As much as I love the core characters, one particular group of Muppets holds a special place in my heart. Of course I’m talking about one of the greatest rock bands in existence – Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. The band originally had five members: Dr. Teeth (obviously) on keys, Janice on lead guitar, Sgt. Floyd Pepper on bass, Zoot on sax and fan-favorite Animal on drums. Five years later, Lips joined the band to play the trumpet.

Are you familiar with the Muppets’ rock band? If not, you need to watch this segment from the original “Muppet Movie.” It’s a classic moment of energetic music and playful comedy from the band in the Muppets that has delighted fans across generations.

The Muppet band members have played a role in over 10 films, and they have over 60 songs to their name. (UPDATE: In 2022, Disney+ announced that these rockstars will even get their own mini-series in 2023 called The Muppets Mayhem!)

As with any band, there are tons of creative Electric Mayhem T-shirts out there for fans. In celebration of the release of the newest Muppet film, I’ve compiled a collection of eight Muppetational T-shirt designs featuring various combinations of Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem members. Whether it’s a colorful ’70s pattern to call back to the origins of this series or the timeless faded aesthetic of vintage music tees, we’re sure that these Electric Mayhem band shirts have earned wearers plenty of compliments from fellow fans. They may not all still be for sale from their original creators or retailers, but check out these Muppets band tees to enjoy some nostalgia!

If these Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem shirts have you wondering what kind of designs you could make with your own logo or artwork, play around with our online Design Studio to preview your unique custom t-shirts!

The post The Electric Mayhem: 8 Muppetational T-Shirt Designs of the Muppets’ Most Famous Band appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

100 Slogans for Family Reunion T-Shirts

Whether you look forward to seeing your extended family again or dread the crazy antics your creepy, drunk uncle will engage in this time, a family reunion is almost always a memorable affair, and some custom gear can be the perfect way to commemorate the event. No matter what type of event you’re having, from a casual barbecue at the local park to a multi-day reunion at a scenic getaway, family reunion shirts are something everyone can get excited about.

Mementos ranging from custom t-shirts to tote bags, hats and drinkware can put a nice spin on an already-enjoyable occasion or be a saving grace in the midst of a total catastrophe. But what should you put on them? These family reunion slogans might just be the answer. Good family get-together quotes can perfectly sum up a family and get the party started on the right foot.

We’ve gathered some of the best slogans around for you – see if one of them applies to your family. If you’re looking for funny family reunion shirt ideas, you’ll find plenty of them here. Funny family T-shirt slogans will help break the ice and give everyone something to talk about. But if you want thoughtful or inspirational family reunion quotes, BlueCotton can help with that, too.

Check out this list of 100 family reunion funny and inspiring says to put on custom shirts. At the very least, maybe they’ll provide you with an idea for a slogan of your own.

