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5 Best Gifts for Poker Players

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We all have that one person in our lives who just loves playing poker. Maybe it’s your brother who got into the game playing in a college dormitory. Maybe it’s your aunt who dipped her toe into the pro circuit years ago. Perhaps it’s just a good friend you used to play the game with yourself. Whatever the case, poker enthusiasts are out there, and they actually make for fun people to buy gifts for, whatever special day it might be. There are just a lot of fun items and decorations surrounding this legendary, age-old game, and that provides virtually endless gift-giving opportunities.

Here we’ll look to identify five of the best options for those of you who do in fact have poker fanatics in your lives.

1. Beautiful Playing Cards

If you’re looking for a simple gift that will nonetheless be perfect for your poker-loving friend or relative, you might want to take a look at some of the playing card packs that have been coming out in recent years. A standard deck of cards (say, Bicycle brand with red or blue designs) has a certain classic appeal. But in the last five or ten years, designers have taken it upon themselves to really beautify playing cards with some fairly stunning results.

This is also a fun idea because you have lots of options. Some designer cards are merely classier, slightly more artistic updates on the traditional look. Others embrace themes ranging from wildlife to era-specific aesthetics. And some still are more radical redesigns. Whatever you choose, any avid poker player will appreciate receiving a pretty new deck of cards.

2. Noise-Canceling Headphones

There are a lot of benefits to various gaming headsets, but above all else poker players specifically tend to value these accessories’ ability to block out ambient noise. Poker players require concentration to excel at the game, and if the person on your list spends much time playing online, chances are he or she is used to thoroughly “zoning in” on the screen during games. High-end, noise-canceling headphones help with this effort, making for a more comfortable experience as well as more effective play.

3. Functional Poker Table Topper

Poker table toppers are foldable accessories that can help your friend or family member turn any table into a poker table at any time. They’re typically made with green felt surfaces and are surprisingly affordable (typically about $100 or a little less). They’re also highly functional though, in that most of them have built-in spaces for cards and sunken wells to hold chips (and drinks).

A poker enthusiast will appreciate this functionality not just because it makes for a comfortable game, but also because it makes for a fair one. While enforcing the rules is a given, regular poker players are also wary of angle shoots, which are basically sketchy or even unintentional ways for people to gain advantages without actually cheating. Because most angle shoots involve movement of chips though (hiding them, feinting bets, etc.), a functional table topper does away with them. With chips in designated slots, the game is more likely to run smoothly and fairly, which any poker lover will appreciate.

4. Online Course

If the poker player on your gift list takes the game seriously, or is working to improve, it may be the case that the most thoughtful gift you can give is access to an online course. Granted, there are some free courses on YouTube that offer a lot of value to players aspiring to higher levels. But some of the best poker instruction out there comes in the form of paid or subscription online courses. These courses are not the only way to understand how to win at poker, but they are effective. These are available for a huge range of prices, but for $100 or so you can give someone access to some genuinely beneficial instruction from successful and/or professional players.

5. LED Letters

Lastly, just for fun, you might consider buying some decorative LED letters suitable for a poker room. For instance, you might select letters that spell out “Poker Night” or “Texas Hold’em,” or even something more personal like “Jane’s Poker Lounge” (specific to the recipient of course, if you’re not called Jane, it would be a bit odd).

This is only really a worthwhile idea if the poker enthusiast on your list happens to play a lot of home games, or if you know he or she has a room dedicated to gaming. If that’s the case though, this is one more perfect gift idea for a poker lover.

Buying Tips

Why Shopping Local Matters More Than Ever

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In a globalized world, where massive e-commerce platforms and international conglomerates often overshadow small businesses, shopping local has gained new significance. As we grapple with the implications of a rapidly changing economic landscape, supporting local enterprises is not just a choice—it’s a crucial commitment. Here’s why shopping local matters now more than ever.

1. Economic Resilience

Local businesses, like Pink Lagoon, form the backbone of many communities. By shopping local, you ensure that money stays within the community, fostering economic resilience. According to studies, local businesses recirculate a significant portion of their revenue back into the local economy, whereas national chains siphon it off to other locations.

