| So, you've been a member of your golf club for | | | | 2nd and 3rd place winners. All of these items can |
| years now. You have become a regular participant | | | | be engraved to create a treasured keepsake that |
| in every tournament that is offered to you. You | | | | the recipient will value. Pewter is a soft metal that |
| are really enjoying the social aspects of club | | | | engraves beautifully. Silver plated items have a |
| membership and now somehow (you're not really | | | | brighter finish, but will require regular polishing and |
| sure how) you volunteered to head the awards | | | | are therefore less popular. Also, the quality of |
| committee. Screw this up and you can be sure | | | | silver plate has diminished steadily in recent years |
| you won't find yourself on the top of anyone's | | | | as cheap imports have displaced old line suppliers |
| party invite list. Don't fear, here is an easy to | | | | from the United States. |
| follow guide on how to organize the task. | | | | Crystal and glass has become more and more |
| O.K., so where to begin? Let's start by taking | | | | popular in recent years. There are a number of |
| inventory of the situation: | | | | reasons for this - the high perceived value, the |
| When is the awards ceremony? | | | | vast variety of items available, and the appeal to |
| Why is this the first item on the list? Because | | | | both men and women for starters. Crystal is also |
| most likely whatever it is you select is going to | | | | available in a wide range of prices. Even when |
| need to be personalized, and that takes time. | | | | personalized, you will probably find that you can |
| Some items take longer than others, but no | | | | address all of your needs and remain within your |
| matter what you select, you won't be able to | | | | budget using personalized crystal. And unlike |
| walk into an awards store or shop on line for | | | | engraving on metal, which is usually priced by the |
| personalized awards and walk out the door with | | | | letter, crystal etching usually allows you fill an |
| your awards. You have to plan ahead. Sometimes, | | | | allotted space with any number of letters you |
| the last tournament of the season is very close | | | | desire, all for the same price. Barware, trays, |
| to the awards event, what do you do then? The | | | | bowls, tabletop items, clocks, picture frames, |
| answer is to work well in advance with your | | | | vases, trophies, art glass, plaques are all examples |
| awards source. Just because you don't have the | | | | of items made from crystal that make great golf |
| winner's name for every last event, doesn't mean | | | | awards when personalized. |
| you can't place your order. Your source for | | | | Deciding how to personalize |
| awards should be flexible and willing to | | | | When it comes to deciding what to engrave, the |
| accommodate your last minute submission of | | | | guideline is less is better. The club name or crest, |
| names for one or two events, so long as you | | | | the event name, the winner(s) name, and the |
| have selected all of the items and submitted the | | | | year. Leave out the score or any testimonials |
| personalization for the majority of events in | | | | describing the nature of the accomplishment. Be |
| advance. | | | | prepared with acceptable abbreviations, just in |
| Who are you buying for? | | | | case an item you've selected has a limited space |
| The men, the women, the juniors, all? This will | | | | for adding personalization. Having the recipient's |
| probably have an influence on the type of items | | | | name is a great touch when you have the time, |
| you shop for, particularly if you plan to get | | | | just be sure to triple check the spelling of names. |
| creative. If you are buying a traditional trophy, it | | | | If your award supplier is willing to except this |
| won't make much difference, but these days | | | | information over the telephone, run away as fast |
| most recipients will be hoping for something a little | | | | as you can. Submit your personalization in written |
| more useful than the traditional old dust collector. | | | | form, a word processing file being the very best |
| Today there are more and more types of items | | | | way to go. |
| that can be personalized in unique ways. | | | | As you can see, with a little advance planning you |
| For women, consider more feminine selections | | | | will be able to look like a shinning star on awards |
| that either have a practical use or, can be proudly | | | | day, just select your awards provider carefully. |
| displayed in a living room, great room, or | | | | Trust your instincts, if you don't feel confident in |
| collector's case. For men, think more in terms of | | | | the merchant's ability to supply your selections on |
| something that can be used by the recipients on | | | | time and correctly personalized move on to the |
| a regular basis such as barware or desk | | | | next one. The same goes for shopping on-line. |
| accessories. Even embroidered sportswear can be | | | | How is the appearance of the web site? Is it well |
| used. | | | | organized? Are the product descriptions |
| What to buy? | | | | complete? Are the product photos large and |
| For men or women, trophies can take many | | | | clear? Is the price including personalization clearly |
| forms. For golf some of the more popular items | | | | displayed? Do they charge to ship your order? Call |
| include hollowware made from pewter or silver | | | | them - are you able to speak to a knowledgeable |
| plated metal. These items can include trophy cups, | | | | representative, or are you sent to voice mail? If |
| Jefferson cups, Mint Julep cups, revere bowls, and | | | | these kinds of details are not well handled, then |
| trays. Bowls and trays are available in a range of | | | | most likely, neither will your awards be produced |
| sizes and that can be helpful when buying for 1st, | | | | to your satisfaction. |