How Do You Spell Your Name?

We see many unique names and various interesting spellings of common names.  We called Bil just to check that it was not supposed to be Bill but it turned out this is how he spells his name.
It’s always fun to see that someone does things a little differently.  And this spelling makes perfect sense, as it’s pronounced “Bil” not “Bil-il”.  We appreciate that Bil recognized our efforts.

	Yes, the spelling is correct..." Bil " I appreciate you checking for accuracy. Your care in fulfilling orders is one of the reasons I like doing business with your company. Thanks Again yours     Bil

Red Egg and Ginger Party

In Chinese culture, a baby's first month birthday calls for a celebration. Proud parents introduce their latest addition to friends and relatives by holding a red egg and ginger party. Traditionally, the baby's name is also announced at this time. 

Guests attending red egg and ginger parties bring gifts. Lysee or "lucky money" in red envelopes is often given to baby boys, while girls may receive expensive jewelry. The guests don't leave empty handed, either. The parents hand out red-dyed eggs, symbolizing happiness and the renewal of life.

Red egg and ginger parties have their origins in ancient Chinese culture. As in other countries, infant mortality rates in China were quite high prior to the medical advances of the twentieth century. A baby who reached one month of age was likely to survive, and so the event was celebrated.

Traditionally, this was also a time to reintroduce the mother to the world. The Chinese believe mothers are in a highly weakened state in the period immediately following birth. Just as English custom calls for new mothers to enjoy a brief period of confinement, Chinese mothers have traditionally been expected to rest indoors for one full month after giving birth.  This helped ensure they didn't become overtired, or contract any germs or illnesses from the outside world that could prove dangerous in their weakened state. Besides resting, they drank a nutritious broth made with pig's feet, eggs, vinegar and ginger. Many new mothers still follow this ritual today.

In recent years, some of the traditions surrounding red egg and ginger parties have been modified. Parents may choose to hold the celebration at a fancy restaurant, complete with costumed Chinese performers or even a children's magician. Also, the baby may be anywhere from one to three months old by the time the party is held. But the custom of passing out red-dyed eggs continues. Parents may also use the brightly colored eggs to announce the birth; an even number of eggs are sent out for a boy, and an odd number to announce a baby girl.

This customer placed an order for a baby party for her son and nephew that were born in 2007. They were both born in the Year of the Golden Pig, which is quite special, only occurring every 60 years.  A large celebration was planned as it was a particular sign of luck that two children were born to her family during the Year of the Golden Pig.

Hitting the Jackpot

Before Christmas Scott told us one Friday that he had a surprise when we returned to work on Monday morning.  He said he thought we would all like it.  So Monday a.m. when I got to work I went to the cafe as usual to put my lunch in the refrigerator.  There in the cafe stood two slot machines ready to play with lights flashing.  I chuckled to myself thinking this is a great surprise because anyone who knows me knows that I like to go to the Indiana gambling boats occasionally. 

One of the machines had candy bar reels, and you know I had to go over and be the first to try it out.  The sound is turned down for obvious reasons and we are allowed to play them on our breaks and lunch.  Just another fun thing we have at Carson.

Now keep in mind that I said I go to the boats, but I may have forgotten to say that I never win.  My husband and the people we go with know the answer before they even ask me if I win, of course, the answer is always NO. 

Well last week the cafe was full at lunch and while my lunch is in the microwave as I always do I walked over to play the candy bar slot.  On the first pull I hit candy bar, 7, candy bar, the coins started falling out, ting, ting, ting, everyone looked around and started laughing.  The payout was four times 240, which was 960 coins.  Let’s just say if it were a quarter machine that would have been $240.  I was thinking to myself, me of all people to win a big jackpot, why can’t I do that at the boat with real quarters? 

I guess my prize was getting my picture taken and having to write this article.  Oh boy! That’s just another fun day at Carson for me.  Like I always say to Sharon “Where else can you go and have this much fun?”

OMG

Well, here's the story with this. On Thanksgiving Break, I was told this by my dad:

There's this charity organization called UGive, founded by Anthony Muñoz and Cris Collinsworth from the Bengals, and apparently, they're tight with Rascal Flatts (Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox, and Joe Don Rooney). So they were playing a special benefit concert at the launch party. Cincinnati Music Hall. They have like, ballets there.
Well, guess whose parents' company was one of the sponsors for the event?