100 Unique Family Reunion Slogans

1. Nine out of ten monkeys insist we’re not their descendants.
2. One reunion, many paths: psychopaths, sociopaths and more psychopaths.
3. No wonder alcoholism runs in the family.
4. [Family name] [Year] Reunion Survivor.
5. Family is people you hate to love and love to hate.
6. Getting back to our roots.
7. We put the “fun” in “dysfunctional!”
8. Now you know where I get it from.
9. If we didn’t argue, we wouldn’t talk at all.
10. One generation plants the tree, another gets the shade.
11. “Family” might be putting it a little generously.
12. Around here, “crazy” is a relative term.
13. I never asked to be part of this tribe.
14. So this is what they call a “heartwarming family reunion?” Yikes.
15. And I was under the impression that family was supposed to make me feel good.
16. Without roots, there can be no tree.
17. Proud to be on the [family name] family tree.
18. We’re family. Deal with it.
19. I wish I could relate to the people I’m related to.
20. One team, one family, one win.
21. We’re more than a family – we’re a legacy.
22. From family, we’re given two things – one is roots; the other, wings.
23. Family reunions are the most effective form of birth control.
24. There’s nothing quite like watching your relatives fight.
25. If you don’t believe in ghosts, you’ve obviously never been to one of our family reunions.
26. Maybe next year, we can pass out swords.
27. Never give up on your family – no matter how tempting they make it.
28. We’re a completely different sort of nuclear family.
29. “Dysfunctional” is really just another way of saying “fun.”
30. A family reunion is like having a bowling alley installed in your brain. Eventually, SOMETHING’s going to knock over all the pins.
31. I keep telling myself that my relatives have redeeming qualities. Now I just need to find them.
32. The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is they have a common enemy.
33. Family is like fudge: mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
34. Accept it: my family is probably better than yours.
35. I swear, I don’t actually know these people.
36. A dysfunctional family is any family with more than one person.
37. It’s a [family name] thing. Sorry, but you wouldn’t understand.
38. Our family tree bore a lot of nuts.
39. I think my family is defective. Can I have yours instead?
40. Never forget where you came from, lest you lose sight of where you’re going.
41. You can’t choose your family. If you could, do you think I’d be here?
42. You haven’t lived until you’ve gotten drunk with family.
43. Blood is thicker than water, but booze tastes a whole lot better than both.
44. Woven from a common thread.
45. The theme of this family: when in doubt, blame [name].
46. One of us has to be the mature one. We just haven’t figured out who that is yet.
47. [Family name] reunion [year]. Because whatever doesn’t kill you simply makes you stranger.
48. Like YOUR family’s any more normal.
49. This family reunion is rated R for a reason.
50. [Family name]: Because it’s easier to apologize than to plan ahead.
51. Our family is composed of children, men, women, the occasional animal, and the common cold. Three guesses which one I am.
52. The best thing about family reunions is the wait between them.
53. Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
54. I’m the future of the [family name] family. Terrifying, isn’t it?
55. My family is like a potato field. All the best parts are underground.
56. [Family name] family: responsible for the retirement of [number] therapists since [year].
57. Laughter is healthy. That’s why [family name] reunions are so great.
58. In some families, “please” is the magic word. In this family, it’s “sorry.”
59. Insanity is hereditary.
60. The reason our reunions are so peaceful is because the parents know the kids choose their rest home.
61. Never underestimate the [family name] family’s ability to get into trouble.
62. Chaos isn’t a pit. Chaos is a family tree.
63. It isn’t a family reunion until one of us punches someone.
64. Some family reunions, you worry about drama. Here, you worry about falling asleep.
65. The best thing about this reunion was the open bar.
66. Think you’re quirky? Compared to our family, you’re like a fart in a hurricane.
67. Our family is one of the only ones whose reunions could use an animal tamer.
68. Reuniting the past, and shaping the future.
69. [Family name] reunion [year]: Because everyone deserves to know what they’re getting into.
70. Our family has always been sort of a work in progress.
71. You don’t choose your family – they are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.
72. The family is the nucleus of civilization. Looking at us, that’s probably where we went wrong.
73. Insanity doesn’t just run in this family – it gallops.
74. We couldn’t get rid of our family skeletons, so we just made them dance instead.
75. Our family might not have heirlooms, but boy, have we got stories.
76. Our family might be messy, but we wouldn’t trade it for the world.
77. It doesn’t matter how great your house is, it matters that there’s love in it.
78. The best thing about family disasters is that the next one always puts the previous into perspective.
79. [Family name]: It’s okay to be jealous.
80. Friends are God’s apology for family.
81. Our chains might stretch, but they’ll never break.
82. Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present, and future.
83. It’s not an official [family name] family reunion until the police show up.
84. Happy families are at least two-thirds incontinent.
85. Family is the one rock that always stays steady.
86. Our family may fight, but we’ll always be there for each other.
87. We’re all the sum of our family’s legacy.
88. Everyone in our family loves each other – we just don’t like each other very much.
89. There is no such thing as fun for the whole family.
90. We travel the world searching for what we need – our family is where we find it.
91. “Formal attire” isn’t really a phrase our family understands.
92. We’re proud of our heritage – especially the embarrassing parts!
93. Some families are patchworks of love. Ours is a patchwork of psychological problems.
94. Our families teach us what we know about the world. Explains a lot, right?
95. No matter where you go or what you do, you’ll carry your family in your heart.
96. Recount your family history, lest it be lost. Honor your heritage.
97. We are who we are because they were who they were.
98. Family: where life begins & love never ends.
99. Family is having a place to call home.
100. Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs.

Feeling Inspired to Design Your Own Custom Family Reunion T-Shirt?

