Magnetic Marketing from Magnets USA

How to Use Self-Mailers to Increase Revenue

11/2/2021

A successful element of multi-channel business marketing, self-mailers are a cost-effective way to reach existing customers and generate new leads. Discover what self-mailers are along with how this form of direct mail can help you generate more revenue over email alone.

What Are Self-Mailers?

Self-mailers are pieces of marketing mail or business advertisements that can be mailed without any type of enclosure, such as an envelope. They are well suited for B2C (business to consumer) businesses who want to make a lasting impression.

To comply with USPS guidelines and avoid additional postage charges, self-mailers and folded self-mailers must adhere to these sizing requirements:

The height must be at least 3.5 inches with a maximum of 6 inches.
Length must fall between 5 inches and 10.5 inches.
The thickness of the mailer should be a minimum of .007 inches and no more than .25 inches.
Maximum weight cannot exceed 3 ounces.
The paper used should be at least 70-pound stock.
Additionally, they should be rectangular in shape with four square corners and have an aspect ratio of 1.3 to 2.5.

When sending folded self-mailers, they should be sealed shut.

Examples of self-mailers include postcards, a flat or folded sheet of cardstock or paper, a booklet or catalog.

What is the Difference Between a Self-Mailer and a Direct Mail Package?

A direct mail package is not the same as a self-mailer. Direct mail requires an envelope, while self-mailers do not require an envelope as an enclosure.

There are advantages and disadvantages to sending both types of mail. Self-mailers, however, tend to cost less than direct mail. They are also more likely to be seen by the recipient whereas direct mail has a much greater chance of being tossed with other junk mail without ever being opened.

Nonetheless, both types of mailings can be highly targeted and personalized. They also offer a cost-effective marketing solution with a proven track record for success. Both forms of these direct mail advertisements also have a higher response rate compared to email.

Advantages of Using Self-Mailers for Direct Mail Marketing

Self-mailers have several advantages over other forms of marketing that make them work for your business needs.

They Save Money

A big advantage of choosing self-mailers over other forms of marketing is that they save you money. As there’s not envelope needed, they are generally less costly to produce as there’s less packaging, printing, and handling required. And, if you take advantage of a direct mailing service, you can save even more.

It's More Effective than Email

When comparing email marketing to direct mail advertising, targeted direct mail not only has a higher response rate than email, but it also has about the same cost per acquisition as other digital marketing channels. Additionally, direct mail also generates more revenue than email – up to 5x the purchase amount.

Direct Mail Is Viewed More Favorably

While older generations are accustomed to receiving an onslaught of junk mail, younger generations are more likely to receive hundreds of emails per day. For them, this makes receiving physical mail more impactful. While for you it means that you’re more likely to stand out from the crowd.

In general, self-mailers also have a solid response rate when compared to other forms of direct mail. Research indicates that their response rate is similar to that of oversized envelopes and higher than a traditional-sized letter. It’s also a more personal and targeted way to reach customers when compared to traditional forms of advertising such as radio, television, or billboards.

They’re Great for Impulse Buys

Self-mailers are great at encouraging impulse buying. They work well when combined with a special offer. It’s also a great way to cross-sell or upsell products to your existing customer base.

Design and Flexibility

Both self-mailers and folded self-mailers offer a lot of flexibility whether you send out a single sheet of stock or fold a large sheet in creative ways. Due to their simplicity, they are also easier to design as you only have a single sheet, whether mailed flat or folded, to formulate your message. There’s no envelope, letter, or brochure that also needs to be created.

That said, self-mailers also are great for displaying bold graphics and designs. Therefore, they tend to be more eye-catching than mailings contained within an envelope.

Trends Predict an Uptick in Use

Leading marketing experts agree that direct mail is once again on the rise. Predictions have been made that that it will become an integral part of engagement programs, doing what email was able to accomplish ten years ago. Thereby the use of direct mail is expected to double as companies look for more way to personally connect with their customer base. (Source.)

Highly Likely to Be Shared

When compared to email, direct mail has a greater chance of being shared. Not only does physical mail go to an entire household rather than a single person, but it is also more likely to be discussed among family members – including those that have the actual purchasing power.

Direct Mail Sticks Around Longer

Unlike email, physical mail sticks around longer. Emails are often deleted with a single click, often times without ever being opened. With direct mail self-mailers, everything you want them to see is presented to consumers immediately. Not only is the message clear, but people are also more likely to hold onto mail with an event or promotional offer that’s enticing to them. Thereby the lifespan of direct mail averages around 17 days.

