And with them come all the frustrations associated with doing our holiday shopping. From sitting in traffic to navigating huge crowds and standing in long lines, this is one aspect of the holidays none of us look forward to. Luckily, though, we can now do more shopping online than ever before. With lower shipping prices and better inventory management online retailers can finally pass meaningful savings on to us. And the best part is you can do all of your shopping from your home or office!
Watches have always made a great gift. Whether it’s for birthdays, anniversaries or just because, a quality timepiece lets your gift recipient know that you care. This year why not take a look at Bulova watches. They’re an age-old, dependable brand with stylish designs and near-flawless engineering. They’re more affordable than many of their competitors without sacrificing the quality and craftsmanship we’ve come to expect from Bulova.
In Freemasonry, a Blue Lodge is a lodge that works and teaches the first three Masonic degrees. The first three degrees, in order are:
1. Entered Apprentice – this is an initiate or new member. This is the degree that makes one a Freemason.
2. Fellow Craft – this is an intermediate degree and is the designation for those learning the rituals and life principles of Freemasonry.
3. Master Mason – this is the third and final degree of Masonry and is required to participate in most aspects of Lodge life and practice.
Whether you’ve reached one of these degrees or you know someone who has, Blue Lodge rings make great gifts and also serve as excellent reminders to the wearer of their affiliation with the Freemasons.
The name itself derives from the colors prevalent in Craft Lodges in English and Irish Freemasonry. Craft Lodges also teach and practice the first three degrees and are simply called Blue Lodges in the United States.
The Order of the Amaranth is a sister organization to the Freemasons. Founded in 1873 it derives its name from the name of Queen Christina of Sweden’s Court. It was originally founded by the Queen for the ladies and knights of her court. Then, in 1860, James Taylor of New Jersey drew upon this and founded the Masonic-affiliated Order of the Amaranth.
Rich in history and tradition, the Order requires that its members be at least 18 years of age, men who join must be Masons and women who join must be related to Masons. Originally conceived to be an Adoptive Rite of Masonry, the Order now encourages and reminds members of their duties to God and to their communities. Emphasizing God, country and fellow beings, members are urged to reflect the precept of The Golden Rule in their daily lives. Order of the Amaranth Rings are a great way to remind yourself of your devotion and make great gifts.
Born Ehrich Weiss on March 24, 1874 in Budapest, Hungary of Jewish background, Harry Houdini emigrated to the United States in 1878 where they lived in Appleton, Wisconsin. In addition to his skills in magic and escapology, Harry Houdini was a highly accomplished trapeze performer and inventor of the diving suit. Houdini also directed and starred in several silent motion pictures that capitalized on his reputation for illusion and mystery. Brother Houdini was initiated an an Entered Apprentice on July 17, 1923 and passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on July 31, 1923 and raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason on August 21, 1923 in St. Cecile Lodge No 568 in New York City. His last performance was at the Garrick Theatre in Detroit on October 12, 1926. The next day he was hospitalized at Grace Hospital where he died of peritonitis from a suspected ruptured appendix on Halloween, Oct 31, 1926 at the age of 52. Once you have been raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason, you are entitled to wear a Master Mason ring such as the ones shown at: Fox Jewelry.
Every high powered, successful businessman and businesswoman knows that appearance plays a role in success. Appearance isn’t everything, but it certainly helps you make a good impression during an interview, and it also helps enforce the idea that you’re a professional and serious worker. If you show up to work, however, in jeans and a tee shirt, and there is a dress code at your office, it can make you seem like you’re less than interested in your job.
Knowing how important this outward impression can be, make sure that one of your first investments into your business success is a wardrobe fully of high quality, conservative apparel. And don’t forget that the right accessories can also add another level of elegance and professionalism to your outfit. To create the right impression, avoid overly flashy or sparkly jewelry. Items like Masonic pendants are always acceptable, but avoid gaudy pieces in a professional setting.
I have just added our new line of sterling silver Masonic rings. They can be found at:http://foxjewelry.net/Sterling_Silver_Blue_Lodge_Masonic_Rings/c125/index.html
It’s always difficult to find a practical piece of jewelry that a guy will enjoy and wear. Guys just aren’t prone to wear necklaces, bracelets, or rings like women do. Here are a few jewelry gift ideas a guy is sure to like.
~Watches – a guy will wear a watch, it’s practical, it keeps the time, and it’s a status symbol. If you’re looking for a quality watch with aesthetic appeal, consider Seiko or Bulova watches.
~Cufflinks – though he might not wear it when he’s not in his suit, when he does wear his suit these are sure to be a great addition.
~Pins – a pin which can be displayed on the collar of a shirt or shirt pocket is a practical item that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. Armed forces and fraternal jewelry typically include lapel and other pin options.
Originally discovered by Henri Moissan in 1893, moissonite is a hard, transparent mineral also known as silicon carbide (SiC). Moissan and other scientists initially believed that moissanite could only be found in meteorites, but in the 1950s, deposits were found in diamond mines and rock formations in the US. Still, moissanite in its natural form is extremely rare.
Registering a 9.5 on the Mohs scale, moissanite is an extremely hard and durable mineral. Although it’s primarily used in moissanite jewelry, its hardness lends itself well to high-pressure experimentation. Since moissanite can be created synthetically relatively cheaply, and its thermal conductivity is comparable to that of diamonds, it’s an ideal alternative to diamonds in these situations.
Despite the fact that the Freemasons have been around for over 400 years, most of the inner workings of the organization remain shrouded in mystery—which is exactly the way they like it. In the past century, the public has been able to glean a fair amount of information on the religiously based group, but aside from the basic tenants of their philosophy and structure of their hierarchy, it’s difficult to find any substantive information. The Freemasons now have an estimated six million members from a variety of different “Grand Lodges” around the globe.
The stonemason symbols, which have become synonymous with the freemasons, have several connotations. Since the organization is religiously affiliated, there are obvious allegories to building relationships with God, through both yourself and the community. The square and compass with the “G” in the middle can be fond on everything from Masonic lapel pins to shirts and apparel.
Admittedly, it’s easier to look for gifts to give to girls than to those at the other side of the gender line. Very few things please men and so women exert extra efforts in choosing the perfect presents for their mates.
While most guys choose to give jewelry to their female counterparts, women can hardly pick the same item for guys. What kind of jewelry will suit their man’s masculinity and suaveness? You can still give your man jewelry as a present, of course; you only have to be thorough with your choice. Beaded jewelry is an obvious no-no for guys. What suits guys most are those that are, if not plain, embellished with masculine figures or characters. Gothic rings are an excellent option to consider, as well as masonry jewelry, if your man is so inclined. My mantra when it comes to masculine jewelry is keep it simple and understated.