Like an idea? Head on over to our T-shirt maker and design your own family reunion shirts or browse our Family Reunion Design Ideas to get started. We can print these family gathering quotes and many others on short-sleeve t-shirts, long-sleeve performance apparel, hoodies and more. Whether you want a funny family shirt or a tearjerker, we’ll make sure you get high-quality clothing with all printing and production done right here in the U.S. BlueCotton crafts family reunion swag using apparel from top brands, and we can do rush orders if you need something fast.

The post 100 Funny Slogans for Family Reunion T-shirts appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

Yeah, neither do we. It’s now been over a year since COVID-19 first surfaced. In that time, it has killed over two million people. For context, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the seasonal flu results in an average of 63,000 deaths a year. 

Now that we’ve put to rest the notion that the novel coronavirus is ‘just the flu,’ let’s talk about what we can do to help curb its spread. Because unless we want to deal with more outbreaks, more deaths, and more lockdowns, we all need to do our part. We need to wash our hands, isolate when appropriate, work from home if possible, and practice social distancing.

We also need to wear masks when in public. This is where most frequently see people making mistakes, born of either a misconception about what masks do or from simple ignorance. Let’s set both to rest with a few important reminders about mask use. 

You Aren’t Just Protecting Yourself

One of the most common misconceptions about masks is that they’re exclusively for the sake of the wearer. It’s a common retort used by anti-maskers — if you’re scared enough to wear a mask, why should they be inconvenienced? The reality, however, is that masks don’t solely protect the wearer. 

On the contrary, as noted by online medical publication WebMD, wearing a mask helps you from spreading the virus in the event that you’re asymptomatic. In countries with high mask use, the pandemic’s spread is far less pronounced and severe. And per The Hub, a publication at Johns Hopkins University, masks actually do reduce the number of germs the wearer breathes in. 

Even the study most frequently cited by anti-maskers, DANMASK, proves that masks are both beneficial and necessary. At this point, refusing to wear one is the height of selfishness. In doing so, you are saying that your personal convenience matters more to you than the lives of others. 

That’s not okay. You do not get to insist that people should simply stay home because you don’t feel like wearing a mask. Have a little compassion and common courtesy. 

Don’t Half-Mask It

If you wore a welding shield over only half your face, would you be protected from the glare and the sparks? If you wore an oven mitt that only covered two fingers, would you be willing to grab something out of the oven? If you wore shoes that didn’t cover your heels, would you go outside? 

You see where we’re going with this, right? 

If you commit to wearing a mask, it needs to cover the entire lower half of your face to be effective. Respiratory droplets are one of the primary transmission vectors for COVID-19. Moreover, per WebMD, the virus primarily dwells in the nasal passages. 

If you insist on leaving your nose uncovered, you might as well not wear a mask at all. 

Keep It Clean

As the pandemic has worn on, many of us have made the switch from disposable masks to reusable ones. On the one hand, this is a good thing because it both reduces waste and frees up surgical masks for the frontline workers who desperately need them. On the other, it carries its own set of risks.

For instance, when’s the last time you cleaned your mask? 

We aren’t just talking about the occasional spritz of hand sanitizer. We mean actually running it through the washing machine. See, because masks trap respiratory droplets, they provide the perfect environment for germs. 

This means that the longer you go without washing it, the filthier it gets. 

Per Doctor Lisa Locker Maragakis, Senior Director of Infection Prevention at the Johns Hopkins Health System, you should wash your mask after every wearing and throw out any disposable filters. For this reason, she recommends owning at least two face masks. That way, when one mask is in the wash, you’ve still got one to wear if you need to go out. 

Don’t Be Selfish

The pandemic isn’t going to go away, no matter how much we wish it would. That’s why we all need to do what we can to help flatten the curve. We’re all in this together, and we need to work together to get through it. 

The post 3 Important Things To Remember About Wearing a Mask appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

Amidst such an atmosphere, the best thing any of us can do is keep ourselves occupied. Find a way to fill up all the seemingly-infinite spare time many of us now have. Find something constructive, fulfilling, and creative to help you pass the time.

Here are a few that we highly recommend. 

Plant A Garden

Per Psychology Today, there are multiple mental health benefits associated with gardening. For one, a bit of fresh air and sunlight does everyone a bit of good. And even if you have an indoor garden or greenhouse, there’s simply something relaxing about caring for and cultivating a crop of plants, whether for food or simply for aesthetics.