If you choose magnetic mailers, such as those offered by Magnets USA®, your direct mail will literally stick to their fridge. This keeps your information handy and helps you stay top of mind even longer than simply sending a special offer via snail mail.

How to Give Direct Mail Self-Mailers More Impact

No one wants to throw money away on advertising that doesn’t bring in a return on your investment. Therefore, you want to thoughtfully plan your direct mail marketing to give you the best results. Here are some ways to ensure you are the getting the biggest bang for your buck when advertising through direct mail.

Target the Mailings

By targeting the direct mail self-mailers you send out, you will receive a higher ROI (return on your investment.) Therefore, we recommend that you send these mailings out to your existing customer base first, followed by those who have expressed interest in your products or services.

If you don’t have an existing list of client leads, or you are seeking new prospects, you can use the USPS Every Door Direct Mail™ (EDDM) program to reach new customers based on their demographics, including location, age, income, and household size. EDDM works well for small businesses, realtor marketing, restaurants and local political campaigns. By targeting potential clients within your customer demographic, you increase your response rate from your mailings.

Choose the Right Self-Mailers

Designing your mailers can be a challenge for anyone. You want to send mail that stands out and engages your customers. You also want that mail to stick around rather than being immediately tossed in the bin. A great way to do this is to turn your mailings into a physical product that the recipients can use.

Choosing magnetic mailers is a great way to both provide a useful product and eliminate the need to design a mailing from scratch. Magnets USA® offers many wonderful options that fill this need including self-mailing year-at-a-glance calendars and magnet cards for your favorite team sport schedules.

Our magnetic sports schedules are incredibly popular among customers. Therefore we provide a wide range of options such as football schedules and hockey schedules as well as golf, basketball, and baseball that can be mailed as stand-alone products without envelopes.

We also offer custom magnetic mailers that you can design yourself from start to finish. Each of these magnetic cards is Every Door Direct Mail® compatible and features a magnetic strip across the top reverse side.

Provide an Offer

Not only does providing an offer make it easy to track your engagement, but it also encourages the consumer to take action. In essence, an offer is your call-to-action, similar to what you would include in a digital email. The format of this marketing also helps people to remember an event or sale. Many individuals will stick these types of mailings on their refrigerator as a reminder to take advantage of an upcoming offer.

Convey Your Message with Pictures

Self-mailers need a strong design for peak effectiveness. Therefore, we recommend that you design this form of direct mail with bold graphics or photographs along with short blocks of text. A high-quality cardstock or paper is also recommended. While a pleasing finish, such as our irresistible PLUSH™ paper finish, is sure to gain extra attention. You also don’t want to skimp on color!

Create a Landing Page for Your Offers

Another great way to engage customers is to create a landing page for the offer included in your direct mail. Not only does this provide them with additional information or other offers they can take advantage of, but it also makes it easier for the customer to find what you’re selling. It’s also a great way to help you track your engagement rate.

Combine Direct Mail with Email Campaigns

To help make your advertising campaigns even more effective, you can combine both direct mail and email marketing. Start by sending out a campaign via direct mail. Then follow up on your physical mailings a week later by email. This creates a drip campaign effect that you may be familiar with through your email marketing efforts.

It’s recommended that you send two emails for every piece of physical mail you send. Additionally, all of the marketing materials for this combined campaign should feature the same branding and design elements to reinforce the offer you’re making and better familiarize your customers with the product or service you’re providing.

Track Your Campaign Results

Of course, you can’t know how well your marketing campaign performed if you don’t track the results. While tracking engagement from direct mail can be more challenging than tracking through an email or website, it’s not impossible.

For physicals locations you can track your ROI by including a tear-off coupon on your mailings. Otherwise, online orders and leads can be traced through the use of landing pages or coupon codes.

How Much Does It Cost to Send Mailers?

Our direct mail self-mailers are an effective and affordable way to canvas an area in your target market. Postage for our magnetic mailers can be mailed for as low as 18.3 cents per piece. Whereas postcards mail at the standard postcard rate if you address and mail the cards yourself. Or you can save up to 70% off standard rates when utilizing Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM) Service through the USPS.

When Should Self-Mailers Not Be Used

If your target audience is another business, rather than an everyday consumer, then we don’t recommend you use another method of direct mail to reach your consumer base. While there are exceptions to every rule, the fact of the matter is that most companies screen the mail either at reception or in the mailroom to remove advertisements before they reach the intended recipient.

