Feb
18
Once you have gotten the specific date, location and invitation in place you can start plotting out the rest of your bash! When deciding on the theme of your party you should consider what job they are leaving behind with retirement, or what type of future retirement is opening up for them. For example, if they are a retiring physician why not have a cake in the shape of a stethoscope or something hospital related! Or if they are planning a dream trip after retirement, you could always go a different route, such as a Hawaiian themed luau. There is no right or wrong theme, just go with whatever best fits the retiree. Normally, retirement parties do not happen more than once, it is not a birthday bash you can celebrate every year, or a holiday, it is a very special accomplishment and the retiree deserves an astounding celebration that they won’t fail to remember. If you decide to go with party favors, or decorations why not create some with pictures of the retiree, from when they started working, till the end date. This is sure to evoke memories and prompt discussions between all about the changes throughout the years....Read More
Feb
15
Retiring could be compared to what we used to feel at the beginning of our summer, Christmas or spring breaks from school, that great feeling of elation and freedom from the burdens of studying, home work, and tests. It was a break to relax, clear your thoughts, and have a little time free from day to day stress! By the time our breaks ended, we were refreshed and ready to face a brand new bunch of challenges. For most of those facing retirement it is a cause for celebration, but it can also be a little down hearted because the retiree is preparing to depart their work place, work friends and normal routine. That is why throwing a retirement party is a great way to say goodbye, and wish the lucky retiree good luck as they enter in to a new chapter and adventure in their life. In years past retirement was associated with days full of TV, books, propping up of feet and relaxation. Today those images seem to be in the minority…today retirees are busy moving away to a warm place, starting a new exercise program, volunteering their time or starting a new career. They may have children...Read More
Feb
13
Another gift option is a door hanger. Both economical and fun, our door hangers allow your boy or girl to stake claim to their territory in a special way. Constructed of heavy duty plastic, your personalization is accented by baseballs or coloring crayons, and is an easy way to let them decorate their room. Every playful youngster gets tuckered at some point. Let them rest their sleepy little heads on a personalized pillow case! Choose from customized screen printed names in pastel rainbow colors, handsome blues and greens, or choose from our character prints which accent the name with images of puppies, kittens, or sports balls. There are so many options and each is sure to please! These are great at home but also make a nice choice for traveling, heading off to camp, or just group sleepovers; since the personalization is built right in there is no need to label a pillow or worry about mistakenly switching it with someone else. Teens and tweens can be difficult to buy for. Consider our special door hanger or pillow case designs geared toward that slightly older kid that wants to decorate their space in a unique way. The “Uptown Girls” design...Read More
Feb
11
Seeing your name in print might be common place for adults, amongst all the mail, bills, and name placards on your desk or at the office. But to a child, personalized items are new, exciting, and make an everyday item an extra special thing. The American Stationery Company is proud to offer several personalized gift items for children! A child’s bedroom is their haven. It can be a castle or a fort one minute, and a peaceful place to lay a sleepy head the next. Let them proudly place their name in their room with a decorative sign, personalized pillow case, or door hanger. The Ballerina sign (no longer available) features two sets of pretty pink ballerina shoes, a light pink pin stripe back ground and your tot’s name as the center of attention for this design. It is the perfect choice for your tiny dancer. For your beautiful princess, select the Princess sign (no longer available) design. The customized name is set on a pretty pink crown, bookended by a stately horse drawn carriage. Whether she’s the belle of the ball or playfully dreams of being a little princess, this sign will let everyone know that this regal room...Read More
Feb
8
Writing Start your letter with terms of endearment. “Dear Jane” is not the lead in for a monumental Love Letter. Consider using a pet name, or simply phrasing it “My sweetest Jane”. As with any letter, you will want to state your purpose for writing. Whether your love is far away, you suddenly see your best friend as something more, or the relationship is going well and you cannot keep from bursting at the seams with how much you love this person, start by telling them so. You can be honest and express that you are not sure how to begin or what to say. Mention what the thought of this special person does to you: makes your heart race, ties you up in knots, keeps you awake at night, has you thinking about the future, makes you smile, or frightens you at how much they mean to you so quickly, to name a few. Try to refrain from negatives such as “You must think I am insane” or “I know you do not feel the same”. These statements may be true, but a Love Letter is a statement or confession of love. It is not necessarily a correspondence. Be...Read More
Feb
8