Moreover, green space is proven to have many positive effects on our psyche, including helping with both anxiety and depression. 

Create Some Art

There are few things more fulfilling than creative expression. Ever since the earliest days of human existence, we’ve expressed ourselves through art. And while you cope with the stress of isolation and quarantine, so can you. 

Train yourself to learn a new craft, like cross-stitch or oil painting. Write a song, or try your hand at some poetry. Practice calligraphy, try making something new or learn a new instrument. 

Not only can this help you take your mind off the stressors in your life, but it can also help you better cope with, understand, and manage your emotions. By channeling your thoughts and feelings into artwork, you can develop a new, deeper understanding of who you are as a person, and how you relate to your surroundings. Plus, immersing yourself so thoroughly in creative flow is incredibly relaxing. 

Learn To Cook

Last but certainly not least, consider cooking or baking. There are countless recipes and guides on the Internet for everything from delicious desserts to filling and healthy dinners. Why not try your hand at a few? 

Teach yourself to mix up your favorite dessert. Practice making some new meals that catch your attention. Learn how to make your own bread, or create your own sourdough starter. 

Being stuck inside doesn’t mean you can’t still eat well and treat yourself, after all. And learning to prepare your own meals is both more satisfying and far healthier than constantly ordering in. Take our word on that one — delivery gets expensive after a while. 

Better Days Will Come

The coronavirus pandemic won’t last forever. And even if you’re in an area suffering through a second wave and another lockdown, that, too, will pass. In the meantime, the best you can do — the best any of us can do — is manage the day-to-day. Find something that fulfills you and enriches your life, and lose yourself in it. 

You may be surprised at how much it helps. 

The post 3 Hobbies To Help Unwind During Quarantine appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

A thermos packed away in your briefcase. An essential stop on your morning commute. A quick trip to the break room when you arrive at the office. 

However you choose to consume it, you’re probably among the millions of Americans who chug down at least one cup of coffee a day. I wouldn’t be surprised if you had a mug nearby as you read this piece. I know I certainly had one when I was writing it. 

According to a study commissioned by the National Coffee Association, more people are now drinking coffee than ever before. 64 percent of Americans drink a cup of coffee every day. Many of them probably drink more than that.

There’s no denying that coffee has been ingrained in our culture. We don’t perceive caffeine as a drug. At worst, we view it as a fun treat or a tool to reduce fatigue and boost productivity.

It’s not like there’s a dearth of evidence to that end. Researchers from multiple universities and institutions have found that regular consumption of coffee can improve cognitive function, enhance attention and working memory, mitigate the effects of fatigue,  and act as a short-term means of pain relief.  And that’s all just in the short-term.

 As reported in the L.A. Times, coffee can actually reduce your risk of death from heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. 

At this point, you’re probably thinking that caffeine practically sounds like a miracle drug. You’re probably wondering why anyone would even think of eliminating it from their lifestyle.  

Continuing to drink coffee comes down to one thing – how it impacts you. 

Ask yourself the following questions.

• Am I getting enough sleep? 
• Am I eating right and exercising properly? 
• Does caffeine make me feel energized, or do I simply feel anxious and restless?  
• Do I find myself having to drink progressively larger quantities of coffee to get the same effect? 
• Do I feel angry, exhausted, or irritable before I’ve had my morning coffee? 

In short, if you’re taking care of yourself and getting enough rest, a cup or two of coffee is absolutely harmless. If, however, you’re using coffee as a band-aid fix for a poor diet, lack of exercise, or terrible sleep habits, it might be time to reconsider your morning cup of joe. Perhaps more importantly, if you’re the kind of person who’s prone to anxiety or nervousness, caffeine might well do more harm than good.

My best advice is to try quitting coffee for a month or so. See if it makes a difference. If you don’t really feel any better or worse, no harm is done.

But if you do feel better? If you feel more focused, less stressed, and generally happier? It’s time to quit coffee – because for you, the energy it gives isn’t worth the problems it may cause.

The post Why Quitting Coffee For a Month Will Help Determine If It’s Right For You appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

They say you should never judge a book by it’s cover, but we can’t help it. It’s human nature to form a picture in our mind of a person when we meet someone new. And while it’s certainly possible to overcome a bad first impression, it’s anything but easy.

Better to come in strong, make a positive impact, and convey exactly who you are – and how you want people to feel about you.