To skirt this issue, you can ensure your mail reaches the intended recipients by sending out magnetic mailers that offer value. Our magnetic mailers, such as our select magnetic sports schedules and year-at-a-glance calendars magnets, are more than just a marketing piece – they’re also a useful tool.

Need help with your direct mail marketing campaign? Learn how using our direct mailing service can save you time and money over doing it yourself! Also be sure to explore our posts on how to market your business for ways to reach customers and generate leads.

You can also subscribe to our newsletter for updates on sales and new marketing products. As well as follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Why Magnetic Knife Blocks are a Great Way to Store Knives

10/27/2021

There are lots of great ways to store your knives. However, magnetic knife blocks are one of our favorite kitchen storage solutions! Just as it’s important to properly store cutting boards to maintain their lifespan, knives also need extra care.

Keep reading to learn the different ways to store knives in your kitchen. And discover the benefits of choosing a magnetic knife block over other available options.

How to Store Knives

How you store your kitchen knives and cutlery is extremely important. Improper knife storage can dull the blades of your knifes more quickly than if stored properly. Storing knives correctly is also important for safety concerns. Loose knives in a drawer are an easy way to accidentally cut yourself.

To protect your knife blades and avoid accidents, knife storage separate from your other utensils and kitchen tools is a must. This keeps them from bumping into other items and damaging the edge. It also protects fingers from unintentional cuts.

Here are the ways you can store knives in your kitchen:

Knife sheaths are a simple, yet effective way to store knives. This product is a basic sleeve that slips onto the entirety of the knife blade to protect both the knife and the user when it’s not in use. Sheaths are designed specifically for the knife model you are purchasing. Therefore, if your knife wasn’t sold with a sheath, this is likely not an option for storage.
Similar to an artist’s roll up case used for paintbrushes and writing utensils, a chef’s knife roll bag is another off-the-counter option for storing your cutlery. Well suited for travel, leather is the ideal material for this product. They are used to protect knives from moisture, knicks and scratches when being transported from one location to another.
Knife blocks are the most common way to store knives in the kitchen. While most people buy a knife block set with the knives included, you can also buy knife blocks without knives to build your collection over time. There are several types of knife blocks you can buy to store your knives. These include upright wood knife blocks, in-drawer knife blocks, universal knife blocks, magnetic knife blocks, and under the cabinet knife blocks.
Finally, magnetic knife strips or holders are another option for kitchen knife storage. This style of holder is wall-mounted and easy to keep clean. However, they do expose your cutlery to dirt and dust and there’s no enclosure.

Magnetic Knife Blocks

We love the advantages magnetic knife blocks offer when storing kitchen cutlery. While there are numerous types of blocks available for purchase, our favorite are wooden magnetic knife blocks. Not only is wood a beautiful material for displaying these everyday kitchen tools, but they also provide better blade protection over metal blocks.

Why You Should Choose a Magnetic Knife Block for Your Kitchen

Magnetic knife blocks offer several benefits that you won’t get from a traditional wooden knife block.

Because magnetic knife blocks don’t have interior knife slots, they’re easier to clean and therefore more hygienic. It’s challenging to clean the interior of a traditional knife block. Therefore, dust, debris and bacteria may accumulate inside.
They dry quickly as they have a large flat surface area versus slots where moisture may get trapped.
Magnetic knife blocks come in a variety of designs and styles. So, it’s easy to find one that works for you as a decorative storage solution!
Unlike blocks with slots, the magnetic version can hold any size or style of knife. You aren’t committed to your chef’s knife going only in the designated spot. Without limitations to the number of knives of a certain size, you have more options.
If you have other stainless steel kitchen tools, you can use your knife block to hold these instruments as well. So, your pizza cutter or kitchen shears can also be kept handy for daily use. Or use it to safely store your Ulu knife if you’ve lost the sheath to your blade.
They are a convenient way to organize and store your knives, so they remain within easy reach and are always readily accessible.
Magnetic knife blocks help to keep your blades sharp. Unlike wood knife blocks, they aren’t accidentally rubbing against wood when being inserted inside a knife slot. They also won’t rattle against once one another which can damage the edge.
Furthermore, magnetic blocks fit neatly on your kitchen countertop. So, there are no holes to drill in the wall as with magnetic knife strips.

How Do Magnetic Knife Blocks Work?

Just like regular wooden knife blocks, magnetic knife blocks sit on your counter and provide a place to store and organize your cutlery. Rather than providing a slot for each different type of knife however, you attach your knives directly to the face or sides of the block depending upon the style.

