Gambling Groomsmen Gifts: One Couple's Outrageous Super Bowl Bet

Once again, football season has come to a close. Boo! Time to pull yourself off that recliner and grapple with reality. To some of us, the Super Bowl means nachos, beers, and bets. But one couple had a little more at stake - the entire cost of their wedding - right down to the groomsmen gifts. According to this article, March Schwartz, and his fiancee Carol Sanders, put the entire cost of their lavish affair on the line -- against each other in the Cardinals vs. Steelers face off. The wedding will take place in Catalina Beach, Long Beach in April and it won't be cheap. Although both Schwartz and Sanders are gainfully employed, they had doubts about how they would pay for the big family wedding of their dreams. When they watched their rival teams secure a spot in the Super Bowl, they knew the bet was yet to be! And the couple met at a Super Bowl party, which doubles the cute points. Sanders is a rabid fan of the Arizona Cardinals. And Schwartz loves the Steelers. Schwartz predicted a 40-10 blowout in favor of his Steelers, but gave his fiancee the seven-point spread. Awwww. Looks like the bride will foot the bill for this one! We hope she's not too disappointed: the Cardinals played an amazing game. GroomStand Hint: If your best buds are Steelers fanatics, celebrate the big win with these In the Game signs as commemorative groomsmen gifts. Or if your best boys are down and out in a post-Super Bowl slump, cheer them up with football groomsmen gifts like NFL sports signs or licensed NFL cufflinks. PS. Sanders, when you're searching for those groomsmen gifts, look no further than GroomStand.com.

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Groomsmen Gifts For The Sci-fi Geeks In Your Life

Let's face it, sci-fi fans tend to band together. If you have a sci-fi geek groomsman, chances are you have some genre appreciation yourself. But stop right there! This is not the time to bust out with midnight opening tickets to the next Star Trek movie and consider your groomsman gift given. While you don't have to turn to gifts of pub signs or cigar accessories if that's not what your groomsmen enjoy, you should still keep your gifts to them wedding-appropriate. Whether you just like to flip the TV over to the Sci-Fi Channel occasionally or you made your very own Yoda costume for the Episode IV line party, consult this list of geeky cool gifts for your groomsmen. Personalized Photo Cufflinks: Bear with us here - even if your buddies aren't given to sentiment, they'll surely appreciate cufflinks that let them keep pictures of their wife/girlfriend/dog/parents close by. After all, who knows when a disaster could strike? Ensure that in the face of an I Am Legend-style event, they'll still be able to keep their loved ones close, even if they've turned into freaky vampire creatures. Personalized Rubber Grip 13-Function Army Knife: He already keeps his towel with him, but how about a screwdriver for emergency mechanical issues, a knife for fighting off the other guy who wants that rare action figure, and a corkscrew for wine bottles to impress the girl he met at the sci-fi convention dressed like Lara Croft? A guy can never be too prepared! Leather and Pewter Picture Frame: Is there no way he's ever packing away his signed photo of himself and Carrie Fisher? At least make sure he has a classy frame for it. While you're at it, suggest he keep it at the office to appease the interior design sense of any future or current girlfriends or wives. Personalized Party Tub Cooler: Have you never quite gotten his whole sci-fi hobby? You've probably partied with him at some point (if "partied" means "watched a Stargate marathon and drank beer"), so make sure he stays social by giving the guy a decent cooler for the next time he has his geek buddies over for a game of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit. Personalized Sterling Silver USB Flash Key Chain: You're probably making him leave the laptop at home for the ceremony, so cut the guy a little slack and offer this sleek little USB key chain so he can keep his documents and code close to his heart. He'll appreciate the good faith and you'll appreciate him not looking for a heavy-duty safe to store his info in before the ceremony.