There’s a lot of stuff that goes into that, but how you look is probably one of the most important. Again, this is something that’s wired into our psyche. From the moment we’re able to perceive the world around us, we have a tendency to judge people based on appearance.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that by choosing the right clothing, we can present ourselves in more or less exactly the light we want to be perceived. To drive this fact home, I think it’s best if I offer you an example.

Let’s say you have a meeting with two prospective business partners, both of whom can bring a great deal of value to your organization. They’re both equally engaging, equally brilliant, and equally charismatic. There’s only one difference between them.

The first shows up clean-shaven in a bespoke suit and polished shoes, wearing a Rolex. The second is dressed in dirty sneakers, ill-fitted jeans, and a hoodie. Which of the two would you prefer to do business with?

Of course, that’s a bit of an extreme example. You aren’t likely to encounter such a huge dichotomy in the professional world. But you will find yourself in situations where you judge one person more favorably than another based on how they’re dressed – and in situations where you are the one being judged.

Consider: in a study carried out by Ben C. Fletcher and Doctor Phil Oxon, participants were shown pictures of a man with his face hidden before being asked to make ‘snap judgements’ about him. The differences were quite minor. In some of the pictures, his suit was perfectly fitted; in others, there were minor inconsistencies or flaws.

People judged the man in a bespoke suit more favorably than any other picture, rating him as more confident, successful, flexible, and higher-earning.

It seems obvious, right? If your outfit makes you look commanding, confident, and put-together, people will assume that’s what you are. But it goes even deeper than that.

See, there’s evidence that how we dress even impacts how we think and behave, something that may well play into how we perceive different outfits. A tailored, formal outfit, for example, makes us feel more powerful and confident. There’s even evidence to suggest that such clothing increases the hormones associated with dominant behavior.

Other examples of this phenomenon at play include:

• Casual outfits make us more relaxed, friendly, and creative. People tend to be less open and find it difficult to wind down in formal dress – a professional in casual dress (provided they’re put together) will likely be seen as more approachable and less intimidating than someone in a three-piece suit.
• Gym clothes such as shorts and sneakers make us likelier to exercise. Plus, people who see us in such clothes will assume we care about our health (even if we don’t).
• A uniform associated with a specific role or activity – such as a lab coat, police uniform, or surgeon’s smock – carries obvious connotations. Someone dressed like a doctor will obviously be seen as more intelligent, while someone dressed as a police officer will be seen as more of an authority figure. But wearing uniforms of any kind actually makes us  more focused, conscientious, and attentive.
• Luxury goods impact more than our perceived social status – someone with a Prada handbag or a Rolex watch might start leaning towards more conservative political values.
• Underwear matters, too – even if people don’t (usually) see it. A woman wearing lingerie under her suit will likely feel sexier and more confident, for example.

First impressions are everything, and whether or not you make a positive one is largely dependent on how you present yourself. Certain outfits carry with them specific connotations and expectations. You can use that – just make sure you meet those expectations in the process.

It’s not just the type of outfit that matters, either. There are plenty of other details you’ll want to nail down in order to make the best first impression possible. But that’s a topic for next time.

The post Dress Your Best, Part One: Why Clothes Make The Man (And Woman) appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

If none of these are quite right for your Valentine,

We’re already a month into 2016. For many, you’re still getting back into normal routines after the Holidays or hopefully still keeping your New Year’s Resolutions going. It would be easy to forget about that pesky little holiday just around the corner. Yep, we’re talking about Valentine’s Day.

One trend we’ve seen over the years is the rise of more niche gifts on the market, with geeky and nerd-themed Valentine’s gifts being one of the most popular. While the more traditional Valentine’s gifts of flowers and chocolates still reigning king, here at Blue Cotton, we know that some of your loved ones prefer their affectionate declarations be made with unicorns, meme cats, pixelated 8-bit jewelry, heart-shaped Darth Vader helmets, and computer icon cupcakes.

If your loved one falls into the latter category, then you’re in the right place! We’ve rounded up 13 of the best gifts on the market for your favorite nerd. Enjoy!

Me & You Keyboard

We begin our list with a gift that tells your loved one that you’re not messing around this year. The Orée Romance Edition Board 2 keyboard ($225+) comes with your choice of initials engraved and hand-lacquered in red. You also have the option of having a poem engraved on the back of the keyboard. (Keyboard customizations take three weeks, but the company will ship a leather card to announce the gift.)

