman grunt and make your own wish list at a store that stocks home improvement, electronics, and even outdoor recreation items! While youÍre shopping around, you also may just find the perfect something to give as engraved pocket knives, or even an exotic vacation is another way to get what you really want.

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Would You Wear A Male Engagment Ring?

Recently, a guy friend of mine came to me in a quandary of such that I had never heard before. Apparently, his newly-minted finance, a lovely and thoroughly modern girl, had responded to his popping of the question and presentation of a diamond engagement ring with an unexpected twist. No, she didnÍt turn his proposal down, quite the opposite. After he slipped the sparkler on her finger, she ran off to the bedroom and came back with a little hinged box for him _ a male engagement ring. While the ring was subtle and not at all gaudy, a simple band of gold similar to an actual wedding ring, it seemed completely contrary to his traditional way of doing things _ including a man wearing any type of jewelry except for a watch. With lovey-dovey eyes, she said that it was a choice in engraved cufflinks? Not knowing what to say, I told him to wear the darn thing, he was essentially off the market anyway. And, for the ñfinger irritationî he was claiming to be caused by the ring, I explained that over time, the body just gives in and accepts the shackling --- you just build up calluses or let go of some manliness, or a little of both. So, would you wear a male engagement ring? Experts in the wedding jewelry industry have noted a rising trend, saying that more and more grooms-to-be are sporting this type oof betrothal bauble. A few years ago, a major jeweler in the U.K. introduced a titanium ring embedded with a small diamond and specifically marketed it as a menÍs engagement band and the popularity for a ñmangagment ringî has hopped over the pond. Actually, a male engagement band has been around for quite some time in some other countries. For example, in Brazil, both the groom- and bride-to-be wear a plain ring on the right hand while engaged and then move it to the left hand after the wedding. So, if you find yourself having to deal with the ring thing, just give her the finger. Please, not the offensive gesture though! Find comfort knowing that you are not the first man to wear an engagement band, nor the last. Acclimate to the experience by wearing it a few days a week (and always in her presence) or just dive in for full-custody. If you need to find peace with the whole guys-wearing-jewelry thing, then consider getting your buddies some bling as early

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A Groom Should Express His ñTastesî at the Reception

Although many say the wedding is the “bride’s day,” most wedding receptions do take into consideration the groom. After all, isn’t food and drink a specialty of men?! Brides like to fuss and fret about many of the “visual” elements of the wedding, such as the dress, the flowers and the venue. However, men seem to be more interested in expressing their opinions on matters of “tastes”! Here are some areas that the groom should put in his two cents worth before the bride takes over: Reception Food: It may seem hard to reach a menu decision when the bride prefers delicate spa food while the groom prefers barbeque. Ultimately, many of the food choices are tied to the atmosphere of the venue. However, the tastes of a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy can be catered to without upsetting the bride’s ideas too much by adding a steak plate for a sit down dinner or a prime-rib carving station at a buffet. Consider using a personalized steak brand (also a favorite pick in groomsmen gifts) to add a unique look to the wedding meal! Drink: Serving beer at a wedding reception is a very popular choice with men. For causal events, serving beer in bottles or cans may be acceptable. You can even provide personalized koozies as wedding favors. However, at more formal affairs, beer can be tapped and poured into a “formal” beer mug such as a Ferdinand mug or a stemmed beer glass. Also on-trend at wedding receptions are scotch and whisky stations where guests can sample fine aged liquors in moderation. To serve these liquors in style, consider using our sophisticated shot glasses. Groom’s Cake: Serving a groom’s cake at the wedding, alongside the classic wedding cake, is a tradition that began in the South. As an alternative to the typically white bride’s cake, the groom’s cake is often chocolate. For years, a chocolate cake with chocolate-covered strawberries was a top choice for obvious reasons. But, since the popularity of all the “cake” shows on reality television, the options for groom’s cakes are now only limited by the imagination. Many of these edible masterpieces are decorated to pay tribute to the groom’s favorite hobbies such as fishing, golf, or a particular sports team of choice.