2. Supporting Community Identity

Local businesses offer products and services that reflect the community’s taste, culture, and values. They provide a unique character to towns and cities, setting them apart from places dominated by generic chain stores. By supporting these businesses, we help preserve the distinctive identity of our communities.

3. Job Creation

Small businesses are among the largest employers in many communities. By choosing to shop local, you directly support job creation in your area, ensuring that families have stable incomes and young professionals have opportunities to grow.

4. Personalized Service

Local businesses often provide a level of personalized service that large retailers can’t match. Shopkeepers get to know their regulars, offering product recommendations tailored to individual preferences. This personal touch, built on relationships and trust, enhances the shopping experience.

5. Environmental Sustainability

Local shopping means reduced transportation requirements. With fewer goods being shipped across long distances, there’s a significant reduction in carbon emissions. Moreover, many local businesses prioritize sustainable practices, sourcing locally-produced goods and minimizing wastage.

6. Encouraging Entrepreneurship

Supporting local businesses fosters an environment conducive to entrepreneurship. Aspiring entrepreneurs are more likely to take the plunge when they see a community that supports local ventures. This spirit of entrepreneurship is vital for innovation and future economic growth.

7. Community Well-being

Local businesses often contribute more to local causes, whether it’s sponsoring a little league team, supporting school events, or collaborating with local charities. By shopping local, you indirectly support these community-building endeavors.

8. Enhanced Choices

Local businesses often curate a diverse range of products, reflecting the tastes and needs of the community. This diversity ensures consumers have a wider array of choices, as opposed to the standardized stock found in larger chain stores.

9. Strengthening Community Ties

Shopping local fosters interactions among community members. Local stores become places where neighbors meet, share news, and connect, strengthening community bonds.

10. Responding to Global Challenges

Recent global challenges, like the COVID-19 pandemic, have underscored the importance of local supply chains. When international supply chains faced disruptions, it was the local businesses that often stepped up, adapting quickly to changing circumstances and ensuring communities had essential supplies.

11. Safeguarding the Future

Local businesses often face significant challenges, from high rents to competition from e-commerce giants. By choosing to shop local today, we ensure that these businesses continue to thrive in the future, preserving the vibrancy and diversity of our communities.

12. Authentic Experiences

Lastly, local businesses provide authentic shopping experiences. Whether it’s a handmade craft, a local delicacy, or a service rooted in local traditions, shopping local offers a genuineness that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.

In an era where convenience often drives consumption, taking a moment to choose local can make a world of difference. The resurgence of interest in shopping local isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a recognition of the invaluable role local businesses play in shaping our communities, both economically and culturally.

Now, more than ever, as we navigate the challenges of a globalized world, the act of shopping local becomes a statement—one of commitment to community, sustainability, and a shared future. Each purchase, no matter how small, contributes to a larger narrative, reminding us that true prosperity lies in the collective well-being of our local communities.

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What Are the Essentials for a Dab Rig Kit?

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A dab rig allows you to inhale cannabis vapor, which contains all the psychoactive ingredients found in cannabis, without any of the adverse effects of smoking, such as irritation.

To vaporize cannabis concentrates, you’ll need a dab rig kit. Here’s what you’ll typically find in these kits.

Choose the right dab rig

Before we go any further, you should know that there are different types of dab rigs. You can find traditional rigs that use a borosilicate glass construction. These rigs are similar to water bubblers, but they’re more convenient, and you can find portable mini dab rigs.

Some people prefer electronic dab rigs. These devices are similar to vaping pens. While electronic rigs heat up faster, many users prefer the flavor and vapor quantity they can achieve with a traditional glass rig.

What are the main elements of a dab rig kit?

Here’s what you’ll typically find in a dab rig kit.

Smoking device

The smoking device is the main element of the rig. It’s a glass piece that looks like a bubbler. It typically features a chamber where the cannabis vapor can build up and include a pipe element you can use to smoke.