Retro radio

Does that special someone in your life have a soft spot for the nostalgic? Well the Radio Dock from Jonas Damon ($40) is perfect for them. It’s made from a combination of beech wood and bass, and is compatible with iPhone speakers and electronics. You can always download Areaware’s public radio app, which finds up to seven public radio stations within a 50-mile radius.

DIY Steampunk

Steampunk has continued to grow in popularity over the years, and the Kinetic Nautilus Gear Kit ($25) makes it easy for anyone to create their own work of art. This package requires little effort, making it perfect for you or your Valentine to create something that’s one of a kind. The DIY kit comes with the wood and hardware to build a nautilus; you supply the glue and paint.

The Final Frontier

Sometimes, we find that it’s best to keep things simple. For the loved one in your life that has to travel (or stay home when you travel), the Spaceman USB Light ($20) can remind your Valentine that you’re out there somewhere. The light plugs into a USB port, and the spaceman’s visor flips up to turn on the LED light.

A Chunk Of Metal?

Gallium is a metal with a melting point of 85.57 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that at room temperature it is a solid, silvery chunk. But hold it in your hand and it melts, similar to how the Terminator melted in the movie. This gift doesn’t fit the traditional mold (see what we did there?) of hearts and love, but it’s definitely the most unique. The other great thing about gallium is that it’s cheap. You can get 20 grams for less than $16 on Amazon.

A Tech-Themed T-Shirt

Technology or “geek” themed t-shirts have always had a special place in our hearts. Like band shirts that you got at that small show you went to way back when, a great tech t-shirt can say something that only the select few who know the same language will understand. For you and your Valentine, it’s just another secret to remind you two that you’re perfect together.

8-Bit Necktie

A tie usually falls into the boring category of what you give your dad when you can’t think of anything. But an 8-bit tie that looks like it’s straight out of an old-school Nintendo game? That’s something that we know the special geek in your life will love. And for $20 at ThinkGeek.com, you could get them both colors!

Say What?

This Binary Code Poster says “I Love You” in the most nerdy way possible, and a lot of people who walk by it won’t know what it means, making it all the more special. It’s available in 8×10, 11×14 or 16×20.

Ring, Ring, Hello?

In the texting-obsessed age that we live, sometimes it’s nice to think about the days when you could simply pick up the phone on Valentine’s Day to tell someone you love them. Well this Pyle PRT35I Antique Phone ($79) combines the best of both worlds, and makes a great conversation piece for anyone’s desk.

Bake Your Heart Out

Now this is definitely one of our favorite gifts. While not tech-geeky like a lot of the other items on this list, these custom cookie cutters ($73) made using a photo of you and your Valentine are pretty great. And the fact that the company that makes them uses 3D printing to make it happen, makes it nerdy enough for us.

Imperfect Love

Who doesn’t love coding humor? If your loved one enjoys or works with computers, these aluminum bracelets are perfect for them. The set ($30) includes three bangles, hand-stamped with “still in beta,” “glitchy,” and “404 not found.”

Hard Drive Clock

OK, this one is just flat out cool regardless of whether or not your Valentine is geeky. There is an entire store of these awesome clocks made out of old computer parts, all ranging from $40 to $50. A pretty good deal considering that they’re all handmade.

Short And Sweet

Share a sweet sentiment with a customized Morse code necklace. The square pendant ($50) will fit up to 12 characters and is a wonderful way to share a secret between you two.

Whichever way you go this Valentine’s Day, we hope you have a wonderful day, and an even better year.

If none of these are quite right for your Valentine, go ahead and create a one-of-a-kind shirt using our Design Studio

The post 13 Geeky Valentine’s Gifts Perfect For The Nerd In Your Life appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

The New Year is here, which for many means it’s time to make those resolutions. Hopefully last year’s went well, but even if they didn’t, the beginning of the year allows for us to wipe the slate clean and begin again. It’s an opportunity for us to make changes, try something new, and put a fresh spin on the upcoming year.

According to a Nielsen poll taken at the beginning of 2015, the top 5 New Year’s Resolutions were:

• Stay Fit and Healthy
• Lose Weight
• Enjoy Life to the Fullest
• Spend Less, Save More
• Spend More Time with Family and Friends

Some of those goals may seem a bit arbitrary, but our guess is that a few of yours would fall under those categories. The good news for you is that there’s one decision that can help you achieve all of those at once: join a recreational sports team.

