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With regular maintenance, it’s easy to take care of your knives. Discover our top tips for knife care along with a handy guide for sharpening and honing your blades for the best performance.  How to Take Care of a KnifeThe quality collections of kitchen knives from LifeLong Gifts™ are carefully crafted from high-carbon German steel to last a lifetime. Superior to stainless steel in that they hold a sharper edge and resist deformation, the blades of carbon steel knives do require regular care and maintenance for the best performance. Learn how to care for a knife the right way with these kitchen knife care tips. Plus, discover how to sharpen and hone your kitchen cutlery to keep the blades sharp and in premium condition.  Kitchen Knife Care TipsRegardless of what type of kitchen knives you own, basic knife care and maintenance is paramount to extending their life and keeping the blades sharper longer. Following are our top knife care tips to keep your blades in optimal shape. Whether you own Damascus kitchen knives, Chef’s knives, Santoku knives, an Ulu knife, or simply an everyday set of kitchen knives, these valuable pointers will ensure you always make the perfect cut!
How to Keep Knives SharpA sharp knife is a safe knife. In addition to the knife care tips previously mentioned, you can also keep your knives in tip-top shape with regular honing and sharpening.  How to Hone a Kitchen KnifeYou may recall having seen professional chefs using a honing steel. This rod is made of either steel, diamond-coated steel or ceramic. Unlike a knife sharpener, a honing steel won’t sharpen the knife blade. As no steel is removed from the edge when it is used. Despite this, honing does play an important role in regular knife maintenance and care. So, what does honing do? And why is it associated with knife sharpening? With regular use, the edge of your knife blade will start to bend. A honing steel straightens the edge back to the correct angle for proper alignment. To hone a knife blade, place it against the base of the honing rod. Then place the blade along the steel at a 20°-22° angle. Slide it diagonally away from yourself while holding the honing rod in a fixed position. This action is then completed between 5 and ten times per side of the knife blade. Using a honing steel correctly, however, does require some level of both skill and practice. For this reason, LifeLong Gifts™ offers an everyday sharpener for your kitchen knives. This tool hones the blade of your carbon steel cutlery. It also sharpens the blade at the same time, by removing a very small amount of steel to account for small nicks.  How to Sharpen Kitchen KnivesThe everyday knife sharpener makes it a breeze for even beginners to sharpen a knife. This fool-proof method eliminates the need to hold the blade at a precise angle. It also takes the guesswork out of trying to figure out the proper way to use a whetstone. To sharpen a knife with a handheld knife sharpener, follow these easy steps:
 Knife Care and Maintenance FAQHave additional questions on how to properly take care of a knife? We’ve got you covered! Following are answers to common questions on knife care and maintenance. Why Won’t My Knives Stay Sharp?There are several reasons that your knives won’t stay sharp. The angle you use when making cuts as well as the surface material you are cutting on both determine how quickly knives may dull. When sharpening knives on a whetstone, it’s important to sharpen them at the proper angle. Otherwise, your kitchen cutlery may take longer to sharpen. There's also the potential to dull the blade. If the angle is too high, it will take longer to sharpen the blades. Additionally, if you rock the blade during sharpening, you’ll end up with a dull rounded edge. Likewise, not using a cutting board, or using the wrong type of cutting board, can also dull the blade faster. We recommend using a wood cutting board, like these cherry cutting boards, to extend the life of the blade between sharpening.  