Cocktails For Mardi Gras

Posted February 10 2017 in Barware Cocktails Drinkware Lifestyle Mint Julep Cups Traditions
Tagged:Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Mint Julep Cup

Six Cocktails For Mardi Gras

If you will not make it to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, you can still have an enjoyable time at home. Mardi Gras is one of the biggest parties of the year. In French, Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday.” It is a time when people indulge in rich foods and libations before the Lenten season, which is filled with forty days of fasting. Here are six dynamite cocktails that will help you kick off a great celebration.

Cucumber Hurricane

Classic Mardi Gras colors are purple, green, and yellow. This is why a Cucumber Hurricane is an ideal drink to celebrate this special occasion. A Hurricane is a rum-based blend that will kick your party into high gear. Adding some lime flavoring brings a refreshing twist. To create this cocktail, mix ice, vodka, triple sec, and lime juice. Garnish the cup with cucumber slices as well.

Mint Julep

Although a mint julep is commonly served at the Kentucky Derby, it is a great drink to celebrate Mardi Gras. It is a traditional summer cocktail that will bring a cooling sensation to your party. A conventional mint julep requires bourbon, sugar, water, crushed ice, and sprigs of mint. Even though this beverage can be served in a highball glass or plastic cup, a true drinking connoisseur will want to enjoy this cocktail in a silver tumbler.

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The perfect Valentine’s Day Gifts

Posted February 1 2017 in Engraving Lifestyle Traditions
Tagged:gifts for her, gifts for him, love, valentines day, valentines day gifts

Chocolates and roses are some of the most traditional things to buy your loved ones during this romantic holiday, but both are perishable. Is your love perishable? We had hoped not. This Valentine’s Day give the special one in your life something that will last for years and show them you are thinking long-term.

We have gifts for both men and women that will make this year a little more memorable.  Speaking of memories, put a picture of that special moment or someone in a beautiful silver frame that can also be engraved for a personalized touch! We have many options to choose from and they make a great Valentine’s Day gift for either him or her.

Cunill Pearls Picture Frame

Picture Frames

The Cunill Pearls picture frame has an elegant beaded border along both the inner and outer portions of the frame. This frame is a great choice whether you’re having it personalized or not. There is ample room to engrave a date, anniversary, name, or even an endearing message for your beloved.

We have lots of other picture frames to choose from in sterling silver, silverplate, and frames for kids too!

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Silver Christening Gift Ideas

Posted January 9 2017 in Lifestyle Traditions
Tagged:Baby's First, Christening

Christening Gifts That Will Be Cherished for a Lifetime

Of all the opportunities to welcome someone into the family, our warmest, most heart-felt sentiments belong to our tiniest additions. No one can match the pride and excitement felt by new parents, but we all look forward to celebrating and sharing their happiness. This very special occasion calls for a special gift.

You want to give a unique present destined to be cherished for a lifetime. Even a traditional selection can be made into a personal showing of how much you care. The perfect christening gift is always given with love, so wrap your affection around these beautiful baby present ideas.

The Classic Silver Cup

Very few baby christening presents are as timeless as the classic silver baby cup. It’s simple and simply a must-have in every little one’s collection of sweet things. It’s elegant and a lovely addition to nursery shelf decor. Choose a tiny silver chalice with floral borders for the littlest lady, or present the youngest man with a classically designed cup. Please everyone with teddy bear motifs, double handles or gold inlays. Make your gift even more memorable by personalizing it with an engraved name, monogram or message.

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Flower Arrangement Tips For Your Next Table

Posted January 9 2017 in Lifestyle Traditions Uncategorized

Finding the Perfect Flowers for Your Table Arrangement

Floral table arrangements add a touch of elegance to dinner parties, holiday gatherings and other special events. Creating your own arrangements saves money and allows you to get creative color. You don’t have to be a pro to put together beautiful collections of flowers. A little planning is all it takes to get everything just right.

