Such a gift can really be suitable for just about anyone who deserves a special nod. Bosses can give them to employees after a particularly successful year or project. Parents can present them to their children for a good report card or a successful sports season. Spouses can give such gifts to each other just to say “Thanks for always being there for me.” The possibilities are endless.

Choosing such a gift can be difficult, especially if the recipient isn’t someone you know well – such as an employee. However, a good choice for such a gift might be a personalized item – an item that shows you took time to pick something special just for the recipient.

Personalized gifts run the gamut from office and desk accessories like pen and pencil sets, desk caddies, organizers, and other items appropriate for employees or colleagues, to more intimate gifts for close friends and loved ones, such as jewelry. Kids might enjoy sports gear, like personalized baseballs and baseball bats, or perhaps a frame where they can keep a favorite photo of the family or their teammates.

Wine lovers might like something special for their collection, like a personalized corkscrew and/or accessory set or even a fancy personalized bottle stopper. Cigar lovers would be thrilled with a new humidor or other smoking accessory as well.

The best thing about surprise gifts – no matter what you choose – is the unexpected pleasure they give the recipient, and the gift of a personalized item makes that surprise even more special.

In America, the idea of St. Patrick’s Day as a Christian holiday probably seems absurd to most. Instead, we celebrate with parades (the first took place in NY way back in 1762), drink green beer, and eat plenty of corned beef and cabbage. And if that’s not enough, in Chicago, they even dye the Chicago River an interesting green color. Using 40 pounds of vegetable dye, the river tips its hat to Ireland for a few hours each March 17.

Obviously, however, St. Patrick’s Day has now become a very secular holiday in this country and is celebrated by much more than just the Irish population. Everyone gets in on the act. Some friends even exchange tokens of friendship on this special holiday where the wearing of the green is traditional and a few sips of Irish whiskey or a pint of Guinness is a must!

If you have a friend you’d like to acknowledge on St. Patrick’s Day, consider rewarding him or her with some great personalized barware, ideal for a St. Patty’s Day get together. Many personalized gift companies offer an excellent selection of home bar-related items such as traditional pilsner beer glasses, mugs, steins, and more. You might even find one engraved with a shamrock or two or emblazoned with the traditional Guinness logo.

Or how about a personalized pub sign? These are ideal for hanging over the bar or on the wall of the man cave. Some are Irish themed and are just right for this March holiday. Featuring the name of the recipient and usually the date, these are perfect for the man who prides himself in the drinks he serves on St. Patrick’s Day and all year round.

On the more serious side, you may want to reward your Irish friends with a beautiful personalized cross that bears the traditional Irish blessing. It’s a gift they’ll long treasure and a sentiment that will touch them whenever they need a little lift or some divine inspiration.

Over the years, groomsmen fashion trends have gone through a number of changes. Remember the light blue tuxes of the 70s, complete with ultra-large bow ties and ruffled shirts? Thank goodness those days are gone! Instead, in the 21st century, styles are much more eclectic and many different fashion trends for men are considered more than acceptable for a wedding.

It seems that these days, bow ties are passé. The standard tie is much more popular than the bow tie, even for very formal weddings. In addition, the ascot or cravat is often part of the outfit. These wide, long ties hail from the English tradition and look quite dapper with a morning coat and are appropriate for weddings held later in the day as well. And with the bow ties went the matching cummerbunds, which are no longer popular either. Instead, vests are much more common and are often worn in the same color as the tie, sometimes with a subtle print (a.k.a. white-on-white or black-on-silver)

For after-6 pm formal weddings, the black tie-and-tails look is still the preferred standard of dress for many wedding parties. However, if the bride is hoping to match the groomsmen’s outfits to her bridesmaid’s dresses, she may ask the men to wear a black tux with ties and/or pocket hankies that match the girls. A good way to accomplish this is to save any fabric from dress alterations and have this extra yardage made into ties or hankies. The handkerchiefs are easy to make; the ties are a little harder and you might need to visit a seamstress or tailor for these creations.

