My dad and I went fishing together a lot in the summers when I was a kid, as I’m sure is the case for lots of fishermen. The fishing trips were the highlight of my summer and I looked forward to the end of the school year. Strange, I don’t remember my first time fishing but I do recall practicing casting in my backyard on the days that my dad didn’t take me. I actually became quite depressed when I started seeing “back to school” ads on TV because I knew my fishing days were almost over. Strangely, we never went fishing any time of the year but the summer. Ice fishing was foreign to me.

At any rate, my dad taught me what I call “still fishing”. We would simply sit in one spot on a lawn chair and cast our line and wait for the fish to bait. It’s seriously all we ever did. I think it’s all my dad knew. Our lines were equipped with spreaders or pickerel rigs with a couple of hooks and a sinker. We always fished with live bait, which were usually worms that we caught the night before which was part of the fun. Occasionally we used minnows but not too often. Those days are unforgettable. We didn’t specifically target any particular type of fish, but in a way, that was the exciting part. We never knew what we were pulling up. It could’ve been any of almost a dozen different species of fish. We always fished in the early mornings and used the exact same methods. It’s all I knew.

As I got older I started fishing with a cousin of mine who had the same passion of fishing as I did. We fished constantly. I got my own tacklebox and fishing rod and we even started making our own rigs which we called KayBee Rigs. We got the name from taking our initials. Mine is K and his is B. We continued to “still fish” because we assumed we could only fish other ways from a boat or in a pond.

Anyway, we watched lots of fishing shows and mailed away for all the free offers where we got magazines and free lures. We weren’t exactly sure how to use these lures at all, but it was exciting to see all the different things that people used to catch fish other than the rigs, hookers and sinkers that we were used to.

Over the course of a summer I ended up with a huge collection of topwater bass lures, worth hundreds. I ended up having to buy a bigger box to handle all the lures that were being shipped to my house. These lures stayed dry in the box for many years. I wasn’t confident fishing them, I really didn’t know how. Years later I finally started fishing them and what a whole different experience for me!

To be continued…

Choosing the right gift for that special someone can be a baffling experience. When you settle on jewelry as your ideal gift, you’ve made a good start. Jewelry gifts are a kind of “never fail” gift, the kind of gift that makes the recipient feel special. To make your gift especially personal and tailored to the individual, initial jewelry, such as initial pendants is a wise choice.

Whether it is a lovely feminine script or a strong block font, initial pendants are available in practically every style. Think of the personality of the recipient, and consider whether a delicate script would flatter, or if the individual is more of a strong and bold type. The popular urban style has popularized that large audacious look; you can get gem encrusted initial pendants to hang from chunky gold chains. If classic is the goal, it’s hard to go wrong with a small and demure italic gold initial.

There is a variety of other initial jewelry available as well. Finger rings, toe rings, bracelets; the different possibilities for initial jewelry are practically endless. It’s even possible to find nose studs in the form of an initial! The possibilities are truly endless. You can even think a little differently about initial jewelry, such as using them to commemorate a relationship.

It’s to be expected that most choose the initials of the gift recipient when selecting a piece of initial jewelry. However, there is a possibility of using two initials, each signifying half of a relationship partnership. John and Anita might choose a “JA” or “AJ” combination, and use it as a promise ring. The possibilities are really just limited by your imagination.

For an extra added affect, consider the addition of a gemstone to the initial pendant or other variety of initial jewelry. Birthstones are a popular and natural choice, especially if the recipient is a big fan of birth jewelry. Even still, never underestimate the classic beauty of a stunning diamond. Don’t underestimate the effect, though, of a stunning colored gemstone such as aquamarine or amethyst. Perhaps you could consider a gemstone that is the wearer’s signature color.

Jewelry gifts are a “fail safe” gift choice, the kind of gift that has both meaning and beauty. Initial jewelry, including initial pendants, are stunning choices that can really communicate whatever emotion it is that you wish to convey; love, friendship, and commitment. Take the mystery out of gift giving, and choose a jewelry gift!

Personalized gifts are a way to show a loved one that they are important to you. Taking an ordinary item and personalizing it turns it into an extraordinary gift.

In a tough market, businesses should consider what kind of promotional items would set them apart from their competitors. Personalized gifts make a statement of success.

Rings are a perfect example. Personalizing a ring can turn any gift giving occasion into a very memorable event. Engraved rings are a very personal gift. Adding a personal engraved message on the inside of the ring can add special meaning for the two of you. Personalized rings are also often used in wedding ceremonies or to signify milestone anniversaries. Engraved rings are a wonderful gift for any occasion that you feel is special.

There are several types of personalized jewelry available on the market. Consider charm bracelets, pendants even watches all have the ability to be engraved with a personal note.

When you choose Personalized gifts you show that you care enough to choose a present specifically customized for the recipient. A picture frame is nice; a picture frame with their name engraved upon it is unique. You show that you chose a gift specifically made for them. Adding a persons initials or monogram to clothing or bags is another great personalized gift idea. There are a wide range of apparel and accessories that can be personalized available on the market.

Businesses may want to consider using personalized gifts as a way to promote their business. Engraving your company name into different types of keepsakes will ensure that your business name is often seen by your current or potential customers. Date/Address books are quite popular in this area. The date book usually has the name of the company imprinted on the front cover and each time a person accesses this book, they will look at the name of your business. It is a brilliant way to keep the name of your business on the edge of everyone’s mind.

Personalizing your gifts can be one of the easiest ways to solve gift giving problems as well as one of the most fabulous and tender ways to say “I Love You”. For businesses personalized items provide a service and also give a sense of professionalism and visibility for your company. Take the extra time to make your gifts truly personal.