Designing a Corporate Gift

I'm working with a couple of new clients on engraved corporate gifts.  One is a pewter Revere Bowl engraved with a military seal and a special message for the recipient.  The question from the client was how to engrave this impressive gift and keep it personal, as opposed to giving something that will just end up in a trophy case. In the first place, the client was smart, having first called the man's wife to ask what he liked and what they could use.  The wife mentioned that their formal serving pieces were made of pewter and that they needed a bowl small enough to serve nuts, candy or to use for appetizers.  This is how they settled on the classic, practical pewter Revere Bowl. Once that was decided, it was time to figure out how to be sure this corporate gift commemorated his service and dedication to his position, and at the same time, make the bowl something he and his wife would use on a regular basis.  The company, regardless of what gifts they present, always include the crest of their unit.  So it was determined that the seal would be on one side of the bowl.  The goal with the other side was to convey a message of appreciation and recognition without having so much text that the bowl looks more like a trophy than an elegant serving piece.  To keep it simple it was decided to include the recipient's name and the name of the event where the pewter bowl would be presented. The customer chose a flowing script font for the name and gala event title which corresponds nicely with the military style insignia on the opposite side of the bowl. The finished engraved bowl is simply beautiful.  Hopefully, it will sit proudly on the couple's sideboard along with their other cherished pewter pieces.  And thankfully, I'm sure that the recipient will appreciate the care and thoughtfulness of those who first decided to present him with this amazing tribute.