Consider the Season

The best flowers for any party are those currently in bloom. Instead of driving yourself crazy trying to find “exotic” flowers to grace your tables, look for seasonal flowers the same way you shop for seasonal produce. Some of the most popular flowers by season are:

• Spring: anemones, apple blossoms, daffodils, hyacinths, lilacs, peonies, sweet pea, tulips and ranunculus
• Summer: alliums, chrysanthemums, forget-me-nots, foxglove, freesias, gardenias, hydrangeas, lavender, lilies and snapdragons
• Fall: aster, baby’s breath, dahlias, marigolds, orchids, Queen Ann’s lace, roses, sunflowers and zinnias
• Winter: amaryllis, carnations, holly, jasmine, poinsettias, star of Bethlehem, star gazer lilies and pansies

Keep in mind some seasonal flowers have very heavy scents. Stick with lightly scented or scent-free flowers to accommodate guests with allergies and sensitivities. Tulips, roses, lilies and ranunculus are all good choices.

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2016 CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS!

Posted May 31 2016 in Ornaments Traditions
Tagged:2016, 2016 Christmas Ornaments, candy cane, Christmas Decorations, Christmas Tree decorations, Sleigh Bell, snowflake, Wallace

Christmas Ornaments

Christmas Ornaments have long been a beautiful holiday tradition often spanning multiple generations. Some families collect Candy Canes and some Snowflakes. We offer a wide variety of ornaments so weather you are looking for this years version of your collection or to start a new tradition, we have you covered. Here are a few of the hottest selling and most delightful up and coming ornaments we carry!

2016 Wallace Sleigh Bell

The 2016 Wallace Sleigh Bell

The 2016 Wallace Silverplate Sleigh Bell Christmas ornament is the 46th Edition. This year the bell features a design of shooting stars around the bell which is embossed with the year 2016. The Wallace Sleigh Bell is one of the best-selling collectible silver Christmas tree ornaments and makes a perfect personalized Christmas decoration.

Handcrafted in fine silverplate, this silver bell Christmas decoration measures 2-3/4 inch tall by 2-1/2 inch wide. There is a nice gift box included with one red ribbon and one white ribbon for hanging and it is made in the USA. It also includes a nice soft pouch for safekeeping.

2016 Gorham Snowflake

The 2016 Gorham Snowflake

This heirloom quality Gorham sterling silver 2016 Snowflake Christmas ornament will be a elegant addition to your home and christmas décor. The snowflake comes with a red ribbon that will add a beautiful touch of joy to a holiday package, tree or mantel. This is the 47th Edition of the treasured annual collectible.

The Gorham Snowflake ornament measures approximately 3-3/4 inches high by 3 inches wide. This snowflake is one of our best-selling ornaments across all silver manufacturers.

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HOLIDAY ORNAMENT TRADITION

Posted December 18 2013 in Ornaments Traditions
Tagged:Christmas Ornaments, Gold Ornaments, Holiday Ornaments, Silver Ornaments

We love traditions at the Silver Superstore, and love to hear about yours!  Here is a special tradition from one of our customers:

Here are the Christmas crosses that I started giving my daughter in 1979. She anticipates receiving one every year.  Because she now lives in Paris, she doesn’t have the silver trees I originally gave her to display them on at Christmas.  Rather, they now put them on the actual tree.  Also, they carefully count them as they go on and as they come off each year to make sure that none are thrown out accidentally.

My son, Matthew, who lives in Texas has the same collection which was started in 1986.  Because they are closing on their new home on December 23, no trees will be up this year!!!  Next year I will help them put all of their trees up, 2 silver, one real green one and the oldest of all, a very special Poor Man’s Tree that my grandfather made for my sister and me just before I was born.  Thank you for your interest in the family tradition of collecting the Reed and Barton Christmas Crosses.   My grandchildren will inherit some very beautiful ornaments some time long into the future.

Merry Christmas to you, your family and the staff at the Silver SuperStore.