I SCREAMED when I found out what we'd be doing that night!

There was a dinner, where they arrived and I screamed, a concert, where I screamed ten times more (and didn't SIT DOWN, unlike EVERYBODY ELSE), and the after party.

Guess who I met at the after party?

JAY DEMARCUS.

This is how it went:

Me: Hey Jay!
Jay: Heyy!
Then I asked for his autograph and he said sure! Convoooo:

Me: Thank you so much!
Jay: You're welcome!
Me: Oh, oh. uhm. your biggest fan from Greenville says hi!

By that, I meant Grace, my crazy friend who's in love with Jay.

Jay: You mean my BIGGEST fan or.? *puts hands out as if to say his largest fan*

So of course, I crack up like crazy.

Me: Nooo! I mean your GREATEST fan! You know. long blonde hair, completely ignored Gary and Joe Don.
Jay: Oh, yeah!
Me: Yeahh! Haha.
Jay: Well, tell her I say hi.
Me: I definitely will!

And they left before I could give them their gift from me, candy bars with one for each of the three amazing guys.

And you think this is over? PSH.

So, 29 days later, I received a letter. I think it's strange. Then I open.

There's another envelope.

It says RASCAL FLATTS.

I slowly opened the rest.

Autographs on three wrappers. One from Gary, one from Jay, and one from Joe Don.

And there's one thing more. A letter.

It reads:

Ellis,
Thanks for all your hard work on the candy wrappers. They look awesome!
<3 RF

THEY KNOW MY NAAAAAAAAAME.

I started bawling my eyes out. I couldn't breathe. I'm a little shocked I'm breathing now. Haha. Well, it was a good day.

And I'm gonna see them again in less than 40 days.

You Can Be The Artist

Many times the most creative ideas come from our customers!  Did you know you can create your own wrapper design with or without the help of our on-site graphic design team?

Here’s a great example inspired by a customer’s own imagination to help celebrate her husband’s retirement at a surprise party.  In this case she had an idea in mind, sent us the pieces and we helped her pull it together.  Her husband didn’t know anything about the candy bars and she said when he saw them he was so excited because his number was even on them!  Her daughter steered her Carson’s way for party favors and she said she was so pleased with the experience that “went off without a hitch”.  In fact, she just shared a left over bar with a friend, pointing out our contact information the wrapper back, and recommended our services.  After receiving her order she sent the message below to thank us. 

	Received my order today.  They are perfect and will be so much fun for my husbands retirement party.  Thank you for doing such a nice job on them - Amy H.

If you have your own design background, or just wish to try your hand at creating something unique, you can submit finished artwork to us and we’ll simply print.  Use invitations, photographs, favorite patterns and colors to help you get started.  Add your own special text for a truly unique design.  Happy creating!

New Year Sparks New Creations

Creativity, innovation, imagination—these are qualities that by their very nature, never run out. The desire to express them is second only to the sheer need to do so. When inspiration sparks flights of fancy, the results, while often unpredictable (and sometimes bewildering) are always delightful.

The New Year brings with it thoughts of newness in many venues.  Resolutions are solemnly avowed, wardrobes reassessed, and new ideas rise to the surface.  In the business world, focus turns to new products. 

In a creative business like ours, ideas are as prolific as rabbits, with successive ideas giving birth to the next, new and improved generation.  Take the valentine, for example.  The most abundant givers of these sweet notes of endearment are children. For the most part unchanged over the years, valentines consist of simple pull-apart cards that are crammed into hand made, decorated shoe boxes.  We’ll go one better.

How about a valentine wrapped around chocolate?  It’s a greeting and a gift, all wrapped up into one delightful package.  Classmates will certainly remember who gave that valentine!

With the New Year we have launched a new assortment of valentine designs, all original, all exclusively our own. But they’re not all geared toward children.  Adults can get in on this action as well, and welcome!

Remember fun?  Why not take a step back in time and surprise your coworkers with chocolate valentines that reflect your personal style? Go a little wild this year! Irresistibly playful, our designs are sure to kick off a bit of spontaneous gaiety at work. Kids shouldn’t hog all the fun.

Our artists have outdone themselves this time.  When the word came to make new valentines, they didn’t--they couldn’t--hold back.  Take a look on our website; we think you’ll be impressed.