Important Dates

• Giving a flask to commemorate a birthday, anniversary or special event is common. Engrave the date to mark the event for the recipient, and add his name if you like. A flask with the name of the university, graduate’s name and graduation date is a good gift for a college grad. Grooms may opt to give a groomsman a flask engraved with his initials and the wedding date as a thank you. Any milestone date can be engraved into a flask and will take you or the recipient on a memory trip every time it is used.

Monograms and Names

• Engraving initials or monograms is a classic way to personalize a flask. The traditional monogram calls for the person’s last-name initial to be in the center with the first-name initial on the left and the middle initial on the right. You also may just engrave the first letter of her last name in a large font with the last name underneath it. Present a flask to your fraternity brother or sorority sister that includes the person's name along with the organization’s name and chapter. Commemorate the birth of children with their names and birth dates.

Quotes and Messages

• A special quote or message on a flask makes it an extra thoughtful gift. If you are engraving it yourself, it is a way to show your personality or your character. Use song lyrics, famous quotes or inside jokes for close friends. Heartfelt messages such as "Two Friends. One Love. Forever" may appeal to loved ones. A present to a longtime friend may state, “Good times. Good friends. Good spirits.” An appropriate engraving for a gift at a wedding is “To My Best Man and Best Friend.” Show your patriotism with a flask that features a quote from Thomas Jefferson: “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

Drinking Quotes

• What is the point of having a flask if you can’t have a bit of fun? Engrave a humorous drinking quote on the flask to keep it lighthearted. The quote can range from humorous to something completely random such as “I want a lawyer.” Fit the message to the flask carrier’s personality. Try “Don't Drink and Drive. Don't Even Drink and Putt!" for a golfer. A funny message of “Becky's Sippy Cup” would be appropriate for a girls'-weekend gift. If you are engraving your own flask with something clever, try “Everybody should believe in something. I believe I'll have a drink.” Take a cue from a member of the "Rat Pack," Frank Sinatra, and engrave “I feel sorry for people who don’t drink. When they wake up in the morning, that’s as good as they’re going to feel all day.” Get some laughs with “Never cry over spilt milk. It could’ve been whiskey” by Beau “Pappy” Maverick.