Suzanne Vax Laverdiere

Top Silver Ornament gifts for Christmas 2013

Posted November 6 2013 in Ornaments Traditions

Silver ornaments are classic holiday decorations and collectibles, and make excellent gifts for friends, family, or even yourself. Below are just a few of the most sought after silver ornaments this year.

The 2013 Wallace Sleigh Bell

IDEAL GIFT IDEAS FOR MOTHERS’ DAY

Posted May 1 2013 in Gifts Lifestyle Traditions
Tagged:dresser sets, Gifts for Mom, keepsake box, key chain, lipstick case, Mother's Day Gifts, purse mirrors

Mothers’ Day is quickly approaching and if you are like me, then you are trying to scramble to find the best gift idea for your mom that will beat last year’s gift.  Today, I thought I would give you a few words of encouragement before you brave the elements and find a gift for the woman who brought you into this world. Let’s start with a few ideas that I think you and your mother will enjoy this Mothers’ Day:

Lipstick Case

Nickelplate Gift by Sheridan

Chic, handy, and useful is the way to describe this 3.5″ long hinged lipstick case. This lipstick case is a full 1.25″ wide, so it holds most lipsticks easily inside the non-tarnishing, nickel plated case. This case also features a handy mirror inside the lid.

This nickel plated lipstick case is perfect for just about any woman on your gift list. You can make this item personal to the recipient by adding custom engraving. Add the item to your cart to view engraving options. This case comes gift boxed.

Oval Locket Key Chain

Nickelplate Gift by Sheridan

This oval shaped hinged locket key chain holds 2 photos approximately 1″ x 1.25″. Keep those treasured photos with you when you are on the go. The oval locket measures 1.75″ x 1.5″. The ring is about 1.375″ diameter. The bright silver finish is nickel plated and will not tarnish.

You can make this locket key chain personal to the recipient by adding custom engraving. Add a keychain to your cart to view engraving options. This item comes gift boxed.

Purse Mirrors

Silverplate Gifts

Made in silver plate, these purse mirrors are wonderful gifts for the women in your life. Give them to your bridesmaids to say thank you. Give them to your best friends, just because. At this price, give one to yourself too!

Botanic Flower

Cast Aluminum Serveware by Mikasa

Invite the essence of nature into your home with the Botanic Flower Collection from Mikasa. Each piece in this collection is exquisitely crafted in embossed metal. The collection is inspired by the gentle curving of branches, curling of petals, and sloping of leaves found in nature. Experience the timeless beauty that is Botanic Flower and create a stylishly casual setting every time you entertain.

Constructed of durable and food safe cast aluminum, these pieces never require polishing. All you need to do is simply hand-wash with mild soap and dry with a soft cloth.

Beaded Dresser Set

Nickel Plated Gifts by Sheridan

This Sheridan Beaded Nickel Plated Dresser set is an excellent quality 3-piece set that features a handled mirror, a brush with soft off-white bristles and a comb. This set has a beaded border design which allows for room for a personalized engraving on the mirror and brush for that special woman. This set is made of a non-tarnish bright nickel plated finish.

Peony Keepsake Box

by Reed and Barton

Decorated with a raised peony floral design in beautiful silverplate. This heirloom quality keepsake box features a navy blue velvet lining on the inside. Measures 6-1/2″ in length, and includes an elegant gift box.

These are just a few items we offer that could be perfect for your mother. If you still need help finding that perfect gift please feel free to call 1-800-426-3057 to get a hold of one of our wonderful sales staff who are always happy to help you.

Selecting a cake set fit for a Royal Wedding

Posted May 1 2013 in Engraving Gifts Lifestyle Traditions
Tagged:Cake Set, Wedding Cake Set, Wedding Set

Mikasa Love Story Cake Set

The Royal Wedding may be over for between Prince William and Kate Middleton, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t create your own royal wedding, starting with with a few tips on selecting the perfect cake set.

If you are planning to give a cake set as a gift for a couple on their wedding day, or looking for a cake set for your own wedding,  the process of searching for the right set can be time consuming and difficult without some help along the way.