To make this type of knife block functional, it contains either a medium or heavy-duty strength magnet inside the block to hold the knives in place. Neodymium magnets, also known as rare earth magnets, are most commonly used for this application as they are incredibly strong and reliable.

The magnets used are contained and hidden inside the knife block, surrounded by either wood, metal or plastic, to provide a decorative exterior for display. Not only are magnetic knife blocks a beautiful and functional way to store your prized cutlery, but they are also a safe storage solution for knives.

How to use a Magnetic Knife Block

To store knives using this method, simply place the knife onto the block. The magnet inside will then hold it securely in place until it’s ready to use.

For countertops blocks, we advise placing the knives on the block with the handle facing upwards and the blade facing down toward the counter. This will help to prevent cuts from accidentally grabbing the wrong end of the knife. When placing knives onto the block, set the back end of the knife on the block first, so the sharpened blade lands on it last.

To remove a knife, take it by the handle and gently pull it off the block. As you do so, slightly twist the knife as you pull so that the side with the blade comes off the block first. By doing this, you avoid scraping the blade against the block and hastening the dulling of the blade.

In addition, you want to take care not to overload the block with knives. We recommend you leave ample space between each blade for your own safety as well as to protect the integrity of the blades. By providing room between the knives, you help to prevent them accidentally bumping against one another and chipping or damaging the metal.

Are Magnetic Knife Blocks Bad for Knives?

Magnetic blocks are a wonderful way to store knives. But are they bad for your knives? As long as you are using a well-made, quality wooden magnetic knife block, this storage solution isn’t bad for your knives. When used correctly, they are a sturdy solution to keep your cutlery organized when not in use without risking damage to the blades.

Additionally, there is no evidence to suggest that magnets damage knife blades over time.

Are Magnetic Knife Holders Safe?

Magnetic knife holders are a safe solution for storing knives. Not only do they keep your knives stable to avoid damage to the blade, but they also are more sanitary than a traditional wooden block.

For the best results, we recommend that you choose a wood magnetic knife block for storage. This ensures the magnet is strong and durable enough to last. Cheap magnets will lose their holding power over time and can cause knives to slip or fall.

How to Clean a Wooden Magnetic Knife Block

Cleaning a regular wood knife block can be tedious. Not only do you have to soak the block in a mild bleach (or vinegar) solution to kill bacteria that may be lingering inside the slots, but you also need to take care that it dries thoroughly so there’s no mold growth.

Wooden magnetic knife blocks on the other hand don’t have slots that collect food particles or debris. As there are no holes to contend with, cleaning a magnetic block is a lot easier. Simply clean your block with hot soapy water, then dry with a clean dishtowel.

Where to Buy Wood Magnetic Knife Blocks

The magnetic wood knife block from LifeLong Gifts is an ideal way to store your knives and kitchen cutlery sets. This stunning, universal knife block is crafted from richly hued, environmentally friendly rubberwood. Measuring 11.75” wide by 8.75” tall, the sleek design makes it perfect for any countertop. While its eye-catching design provides a beautiful way to display your knives.

Compatible with most knives (not all knives stick to magnets depending on the materials used to make them) this artful block also boasts a keepsake medallion on the side of the block. This medallion can be engraved to create unique client gifts with your choice of personalization. Or buy one for your own kitchen along with our amazing custom cutlery!

Explore more amazing products from LifeLong Gifts for lifelong gift ideas! Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on new products and sales. Or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more great solutions for your household kitchen needs.

How Custom Magnets Can Help Grow Your Business

10/26/2021

Learn how creating and distributing custom magnets can help your marketing strategy. Regardless of your industry, promotional refrigerator magnets are an easy and cost-effective way to reach prospective clients and help you stay top-of-mind year-round.

Keep reading to discover how to use magnets to grow your company. Plus, explore the many options available to create custom magnets for business.

Why Custom Fridge Magnets are Good for Marketing

Nearly everyone uses magnets. Magnets are so common, in fact, they’re pretty much a part of our daily lives – even if we don’t realize it. Because most of us use magnets on our filing cabinet at work or our fridge at home, you can easily promote your business by creating custom magnets to advertise.

