Need help from my Budget Board Friends!

[pklein09]

I'm the president of the parent association at my son's school (grades 4-8). It's the American Boychoir School. These boys travel all around the US performing. I'm in charge of finding alternatives to the very pricey class ring. Yes, class rings for the 8th graders. I'm looking for a company that can do custom tie tacks/bars, cuff links, and/or lapel pins. I'm working with Jostens for the class ring, but I've had no luck with them for these other items.

It would probably be a small order (currently, there are only 44 boys in the school), but there are a lot of alumni who would probably order.

Any help would be appreciated!

TIA!!!

--Michelle

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I don't know if this is what you're looking for, but when I was in 8th grade we had a class t-shirt. They passed around this special paper for everyone to sign and we voted on the design/wording, then they had the shirts made with everyone's signatures on it.

 

[robinb]

It may be too late, but what about a class yearbook instead? I can't believe that anyone would wear a class ring from 8th grade or that alumni would proudly wear a tie-tack or lapel pin from their elementary school. The school must be pretty elite.

In any case, what about Pin Pros for lapel pins?

 

[DawnM]

I wouldn't be sold on those items. DH is a professional adult and never wears any of those.

I would be much more inclined to look at something through Things Remembered like a small engraved box or writing pen holder, that sort of thing.

Dawn

I'm the president of the parent association at my son's school (grades 4-8). I'm in charge of finding alternatives to the very pricey class ring. Yes, class rings for the 8th graders. I'm looking for a company that can do custom tie tacks/bars, cuff links, and/or lapel pins. I'm working with Jostens for the class ring, but I've had no luck with them for these other items.

It would probably be a small order (currently, there are only 44 boys in the school), but there are a lot of alumni who would probably order.

Any help would be appreciated!

TIA!!!

--Michelle

 

[pklein09]

Thanks for the suggestion, but the tshirt won't do. The school my son attends is the American Boychoir school. They perform all over the country, and periodically, internationally. My son is 12, and has sung at the Kimmel Center (Philly), Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center. We're looking for something the boys will have later in life as a rememberance of their time at the school. Some of the alumni that come for homecoming weekend graduated in 1940s, and there is good representation from all the classes.

Just read through some of the other posts.....we have a yearbook. It used to be all the graduating class got a ring...but the price of gold, or any metal for that matter, has gone through the roof. The parents are asking for something more reasonable in price, hence the request for tie tacks/bars, cufflinks and lapel pins.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Thanks for the suggestion, but the tshirt won't do. The school my son attends is the American Boychoir school. They perform all over the country, and periodically, internationally. My son is 12, and has sung at the Kimmel Center (Philly), Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center. We're looking for something the boys will have later in life as a rememberance of their time at the school. Some of the alumni that come for homecoming weekend graduated in 1940s, and there is good representation from all the classes.

Just read through some of the other posts.....we have a yearbook. It used to be all the graduating class got a ring...but the price of gold, or any metal for that matter, has gone through the roof. The parents are asking for something more reasonable in price, hence the request for tie tacks/bars, cufflinks and lapel pins.

Ahh, I see, you should've included that info in your OP, I thought it was a regular middle school and there's no way I would buy any of that stuff for my middle schooler.

 

[pklein09]

Ahh, I see, you should've included that info in your OP, I thought it was a regular middle school and there's no way I would buy any of that stuff for my middle schooler.

Sorry, I didn't mean to be vague. I just didn't want to come across as a braggart or have people wonder why I'm posting on the budget board for a private school.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh, heck, don't let THAT bother you! Everybody's "budget" needs and definitions are different.

You need to save money on something, right? So, where else would you go?

I like the tie-tack, especially if they, well, have to wear ties when performing.

 

[tommya60]

You might try this link--several people from another board I belong to have ordered from this company and been VERY pleased. The prices for class rings are greatly reduced....I wish I had known about the company in time to order DD's class ring, I would have saved a LOT of money:
http://www.dunham-mfg.com/Default.aspx

 

[dfchelbay]

I'm the president of the parent association at my son's school (grades 4-8). It's the American Boychoir School. These boys travel all around the US performing. I'm in charge of finding alternatives to the very pricey class ring. Yes, class rings for the 8th graders. I'm looking for a company that can do custom tie tacks/bars, cuff links, and/or lapel pins. I'm working with Jostens for the class ring, but I've had no luck with them for these other items.

It would probably be a small order (currently, there are only 44 boys in the school), but there are a lot of alumni who would probably order.

Any help would be appreciated!

TIA!!!

--Michelle

What about Things Remembered store. I think they are in malls. They sell all that kind of stuff and specialize in engraving/personalizing items. Here's their link:

http://www.thingsremembered.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Home_10001_9951

 

[pklein09]

I've looked at Thing's Remembered. The problem is that I have to use the school's custom logo. I can't just have something engraved with the school's name. So complicated.....

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[uromac]

Hi!

Just an idea -How about a customized lapel pin - which can be for the older generation and the current younger students are familiar with via pin-trading etc...

They can be worn at special functions as well as alumni events - and they seem reasonably priced.

http://www.thepinpeople.com/lapelpinpricing/

 

[pklein09]

Hi!

Just an idea -How about a customized lapel pin - which can be for the older generation and the current younger students are familiar with via pin-trading etc...

They can be worn at special functions as well as alumni events - and they seem reasonably priced.

http://www.thepinpeople.com/lapelpinpricing/

Thanks! I had seen their website this morning, but didn't look closely at it. I'll probably call them tomorrow!

 

[disneymom1980]

You might also check out artscow.com. They have several personalizable items at very reasonable prices. I have ordered several products from them and have never been disappointed. However, their shipping is a little slow because they are in Japan.

 

[snowgooseltd]

Just a suggestion but, what about an engraved pen? Perhaps Cross or something comparable....that's something that would last and be used by any age person.

 

[akcire]

Tiffany and Company has customization available through a business account. They also offer pretty good business account discounts.

I would call them, tell them about your wants/needs and see what options they have available.

They could certainly help you with cuff links, and could probably give you some other ideas.

My husband graduated from a couple of pretty exclusive education program and his graduation gifts from the schools he is most attached to as an adult are an engraved/school logo Tiffany pen (sterling) and a really neat engraved sterling bookmark from a different institution (not sure who made it, but it is his favorite).

A funny could be an engraved pitch pipe

 

[pklein09]

You might also check out artscow.com. They have several personalizable items at very reasonable prices. I have ordered several products from them and have never been disappointed. However, their shipping is a little slow because they are in Japan.

Thanks, I'll check them out.

Just a suggestion but, what about an engraved pen? Perhaps Cross or something comparable....that's something that would last and be used by any age person.

The boys get a special pen when they get their yearbooks.

Tiffany and Company has customization available through a business account. They also offer pretty good business account discounts.

I would call them, tell them about your wants/needs and see what options they have available.

They could certainly help you with cuff links, and could probably give you some other ideas.

My husband graduated from a couple of pretty exclusive education program and his graduation gifts from the schools he is most attached to as an adult are an engraved/school logo Tiffany pen (sterling) and a really neat engraved sterling bookmark from a different institution (not sure who made it, but it is his favorite).

A funny could be an engraved pitch pipe

I never thought of Tiffany. The pitch pipe would be an interesting gift.

Thanks everyone!!!