Nail or banger nail

The nail is the element that heats up. It uses quartz, ceramic, or another material that can withstand high temperatures without cracking.

You can heat the banger nail to a temperature of 500 to 700°F. Opting for a lower temperature can enhance the flavor and preserve the THC compounds, but you shouldn’t go lower to avoid wasting cannabis concentrate.

Torch

Bute-powered torches are the most popular devices for heating the nail or banger nail. Butane burns clean, and these torches can instantly reach a temperature of 2,000°F. They’re easy to use and quickly bring the nail to the desired temperature.

E-nail

If you have an electronic dab rig, the device will include a built-in e-nail. This element uses a highly conductive material to heat up quickly as electricity goes through it. The electricity comes from a battery that you’ll have to recharge. It’s similar to the way THC vape pens work.

If you use an electronic device, you won’t need a butane torch to heat the nail.

Carb cap

The carb cap is an element you place over the nail as it vaporizes the concentrate. The purpose is to create a small chamber where heat and air pressure can build up. It helps you vaporize the concentrate more effectively. The carb cap also allows you to adjust the airflow.

Dabbing tools

You can typically purchase cannabis concentrate in quantities of 0.5 or 1 gram. Since the THC concentration can be as high as 80%, you only need a small amount when dabbing.

Use dabbing tools to handle cannabis concentrate while limiting waste. Paddles and scoops are great for products with a crumbly texture, but you can use hooks and picks for sticky substances. You may want to use small silicone containers to store the concentrates.

Wrap up

Investing in a dab rig kit is a great way to start with concentrates. When comparing different products, ensure these kits include all the essentials mentioned.

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The 7 Best Benefits of Shopping Wholesale for Clothes

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Whether you want to open up a new boutique or update your wardrobe, shopping for clothes wholesale boasts many benefits over buying clothes from other outlets.

Bulk orders

Easily one of the most significant benefits of purchasing wholesale clothing is bulk orders. Ordering your garments from a wholesale store means that you can buy the product in bulk. Bulk ordering is helpful because it means you get a discount on the shipping. After all, you aren’t ordering small quantities from several different places.

Wholesale companies offer benefits to those that take advantage of buying wholesale blank apparel in bulk.

Quality

While high quality might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of wholesale clothing, the clothes should maintain a level of quality.

Wholesale clothing goes straight from the manufacturer to your business or home. This means that clothes are not handled by as many people, and they are not being moved around as much. This lack of handling means that clothes have fewer opportunities to see wear and tear.

Access to trend cycles

As you probably already know, fashion goes through trend cycles like most other media types. A particular style or pattern is in one minute, just to be quickly replaced.

One benefit of wholesale clothing is that they are savvy to current trends and manufacturers’ production. Manufacturers following trends means you will have more direct access to what is in and can choose what to buy accordingly.

Price

The lower price of wholesale clothes is one of the biggest draws for most people. Buying clothes directly from a wholesaler lowers costs by cutting the middleman and having fewer people to pay for labor.

Wholesale retailers also want to avoid leftover products, so many will offer sales if you finish off a certain amount of stock.

Saves trips

Another benefit of shopping for clothes wholesale is that it saves trips. Instead of shopping at multiple trade shows, online stores, and boutiques, you can get all your clothing from one location.

Saving money on gas and time on shopping allows you to spend your time and money more wisely.

Variety

Wholesale clothing stores offer a wide variety of clothing colors and styles. These stores are less specialized, meaning you can pick out clothes from many different options.

Helping business owners scale

The last significant benefit of buying clothes wholesale is that it will help business owners to grow their businesses. Suppose you are interested in expanding your business or opening an additional store. In that case, wholesale outlets allow you to stock up on this new space quickly and within budget.

Even if you do not always choose to buy through wholesale stores, doing so to fill space quickly will have your boutique feeling more lively in no time.

Before you go

In the end, wholesale stores are a great way to buy clothes in bulk. Whether you want to fill up some space for your business or just want cheap clothes to expand your wardrobe, wholesale clothing stores have you covered.

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