Here are the ways that using custom magnets for business can help you grow:

They’re an affordable magnetic marketing solution that promotes your business or service for the life of the product.
Because most people keep magnets on their refrigerator, your contact information is always handy and easily accessible.
Promotional magnets are a cost-effective way to advertise. Therefore, even the smallest businesses can afford to utilize them as part of their marketing strategy.
It’s the perfect way to stay top-of-mind throughout the year. This is especially true when you provide your customers or potential clients with calendar magnets or sports schedules that they commonly reference.
Printed magnets are easy to hand out and make great promo gifts for swag bags, open houses, and networking events. They’re also small and flat enough that you can use them as part of your direct mail marketing.
Home reference magnets with safety tips, wine pairings and kitchen conversations are incredibly popular as they provide a quick solution when seeking information. By branding magnets that customers will use, you help to build your brand through repetition.
Not only are custom refrigerator magnets a cost-effective marketing tool for your business, but customers also love receiving them! Customers use magnets to decorate their fridge, display their children’s artwork or for quick reference. By filling a need through branded magnetic photo frames or school schedules, you receive daily targeted promotion at no additional cost.
88% of business cards are tossed within the first week. You can ensure your information stays in the hands (or rather on the fridge) of clients longer by making them magnetic and incorporating a colorful design. Magnetic business cards literally stick around longer than their paper counterparts. Therefore, they’re a wise investment if you go this route.

Custom Magnetic Marketing Products

It’s important to brand your business. An easy way to do this is through affordable magnetic marketing. Our custom refrigerator magnets are a great way to boost brand awareness and stay top-of-mind.

Therefore, we offer a wide range of magnets to help you reach prospects and reconnect with customers. Here are the types of products we offer to assist you with your marketing goals.

Magnetic Calendars

The success of your business depends on consistency in marketing. However, that doesn’t mean you need to stick to a traditional approach. Redefine your promotional marketing strategy and impress clients and prospects with our line of magnetic calendars.

In business for over 30 years, we are home to the original tear-off magnetic calendars for real estate agents. In addition to tear-off calendars, we also provide peel and stick magnet calendars, year-at-a-glance calendars and mid-year calendars that work for every industry or profession.

Our line of calendar magnets can be mailed or distributed in person as indispensable marketing tools. We help REALTORS®, mortgage agents, healthcare providers, sales professionals and other related industries drive your long-term marketing goals to success!

You can discover ways to use calendars for business promotion here. Or learn more about how tear-off calendars can build your brand here.

Sports Schedule Magnets

Sports fans are the most devoted and loyal people out there. Whether it's football, basketball, baseball or hockey, every community has a team to support - and a team to hate. If your town has a beloved team, appeal to their passions with sports schedule magnets.

Our football schedules are extremely popular as magnetic marketing products especially among REALTORS®. (We have a lot of Patriots fans out there!) However, we also offer sports schedules for hockey, golf, basketball, racing, baseball, and soccer.

All our magnetic sports schedules can be customized with the team or teams of your choosing. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes including helmets, footballs, and house-shaped magnets. Choose from pro teams, college teams or even create a schedule for your local high school!

Custom Magnets for Fridge

When your contacts are ready for your services, they'll know exactly where to find you — the fridge! Our lineup of custom refrigerator magnets provides a simple and effective marketing message.

In addition to providing a personalized magnet with your business details, we also offer a variety of themes for both and business and personal use. Here are just some of the many choices we offer:

General use
Home & Real Estate
Save the Date
Restaurant
Spiritual
Medical, Dental & Veterinarian
Motivational quotes
Household Reference Magnets
Magnetic memo boards
School schedule magnets
Event schedules
Appointment card magnets
Milestone magnets for weddings, save-the-date, and reunions

Custom Magnets for Cars

Custom car magnets are another great way to get the word out! You can use car magnets to support a cause or your child’s sports team. Or promote your business on the go. Whether you use a print-ready file or one of our pre-designed themes, we can help you be seen!

All of our custom magnets for cars come with brilliant, full-color printing and an 18-month colorfast warranty.

Magnetic Bookmarks

Better than traditional bookmarks, our customizable magnetic bookmarks also double as a business card. The perfect gift or promotional item for avid readers, our exclusive MagMark™ magnetic business cards and Jumbo MagMarks™ boast an ultra-durable, velvety PLUSH™ finish that’s soft to the touch.

Featuring a revolutionary die-cut design, these bookmarks feature strong magnets that snap together to keep the place in your book. They can also be used in place of paperclips.

Choose from a range of stunning designs. Then personalize these magnetic marketing products with your contact information for quick and easy reference when your services are needed.

Custom Magnetic Notepads

Everyone uses notepads! Whether it’s for making grocery shopping lists, reminders or honey-do lists for your significant other, notepads are essential to daily life. Put a magnet on the back and you’ve just made this memo pad essential!