Further, the materials in which the blades are made also impact how quickly it dulls. Stainless-steel knives, for example, dull faster than carbon steel knives which are made from a harder material than stainless. In general, knives forged from harder materials hold an edge longer. Therefore, if you find you are having to sharpen your stainless-steel knives more often than you like, consider upgrading to a higher quality set of carbon steel kitchen knives. Will a Dishwasher Dull Knives?The harsh detergents, water and extreme temperatures of a dishwasher will not only damage the handle of your knives, but they can also dull and warp the blade. We therefore recommend that you always hand wash your kitchen knives. Do Knives Dull in Water?Leaving your knives soaking in water is never a good idea. Not only is it dangerous to leave a knife in a sink, but the water also has the potential to damage the blade. Not only is there an increased possibility of the blade rusting, but it will almost always cause the handle to degrade. In addition, most stainless-steel blades result in microscopic loss of metal when left to soak. Leaving a knife in water may cause the blade to dull more quickly. However, it can also cause more serious damage — and safety issues — that you want to avoid.  Should I Oil Kitchen Knives?It’s a good idea to oil your carbon steel kitchen knives a few times a year to help prevent rust and corrosion. Oiling knives can also help to condition the metal and keep the blade sharp depending on the type of oil used. How Often Should You Oil A Knife?To properly maintain an expensive kitchen knife, it’s recommended that you oil carbon steel knives after each use. Stainless steel knives, on the other hand, can be oiled once or twice weekly. What Oil Do You Use for Knives?There are several types of oil you can use on your kitchen knives. We recommend that you use synthetic oil as it lubricates the blade, resists dust and won’t go rancid like natural oils, such as olive oil. Food grade knife oil is non-toxic, odorless, and flavorless, making it the best option. You can also use food grade mineral oil. If you prefer to use a natural oil, then we suggest using camellia seed oil. This natural oil is similar in composition to fractionated coconut oil. It is odorless and flavorless and has a lengthy shelf-life. However, unlike other natural oils, it won’t make the blades feel greasy or go rancid. Nor will it leave behind a sticky residue.  Are Dull Kitchen Knives More Dangerous?Using dull knives can be more dangerous than using a sharp knife. While you can get cut with a sharp blade, these wounds are generally not as deep or as serious as those caused by a dull knife. The reason being is that you need to use more force than usual when making cuts. Therefore, should the knife slip, the resulting injury is more severe due to the additional pressure that was used. Can You Clean a Knife with Rubbing Alcohol?As most steel is non-porous, it’s not necessary to sterilize a knife after use. Typically, rinsing and drying a knife before food has a chance to stick is sufficient. However, you can use 70% isopropyl (or rubbing) alcohol to clean and sterilize the blade if desired. To clean a knife with rubbing alcohol, just wipe the blade with alcohol, then put it away. There’s no need to rinse or dry the blade afterwards. However, it is important to note that alcohol is a solvent. As such, it will remove any oils from the surface of the steel blade. Therefore, you may want to oil your blade after sterilizing to help prevent corrosion.  Why Do High Carbon Steel Knives Discolor?The blades of carbon steel knives tend to tarnish and develop a blue-gray or purplish patina over time. This happens when the blade is exposed to either air or acids. This type of oxidization is common and no cause for concern. While rust will damage your blades, patina does not. It can also aid in the prevention of damaging rust. Foods that promote discoloration include fatty fish and meat, fruits and acidic or alkaline vegetables. How Do You Remove Oxidation from a Knife?Sometimes, despite all precautions and proper knife care, high carbon steel knives do rust. If your blades develop rust or tarnish, there are several methods you can employ to remove oxidation from your knives. Here is how to remove oxidation from a knife:
Regardless of what method you choose to remove oxidation from a knife, we do recommend that you apply a lubricant to the blade afterwards. Oiling your knife is an important step in knife care and maintenance to help prevent future or further rusting.  Where to Buy Custom Kitchen KnivesWe hope these knife care tips instruct you on the proper use and care of a kitchen knife. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a new kitchen knife set, or if you need personal or corporate gift ideas, be sure to check out the line of custom kitchen knives from LifeLong Gifts™.