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Groomsmen Gifts Guide: The Cigar Crash Course

If you're getting married or are a member of a wedding party, chances are your future involves some significant opportunities for cigar smoking. At the bachelor party when you hand them out as groomsmen gifts, on the wedding day to celebrate, at the hospital a few weeks later when the baby is born... hey, it happens. Anyway, the point is, most men in the modern ages' cigar smoking experience is restricted to a few adolescent puffs with a buddy, trying not to inhale and feeling slightly queasy afterward. Well, you boys just don't know what you are missing. Cigars meet all the criteria of a man's definition of one of the finer things in life, making them perfect for groomsmen gifts. Cigars come in great variety, they invite oral indulgence, and they're interesting. Best of all, cigar smoking is something you can do while doing your other favorite things in life: watching TV, playing poker, sitting out on the front porch with a buddy... Cigars, when properly appreciated, offer the same satisfaction opportunities as a good steak or a fine whisky. They too are a delicious delicacy to be studied and savored. At any rate, even if you never plan to become a full-blown cigar aficionado, for weddings and any other special occasion involving women, and especially when it's time to give your groomsmen gifts, a little cigar knowledge is a must-have for the man's man in all of us. Cigars have a hallowed and fascinating history in America, fine distinctions of flavor and provenance, but for our purposes let's dumb the cigar down to a few basic 'cocktail party cigar facts' to go with your groomsmen gifts. These bits of cigar trivia will help you look knowledgeable in front of your fellow groomsmen and impress any single bridesmaids present at the wedding. First, and foremost, don't inhale! Now for some finer nuances of judging a cigar: How it's made: This is the defining factor in a good cigar. The construction of the cigar determines its taste and smell. The biggest flaw to be found in a cigar is too much tobacco. Overfilled cigars get plugged and are difficult to puff, which leads to less smoke, flavor, and scent. If a cigar is not filled enough however, the smoker will draw too much smoke and get a harsh puff and burnt hands. By its fire: The lit part of the cigar contains its own art form. It should burn evenly all way down. Uneven burning suggests poor rolling, a bad sign to any cigar aficionado. Also, the ash should be firm to the touch and extend in length with ease. How it feels: The cigar should feel solid and substantial in your mouth. It should feel smooth to the touch and have some resilience. You should be able to squeeze the cigar without denting it and it should spring back into shape when you let go. The cigar shouldn't feel too soft or too hard in your hand. Too much firmness in the assemblage shows it might have been rolled too tightly. The wrapper: This is a big one. The wrapper is what gives the cigar its smoking and flavor qualities. The wrapper shouldn't have too many flaws and should not be dry or peeling. Generally, cigars with lighter colored wrappers are milder in flavor and have less of a smoky aftertaste. Darker wrappers are typically fuller in flavor. How it smells: A good cigar sheds a scent even before it's lit that hints at what it will smell like when it is being smoked. A good cigar will have any number of scents -- musky, tropical, woodsy -- but it's important that the scent permeate the entire experience. Now you know a little about cigars. But if you're too lazy to remember any of this, another easy route is to just get some cool cigar accessories to make you look like an aficionado, even if you're not. Cigar pharaphanelia also makes good wedding or groomsmen gifts. Cigar or booze? Why choose? For two-in-one groomsmen gifts, how about a stainless steel cigar case flask combo? This genius invention holds both a cigar and 1.5 oz of your favorite liquor! Perfect for pre-funking or staying loose in long bar lines, this multi-tasker is compact enough to fit in your pocket to be enjoyed spontaneously throughout the wedding (reception, that is) and beyond when you give them as groomsmen gifts. For more personal groomsmen gifts, try a cigar keepsake box. Originally filled with five premium cigars, the idea is that, after commemorating your milestone moment- such as a wedding or bachelor party- with a group smoke, the groom will have a memento of the occasion with the remaining cigar keepsake box. This is cool for groomsmen gifts because guys aren't openly sentimental enough to have photo boxes or albums like girls do, and a keepsake box is a testosterone-appropriate way for a groom or groomsmen to cherish a manly memory or two. A final, more creative idea is to buy the groom or groomsmen gifts of a cigar journal. This cool gift could become a fun new hobby for you and fellow groomsmen. Cigar smoking is a hobby best appreciated with a fellow smoker, and a cigar journal is a classy way to share your thoughts about favorite smokes or best cigar smoking experiences. This is what gentlemen used to do in the old days, recording different flavors tried and different regions sampled. Get in touch with your old-fashioned gentleman by reviving this tradition with a couple pals. A good journal to buy is the No 9 Leather Journal, for yourself and as groomsmen gifts. This leather-bound tome made from American steer hide has the sturdy, intellectual appearance perfect for inspiring profound reflection. Best of all, for your particularly lofty observations, the paper inserts can be removed and filed away for posterity or sent out to friends. Who knows where your findings might show up? Fellas, I hope this has been an educational article on how to properly honor two of man's greatest joys with your groomsmen gifts: a good cigar and a good friend. Happy smoking! Cigar tips taken from http://www.altadisusa.com