While formal is always lovely, many brides and grooms have recently opted for a more casual look. This can involve simple dark colored suits of similar hues (i.e. don’t mix black and brown!) with white shirts and matching ties or no ties at all. Another option is a khaki pant paired with a navy blazer. This is a sharp look and can be worn by almost anyone, regardless of body size. Again, these can be paired with a plain white or pastel-colored shirt, with or without a tie.

Other ideas? Seven Unlimited fashions boasts a pinstriped tuxedo for a little “gangsta” touch, Geoffrey Beene’s one-button tux is all the rage and is flattering for all body styles, and there are even some hip hop versions of tuxes made by companies that cater to those with that style interest, including popular manufacturer Fubu.

Decorating the so-called “getaway” car is a long standing tradition. It’s a way to announce to the world that the bride and groom have now “tied the knot” and are on their way to a new life together. Generally, the main goal of decorating has always included designing the decorations so that they are noticeable and make as much noise as possible in order to attract plenty of attention as the car makes its way through town. So what’s the best way to accomplish this?

The first and most important thing to remember when decorating the getaway car is that nothing should be done that will either damage the car or hinder the driving of the vehicle so as to put the couple in danger. For example, if you plan to write “Just Married” with soap or shaving cream, be aware that some such materials could harm the car’s paint job, depending on the ingredients. Instead, you may want to write your message on a sign and tie it on the bumper.

Furthermore, don’t cover up the windows with anything that will obscure the driver’s view, and resist hanging anything on the bumpers that may cause damage or be a hazard should they inadvertently fly off. It’s a good idea to sit in the driver’s seat before you turn the car over to the bride and groom to be sure all is safe.

That said…go ahead and have some fun. If you want to tie items to the bumper, you may want to consider tin cans (soda or coffee cans work well) that make lots of noise. Any other items of a similar material work also, including old kitchen utensils. However, this practice is illegal in some areas so check with local authorities first. Tin cans can indeed cause sparks, which may start a fire…or worse.

Another safer tradition is to include old shoes in the decorating, which – in olden times – were thought to ward off evil spirits that would cause the couple to have bad luck in the future. Tie these to the bumper as well. You can find some inexpensive pairs at thrift stores or ask friends to raid their closets for worn-out shoes.

Streamers and balloons are always a good bet. Tie them on antennas, mirrors, or in other spots or secure them with some sort of tape that won’t ruin the paint job. These and other decorations can match the wedding décor, if desired.

A tradition in some cultures is to decorate all the wedding party cars in the same manner and to follow the bride and groom for a while, honking your horns and enticing passers-by to join in on the merriment.

Most importantly, the décor of any man cave should reflect the owner’s interests and his idea of what comfortable is all about. For many men, that includes furniture that’s already broken in and comfy, no longer fit for the main house. For others, it’s a chance to go out and purchase some new pieces like a big recliner chair or a sectional sofa with cup holders, appropriate for when the guys come over to enjoy the game.

A home theater-type set-up can be part of the man cave as well and those can indeed be quite elaborate, featuring large screens and movie theater-style chairs that recline and include a spot for your drink and popcorn. Movies posters might decorate the walls. Other men opt simply for a large-screen TV, which often becomes the centerpiece of the room.

A bar is also a common site in the man cave. These can be elaborate polished-wood masterpieces or something much simpler. Behind them, you’ll often find vintage bar signs or perhaps posters and prints of him and his buddies or of his favorite sports team. And a good man cave bar should include a set of sturdy beer mugs or steins, shot glasses, wine glasses, a cocktail shaker, and anything else the well-stocked bar might boast.

Because the man cave is often in the basement or garage, lighting is often an issue. When planning the man cave décor, be sure to consider purchasing some table lamps and perhaps an overhead light or floor lamp. While they won’t be needed for movie or TV watching, they’ll help during card games or other manly activities that regularly take place in the cave.