Just as the name implies, LifeLong Gifts™ offers superior-quality, heirloom-worthy products designed to last a lifetime. Fall in love with our engraved kitchen cutlery, custom cutting boards, wood wine gift boxes and more! Shop this unique line of luxury gifts today. Or sign up to receive the latest deals and promotions. Around the holidays, we love to give luxury hostess gifts that last. Keep reading to discover our top suggestions for hostess thank you gifts, etiquette for gift giving, and other answers to common questions you may have about what to bring, when to gift it, and how much to spend.  As the saying goes, you should never arrive empty-handed. Etiquette dictates that if you attend a holiday or dinner party that you need to bring a gift for the host. While the gift doesn’t need to be expensive, it should show your appreciation for the invite and the planning that went into the event. What are Hostess Gifts?Hostess gifts are presents you bring for the person hosting a dinner party or event. Typically, these gifts are items that the host or hostess would use when entertaining guests. These gifts are used to show your appreciation for the host’s or hostess’ hospitality.  Etiquette for Hostess GiftsAs hostess gifts are a way to thank a friend or family member for their invite, you want to make sure you follow proper etiquette when choosing a gift. When Is It Appropriate to Give a Hostess Gift?You should bring a hostess gift for most occasions including brunch, informal dinner parties, and cocktail parties. When Should You Not Bring a Hostess Gift?Ordinarily, you should not bring a hostess gift to a large, formal dinner party or a black-tie event. This is especially true if you don’t have a close relationship with the host. Instead, opt for sending a thank you card the following day. (We love using Minute Mail Gifts to send out thank you cards to our favorite hosts! Not only do they mail it for you saving you a trip, but you can also send a card and gift together for around $5 or $6 total!) Another exception is if you are bringing a salad, side dish or dessert for dinner. Your contribution to the meal will qualify as a gift in lieu of something for the host or home. However, don’t bring food for the meal unless asked. Food items that don’t need to be consumer right away such as a bottle of wine, a specialty coffee blend, or a box of chocolates are still fine to bring. Other occasions where a hostess gift isn’t required are recurring social events, such a casual game night, and events such as birthdays, showers, graduations, or weddings where the guest of honor receives a gift.  Do You Give a Hostess Gift at the Beginning or End of Your Stay?If you are attending a dinner party, cocktail party, brunch, or holiday event, you should either send a gift ahead or give your host a gift upon arrival. In situations where you are an overnight or weekend guest, you have several options. You can give gift upon arrival, the same as you would for a holiday or dinner party. Alternately, if you aren’t overly familiar with your host, or it’s your first time in their home, you can wait to buy the gift during your stay once you have a feel for your host’s personality and taste. You can also send a gift by mail after your trip has concluded.  What Is an Appropriate Hostess Gift to Bring to a Dinner Party?The best hostess gift idea for a dinner party is one that is personalized for the recipient in some way. It may be related to their hobbies or passions. You can also bring a lasting gift for the home. Typically, this item is specifically for the home or entertaining. It may be home décor, such as candles or a houseplant. Alternately, it may be that new cookbook by the hostess’ favorite author, personalized coasters, monogrammed cocktail napkins, flavored olive oil or vinegar, or a bottle of wine. Whatever you decide to give your host, make sure your choice is sincere and thoughtful in addition to being personal to the recipient.  What Gifts Should Be Avoided?While flowers seem like a great hostess gift idea, you want to avoid bringing a bouquet. Without knowing whether the host or guests have allergies, it’s just a bad idea unless you know the person very well. If you do bring flowers, make sure to gift them already in a vase. Otherwise, dinner preparations can be interrupted and send the host into a frenzy hunting down a vase and arranging flowers as guests are arriving. You also want to avoid regifting items. This is generally in poor taste, especially if there’s a chance that you’ll be found out. If you do regift something you’ve received from someone else, it should be in its original packaging and free of any personalization. Finally, while luxury hostess gifts are appropriate in certain situations, you don’t want to go overboard. Something too extravagant can make the host feel uncomfortable, especially if their financial situation varies greatly from your own.  