While you have all of the usual options of basketball and volleyball and bowling, it’s 2016, so we suggest taking a risk and trying one of the following new and exciting sports.

Whirlyball

What do you get when you combine basketball, lacrosse, and bumper cars? The high-stakes, low-skill world of Whirlyball! The game was first conceived in Salt Lake City in the early 1960s, but has just recently begun popping up across the country. The game is played on a 80′ x 50′ court with each player riding a Whirlybug (electric powered bumper car) and carrying a scoop, with which he or she can pass the ball to teammates and shoot at the goal, a circular target above the two opposite ends of the court. Players are not allowed to leave their cars or to touch the ball with their hands. Other than that, almost anything is allowed, within certain bounds of safety, of course.

Broomball

If you haven’t tried broomball, you are missing out! It’s time to strap on your shoes, yes shoes, and jump out on the ice. Broomball is like floor hockey, only played on ice. It follows many of the same rules as hockey, but also incorporates some soccer strategies. The game is typically played on a hockey rink with two teams consisting of six players on each side (a goalie, two defensemen and three forwards). A player uses a stick with a molded broom-shaped head to maneuver a six-inch diameter ball up and down the ice. Instead of skates, players wear spongy-soled shoes to gain traction when running on the slippery surface. The object of the game is simple: score more goals than the opposing team.

Bubble Soccer

The Germans call it Loopyball, while other countries in Europe call it bubble football or bubble soccer. You’ve probably seen a video of it shared by one your friends on social media, which is actually how it got started. Henrick Elvestad and Johan Gold, hosts of the Norwegian comedy sports show Golden Goal, posted a video of them playing the game on YouTube, and its incredible popularity sparked the birth of a new sport.

The game itself is a cross between soccer and zorbing, a sport where an individual rolls down the side of a hill or sometimes a level surface in a giant plastic orb. The plastic orb surrounding the player in bubble soccer is similar in construction but differs where these allow the player’s legs to run around freely or essentially wear the orb. The objective of bubble soccer is to score against your opponent’s net and knock each other down while trying. The game starts much like a competitive game of dodgeball. When players hear the whistle, they fearlessly rush into the center to find and kick a soccer ball through their suit. The ever-increasing amount of sweat will eventually make visibility an ongoing struggle because the exercise is real and this IS most definitely a sport.

Fowling

This fusion of three of America’s most popular pastimes – football, bowling, and horseshoes – is quickly catching on. Fowling, as the game is known, has just a few simple rules: two teams set up bowling pins across from one another and take turns trying to knock each other’s pins down by throwing a football. The first team to knock down all of the opposing team’s pins wins. If the rules sound pretty similar to beer pong, that’s because inventor Chris Hutt created the game while tailgating at the Indianapolis 500.

Quidditch

Yes, that Quidditch. While sadly this version doesn’t involve flying, fans of the Harry Potter series have turned the general idea behind Quidditch into a legitimate sport that’s taking off on college campuses around the country. It’s a co-ed contact sport with a unique mix of elements from rugby, dodgeball, and tag. A quidditch team is made up of seven athletes who play with brooms between their legs at all times. While the game can appear chaotic to the casual observer, once familiar with the basic rules, quidditch is an exciting sport to watch and even more exciting to play.

Trampoline Dodgeball

The rules to trampoline dodgeball are similar to traditional dodgeball, with some slight differences ( besides the fact that trampolines allow the players to jump over balls and throw the balls at opponents from up to 10 feet in the air). Two teams of five players each face off against each other at a time. Each game is four minutes in length or until one team has all its players knocked out. If both teams have players at the end of a game, the match goes into sudden death until the first player is knocked out. Simple, but exciting!

Segway Polo

Segway polo is similar to horse polo, except that instead of playing on horseback, each player rides a Segway PT on the field. The rules have been adapted from a combination of bicycle polo and horse polo. Two teams of five players each hit a ball with their mallets, trying to get the ball into the other team’s goal. While it takes a bit of getting used to, if you haven’t spent much time on a Segway before, the simplicity of the game makes it enjoyable for even the most casual of players.