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March Madness: Wedding Day Dunk

Take a break from shopping for those groomsmen gifts and celebrate the opening of March Madness. Watch this video of a bride that gets dunked on by her groom. Such are the things of lasting love. Most ladies would not, I repeat, would not head to the court on their wedding day. Give it up to this bride! And it's on video. Talk about a gift for the groom that keeps on giving. Ouch! Looks like that hurt. We're amazed her veil didn't fall off. Word of advice, don't dunk on your bride. If you're looking for groomsmen gifts for your basketball buddies, check out this vintage basketball tavern sign. It rocks an old school look any March Madness fan would appreciate. Want to continue shopping? Head to GroomStand for groomsmen gifts that will arrive well before the second quarter of your wedding.

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Diamonds: Engagement Rings Through the Ages

Have you ever wondered why it's custom to propose with a diamond, as opposed to other gems? Curious about carat history? Our guest blogger from the Gemological Institute of America takes us through the fascinating history of the engagement ring from Roman times to the creation of the classic Tiffany mounting in the 19th century. About GIA: GIA created the famous 4c's of diamond value: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight and is considered the world's foremost authority in the grading and identification of diamonds. Engagement Rings Through the Ages The engagement ring's romantic traditions resonate throughout time. The Romans first introduced the betrothal ring as a plain, iron hoop. Among the gentry, the iron ring was worn while indoors and replaced with the more valuable gold band when outdoors. As early as the 4th century AD, inscriptions, elaborate or as simple as "honey," embellished the inside of the band. According to Macrobius, a 5th century Roman writer, the betrothal ring was worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. It was believed that from that finger a special vein ran directly to the heart. To this day, the centuries-old custom of wearing an engagement ring in this way has endured. Engagement Rings Weren't Always About Diamonds During the Middle Ages, sapphires and rubies initially adorned the engagement ring, while diamonds were incorporated in the 15th century. The earliest written record of the use of a diamond in an engagement ring was in 1477 by a Dr. Moroltinger, who was advising the future Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian to have a ring set with a diamond for his betrothal to Mary of Burgundy. Resisting fire and steel, diamonds stood for the fortitude of a lifelong partnership. Early cutting techniques caused gems to look dull and even black, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which is considered the world's foremost authority in the grading and identification of diamonds and other gem material. Compensating for these lackluster stones, goldsmiths designed elaborate settings, composed of such romantic notions as rosettes and fleur-de-lis, symbolizing the bride's purity.More ephemeral than the diamond ring, the rush ring was hastily made from leaves or grass and lasted in many cases as long as the short-lived engagement. A more enduring and popular 16th century ring, the fede (Italian for faith) betrothal ring signified a marriage's immutability in its central image of two clasped hands. Diamond Discoveries Change the Look of Engagement Rings With the discovery of diamonds in Brazil in the 18th century, diamond jewelry became more readily available, and diamond cluster engagements rings were in vogue. A common cluster design consisted of small rose-cut diamonds arranged around a larger center stone. Widespread wealth, initiated by the 19th century's Industrial Revolution and the rich supply of newly discovered African diamond mines, made diamonds available to a greater public. Diamond experts at GIA also note that this period was marked by revolutionary developments in cutting and polishing, resulting in diamonds revealing a brilliance greater than any other gem. The diamond now could stand alone, and thus, the solitaire engagement ring became fashionable.The simple elegance of the classic Tiffany mounting, introduced in 1886 by Charles L. Tiffany, offered an ideal complement to the beauty of the diamond. With the diamond set high in an open, six-prong mounting, the design permitted greater amounts of light to enter the gem, allowing it to exhibit maximum brilliance. Given all the choices that are available to couples today, not only can they choose an engagement ring that represents a centuries-old symbol of love and tradition, but more importantly, a ring that is a personal expression of themselves.For more information on diamonds and other gems, and education opportunities in gems and jewelry, visit GIA at www.gia.edu, the GIA Diamond Buying Guide, or call 800-421-7250.