That said, you would probably be hard-pressed to describe any man cave wall hangings as art. These domiciles tend to better lend themselves to posters and signs, often unframed. As a matter of fact, most man cave signs have something to do with sports since one of the main purposes of such a space is so that its owner can watch “the game” in peace. These signs usually emphasize his favorite sport or sports, and often include photos of his favorite team or player, pictures of a treasured stadium or arena, or prints of him in his high school jersey or uniform, standing with his buddies who shared the same passion for his sport of choice – a vision of days-gone-by.

If you’d like to help spruce up the cave, posters and signs make great gifts for the man cave dweller and are appropriate for a variety of occasions including Christmas, birthdays, Father’s Day, and – for the older cave dweller – retirement. Often, you can locate personalized sports-related signs that might feature, for example, his name on the official jersey of a favorite team or on the leaderboard of a famous golf tournament. These signs are available for a variety of sports including baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and golf, and the personalization adds an extra special touch to an already unique gift. These high-quality prints are generally nicely matted and framed as well and do indeed add a bit of class to the walls of the cave, something the women-folk would appreciate.

Man caves, say those who enjoy them, are a necessity in this day and age. They give the men in the family a much needed respite from the rigors and stresses of daily life, providing a place where “a man can be a man”, free to yell at his favorite team when they screw up, free to make crumbs on the couch and leave them there, and free to scratch wherever he pleases without receiving a dirty look from his wife.

Some women insist that men retreat to their man cave to avoid their responsibilities, like taking out the trash or driving little Susie to ballet. Men, in contrast, will note that they’re often banished to this out-of-the-way room when their wife or girlfriend finds the need to take over the control of the “main” house.

Either way, the man cave seems like a concept that’s here to stay. And for the man who owns the “cave”, usually located in the basement or some other far-removed corner of the house, there’s the opportunity to decorate however he pleases. That might mean furniture that includes a favorite ratty old chair – no longer fit for the family room, a comfy couch complete with cup holders for his beer and other favorite beverages, and tables that will accommodate his feet…with his shoes still on! Decorations generally consist of sports-related posters, girly calendars, his favorite collection of beer mugs, and anything that would drive his wife crazy should they appear in any other room of the house.

That said, the groom may opt to take on a number of different responsibilities but, traditionally, there are still a number of duties that belong specifically to him. These responsibilities should be taken seriously and carried out in a timely manner so as to make the wedding day, and all the days that lead up to it, as special as possible.

First of all, the groom will need to choose a best man and groomsmen/ushers. The Best Man should be a close relative or dear friend and someone who can be trusted with a number of responsibilities. The number of groomsmen to be chosen should match the number of bridesmaids selected by the bride. While choosing the male half of the bridal party is indeed up to the groom, some consultation should occur with the bride so as to avoid any clashing of personalities, etc.

Next, the groom – again in consultation with the bride – should choose the formalwear for himself and his groomsmen. This usually occurs after the women have chosen their dresses so that the outfits can be coordinated. A good formalwear store can suggest the appropriate formalwear for the time of day during which the wedding will be held.

The groom must also choose a wedding ring. These days, the bride is often in on the selection, so the two shop together. Also, many rings come in sets – the wedding band and engagement ring together. If that’s the case, the groom will already have the ring but should be sure to take care of the inscription before the day of the wedding.

Gifts also need to be purchased for the Best Man and groomsmen. Often, a personalized item of some sort is chosen, such as a key chain, multi-purpose knife, money clip, or other similar gift. This way, it can be engraved with the name of the recipient as well as the date of the wedding. These should be ordered well in advance to ensure delivery before the day of the wedding. They may be distributed at the rehearsal dinner.

At the rehearsal dinner, the groom often gives a short speech, thanking his parents for hosting the dinner and his groomsmen for their participation. He should prepare this ahead of time and resist the temptation to improvise. It can be witty, but should also be heartfelt and brief.