Rock Climbing

Sounds tough, right? But contrary to what many beginners may believe, climbing is about much more than raw upper-body strength. The success of sending — or completing, as it’s known inside the sport — a route relies heavily on a long list of physical factors, including intricate footwork, lower body strength and lean muscle mass. Although not often thought of as a common form of cardio, ascending walls is a sure way to get your heart pumping, similar to the way climbing stairs or jogging does. A one-hour climb session can burn well over 700 calories. Plus, tricky maneuvers and lengthy reaches often require developing flexibility that wasn’t there before.

Whatever your goals for 2016 are, we hope you make it your best year yet. And if you have any other suggestions our readers might be interested in, leave us a note in the comments section below.

Need team shirts for the upcoming season? Try our interactive Design Studio. You can browse hundreds of options, or upload your own logo.

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I admire the brave souls who dive into the fray of Black Friday shopping. I salute your dedication to finding a great gift for a great price. I’m here today for the rest of you, who like to stay home and shop. Last year, I secured gifts for everyone on my list in one place, with one transaction! Not only was the process easy, but these gifts are also personal, thoughtful, and just maybe the best I’ve ever given.

Instead of trying to dream up the perfect gift for many different individuals with varied tastes, I decided to order a dozen custom t-shirts for my dad’s side of the family.

My grandfather was a coal miner, and my father and his nine brothers and sisters grew up in a coal mining camp in Coalgood, Kentucky. I found a picture online of the tokens that the coal mining company minted to pay wages to their employees. I selected the $20 token with “Mary Helen Coal Corporation” stamped on it. I uploaded the photo and placed it squarely on the t-shirt. I chose a charcoal grey t-shirt to compliment the coppery-bronze patina of the token. Once the design was perfected, I selected each family member’s size and made the purchase.

The custom t-shirts were a huge hit. The token printed on the t-shirts was a piece of my family’s collective history and had meaning for each of them. We sat together after opening gifts and talked about their childhood.

My dad remembered using these coins to ride the bus into town and to buy a movie ticket at the Margie Grand Theater. My aunt remembered buying her first pair of new shoes at the Mary Helen Coal commissary with these tokens. Almost-forgotten stories of childhood were shared by my uncles. Some of these were heard for the first time by grandchildren. These were not only the easiest gifts I selected and purchase, but they are also easily the most “talked-about” presents I have ever given.

Here at BlueCotton, we’re dedicated to making things easy. The easier it is for you, the more we like it. Would you believe you can take care of everyone on your list in one fell swoop, and give them a unique gift they will remember? You can, and I’ll show you in 5 easy steps how it’s done.

1. Think about your extended family. I know it’s all-at-once painful and hilarious – like hitting your funny bone but do it anyway. Do you have a nifty story in your ancestry that would translate well to a t-shirt design? Mike Coffey (our CEO) has a family-owned gas station in his history. My maternal great-grandfather once owned a motel. Any kind of business works well on a t-shirt and makes for great storytelling when you’re with the family. Better yet, invent one! Does your family like coffee? You could create a Coffee House with your last name – or a Hunting Lodge, or a Ski Resort, or a Drag Strip. The possibilities here are endless – whatever fictional business or activity would appeal to your family works perfectly.

2. Go to BlueCotton.com and start your design! You can use our clip art archives, or upload photos of your own. Do you have a picture of great-great-great-great Grandpa Chester? Upload that old photo of him with his Model-T and share it with everyone on a t-shirt. Family trees also make for great designs. Maybe you can finally figure out how you’re related to that cousin twice removed. Enlist assistance from other family members to fill in the blanks.

3. Once your design is ready for prime time, you can begin adding your sizes. Refer to your list and add sizes next to their name. Tally up the sizes and enter them into the Design Studio.

4. Checkout! During checkout, you may add additional shirts in another color, or another style. If you’d like a different color of shirt for Aunt Clara who strongly dislikes the green shirt you’ve chosen, you can add your design to a different color or different style while still enjoying the bulk pricing. See? I told you we like to make things easy.

5. Your order arrives! All your presents arrive together, and you never once had to stand in a line. You simply open the box, unfold them and wrap them. You could even take the easy way out by dropping them in those fancy printed bags, stuffing tissue paper in the top (or not), and slapping a tag on each one.

6. Be the hero and give a thoughtful family-themed custom t-shirt that they’ll remember!

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