Below are a few steps to take when searching for the right cake set:

Step one – Choose your Style

When choosing the correct style of cake set for your wedding, whether it is sterling silver, silver plated, or a durable stainless steel, the goal to remember these items will last longer than the cake in preserving the memory of the wedding. Therefore, it is great to match the cake set to style of the wedding and the cake itself.

Step two – Decide on the Design

There are a variety of different shapes, weights, sizes, and patterns you can choose from for your cake set.  Also, as a rule of thumb is if the wedding is featuring a round cake, using a triangle server works best.  A square cake however,  requires a square cake server.  Take in consideration the main theme of the wedding:  the colors, floral arrangements, and anything else that will stand out in helping you pick the perfect cake set.

Step three – Narrow down your Search

Now you have a few favorite cake sets and you have the challenging task of deciding on the right one. Here are a few categories you may want to consider to make the choice a bit easier:

Price – How much you are willing to spend? The range of cake sets can go from $20 to hundreds of dollars. Determine your budget, and then find the highest quality and best looking sets within your price range.

Quality – From stainless steel to sterling silver, wedding knives and cake serving sets are available in many different materials. Some even have plastic or wooden handles. Certain sets are higher quality than others and will last much longer. Determine what you like and what you can afford.

Longevity –  Is the set timeless enough that you could use it again (say, for a special anniversary)?

Step four- Get it Engraved!

Many couples opt to have their wedding knife and cake server set engraved, often with their names, initials, or wedding date. If you have your heart set on engraving, make sure you find out if the retailer you plan to purchase the set from offers engraving services.  This will avoid the additional step of engraving your cake set later.

Hopefully this helps with your hunt to find a cake set fit for royalty. However, if you still have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at 800-426-3057

History of the Mint Julep

Posted April 3 2013 in Drinkware Lifestyle Mint Julep Cups Traditions
Tagged:Juleps, kentucky derby, Mint Julep, Mint Julep Cup, Silver Mint Julep Cup, Sterling Julep Cup

History of the Mint Julep

The Mint Julep Cocktail has been promoted by Churchill Downs in association with the Kentucky Derby since 1938. In a contract arrangement between the Brown-Forman Corporation and Churchill Downs, the Mint Julep Cocktail was designated “official drink of the Kentucky Derby”. Each year almost 120,000 Mint Juleps are served at Churchill Downs over the two-day period of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby, virtually all of them in specially made Kentucky Derby collectible cups.

A Traditional Drink

The term “Julep” is generally defined as a sweet drink, particularly one used as a vehicle for medicine.  A Mint Julep is traditionally made with four ingredients: mint leaf, bourbon, sugar and water. Traditionally, spearmint is the mint of choice used in southern states. This mint and sugar combo is very similar to a mojito.

The Mint Julep Cup

The Mint Julep Cup is very popular throughout the South, and has long been a symbol of achievement, esteem, and prestige. For over 200 years

Mint Julep Cups

Americans have used their Julep cups at events like christenings, weddings, fairs and of course, the races.  Traditionally, Mint Juleps cups are made in sterling silver, silverplate, or pewter. These cups are held only by the bottom and top edges of the cup, as this allows frost to form on the outside of the cup.

Many of the southern states have their own unique and distinctive cup styles, including Classic, Beaded, and Threaded. Best known is the Classic style from Kentucky; the Classic American beaker was remade into a Julep Cup with a straight body lines and graceful moldings at the base and rim. This Kentucky Mint Julep Cup originates from early American Silversmiths and craftsmen Asa Blanchard of Lexington and William and Archibald Cooper of Louisville.  Nowadays, these  styles are manufactured by the world’s most prestigious silversmiths like Godinger, Empire, and Reed & Barton.

Here are a few links to recipes for different Mint Juleps.  As we approach the Kentucky Derby this year, perhaps you might want to join in the tradition and enjoy a frosty Mint Julep!

• The “perfect” Mint Julep

• Traditional Mint Julep recipe

• Ultimate Mint Julep recipe