Our custom magnetic notepads are always well received by both clients and prospects. Not only are they practical and inexpensive, but they are also a great way to get recognition and keep your name fresh in clients’ minds.

Business Card Magnets

Get your business cards out of people’s wallets and onto the fridge with our custom business card magnets. Boasting a glossy finish and full-color printing, these non-toxic magnets are a great way to keep your contact details in daily view and out of the waste bin.

Magnetic Bottle Openers

If you want to give a really useful custom magnet, our magnetic bottle openers are a great choice! These customized bottle openers feature a heavy-duty magnet, so they easily attach to the fridge or a home bar. They also have a tapered edge for safely opening boxes.

Personalize this marketing magnets with your business information or a unique message to really make an impact.

Design Your Own Custom Magnets

Want the creative freedom that comes with designing your own custom magnets from scratch? Create the magnets you’ve been dreaming of with Magnets USA® custom magnets feature.

Offering a wide range of shapes and sizes for your own unique designs, we make it easy to find a magnet to suit your purpose. So, whether you’re creating promotional magnets for your business, a fundraiser or a special event, our magnetic products are the perfect choice when you don’t want to be tied to a pre-existing format.

From magnetic photo frames and photo magnets to van shaped refrigerator magnets and house-shaped magnetic cards, our options are boundless. We even offer the ability to create your own custom magnet shapes.

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Give us a call at (800) 869-7562 and we’ll assist you in creating the perfect product for your needs! Or shop from our existing bulk custom magnets here.

To learn more about our promotional magnetic products and business services, subscribe to our newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Top Safety Tips for Thanksgiving for a Safe, Happy Holiday

10/22/2021

Discover our top Thanksgiving safety tips for a happy and healthy holiday. This post covers precautions to take when cooking, traveling, and preparing food for your guests.

Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is a top day for cooking related fires in the home. There also tend to be a lot more kitchen and travel accidents this time of year. To help avoid turning your holiday upside-down with a mishap, we rounded up a collection of the best Thanksgiving safety tips. These tips are just a basic reminder of where you need to take extra precautions to keep you and your family safe. So, you can simply enjoy a well fed and happy holiday without incident!

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

When you think about Thanksgiving, staying safe likely isn’t something that automatically springs to mind. (Unless maybe you have relatives that terrify you every holiday for one reason or another.)

However, cooking fires are common this time year, with Thanksgiving being a peak day for cooking fires. Not only are more people spending time in the kitchen preparing for guests, but there are also a lot of folks who are making Thanksgiving dinner themselves for the very first time.

Therefore, in order to help you avoid any unanticipated surprises, as well as any potential disasters such as a kitchen fire, we’ve put together a list of our top Thanksgiving safety tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Cooking and Fire Safety

This is probably the #1 safety tip when cooking Thanksgiving dinner as it seems to be a common occurrence. If you’re planning to deep fry your Thanksgiving turkey, make sure it has completely thawed before adding it to the hot oil. Otherwise, it will explode. (Case in point.)
Don’t leave your home while you have the turkey cooking in the oven. Fires can happen while you’re away and you won’t know until it’s too late. You should also check on your turkey regularly.
Just as you taught when you were a child, never leave food cooking unattended on the stovetop. Pots can boil over or food may overcook and burn.
Keep small children out of the kitchen while you’re preparing dinner. If they’re old enough to help with tasks, then make sure they stay at least three feet from the stove to avoid accidental burns.
Avoid leaving candles lit in empty rooms where you can’t keep an eye out for fires. You also don’t want to leave kids alone in a room where you have candles burning.
Don’t leave knives, matches, or lighters out where children have easy access. When parents are busy with tasks for holiday preparations, kids’ inquisitive nature can sometimes get the best of them.

Double check your smoke alarms to ensure they are in proper working order. You can easily test them by pushing the test button.
Take care to keep electrical cords contained. You don’t want them to hang off the counter where they can be grabbed by little hands. And you definitely don’t want to trip over a stray cord yourself.
Never try to put out a kitchen fire with water. Instead, invest in a small fire extinguisher or keep baking soda on hand.
Take care to keep belongings picked up off the floor to avoid tripping.
More than 300K people end up in the ER each year from knife lacerations. Therefore, be extra cautious when using cutlery and avoid being distracted when you have a blade in hand.
Put your phone down while cooking! Research shows that distractions while cooking most often result in knife-related injuries.