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Gifts Spotlight: The Best Personalized Business Card Cases

With the way some of your friends are scheduled, you might think it's lucky they could take the time off between business meetings to stand up at the altar with you. Show your thanks with groomsmen gifts that they'll use every day as they broker deals and lunch with clients, and they'll think of you and your friendship every time they wrap up a meeting with a handshake and business card exchange! If sleek and simple are the watchwords for your groomsmen, give them groomsmen gifts of these basic Personalized Business Card Holders. There's room enough for forty cards, so even the most crowded business lunch won't find your guys out of business cards to distribute. There's room for ID and credit cards, too, so he can easily pick up the tab on said lunch while getting that 100k client to sign on the dotted line. Slightly flashier businessmen will appreciate this Silver-Plated Business Card Case, great as groomsmen gifts for guys who are more Savile Row than Men's Wearhouse. It can be engraved with up to two lines of twenty characters each, too, so you can have it personalized for that extra touch - either his full name or his name and the name of his company if he's an entrepreneur or a lifer at his workplace. For the ultimate in luxury when you're giving business card cases as groomsmen gifts, break out the Dalvey Leather Business Card Case. Stainless steel and top-quality leather combine for a look that means business, giving your groomsmen an extra edge in the office. After all, looking good is the first step to feeling good, and any guy looks good when he breaks out a personalized accessory like this one. Travelers will appreciate groomsmen gifts of the Personalized International Card Case, perfect for keeping track of the slightly larger foreign business cards that won't quite fit into wallets or typical business card cases. It's an easy way to gather together cards of overseas co-workers or clients he might meet while traveling on business, and makes for a handy reference of who he's met on the road once he's back to the home office. If he already has a fine case to keep all his business cards together, consider this: whether he's meeting with clients or just schmoozing his way through the corporate world, he's likely to get plenty of business cards from others to keep on his contact list. Make it easier for him to file them all away and have them available at a glance with groomsmen gifts of this Personalized Business Card File. It's a great way to keep all potential contacts in one place without cluttering up the address book on his PDA.