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Personalized Flasks Have Celebrity Fans

By George, weÍll drink to that! Just leave it to those fun-loving celebrities to show us, the thirsty masses, an under-cover way to liven up a potentially boring formal affair. Whether you are walking down the red carpet or down the wedding aisle, carrying the coolest of personalized flasks in your coat jacket will serve you well in so many ways. Not only will you have a pint-sized pour of your favorite beverage on hand at all times, youÍll look quite sophisticated in an A-list sort of way when you so casually and charismatically pull the vessel from your pocket. DonÍt let the party stop in your tuxedo pocket; share the liquid festivities by treating each of your friends to one of his very own groomsmen flasks. A tasteful statement of friendship, especially when you pick out groomsmen flasks that are crafted with the recipientÍs personality in mind. At leather-wrapped flasks, sleek stainless-steel flasks, and even personalized flasks with cigar storage. And, with a classy monogram or name engraved upon each one, you are sure to be the topic of many pre-swig toasts _ ñand hereÍs to the groom who has shown me how to hold my liquorî! But what good are groomsmen flasks if there is nothing inside to send down the hatch? Sure you can top them off with old-school standards such as plain whiskey, rum or gin. But if you really want to make your groomsmen feel like the stars of the night, fill your personalized flasks up with alcoholic concoctions that youÍve mixed up beforehand. Mixing flask cocktails actually has a long history, from the mid-1800s to the 1960s, many popular libations such as gimlets, Manhattans and Sazeracs were sold pre-made in bottles _ today even the Margarita and Mojita come ready to walk out the door in glass bottles. Experienced flask mixologists recommend beginning your drink recipe with 3 ounces of a primary spirit and 1 once of a modifier; depending on your flask size, you can adjust the ratio. With this base you can add other ingredients, if desired such as a flavored simple syrup. A hint though, donÍt use egg whites in your drink, they tend to break down in the flask. In the same vein, citrus juices are not the best fit for a metal flask because you tend to give off that ñtinnyî aftertaste. Since you have a limited amount of room in the flask, experts also suggest not adding too much filler _ go as ñhigh-octaneî as possible!

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What to Stash in a Keepsake Box

Ah, the paradox of time. Time is free, but itÍs priceless. You canÍt own time, but you can use it. You canÍt keep time, but you can spend it. And, once youÍve lost time, you can never get it back. Never do any of these words of wisdom make more sense than when you embark on a new journey in life, especially a groom as he gets married. If youÍve started any of the wedding planning, you must know how much time is a gift for the groom! And, while you canÍt stop time, but you can keep mementoes from special occasions to help you remember the past. This sort of personal collecting will give you a source of joy and a big smile each time you revisit your special things throughout the years. The ideal place to keep such valuable treasures is in a keepsake box. At Groomstand.com, we have quite a few handsome options for your choosing. For example, our personalized cherry keepsake box is made from quality hardwood with a sliver plate to accommodate the engraving of a name and date. And, remember, these keepsake boxes make excellent groomsmen gifts for all the important men in your wedding. This is by no means a defining list, but below are a few ideas of what to store away in a keepsake box. Plane tickets, souvenirs and snapshots from your honeymoon Letters, cards or poems a loved one has given you Ticket stubs and programs from sporting or cultural events Family heirlooms such as photos of ancestors, family keepsakes Important jewelry such as a class ring, a fraternity pin or personalized cufflinks Something a family member handmade for you Items from your childhood such as photos, report cards, special trinkets Important ñguyî collections like baseball cards or beer bottle caps

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The Ultimate Wedding Crasher

What would you do if the President of the United States showed up on your wedding day? Well, this exact thing happened to a more-than-surprised Iowa bride and groom recently. Apparently, the leader of the free world, none other than President Barak Obama, crashed their reception to the amazement of friends, family and, especially the bride and groom. It all went down Sept 1 at the Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa. Oops, the venue had planned a wedding and a campaign rally both on the same day! While the rally actually ended before the wedding started, there was some overlap time as the two different events took care of pre and post party details. In a gesture of kindness, the President left a wedding gift for the couple that is sure to become a conversation starter in newlywed’s homes for many, many years to come. The prized present was a handwritten notecard signed by Obama saying “Congratulations on your wedding. Michelle and I hope you enjoy your life together.” Also, included with the sentiments was a silver-plated cup and small tray personalized with the presidential seal and his engraved name. Good to see that the President knows how thoughtful personalized gifts for the groom and bride can be – put usually these wedding gifts are engraved with the newlywed’s names! I’m sure an exception to etiquette can be made in this instance. To top it off the classy bride and groom gifts, everything was delivered in a handsome blue gift bag straight from the White House. While the President and First Lady probably aren’t going to drop by your wedding, you can still receive an official greeting from the power couple by sending an invitation to the Greetings Office at the White House. For weddings, the request should be made after the event occurs (I guess to see if you really go through with it) and the wait for a reply can take several months. Send your invitation or letter with specifics to: The White House, Greetings Office 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20500

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We Solve a Cufflink Conundrum

