Archive for the “Traditions” Category

2016 CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS!

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

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

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

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

ornaments-300x139Here 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

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 Bellwallacesleighbell-300x300

The handcrafted, silverplated Wallace Sleigh Bell is one of the most sought after ornaments year after year. Now in its 43rd edition, the 2013 Wallace Sleigh Bell continues this trend. The reasons are simple. It exudes charm, and is a quintessential symbol of the holiday spirit. The Wallace Sleigh Bell is the near perfect ornament to gift as it can be engraved with a personal message. It comes in sterling silver, goldplate, and the ever popular silverplate versions, making it the silver holiday collectible for every budget.

 

The 2013 Gorgorhamsnowflake-300x300ham Snowflake

The 2013 Gorham Snowflake features a multi-faceted design which beautifully reflects the lights surrounding it. The 44th edition of this sterling silver ornament is as unique as any snowflake, and lends a graceful presence nestled in your tree or as its own holiday display. Whether you are adding to your collection or beginning a new family custom, the annual Gorham snowflake is a revered holiday tradition.

 

The 2013 Reed and Barton Annual Christmas Bellrbannualbell-300x300

Reed and Barton’s 2013 Annual Christmas Bell is another superb gift choice for the holidays. This silverplated bell comes engraved with “Christmas 2013”, but is also easily personalized with a message for your friends and loved ones. The sound it produces is timeless, as is its mirror finish which catches every flicker of your fireplace or Christmas tree. Simple and classic, it is no wonder why so many choose to hear this silver bell ringing in their home every year.

IDEAL GIFT IDEAS FOR MOTHERS’ DAY

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

Mikasa Love Story Cake 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

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

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!

A story of custom engraving

Something for the kids | A story of custom engraving

This past year I was blessed to become a mother of two beautiful twin girls. It was love at first sight and since their birth I have been looking for ways to give back to them. I looked for something that would physically connect us even when my husband and I were no longer around. This is when I heard about custom engraving of metals such as silver and thought that I would look into it. When I began to dig deeper into it I immediately fell in love with the idea. Regardless I did not want a generic product with both my daughter’s name in a boring cursive typeface. I wanted something that stood out so I began my search and eventually found custom engraving at silversuperstore done by Silver Superstore.

Custom engraving on the Empire Silver Girl's Brush and Comb Se

Empire Silver Girl’s Brush and Comb Set

When I began to look through Silver Superstore I saw a vast array of different products available that could be engraved and at first it was overwhelming to pick one because they all looked very nice. Then I saw the silver hair brushes that could be engraved. This was perfect for my twin girls. I could just envision years from now taking their engraved brushes and doing their hair and when they got older and my husband and I were no longer around they could continue using the brushes remembering what we gave to them.

When it came to the actual engraving we were presented with a vast array of different styles and fonts. We were not looking for anything boring, rather some fancy handwriting. Silver Superstore had us covered with some great fonts. Even if you like more simple options, the custom engraving also came with some really basic font options as well.

Next we had a great experience with the customer service, our children’s names are a little long so we were not sure if we could fit the name across the custom engraved hair brushes. When we called we spoke to a very polite individual who assured us everything would be fine. Once our orders came in we were actually very impressed with how well they were able to get the custom engraving onto the brushes.

Silver Superstore has done something for me that I will never be able to repay. They have created a beautiful link to their parents that our daughters will enjoy for a lifetime. Not only do they have a wide variety of options of items that you can engrave but you are also able to get different font styles. The friendly service really does top them off as well. I can confidently suggest to all my friends and family that they buy their custom engraved products from Silver Superstore from now on!