Food Safety Tips for Thanksgiving

Foodborne illness is never fun. Not only do we want to protect ourselves from getting sick unnecessarily, it’s also vital that we keep our pets in mind as well. Here are some simple rules to follow this Thanksgiving to ensure food safety.

Always wash your hands well with soap and water after handling raw poultry.
You should also use separate cutting boards for preparing raw meat and produce to avoid cross contamination.
Cook your turkey thoroughly to avoid illness cause by under-cooked meat. It’s recommended by the USDA that you cook your bird a minimum of no less than 325°F. It’s safe to consumer once it reaches an internal temperature of 165 to 180 degrees.
Leftovers should be put away in the fridge within two hours for food safety. Anything that’s been left out too long should be tossed.
Don’t feed pets remnants from your Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey and chicken bones are a huge choking hazard for pets. Dogs should also not be given anything that contains onions, leeks, garlic, raisins, grapes, or chocolate, as these foods are toxic to your furry friends and can cause health problems.

Thanksgiving Travel Safety Tips

Most of us travel for the holidays. Whether we’re visiting friends or family or need to make that last minute run to the grocery store, it’s important to be cautious and extra diligent on the holiday. Following are our best Thanksgiving safety tips to consider when you travel.

40% of car accidents that occur over a holiday are caused by driving under the influence. Therefore, don’t drink and drive. If you’ve been drinking, call a ride or get a sober friend to drive you home.
Many of us travel for the holiday season. However, weather conditions this time of year are constantly changing. Be prepared and keep an emergency kit in your car. We also recommend the 5-in-1 LifeTool which comes equipped with a tire pressure gauge, glass breaker, seat belt cutter, LED light, and compass.
If you are traveling to visit friends and family, make sure to plan your route ahead of time. You should also make sure your vehicle is properly maintained. This includes checking things like oil life, tire pressure and brakes.
Make sure to wear seatbelts when traveling and never text and drive.
Stay aware of changing weather conditions to avoid unsafe situations. You should also look up the weather forecast prior to traveling or solidifying plans.

We hope you found our Thanksgiving safety tips helpful! For more ways to stay safe and help protect your friends, family and community, be sure to check out our emergency and safety tip magnets. These custom magnets can be personalized with your business information. So, they’re a great way to look out for your neighbor, while also staying in the forefront of your customers’ minds.

Stay up to date on everything Magnets USA® has to offer! Make sure you follow us on Facebook or Instagram. Or subscribe to our emails.

7 Keepsake Memory Box Ideas for Your Favorite Mementos

10/20/2021

Learn how to make a memory box to mark important occasions in your life, or that of a loved one. Plus, explore our ideas on what to put inside a keepsake box to preserve your memories and important mementos for years to come.

How to Make a Memory Box

It’s easy to make a memory box for keepsakes related to a celebratory event, to mark a happy period in your life or to remember someone who has passed. Not only will this treasured box hold your memories and keep them safe, but it’s also a wonderful way to revisit these keepsakes later.

To create a memory box, all you need is a quality, wooden keepsake box and the materials you’d like to put inside. While you can purchase inexpensive boxes and then decorate them yourselves, we love the quality and personalization available with the keepsake boxes from Magnets USA.

These wood boxes are crafted from beautiful American Cherry or Walnut wood. Available in a variety of themes and designs, these boxes and can be professionally engraved as an elegant and easy way to store your most valued treasures, recipes, photographs, and mementos.

What to Put in a Keepsake Box

What you put in a keepsake box depends on the theme you settle on for your memories. In the end, however, it’s all up to you! This is your box! Therefore, you can fill it with anything that’s sentimental or meaningful to you.

We love curating our boxes with a theme in mind so that they tell a story. However, you can also slowly add elements that have personal meaning to your keepsake boxes over time.

To help you out, we’ve pulled together some great memory box ideas along with suggestions as to what to include inside. We hope you enjoy these ideas for keeping and passing down little treasures of your memories.

Memory Box Ideas

Need ideas for memory boxes? Whether you’re creating a keepsake box for yourself or giving one as a personalized gift, these themes are all great choices!

Memory Box Ideas for Baby

New moms will appreciate being the recipient of a memory box for their baby! After all, childhood passes by so quickly, it’s important to mark new milestones to preserve for when they’re grown. While parents will appreciate receiving a memory box for their child, it’s also something they’ll likely fill themselves over time to mark baby’s first year.

Common items to include in a keepsake box for a child include a lock of hair, newborn footprints, the hospital wristband, that first pair of baby booties, and physical photographs. You can also include a newspaper announcement from their birth, congratulation baby cards, or a coin from the year they were born.