Dear Groomstand: I am treating myself to a pair of engraved cufflinks to wear with my tuxedo and also to present as groomsmen gifts to my good buddies. With so many styles, IÍm confused about picking out a perfect pair that will look great at both the wedding and in the years to come. Can you help? Mr.Cufflink Conundrum Dear Mr. Cufflink Conundrum: There is no reason to be worried about presenting engraved cufflinks as groomsmen gifts; there is really no way to go wrong with this traditional gift (that can still be quite trendy). Your first choice is to decide if you want to give your best man, groomsmen and ushers with identical pairs of engraved cufflinks or mix-it up based on their role in the wedding. Or, you can mix it up even more by choosing novelty cufflinks that pack a little punch of personality _ a pair of dice cufflinks for the gamblers, dashing dollar sign cufflinks for the business tycoons or even skull and crossbones cufflinks for those more rogue wedding attendants. Another point to consider when picking out cufflinks as groomsmen gifts is that some men like to coordinate the tone of their engraved cufflinks to the metal of the wristwatch being worn. For example, silver tones match with silver, stainless steel or platinum watches and golden links work well with gold watches. Many men wear mixed-metal watches which are easily complemented by almost any cufflink youÍll find at GroomStand.com. Adding an engraved personalization always makes a welcomed touch, whether itÍs just a simple single initial, a traditional monogram, or a full name, date or message. This thoughtful touch to your groomsmen gift will transform an ordinary pair of cufflinks into an instant heirloom that each man will enjoy wearing on your wedding weekend as well as to work and formal affairs for years to come.

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Marrying Man of the Month: Ryan Reynolds

Congratulations are in order on many levels for actor and now groom, Ryan Reynolds. Not only did he tie the knot with the lovely actress Blake Lively; perhaps, more impressively, he pulled off a celebrity wedding right under the nose of the unsuspecting paparazzi. The surprise ceremony took place on Sunday, September 7, 2012 at Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant. Interestingly, this is the same location where “The Notebook” was filmed in 2004. It wasn’t until five days later that the two filed for a marriage license in Charleston and were legally married the next day, September 14th. So why have the ceremony before the legalities? We’re assuming this was part of their covert plan to get hitched under the radar. Of course, filing public documents before the wedding would alert the press. Sources say that the “Green Lantern” actors demanded complete privacy and that most of the wedding vendors, such as the cake decorator, were kept in the dark about the duo’s identity. The 70 guests and other people associated with the shindig were required to sign non-disclosure agreements before attending the nuptials. Also, cell phones were taken up at the door to prevent unauthorized wedding photos. This was Reynolds second time at the altar; he was previously married to actress Scarlett Johannson. It seems that People Magazine’s “2010 Sexiest Man Alive” has a type -- pretty blondes. A friend of the couple, Florence Welch of the band Florence and the Machine put on a show for the newlyweds and guests at the top-secret reception. Another detail to note is that Reynolds wore a Burberry suit with leather suspenders and cufflinks. It seems he’s bringing these accessories so popular in past fashion. No word on who were his groomsmen or what was given as groomsmen gifts, although we’re sure something extremely cool.

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Trends in Groomsmen Attire

With all eyes on the bride, many grooms and groomsmen discount the importance of their appearance during the wedding festivities. Even though your eyes might be affixed on your stunning wife-to-be and your groomsmen may be ogling the bridesmaids, donÍt overlook the fact that plenty of other people will be focused on the style of the groom and his wedding posse. Here are some stand-out groomsmen attire trends for your stand-up guys: Bow Tie Be Gone: Many of todayÍs modern groomsmen are opting out of the traditional bow tie when it comes to the formal tuxedo look. Experts in the tux industry say that men are choosing long ties, such as cravats, in lieu of the classic bow tie. A thoughtful choice in inexpensive groomsmen gifts would be to gift each personalized tie clip to wear with their wedding ensemble. Tossing the Tux: In other weddings, grooms have given their groomsmen the exciting news that a tuxedo is not needed for the big day. Instead, a more casual and contemporary look is trending this year such as coordinating everyone in matching khakis and sports jackets and adding a unifying touch such as matching pocket squares, ties or socks. Even snazzy groomsmen gifts that can be worn on your special day and for many years to come. For example, personalized cufflinks engraved with a monogram are the perfect pick for the executives in your line-up who are sure to wear them again to many important business meetings. Plus, if you get cufflinks that suit each recipientÍs personality, youÍll appear to be the thoughtful groom who doesnÍt give one-size-fit-all, cookie-cutter groomsmen gifts.

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