Father's Day Savings

Father's Day is Sunday, June 21st, but you can save NOW on custom shirts and unique gifts from Zoey's Attic Personalized Gifts!  Save 15% off your purchased items from Zoey's Attic Personalized Gifts starting today and extending through the Memorial Day Weekend! Just use code MEM2015 at checkout for your 15% off savings. The coupon code will expire on Monday, May 25th, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. CST. Be sure to check out all our custom shirts for Dad, Step-Dad, Grandpa, or even a favorite Uncle!. Also choose a fun and personalized gift such as a custom apron, coffee mug, tote bag, or throw pillow for Dad. And, of course be sure to check out our best selling and oh so adorable Dad and Kiddo matching sets! Happy Shopping!

Father's Day Shirts and Gifts
from Zoey's Attic Personalized Gifts

We Remember

Memorial Day is May 25^th, a week from today. While it's the unofficial start of the summer season, it is actually a U.S. federal holiday set aside each year to pay respect to America's servicemen and women whom died while preserving our freedoms. While I enjoy the parades, family gatherings, and barbecues, the day is also personal for me. Each year I remember the members of my family whom have honorably served our nation and fellow countrymen. I am thankful for the servicemen and women such as 90 year old twin brothers, Bill and Lloyd Rupp. They joined the United States Marine Corps the day following their high school graduation in 1942. In November of that year, they left together by train from Union Station in downtown St. Louis destined for Marine Corp Base Camp in San Diego, California. The train made a routine stop at Wabash Delmar Station. Their family home on Nina Place was in view from the train station. The twins could see their mom and dad standing in the bedroom they shared and both were crying. At that moment, Bill and Lloyd wondered if they would ever see them again. The twins completed boot camp together, but due to the military policies brought about by the deaths of the five Sullivan brothers the twins were then separated. During World War II, Lloyd served in the Philippines and later in China while Bill was sent to the South Pacific and Midway Island. Remarkably they both survived the war and safely returned to the States. A few months past, the St. Louis Blues, of the National Hockey League honored these two veterans for their service to our country. The ovation was rousing and the 90 year old twin brothers were clearly overwhelmed. Definitely a well deserved tribute to these exemplary soldiers.

Following an injury and subsequent craniotomy for a subdural hematoma this past winter, Bill and his wife were moved to an assisted living home, The Bridge at Florissant. It was a difficult transition for the peppy and fiercely independent Marine. Although still active in his local community government and veteran affairs, Bill decided to continue his work on behalf of veterans in his new place of residence. On that note, this faithful Marine planned a Memorial Day event for the residents of The Bridge. He arranged for speakers from several branches of the armed forces to address the residents and their guests. Rear Admiral John Zerr represented the U.S. Navy, Lt. Col. Ron Neubauer spoke on behalf of the U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Lt. George Newell represented the U.S. Army, and Col. Bob Leeker, U.S. Air Force also addressed the audience. Each speaker eloquently shared their personal stories entwined with their interpretation of the real meaning of Memorial Day. Everyone in the room was moved including the younger men and women in attendance. The eyes of the Director of the facility welled with tears as she recalled her own father’s service during the Viet Nam conflict. Upon hearing the stories of the speakers and residents, tears even flowed from the eyes of those much younger whom have no personal connection to the military.  Everyone in attendance clearly felt moved by the ceremony.

The singing of our National Anthem and God Bless America was led by Katharine Lawton Brown and everyone in attendance joined in chorus. Medals of Recognition were presented to residents of The Bridge at Florissant whom had served in the military services of our country. The American Flag was then lowered in honor of those service members whom gave the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our Nation’s principles and freedoms. A U.S. Marine Corp League bugler played Taps during the lowering of the flag. A reception for Veteran honorees, residents, and guests was held immediately following the ceremony.  It was an emotional event and everyone was touched by the service. Several widows were present and shared stories and family pictures of their beloved husbands in their military dress. Others present spoke of sons and daughters whom had served their country and were no longer with us. Pride and appreciation resounded throughout The Bridge that day.

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
Saint Louis, Missouri

The ceremony at The Bridge was my first Memorial Day event this year.  Sunday I will help decorate the graves of family members interred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. That day the local Boy Scouts will also place an American flag on each of the 190,000 graves at the Barracks. It is truly a site to behold. Monday is actually Memorial Day and ceremonies will be held in various locations throughout the country. Please consider attending one of these events. More importantly, I sincerely hope everyone sets aside a few moments to remember and also educate our children on the importance of this special day. So as the saying goes "Freedom is not free".... everyone at Zoey's Attic sends our thanks to all past and present service members and their families for defending our personal freedoms. Enjoy Memorial Day!