While the location of the honeymoon is often decided by both members of the couple, sometimes the groom chooses the honeymoon destination and surprises the bride. If that’s the case, the groom needs to make sure that all pieces of the puzzle are in place, including transportation, tickets, accommodations, and other essentials. He also needs to be sure that the bride is appropriately packed for the surprise destination!

The groom might also want to choose an appropriate gift for his bride, remembering to choose an item that won’t break the bank but rather one that holds sentimental meaning for the bride. An appropriate gift that the bride will treasure for years to come is sure to get the marriage off to a good start.

Once you’ve accepted the Best Man responsibility, it’s time to think about ways you can help. Often, one of the first duties of the Best Man is to help the groom decide on tuxedos or other apparel. A shopping trip may be in order, though that’s something that makes most men grimace. Nevertheless, offering a second opinion is an important duty of the Best Man.

Once the tuxes are ordered, the Best Man’s thoughts generally turn to the organization of the Bachelor Party. While the Bachelor Parties of days-gone-by almost always involved drinking and scantily-clad women jumping out of cakes, these days, Bachelor Parties are often much different. While some men still tend towards the traditional, others enjoy different kinds of get-togethers, including weekends at a nearby lake, tickets to a baseball game, or the opportunity to gather for a quiet dinner or fun barbecue. The Best Man can help organize these events, keeping in mind – most importantly – the likes and dislikes of the groom.

On the day of the wedding, the Best Man should remain with the groom and be sure that he is dressed properly and ready on time. It is usually the Best Man’s duty to carry the bride’s ring and hand it to the officiant during the ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, he serves as an official witness, signing the marriage certificate along with the Maid of Honor.

At the reception, it is appropriate for the Best Man and Maid of Honor to welcome guests to the wedding, especially if the bride and groom have not yet entered the reception area. If there are any problems that arise, the Best Man should offer his assistance to the host of the party in solving these issues.

One of the most important Best Man duties is the opportunity to honor the groom and the bride with a toast or speech. This should be well prepared and include an anecdote or two about the groom as well as some heartfelt sentiments as well. Don’t try to compose the speech on the fly and carry some notes with you if necessary.

The Best Man may also need to take care of handing out checks to musicians, DJs, limo driver, and others who haven’t been paid previous to the wedding day. The checks will be written by the host of the party (often the bride’s parents) and should be in individual envelopes marked with the name of the recipient.

Finally, the Best Man should be one of the last to leave the reception, gathering up any odds and ends like gifts that may have been inadvertently left behind. He should be sure the groom has everything gathered together for his wedding trip, including airline tickets and other essentials. The Best Man might volunteer to take the couple to the airport as well.

Remember, if you’ve been asked to be a Best Man, it’s because the groom loves and trusts you. With a little planning and some extra effort, you can be sure not to let him down on this special day.

If you’re looking for a gift for that person, consider presenting them with a custom personalized pub or tavern sign, just right for hanging behind the home bar. Many of these signs are traditional in style with a vintage look resembling something you’d find outside a public house in jolly old London or along the streets of Dublin. Some sport old-fashioned pictures and witty sayings as well.

Personalized pub and tavern signs are available in a number of different designs. Often, buyers can find one that suits the recipient’s hobby, such as a golf-, fishing-, or pool-themed sign. Others might include a photo and saying about a favorite alcoholic beverage, like a bullfighter and an ad for tequila.

The signs are usually quite colorful and are appropriate as gifts for a variety of occasions including retirement, birthdays, and Father’s Day. Many grooms even consider them a very suitable gift for their groomsmen, especially those that are beer or ale aficionados. Personalization on the signs generally includes the name of the recipient enmeshed into the text found on the front of the sign; for example, “Johnson’s Pub” or “Davidson’s Tavern.” The words “owner” or “proprietor” might appear under their name.

While these signs are often purchased as decoration for a home bar, they can indeed be used by a legitimate place of business and might just add that special vintage touch to a cozy pub or tavern, where the drink is fine and the company is even better!