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Cologne Makes a Great Gift

Inhaling good cologne is similar to the pleasure equated with the aroma of a fine cigar, the scent of a savory steak, or the perfume of a beautiful woman passing by. Popularized in the eighteenth century, cologne brings us back to the era of fainting couches, top hats, and riding coats. At the same time, with the launch of celebrity and designer fragrances, colognes are very much the distinguishing essence of modern man. There are many reasons why cologne makes a great groomsmen gift. For one thing, it's something most guys want, but may not think to buy themselves. Giving cologne as a groomsmen gift saves your buddy the trouble of shopping for cologne, which has potential to be embarrassing (which is why you are ordering it online!). Cologne is a gift that comes in handy for a special occasion or when a little boost of self-confidence is needed. Most importantly, it is a thoughtful gift that lasts a reasonably long time and will come in handy again and again. But besides these cursory reasons, here are a few more compelling reasons to make cologne your groomsmen gift of choice, based on interesting historical tidbits. Reason number 1: Humankind is not naturally fragrant. In fact, cologne was used in the eighteenth century to cure body odor due to infrequent bathing. We think those Victorians were on to something. If you have a stand-up groomsman who could use a little help in the body odor department, do him a favor by buying a bottle of Colonel Littleton's cologne as a groomsman gift. Reason number 2: Cologne is much more multi-functional than it appears. Even if your groomsmen are a pleasant-smelling batch, cologne could still be a handy gift. In fact, when cologne reached its zenith in the 1700's, it was used in bathwater, swirled into wine, used as a mouthwash, and even as an enema. So you see, cologne is not only a sophisticated groomsmen gift, it's a surprisingly versatile one as well! Reason number 3: Cologne is the nectar of conquerors. Lest you think cologne is a groomsmen gift for sissies, consider that it was popularized by none other than Napoleon, ruthless poster child of the French Revolution. This deadly general was rumored to use eight liters of cologne a month, and up to a bottle a day. If cologne is manly enough for one of the greatest warriors in history, we suspect your groomsmen could stand a little splash. Reason number 4: Cologne has multi-origins. Whether your groomsmen are French, German, or Italian, they're bound to have historical tie to this elixir. A French word for a product created in a German town by an Italian barber, cologne is ethnically sentimental to just about everyone. Reason number 5: Unlike the pungent rosemary, bergamot, lemon and neroli potpourri of colognes past, Colonel Littleton swears by his thoroughly modern concoction, which he describes as "unmistakably cool and refreshing, with just the right splash of citrus." If you want a great groomsmen gift that won't leave your guys smelling like a rosemary garden, consider this updated interpretation of a historical favorite. As you can see, cologne is one of those groomsmen gifts that has the distinction of being both trendy and timeless. Did we mention it comes in a cool leather stamped bottle with brass plated cap? In the world of groomsmen gifts, I think we call this "gift wrapping." Historical Facts Taken From: http://www.history1700s.com/

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When To Give Gifts

We're here to give you the advice you need on the right groomsmen gifts to give to your buddies, and by this point, we trust that you've chosen the absolute most fitting and perfect groomsmen gifts for all your friends. Now you're just looking for the right occasion in which to offer up these sterling examples of A+ gift giving, but when are you supposed to give them out? Giving gifts without the excuse of a major holiday is awkward enough for guys, but now you don't even have a Christmas tree to throw them under. But not to worry, GroomStand to the rescue! If you're still racking your brain trying to think of the perfect time to give out your groomsmen gifts, just consult this short list of events at which giving groomsmen gifts is acceptable: A pre-wedding guys' night out. No, not the bachelor party. That's a whole different kettle of fish, and hopefully you'll be too busy getting lap dances to even think about giving out your groomsmen gifts. What you should do is pick a date a few weeks before the wedding to do what you always do with your friends, whether that's going out drinking or going to see a game or having a poker night. Take this time to reassure your guys that you won't be chained inside once you're hitched, and you're not giving up your nights out with your buddies. With everyone in "aww" mode, hand out your groomsmen gifts, you big sap. Give them to each guy individually. If a guys' night out isn't feasible, giving out your groomsmen gifts when you see each guy is acceptable and let's face it, a lot easier. Sure, it might mean driving around with a trunk full of flasks (no really, officer, they're for gifts.), but if you can get to each guy and give them one at a time to your groomsmen who are coworkers, golfing buddies, or brothers, then go for it. Note: this one depends heavily on how mushy your groomsmen gifts are. Since giving really personal groomsmen gifts to your buddies on a one-on-one basis could get a little overly emotional (not for you, of course - just them, you know), if you've hand-chosen each gift to relate to a great experience you both shared, then maybe you want to choose a different time to give them all out. Unless you're up for awkward hugs and back-patting - hey, we're not here to judge. The rehearsal dinner. This works especially well for groomsmen gifts they can take to the ceremony, so if engraved cufflinks are your gifts of choice, pass them out the night before at the rehearsal dinner. Try and coordinate this one with your future wife, too, if she wants to give out her bridesmaid gifts at the same time. It's a great time to say thanks for all their help, and after a few glasses of wine a manly hug or two isn't so unacceptable.