What Should You Take to Dinner When Told to Bring Nothing?Many hosts and hostesses will tell you to bring nothing but yourself when you’re invited to dinner. However, it’s poor party etiquette to come empty handed. Hosting a holiday or dinner party can be quite costly. By bringing something for the hostess, you can help offset some of these costs. It’s also just a wonderful way to thank the hostess for her efforts. Therefore, you should also bring a gift for the hostess when it’s appropriate — even if the invitations states otherwise. In this instance, you can give a small token of your appreciation such as home baked goods, a bottle of wine, olive oil or vinegar, chocolate, a book, a potted plant or herb pot, or a candle. Should You Wrap Your Gift?It is not necessary to wrap a gift for the party hostess. However, you may want to avoid handing it to your host in a grocery bag. You can either hand your present directly to the host, unwrapped, or you can wrap in a simple gift bag with tissue paper and a small tag or card.  How Much Do You Spend on a Hostess Gift?How much you spend on a hostess gift ultimately is determined by the type of event and how well you know the host. It’s also subjective based on your budget. If you’re attending a dinner party, then consider how much you would spend if you were to go out to dinner. If your typical entrée runs $35-$50, then use that as a guideline when budgeting for your gift. Alternately, we advise spending 1/5th of the cost for the food provided by the hostess, assuming you have an idea of what will be served. When bringing wine for the host, we recommend that you spend at least $20 on your selection. If you know that the wine will be consumed at the party, and not afterwards by the host, then bring an extra bottle or two to be shared. For showers, such as baby or bridal showers, where you also give the hostess a gift, we suggest giving a luxury gift in the $50-$100 depending on how well you know the host. This is also true for holiday occasions. Of course, at the end of the day, you don’t want to gift something outside of what you can afford. If you don’t have extra money to spend, then consider a small token of gratitude that your budget allows, such as home baked goods.  Luxury Hostess Gift IdeasFollowing are our top suggestions for luxury hostess gift ideas for holidays and dinners parties. These impressive gift ideas are sure to guarantee invites to future events and ensure your gracious gesture won’t be forgotten. Wine and Wine Box GiftsGo beyond the traditional bottle of wine and gift a quality wine with a wooden wine box. Each of these keepsake wine boxes can be personalized and comes with a selection of five stainless-steel wine tools.  The heritage chest is another wonderful wood wine gift box. This durable box makes for a gorgeous gift presentation. It also includes a set of wine tools and can be customized with your message for the recipient. As a bonus, this personalized wood keepsake box doubles as a storage chest after the wine is gone.  Personalized Wood Keepsake BoxesPersonalized wood keepsake boxes are a beautiful way for recipients to store their favorite recipes, mementos, jewelry, and photographs. (You can find memory box ideas here.) Delicately engraved with your custom message, these wooden memory boxes come in your choice of carefully crafted walnut or cherry.  This acacia wood caddy is the perfect choice any hostess. With so many uses, it’s hard to go wrong with this personalized gift. It can be used as a bath or wood desk caddy as well as a storage organizer for just about anything you can imagine.  Wood Serving TraysEvery hostess can use a serving tray! Whether it’s used for serving guests or as an elegant, holiday charcuterie board, this acacia wood serving tray is a kitchen staple for entertaining and everyday use as a cutting board. Featuring unique scalloped edges and a characteristic wood grain, this serving board looks stunning when engraved with your personalization.  This cherry wood serving tray with handles is another wonderful gift option for your favorite host. Featuring a variety of designs with the option for additional customization, these rectangle wood serving trays have a comfortable grip and are ideal for serving drinks, desserts, and snacks. Crafted from beautiful American cherry, this natural wood product also looks stunning when displayed on a cutting board stand. More Gift Guides and IdeasWe hope you love our suggestions for luxury hostess gifts! For more custom gift ideas, be sure to check out our other gift guides for clients, friends, and family.