2 DAY FLASH SALE!

Mother's Day is over and it's time to celebrate our young graduates! It's also time for a sale! Zoey's Attic Personalized Gifts has a great deal on these adorable personalized graduation shirts for your little one! Our 2 DAY FLASH SALE STARTS NOW! Save *25% on this  "NAILED IT!" tee or sporty raglan style shirt! Our shirts can also be customized for pre-school, kindergarten, first grade, or whatever grade you need. Just let us know your custom requests in the "Special Instructions / Notes" section when ordering. Use coupon code FLASH25 at checkout at our Zoey's Attic Personalized Gifts online store. *Offer applies to merchandise total only. Shipping charges will be calculated at checkout. Discounts not valid on bulk or corporation purchases of 10 shirts or more. Discount code expires May 14, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. CST.

Nailed It Graduation Raglan Shirt

Nailed It Graduation T-Shirt

School's Out, Almost!

When I was in school students were never recognized for completing any grade other than on your High School graduation day.You were expected to "graduate" at the end of each school year and as a result of your efforts recommended for promotion to the next grade level the following year. So that meant no special shirts acknowledging the last day of a particular grade and no congratulatory presents for advancing to a new grade level, only a "good job" after Mom and Dad reviewed the final report card and shared constructive criticism of what could have or should have been better. We wore our school uniform everyday of the school year. After an exhausting nine months of daily classwork as well as homework, it was finally the end of the school year and time for our student parade, school picnic, and summer vacation! Looking back, I suppose the new picnic outfit was the "gift" we each received for "graduating" that year. We did, however, always give our teachers a special gift at Christmas and the end of each school year.  When I was in grade school we had 54 kids in our second grade class with one teacher and not a single teacher's aide to assist. Mrs. Krause most definitely earned each and every thank you gift!

Times have changed and our precious little one's are recognized for everything! Just participate and you get a ribbon! It was definitely a different lifestyle when I was young. We didn't have preschools and kindergarten was merely a half day and you were assigned to a morning or afternoon session. We walked to and from class with several of our 5 and 6 year old classmates. There was no parental supervision and somehow we all survived! The moms for the most part were stay at home moms tending to the smaller siblings and household chores, and the father's wages were the only source of family income. Monies for shirts and gifts, other than for Christmas and birthdays, just wasn't available. No regrets though. I am ever thankful for all the love and shared family experiences of my childhood. Life today is not as simple as it seemed back then, and yes, I do give special recognition to acknowledge the kiddos' achievements. Everyone does nowadays, it's the norm and I wouldn't have it any other way! So if you're looking for a special tee for your little one's pre-school, kindergarten, first grade, or any grade graduation, Zoey's Attic can help. Here you'll also find many cool thank you gifts for your children's teachers including custom tote bags, water bottles and tumblers, sweet custom throw and travel pillows, and personalized shirts too. And, no worries if you need a special design or wording, Zoey can create it for you! Congratulations to all our little grads and a huge thank you to teachers everywhere for your dedication and hard work! Enjoy your summer vacation!

School Shirts and Teacher Gifts from Zoey's Attic

Mother's Day Shipping Update

We want to be sure you have your gift for Mom (and Grandma too!) in time for her special day! We are processing and shipping all Mother's Day shirts and gifts as fast as we possibly can, but the one thing we can't control is the speed of the U.S. Postal Service. So today, May 2nd, is the last day for our U.S. customers to order with BASIC shipping thereby avoiding additional upgraded shipping costs. Unfortunately, the international shipping deadline for Mother's Day has already passed. Starting tomorrow, May 3rd, you will need to select PRIORITY or EXPRESS processing and shipping at checkout to receive your order in time for your Mother's Day celebration on Sunday, May 10th. For you gamblers out there, we will ship all regular orders with BASIC shipping ASAP, but we will assume you are okay rolling the dice as to if your order will arrive in time for Mother's Day or not, and they will not be guaranteed. As always though, many thanks for shopping with us! We greatly appreciate your trust in our creating custom shirts and unique gifts for your moms, grandmas, and nanas! Happy Mom's Day!

Mother's Day Gifts for Mom and Grandma
from Zoey's Attic