To many people Thanksgiving weekend was an opportunity to spend time with the family, watch a little football, and save big on holiday shopping. To others, thanksgiving was simply time away from work: a “holiday” in the most literal sense. And then there’s thanksgiving weekend’s most important aspect—the opportunity to stand back from everyday challenges and give thanks for all that is provided. This holiday season, take a moment and remember all of our servicemen, servicewomen, and veterans who are fighting or have fought to defend the safety of the United States.
Category Archives: What we LIKE
Decorate Your Home or Business With a Beach Sign
Castles in the sand, sea foam, the gentle ebb and flow of the tide; all these things are constant reminders of the ocean’s natural aesthetic beauty and the serenity inherent to waterfront living. I am reminded of “To the Lighthouse” by Virginia Woolf (a book whose protagonists enjoy an abode by the ocean). Unfortunately, the novel elects to focus on characterizations rather than descriptions, leaving out decorative details. This got me to thinking: how are most beach houses decorated? Continue reading
Love This? Go Tell it on a Mountain!
Unique Gift for Dog Lovers, and Cat Lovers Too!
Throughout history man has…
- Worshipped and emulated cats
- Thoroughly embarrassed themselves (pictured)
Quite clearly, a princess outfit is NOT the ideal gift for the dog or cat lover on your list. You want to give them something unexpected AND appealing. But what is that purrfect (sorry, couldn’t resist) unique Christmas gift for cat or dog lovers? A personalized Canine plaque, and a Garden Cat Address plaque from Atlas Signs and Plaques.
Consider this; many people regard their pets as an extension of their nuclear family (like “Marley” from “Marley and Me” by John Grogan). With that in mind, it follows that most owners have already “personalized” their dog’s needs with water bowls, dog beds, and custom leashes. You want to give them something that they don’t have. You want to give them something that reflects their love for their pet. A personalized custom canine address plaque fits the bill ideally. Here’s why.
Dog lovers are fanatic. You know the type, fanatics. Have you ever engaged a sports nerd in football conversation, listed the merits of the Star Wars prequels to a space geek, or talked scales with a musician? If you have, then you know these topics usually result in long, one-sided conversations. The fanatic is always proud to display their passion (we’ve all seen NFL logos, light-sabers, and treble clef neckties before). Dog lovers are no different. A canine address plaque reflects the passion and love that dog lovers have for their pets and is assured to be the recipient’s favorite gift this holiday season.
We have cat lovers covered, too. Our Garden Cat Address plaque features a cat beneath a star-lit sky. The cat is molded in cartoony fashion and reflects the zany, near crazy devotion that cat owners typically possess. It also makes light of the fact that cats seemingly have an affinity for gardens (especially the neighbor’s garden).
Love This? Go Tell it on a Mountain!
Give A One of a Kind Christmas Gift

A True One of a Kind Sign
When I was a boy there was nothing more coveted throughout my “gang” than a one-of-a-kind rookie Peyton Manning football card. Manning, despite being untested and unproven, was regarded as a “lock” to grow into one of football’s best passers. This hype, fueled by the media, made his card value soar. The most longed for of these cards is the SP Authentic Peyton Manning Rookie Autograph card. This “one of a kind” card (numbered 1-2000) commands a whopping $1,600 on eBay. However, that phrase is a little misleading because the card isn’t really one of a kind. In reality each of these cards is one of 2,000. If that counts as one of a kind, then Atlas Signs and Plaques should start calling our address plaques one of a kind (considering the address numbers a serial number).
Wouldn’t it be nice to find a gift that is genuinely one of a kind? Atlas Signs and Plaques’ One of a Kind gift section on Etsy.com is the perfect place to look.
To spur new ideas for signs we often make batches of potential designs, giving them the same attention to detail and hand-made quality any other sign enjoys. Many of those signs are now fixated in our shop as decorations, but some are simply too good for that. Some are considered a “lock” to grow into well-loved signs by customers. We want to share these excellent signs with you. Here is a glimpse at some of the best one of a kind signs Atlas Signs and Plaques offers.
Keep calm and Love.

Sound Advice
This is a spin on the famous WWII era propaganda poster issued by Great Britain. Because urban areas were commonly the targets of air raids the phrase “keep calm and carry on” was born as a way to control widespread panic amongst citizens. There are many reasons to keep calm and love, something retailers and shoppers alike would do well to remember this weekend amid the chaos that is black Friday shopping.
Namaste is the Indian word for greetings. It is also a physical gesture, like a non-contact version of the handshake. The gesture reflects the belief that there is a divine spark in each of us and is considered the souls recognition of another. Pretty darn cool, if you ask me.
Though not necessarily one of a kind, it is one of a litter, and is a great gift for your feline-loving friends!
You can find the full selection of one of a kind signs here.
Love This? Go Tell it on a Mountain!
What is the Perfect Gift for Grandparents?
It is an indisputable fact that grandparents have a profound impact on the development of their grandchildren. That influence is reflected in the child’s personality, eating habits, interests, and social awareness. Research also indicates that the consistent presence of a grandparent in a child’s life promotes kindness and compassion.
Understanding grandparents’ influence is easy. Finding gifts for grandparents is not. Many people don’t know how to shop for grandparents because most modern toys (iPhones, tablets, pcs) are considered too technologically confusing for elderly people. So what is the perfect gift for grandparents? The answer is not a Jitterbug©, or a box of chocolates; it’s a Carved Heart Sign from Atlas Signs and Plaques.
You may be thinking, “What makes the carved heart plaque such a perfect gift for grandparents?” For starters, it’s an old school throwback to years when people actually carved hearts on trees as a gesture of their undying teenage love. Times have changed, but memories remain. Odds are your grandparents remember the days when carving a heart in a tree was the highest form of flattery. Former Atlas Signs and Plaques Customer Jonathan Falter does.
Falter wrote us after receiving his carved heart plaque and his response was enthusiastic. He said, “I broke the law some 46 years ago and when I walk in the park with my wife we always stop and see the heart initials I carved as a young man. More than any photo or trinket in my house, your carved heart plaque reminds me of our love’s youth.”
Instead of buying a complicated gadget that your grandparents likely won’t understand; remind them of their young love with the perfect gift: a carved heart sign.