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Dalvey Craftsmanship

By Howard K. Brodwin The cultural sights and sounds of Scotland have long been ingrained in the minds of many - the colorful intricate patterns of the plaid kilt, the contrasting bright pitch and low hum of the bagpipes, the amber glow of crackling fire and a glass of 12 year-old whisky. Hollywood gave everyone a lesson in Scottish history when Braveheart introduced us to William Wallace and his fight to keep England out of his homeland. Add to that the storied history of the Loch Ness Monster, who's legend dates back to the 6th Century, and the overall picture of Scotland starts to come to life as a place of adventure, historical significance and cultural tradition. And Dalvey offers some of the finest-crafted gifts and accessories in the world - keep them in mind when considering which groomsmen gifts to buy. Deep in the Scottish Highlands - the northernmost part of country, bound by the Atlantic on one side and frigid waters of the North Sea on the other - a small family business emerged in the late 1800's, specializing in the manufacture of bagpipes. Grants of Dalvey built a successful and thriving business and soon realized they had developed expert manufacturing skills and fine craftsmanship that could translate into a wider array of products. While manufacturing bagpipes was a noble and worthy business at the turn of the century, there were far more opportunities to expand the company's offerings through items that also represented the spirit and culture of Scotland. One hundred years later, Dalvey has become world renowned for their luxury lifestyle gifts and accessories, featuring beautiful detailing, expert workmanship and the true essence of Scotland. Still family owned and operated, Dalvey has built its reputation on a wide assortment of products for the traveler, sportsman and epicurean alike, utilizing the finest materials such as Italian leather, polished brass, copper and silver, and incorporating classic design and functionality. For instance, it's certainly a tradition for any outdoorsman to carry with him a small flask of his favorite spirit to warm his bones on a chilly fall afternoon. To this end, Dalvey's Pocket Flask was designed to fit unobtrusively into a jacket pocket, so as not to interfere with movement or add extra bulk. The smooth, rounded design offers an elegant departure from the sharp-edged canteens that sportsmen have carried for years. Precision engineered from top-grade stainless steel the pocket flask holds 4.3 fluid ounces (125 ml) and is guaranteed never to rust or taint the flavor of its contents. Their multitude of uses make them perfect groomsmen gifts, too. Now, should you find yourself on a chilly autumn morning hiking across Cairngorm plateau or fishing for Salmon off the Western Isles, and you'd like to share what's in your flask, the craftsman at Dalvey have created the perfect accompaniment: a unique Collapsible Travel Cup that packs away as neatly, and as stylish, as a pocket watch. Its small dimensions - 2 3/8 inches (60.5 mm) in diameter, 3/4 inch (18.6 mm) thick, and weighing only 3.9 ounces (110 grams) - allow it to fit easily in any pocket or even the smallest bag. At the press of a button, a spring lid pops opens to reveal a stainless steel, watertight, telescopic cup inside. If you're looking for unusual groomsmen gifts, look no further. And speaking of pocket watches, Dalvey has crafted a classic pocket watch that's reminiscent of the timepieces from the days when the company first began. The Full Hunter Pocket Watch combines Dalvey practicality with precision watch making, featuring quartz movement, an 8 1/2 inch (21.6 cm) long stainless steel watch chain and a stylish gold Dalvey badge on the front of the case. Elegant without being ostentatious are trademark design traits of the Dalvey name, and the classic pocket watch offers a great opportunity to showcase their fine craftsmanship and design sensibilities. For the groomsmen who want to be on time, with class, this is the ideal gift. Any trek across the scenic Highlands would be incomplete without one of mankind's most trusted and invaluable tools. A sturdy and compact pocket compass can aid even the most experienced outdoorsman find his way to Ballindalloch Castle (if you've misplaced your compass, it's located in the heart of Speyside, near to the famed whisky distilleries of Glenfiddich, Glenfarclas and Glenlivet). The Dalvey Pocket Compass incorporates a liquid-filled military standard capsule and a push button spring lid to provide fast and reliable readings. To assist with orienting a map, the interior of the case has etched reference lines, making it easy to reach your destination with plenty of time for enjoying the journey. A classic gift for your groomsmen. The perfect end to many a glorious day in the Scottish Highlands, might be a hearty meal, a "wee dram" of whisky, and a robust and flavorful cigar. For many cigar aficionados, rather than clipping off the end with a flat double blade cutter, which often leaves small pieces of loose tobacco, the cutter of choice is a "punch," which creates a clean, round hole in the cap, for a smooth and even draw. The Dalvey craftsmen are no strangers to enjoying a well-punched cigar, as they've designed a beautiful Cigar Punch, with a retractable cutting edge and a convenient key ring. There's also a nice feature that allows you to eject the plug that's been cut from the cigar, so you have a clean, ready-to-use again punch. The Scottish Highlands' environment of lochs, mountains and glens, is every bit as vivid and breathtaking as the pictures and postcards suggest. No visit to the Highlands would be complete without a stop at one of their world famous whisky distilleries. As luck would have it, Dalvey is located in the same part of the Highlands as the Dalmore Distillery, home to the world's most expensive whisky. Since, 1839, Dalmore's Award Winning Malts have been distilled on the picturesque shores of the Cromarty Firth in the Northern Highlands. There are over 250,000 people living in the communities of the Highlands, and many have family heritage that dates back over many centuries. Included among them are the Grants of Dalvey who, for over one hundred years, have crafted well-engineered products, built with functionality in mind without sacrificing style or presentation. "Turas math leibh!" - that's Gaelic for "have a good journey!"