Custom picture magnet frames are a great way to promote your business. Show customer appreciation while keeping your contact details handy with our affordable magnetic photo frames. These photo frames are a two-in-one product that feature a center refrigerator magnet that pops out. While the outer frame offers a beautiful display for favorite photos and memories. Learn how this unique and creative client gift can help you stay top-of-mind year-round with customers.  Photo Frame MagnetsNeed magnetic promotional products that work? Our personalized photo frame magnets are a wonderful way to stay connected to customers and reach potential clients. Not only are our refrigerator magnets an affordable advertising solution for businesses, but they also make a functional gift for clients that literally stick around! Magnetic Marketing That WorksYou won’t find a more creative marketing solution than these magnet photo frames for your refrigerator. Nearly everyone uses magnets. Most people, in fact, have magnets on their refrigerator. It’s a handy space not just for calendar magnets, but also to display children’s artwork, treasured pictures, and weekly shopping lists. Therefore, we created decorative magnetic photo frames as an easy way for customers to share memories and keep your contact information handy at the same time! Better than business cards, we offer a variety of unique styles to showcase your business information, including house shape designs and holiday themes. Magnetic Photo Frame AdvantagesOur magnetic fridge frames differ from most custom picture frame magnets on the market in that they function as a two-in-one product. Each frame has a center refrigerator magnet that you can punch out and use for décor or to keep your honey-do list handy. While the outer frame magnetically holds a treasured photograph securely on the fridge or other magnetic surface.  Some of our photo frames actually have three pieces – a center magnet for the fridge and two photo frames. Our house photo frame designs are the perfect example of this unique 3-in-1 product design. In addition to providing multiple magnetic products from a single client gift, we also enable you to personalize these products with your contact information. You can include a custom message or your business name, website, and phone number on most frames. While others allow for customization with your business logo to help strengthen your brand. Personalized Magnetic Photo Frame OptionsWe offer several amazing designs of our personalized magnetic photo frames. They include:
Holiday and Christmas Themed Magnetic FramesIf you’re looking for personalized client gifts for the holiday season or winter months, then explore these unique designs.  Gingerbread HouseThese gingerbread house photo frames are a wonderful way to send season’s greetings this holiday. Personalized with your contact information or message, these unique client gifts feature two magnetic photo frames and a refrigerator magnet in one! In addition to your name and phone number, this product can also be customized with a small logo on the door of the gingerbread house. Boost your brand recognition and make customers feel special with creative marketing product.  Spiritual Christian Christmas GiftsFocus on the meaning of Christmas with these fancy photo frames featuring the three wisemen. These holiday photo frame magnets are a wonderful way to send Christmas greetings. Your contact information is tastefully included along the bottom of the photo card frame. While the center pops out for a second magnet depicting a spiritual message. These refrigerator photo frame magnets are a great solution for sending bulk gifts to your church congregation. Or distribute them as creative client gifts for whom faith is a priority. Warm Wishes for the HolidaysSend warm wishes for a happy holiday season with these decorative magnetic photo frames. The refrigerator magnet inside this winter photo frame features a snowman and dachshund. Dressed in colorful clothing and surrounded by snowflakes, these winter themed gifts are a unique way to show your customer appreciation. Tastefully customize these magnetic frames with your contact information for a magnetic marketing gift your clients will love! They’re also perfect for Christmas realtor pop-bys.  Woodland Forest Photo Frame Gifts Make a statement with these forest themed, woodland gifts. Perfect for local groups, charity organizations and business professionals, these magnet photo frames include a sentimental magnet for the fridge in the center of each magnetic frame. Personalize these marketing gifts with your contact information to celebrate the holidays or simply connect with clients during the winter season. Recipients love receiving this attractive solution for displaying their favorite family photos. So, it’s a great way to keep your information at their fingertips throughout the season.  