As they grow, things can be added such as a first tooth, a favorite stuffed animal, awards or certificates, artwork, and school pictures.

Wedding Keepsake Box Ideas

Your wedding is a day to be remembered. As one of the most important days of your life, marking the occasion with a wedding keepsake box is a wonderful way to reflect back and share those treasured memories.

When making a memory box for your wedding, you can include any number of items from the date inside. Things like dried flowers from the bride’s bouquet or the groom’s boutonniere, the wedding cake topper, a garter belt, and a groom’s bowtie are all wonderful choices. You can also add a copy of the vows you wrote for one another along with a copy of your invitation or save-the-date cards or wedding cards you received from guests. Even a napkin or wedding favor make great additions.

Memory Box Ideas for Couples

Similar to a wedding memory box, you can also make one for your relationship. Take the time to have your most treasured photographs printed from your phone to put inside so they aren’t lost down the road. You can also include love letters you’ve written to one another, travel journals, and ticket stubs from memorable events.

In addition, you can also create a combination wedding/couples treasure box that highlights both trinkets from your wedding and your many adventures afterwards. Anything that highlights your love for another, including those honeymoon souvenirs, are fair game for a fascinating trip down memory lane later in life.

Travel Keepsake Box Ideas

Whether you took the trip of a lifetime across the world or simply took that big vacation to Disney, these are the types of memories you want to preserve forever. In addition to physical photographs of your journey, ticket stubs, maps and souvenirs are all easy adds. We also love the idea of including shells from a beach trip, as well as postcards or thimbles from the places you visited.

Memory Box Ideas for Graduation

Graduations, and other special occasions, are a big deal. Yearbooks alone often aren’t enough to hold all the memories of school friends and those noteworthy moments from high school or college.

Report cards or transcripts from senior year, awards or certificates, graduation cap or tassel, and photos are all great options for a college or high school memory box. And, of course, graduation cards you received from friends and family are another great addition.

Birthday Memory Box Ideas

Like graduation, birthdays are another great event to celebrate, especially for children as they grow. For a birthday memory box, we like to include tokens from the past year prior to the big day as well as items from your child’s actual birthday.

Therefore, you can put birthday cards and candles marking the occasion in a birthday memory box for a child. In addition, you can also add artwork they created or jewelry they recently grew out of, report cards, photographs of sports or activities they participated in – basically anything that’s special to the day or to your child as he or she has grown over the year.

Grief Memory Box Ideas

Whether you’ve lost a pet or a loved one, grief is hard. Keep the memories you have of that special person or pet alive with a memorial keepsake box.

For pets you can keep their collar and tag inside along with a favorite toy.

Otherwise, add your favorite mementos from the person you’ve lost. This could be letters and photos, their cherished trinkets or items, or even ticket stubs or their passport that reflect back on their travels and favorite pastimes. You can also tuck the funeral program inside the box along with dried funeral flowers, a printed copy of their obituary, sympathy cards, and any memorial gifts that you aren’t quite ready to process.

Anniversary Keepsake Box Ideas

Mark those memorable anniversary dates at 5, 10, 25 and 50 years together with an anniversary keepsake box! Wood is a traditional 5-year anniversary gift. Therefore, you can give an engraved keepsake box as a gift on its own to fill with treasures together.

A recent photo to mark the date is the perfect way to kick off this sentimental keepsake. You can also include photos or treasures from an anniversary trip or dinner out, anniversary cards you received from loved ones, a map of your city, photos of your home, love letters to one another remarking on the time you’ve spent together so far, a key to you home, pressed flowers or even a mixed CD of your favorite songs as a couple.

Other Ways to Use Small Wood Boxes

Our personalized wooden keepsake boxes can be used for more than just making a memory box. You can also use them for storage and organization. Here are some of our top ways to use our wood engraved boxes in your home.

To store jewelry
For storing tea bags or snacks
Organizing art supplies
As a recipe box
For storing change
Office supply organization
To organize and store photos

For personalized note card storage
As a small toybox for cards or trinkets
It makes a lovely gift box for a secondary gift
Use it as a container for a faux DIY flower arrangement
To store your collection of art cards
For bathroom organization
As a first-aid kit
Display it as home décor as part of an arrangement
To hold stainless steel cocktail straws or cocktail picks for your bar

We hope you enjoyed this post on how to make a keepsake box. To keep up-to-date on new products and sales we offer on our line of personalized products, subscribe to our newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

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