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A Ring for Everyone

Wedding Rings The Wedding ring is a symbol of never-ending love with no beginning and no end. The Celtic ring patterned by a use of continuous and unending lines captivates the romantic feeling of life's unending journey to spiritual perfection. The intertwined paths of this type of ring display a union of two souls embarking on this journey together forever. A ring, being by design, an unbroken circle is the very symbol of unity without beginning, middle or end. A commitment and reminder of your vows to each other on your wedding day and as once believed in Ireland, wedding rings were worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because the artery in that finger connected directly to your heart. The major focal point of the union itself has always been the rings. The engagement ring is the catalyst for the unification and the planning of the big day. Once the engagement ring has been chosen, offered and accepted, the commencement of the matrimony has started and the melding of two souls into one begins its journey. While the planning and celebrating of the wedding has an entire life of its own with the food, the drinks, the toasts and the dancing, none of it has any significance without the all important meaning of the exchange of the rings themselves and the sealing of the vows with a kiss. Yes... the ring is what the big day is all about when it comes to weddings. These symbols themselves being chosen of gold, platinum and diamonds so that they will live on our fingers for the rest of our lives, and continue on existing in their perfection long after we're gone. So embracing the time honored and celebrated tradition of the rings themselves, we offer some spherically themed possibilities for you to give as wedding gifts, groomsmen gifts or for anyone who might be in need of a gift on the big day. A great compliment to the rings themselves might be a set of our finest traditional or sports related cufflinks. Traditional cufflinks can offer the dash of elegance that provides the absolute finishing touches on a tux, or if you're a team player, a sports themed pair of cufflinks will express your personality while still offering a great level of sophistication and grace. So we have the shiny new wedding ring, the spiffy cufflinks what else could follow our theme? A watch you say? A watch indeed, but not any ordinary or even extraordinary wrist watch, instead we offer the, silver pocket watch. It is not only a popular item, but it is rich with style in addition to tradition and history. If the bride was once your girl, and now is stepping up to the altar with your best friend, there's only one thing you can do, and it doesn't involve a gun. Instead, take the high road and offer the silver friendship candle. It shows that you've moved on with your life, you are a gentleman, and it stays true to our theme. Perhaps you have a close friend that has trouble getting to places on time. Well, you've got the watch as a possibility, but wanting to ensure a prompt presence at the wedding, you might just have to implement a plan "b"...the Dalvey pocket compass. There is simply no excuse for lateness now and, of course, we are still staying within the theme, because remember, infinity, eternity, and the circle of life is a great topic to keep with such a time honored tradition as this. There are certainly a near endless supply of gifts that can play into what has been created here, but you get the basic idea. From golf ball coasters to round shaped pocket flasks and from desktop boxes to