House Shaped Photo Frame DesignFeaturing two magnetic photo frames and a refrigerator magnet, this house shaped photo frame is a wonderful way to celebrate a closing or housewarming. The center magnet includes a heartfelt message while the two photo frame magnets are perfect for displaying both wallet-sized and trimmed 4x6 photographs. Customize these magnets with your contact information or personal message for year-round marketing at an affordable price. They’re perfect for real estate pop-by gifts as well as realtor closing gifts. Nautical Lighthouse Frames Our lighthouse photo frames make wonderful nautical themed gifts for clients. A two-in-one refrigerator magnet and magnetic photo frame, these products highlight your logo and contact information within a beautiful ocean landscape. Perfect for year-round marketing, these photo magnets are a creative way to stay connected with your customer base and reach prospective clients. Educational Refrigerator Magnetic Photo Frames These educational refrigerator photo frame magnets are a wonderful way to show teacher appreciation. A unique gift for both educators and artists, this product features a heart magnet with your logo in the center. While the bottom of the magnetic frame includes your custom text message. Adorned with colored pencils, this product is a great way to display grade school or family photos. Share your love for those whose life’s work is helping others with this creative teacher gift. How to Use Magnetic Picture FramesTo use our magnetic picture frames, simply remove the center piece for a decorative refrigerator magnet. The remaining exterior then neatly exhibits your favorite memories in style, accommodating both 4x6 photos and wallet-sized photos depending on your selection. More Ways to Use Magnets for MarketingFor more ways to use gift magnets for marketing your business or organization using magnets, check out these other informative posts:
Discover our tips for avoiding hiccups when tackling your Christmas list this holiday season. These simple pointers are key to hassle free shopping and on-time delivery this year. Plus download our free printable Christmas gift list to make planning even easier!  Holiday Shopping SeasonThe holiday season is quickly approaching. Every year it seems like it sneaks up on us. In reality, however, most of stay so busy that we simply forget to keep track of all those important dates. Unfortunately, with the pandemic continuing to wreak havoc on shipping times and prolonged supply chain shortages, planning for the Christmas shopping season this year is a must! Christmas Shopping TipsAvoid the challenges presented by shipping delays and supply shortages this year with our Christmas shopping tips for 2021. Following you’ll find a timeline for a smooth shopping experience to avoid disappointments on Christmas day.  When to Start Christmas ShoppingTo make your holiday shopping a breeze, we’ve created a timeline to help you stay on track, so you don’t get caught off guard. While some of these dates may have already passed, you can still catch up. Also make sure to mark these dates on your 2022 calendar so you can be prepared and plan early next year. Oct 12th — 12 Weeks Before ChristmasNow is the time to start planning what you’re going to give your business clients, friends, and family for the holidays. Make your list and decide on a shopping budget. If you’re planning to make homemade gifts, then now is the time to get started. Order supplies now if you haven’t already. Most craft stores are a season ahead, so waiting to purchase materials can make it difficult to find what you’re looking for the closer you get to Christmas.  Oct 16th — 10 Weeks to Christmas10 weeks may seem like a LOT of time, but you know as well as we do that if you blink it’s suddenly gone. There’s just over two months before the holiday at this point. So, now is the time to start your Christmas shopping. Not only will you be able to avoid the crowds, but you can also stay on top of any potential shipping delays. It’s also a great time to pre-plan your holiday parties or decide how you’ll celebrate. And, if you’re sending out Christmas cards, get the family together for the perfect holiday portrait. You can upload your photo to Minute Mail Gifts. Then go ahead and create a template for all your holiday cards you plan to mail out this season with your photo printed right inside the card! Oct 30th — 8 Weeks Until ChristmasWith less than two months until Christmas, it’s time to put on your face and get serious! Lots of businesses are already advertising hot offers that you can take advantage of to save money. (These days, there’s really no need to wait until Black Friday for the best deals.) So, whether you are shopping in person or online, use this week purchase gifts for as many people on your Christmas gift list as you possibly can. Now is also a great time to double check addresses for gifts and holiday greeting cards to make sure they are correct. You can also start planning holiday gatherings with your friends and family. Nov 6th — 7 Weeks Before Christmas(It’s finally November and it’s starting to feel real. If you are mailing out bulk Christmas cards, then order them NOW! You’ll also want to order address labels and stamps. Alternately, you can also start creating personalized greeting cards for Christmas with your photograph inside. Hop over to Minute Mail Gifts to see how easy it is. Not only can you personalize a handwritten card, but you can also schedule a date to mail out your holiday cards — and send them with a creative gift inside the envelope with no extra work.  