Sending Fold your letter in half. Place the crease at the bottom and the salutation facing the back of the envelope. You may want to place a flower petal or pressed rose in the letter, or perhaps a picture or other small trinket. Consider a splash of the fragrance you wear. Anything that will let your special person know that you went the extra mile to tell them how much they mean to you. Remember that you can never be too sappy when it comes to a Love Letter. Hand address your letter and seal it with more than a kiss. Consider a wax seal with your monogram or even personalized stickers. Make a special trip to the post office for something other than the basic stamp; something with hearts or a cute animal. Place the stamp on upside down. This traditionally means “I love you”. Drop it in the mailbox and you are done! Taking the extra effort to pen a Love Letter on stationery using a timeless ink, neat handwriting, words and expressions of your feelings and love or perhaps her favorite poem, sending it with a special stamp, wax seal, and spraying the pages with a dab...Read More
Feb
6
When it comes to love, actions speak louder than words. Show your affections by taking the time to hand write a love note to your sweet. This simple idea is anything but; putting your feelings into words can be very difficult and has proven so for dignitaries, scholars, and poets alike. Here are a few tips to assist you in expressing your thoughts on paper: Appearance First impressions are important, whether it is your first date or a Love Letter you are penning. Understand that your Love Letter may become a keepsake that your mate will treasure for years to come. Therefore this should not be something you scribble down on the nearest scrap piece of paper. Start with your stationery. Select a fine piece in ivory or white so that your words will show up clearly. You may choose to use monogrammed or personalized stationery that has your name on it. Opt for something with matching envelopes, as this will be the finishing touch when you send your letter. Next, use a high quality pen. Use black or brown ink. Avoid blue, green, red, or other colors as you want your words to be clear rather than lost in...Read More
Feb
4
Have you had someone close to you lose someone they loved? Finding the right words to convey what your heart is feeling is sometimes difficult. We hope we can help with that in some small way. Words of sympathy and memory can be extremely meaningful and comforting to those in mourning. Condolence letters will often be read by numerous members of a family, and are often saved for years or placed permanently in family albums. For this reason, while condolence letters will surely be personal, they should also remain somewhat formal. Most importantly, remember that the purpose of your words should be to share memories of the deceased and to express sympathy for the family. See our example letter below: Dear Chloe, I was so sorry to hear the news of your Aunt Sally’s death. I know that she was important part of your life and she will be missed dearly. My heart is filled with sympathy for you and your family during this difficult time. It’s hard to express my condolences from so far away, but please know that I’m thinking of all of you. Aunt Sally was such a light-hearted and loving woman. She always had a smile...Read More
Feb
1
Embossed envelopes may be among the most impressive types of personalized and custom printed envelopes. Embossing is a technique that creates a raised design on paper or fabric. Most people, even if they don’t know of American Stationery, will be familiar with one very famous and well-known embossed envelope design – the raised rose on the envelope of American Greetings greeting cards. Embossed designs are a popular embellishment on formal wedding stationery and on business envelopes. Because of the process used, embossing is often one of the most expensive types of personalization available, especially for small quantities of stationery. Unlike printing or thermo-engraving, embossing requires that dies be made for the imprint, which means that the up front cost for embossed envelopes, letterhead and cards are higher than printed or engraved stationery. The Embossing Process The raised image that results from embossing is accomplished by placing the paper to be embossed between two parts of a die, and then pressing the pieces together, often using heat to help set the image permanently. If you have ever had a notice or letter of any sort notarized by a notary public, you have probably seen a very simple embossing machine – that’s...Read More
Jan
30
Have you found that your life is busier than ever? In our society, our lives are packed with a variety of activities to keep us going nonstop from dawn to dusk. Our days frequently become filled with routine habits, tasks, and chores. There’s a lot to be said for going to work everyday, taking the kids to soccer practice, and cleaning up around the house. But if you are like most people, you probably also crave a little “me” time every now and then. Though a trip to the spa or a day at the beach might sound like a great treat, let us suggest somethng a bit more simple and thoughtful. Try an evening of reading, writing, and relaxation. Pour yourself a hot cup of tea and instead of grabbing that book you have fallen asleep to every night for the past week, try reading a little history. No…not a history book – your history. Many people have a shoe box or a box of keepsakes buried in the closet or tucked away under the bed. There are a lot of wonderful memories out there in the letters of days gone by. Maybe you’II find that first love letter from...Read More