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Gifts For A Safari Wedding

So you're holding your wedding in an off-the-wall (or maybe off-the-map) location - who isn't, this year? With destination weddings growing increasingly outlandish, it's anyone's guess where people will start getting married next. If you've found yourself planning a wedding underwater, on a mountaintop, or even in the wilds of Africa, you're probably asking yourself one question: what do I get for groomsmen gifts? And how many inoculations do I need to get? Okay, that's two questions. We'll address the groomsmen gifts question here. If you're giving your groomsmen gifts out before the journey commences, make sure your guys have room enough for all their travel necessities with groomsmen gifts of the Personalized Logan Deluxe Duffle Bag. It's water-resistant, leather-trimmed, and made to last, so it's certainly tough enough to handle all the travel surrounding a safari. And let's face it: wheeled luggage just doesn't travel as well over hard-packed dirt. A safari wedding is a bit different from your standard destination wedding, and in fact it's one of the only destination weddings for which groomsmen gifts of a Dalvey Explorer Compass are really, truly appropriate. You don't want your guys getting lost, do you? When the jackals are roaming, one wrong turn at the Sickle-Leaved Yellowwood tree means your groomsmen could be a tasty alternative to slow and sickly antelope. Actually, better double up on groomsmen gifts this time around - they probably won't say no if you offer up the Pocket Knife with flashlight, just in case. If your groomsmen would rather stay in under the mosquito netting than roam the Serengeti looking for lions, keep them occupied with the Premiere Leather Professional Poker Set. It's compact enough to carry around, so they'll have it handy if they'd rather skip out on elephant-watching and engage in more vice-related pursuits. A world traveler like yourself might have groomsmen who are similarly experienced, so they already have the basics. Don't give up hope - the perfect groomsmen gifts do exist for them. In fact, we'd say that this is about the only occasion in which a flyswatter is a welcome present, especially when it's the aptly-named No. 1 Flyswatter. This baby is hand-crafted out of American oak and Italian bridle leather, and it'll keep the bugs in their rightful place: squished. But squished with class.

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Gifts for Groomsmen: The New Alternatives to Cufflinks

If your groomsmen are the sharp-dressed type, chances are they already have a pair or two of cufflinks lying around on the dresser. In fact, if they've been in weddings before, they may even have engraved cufflinks they've received as groomsmen gifts! Although it's a nice idea to have coordinated groomsmen gifts like that, there are different gifts you can get your guys without making them match or giving them another pair of cufflinks to toss onto the dresser. For the guy who's already stocked up on cufflinks and other suit accessories, try 24 Karat Gold-Plated Brass Collar Stays. Even if he already has collar stays, he probably doesn't have any as nice as this. You can even get them engraved with his initials! For the well-dressed man, these are essential groomsmen gifts, and ones he'll use for years to keep his look business or black tie ready. If he's already too stocked up on accessories and losing track of little things, go for groomsmen gifts of the Frazier Leather Valet Tray, a far superior alternative to hunting through stores for the manliest jewelry box you can find. You can get it personalized too, so there's no doubt who the keys, cufflinks, loose change and more belongs to. Forgetful types can set your Save the Date there so they have a reminder whenever they go to their dresser to hunt through the sock drawer for a matching pair. If you don't want to give them anything to add to their suit or their dresser, give them groomsmen gifts to make sure they look good before they even put the suit on. If your groomsmen are scruffy types, send a subtle hint about tidying up with The Art of Shaving Groomsmen Kit. If they look confused, tell them you're concerned that they might be mistaken for a hobo who's stolen a tuxedo if they don't do something about the five o'clock shadow - it's your call whether or not you confess that really, your fiance just made you promise to get your groomsmen presentable for the big day. If things are really dire, grooming-wise, upgrade to the Eleven Piece Manicure/Shave Set. If your groomsmen work with their hands, they probably don't have the nicest looking set of nails, which you probably didn't notice until your fiance mentioned it. Since the guys' night out trip to the nail salon trend has yet to catch on, giving these sets as groomsmen gifts is an easy way to guarantee that your friends look picture-perfect on the wedding day. Even if you like them the way they are, your fiance will definitely appreciate the immaculate pictures she gets out of it.

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