Also at this time, you’ll want to take inventory of all your Christmas decorations. See what you have and what you need. If you’re missing any elements to create that perfect holiday display, then shop as soon as possible for whatever is missing. (Here locally we were sold out of Halloween decorations by the first week of October!) The same can be said for pantry staples and baking supplies. There’s going to be a rush on basic foodstuffs as shelves aren’t being restocked as quickly as they have been in the past. Stock up on essentials at this time to avoid scrambling to find out of stock items later. (Remember the meringue powder and yeast shortage last year?) Nov 13th — 6 Weeks to Christmas We know it seems like you’ve done a lot already, however, there’s still more work to be done to prepare for the holiday season. While you’re waiting on the gifts you ordered to arrive in the mail, now is the time to clean and organize your home. Go through the closets and pull out winter clothes that don’t fit to donate to charity. The same goes for kids toys that they’ve outgrown or no longer use. This is a great way to help families in need, and tackle some of those spring cleaning chores a season early.  If one of your family traditions is to make Christmas ornaments, such as these DIY alcohol ink ornaments, then this is the time to get them done! You’ll also want to order or shop for your holiday gift wrap, including gift tags, ribbon, bags, and bows. Nov 20th — 5 Weeks Until ChristmasIt’s Thanksgiving week! Right now, you probably have a TON going on preparing for Thanksgiving dinner and related activities. However, there’s still work to get done to prepare for Christmas.  We recommend that you mail out your Christmas cards THIS WEEK for timely delivery. (There’s nothing worse than your card arriving AFTER the holiday is over.) You’ll also want to start mailing out care packages or Christmas gifts at this time. If you are ordering custom gifts that need to be personalized, then order them now and have them shipped directly to the recipient.  If you are decorating your home with a live Christmas tree this year, go ahead and order your tree or take a trip to your local Christmas tree farm. Nov 27th — 4 Weeks Before ChristmasThere’s now less than a month to go before the big day! (Are you getting excited yet?) If you have kids who are writing a letter to Santa, then make sure they get those letters written this week! They’ll need to be mailed by December 7th to ensure they arrive on time.  You can also put up your Christmas tree and holiday decorations now that Thanksgiving has come and gone. And don’t forget to pull out your Advent calendar! Dec 4th — 3 Weeks to ChristmasThe countdown is getting real at this point! If you have ANY last minute Christmas shopping, then get it done NOW! This is the absolute final chance to complete your online ordering as well in hopes your packages reach their destination on time.  Now is also the perfect time to wrap your holiday presents. After all, there’s nothing worse than staying up until 4am on Christmas Eve scrambling to get everything wrapped and ready to go in time for Christmas morning. Dec 11th — 2 Weeks Until ChristmasNow that your Christmas shopping is officially handled and decorations are up, you can start prepping for your holiday menu. If you’re hosting this year, decide what you’d like to serve and give any new recipes a test run. Otherwise, choose a dish or two to take to any holiday parties you plan to attend. Season’s greetings cards are also starting to hit your mailbox. Display Christmas cards on your fridge or tape them across a hallway door frame. Or, if you’re crafty, find a creative way to display your cards to help boost the holiday cheer.  Dec 18th —Christmas Is ONE WEEK Away!It’s the final countdown! Believe it or not, there are still a few things left to make those final preparations. If you have any baking to do, get it done this week. You should also finalize your menu for Christmas dinner and do any last minute shopping you need to get ready. Then spend the rest of the time enjoying time with friends and family. Make hot chocolate bombs with marshmallows, watch classic Christmas movies, or drive through neighborhoods to see all the Christmas lights and decor.  Printable Christmas Gift ListTo assist you with your holiday preparations this year, we created a free printable Christmas gift list to use as a holiday shopping guide. You can download and print this colorful Christmas printable here. 
Then use the list to write in the names of your gift recipients, the gift you’ve chosen for them, and the price to help you stay on budget.  Best Website for Holiday Shopping OnlineThere are several great reasons to complete your Christmas shopping online this year. Not only will you avoid the hustle and bustle and parking woes by shopping online, but you can also avoid the crowds. It’s also a great opportunity to create and send personalized gifts that you know are in stock. And, as there’s no worry about driving from store to store to find the perfect gift in stock, you actually save time as well! We may be biased but we think LifeLong Gifts is ideal for your holiday shopping needs. Not only can you create lasting, personalized gifts for friends and family, but we also sell a wonderful collection of products suitable for business client gifts.  What to Give for Holiday GiftsIf you need ideas on what to give as holiday gifts this Christmas season, then be sure to check out our holiday gift guides.
Send your clients cards and gifts by mail. An affordable, time-saving solution for the busy real estate agent, our greeting card service for business makes Christmas REALTOR® pop-by gifts fast and fun!  Make your clients feel like part of the family by sending personalized greeting cards this holiday season. With the ability to personalize each card, you can build on existing relationships, send a client gift, and save time. At Minute Mail Gifts, our easy design software allows you to create and send custom cards by mail quickly and easily with the same impact as traditional greeting cards – but with a surprise inside!  Reasons to Send Holiday Cards with Pop-By GiftsRelationships with clients are so important. Not only do they help to build trust, but they also help you grow your business through referrals. Here are some of our top reasons to send holiday cards with pop-by gifts to your customer base this Christmas:
 Pop-By Gift REALTOR® Christmas Card IdeasWe offer lots of great designs for real estate Christmas cards. Whether you’re celebrating a client’s recent move or reconnecting with past customers in a bid for fresh leads, we offer a variety of business greeting cards and gifts for the holiday season with competitive pricing and free personalization. Here is just sampling of the holiday card designs we offer for sending cards with pop-by gifts through the mail. Whether you need a professional design or something fun and lighthearted, Minute Mail Gifts has you covered!   Real Estate Christmas Card MessagesNot sure what to write in a handwritten Christmas card to a client? You don’t need to compose a long message for holiday greetings. Instead, something short and sweet will suffice. If you need sayings to include inside your REALTOR® Christmas cards, then consider some of these messages:
At the end of the day, you just want to wish your clients a happy holiday season filled with well wishes. Therefore, avoid including coupons or promotions as well as ploys for referrals or business.  Make a Greater Impact with Business ClientsYou can make a greater impact by personalizing your greeting cards and sending them with one of our unique and fun pop-by gifts – right inside the card! Customize your real estate Christmas cards with a photo of yourself or your family in addition to a personal message for the recipient. We’ll print your photo (or photos) on the interior of your card along with your holiday greeting. In addition to your personalized cards, you also have the option of selecting affordable, tuck in gifts to include when your cards are mailed out. These little surprises have such a BIG impact on their recipients. We love including a magnetic photo frame for displaying card images on the fridge after Christmas. However, you can also send refrigerator magnets, stickers, magnetic bookmarks, notepads and more! – with new gifts being added all the time. Who Should I Send Real Estate Holiday Cards?We recommend you send holiday cards with pop-by gifts to anyone you do business with as well as new leads.  When Should I Mail Out Business Christmas Cards?As the USPS mail service has increased delivery times for first class mail, we recommend you create and send your cards early this year. You can also schedule your Christmas cards and gifts to mail out on specific date. Delivery times for local first-class mail is typically 3-7 days. Whereas outside your area tacks on an extra day. However, during peak mail periods, such as the holidays, we advise mailing out your Christmas cards with pop-by gifts any time after Thanksgiving, and at least two to three weeks in advance of Christmas for timely arrival. However, the very last date we advise for mailing out cards if you want them to arrive by the big holiday is December 15th. Start writing and sending custom greeting cards and gifts to your clients now! You can send all your cards with free personalization, postage, AND A GIFT for around $5 each. Just pick a card design, choose a gift, and compose your message. We’ll take care of the rest! Visit Minute Mail Gifts now to get started.
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