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GREAT GIFT FOR A CIGAR SMOKER
It all started with the need to come up with a great gift for a surprise 45th birthday party for a cigar smoking buddy of mine. You know how those things go - it’s all about coming up with a great idea, not how much money you spend on the gift.
He and I have smoked a lot of cigars together. We’d have great nights out in NYC. Martinis, steaks, and wine at the Post House on 63rd and then over to Club Macanudo right next door to finish the night with Scotch and cigars. We’d each buy the obligatory cigar from Club Macanudo but smoke the Cubans that we brought in. Great nights.
When his wife told me about the surprise birthday, I wanted to come up with something special. Remember, in those situations it's not about the money, it’s about giving something cool, unusual, and fun.
I wanted to get him something related to cigar smoking.
I went through all kinds of ideas - lighters, cutters, ash trays, box of cigars, you name it. But, all those things he could buy for himself, so what was I really bringing to the table?
Then I thought... I'll get him his own cigar lighters.
THE FIRST BOX
I decided I'd make a box that slides open like a matchbox, but instead of matches, it'll be filled with "$20 bills".
I put his face on the box and called them "Tonon 45s" - Tonon being his last name and 45s to commemorate his 45th birthday.
Then I added the famous quote you see today on our MTB 45s boxes, Jeff says “If you can’t afford to light your cigars with a $20 bill, you can’t afford cigars.”
I know, ridiculous. But a great line, right?
“If you can’t afford to light your cigars with a $20 bill, you can’t afford cigars.”
A few other packaging elements and bam. A box of $20 bills for him to use light his cigars! I had the perfect gift.
Needless to say, we had a blast that night (as usual) and smoked some great cigars.
SHARING THEM WITH YOU
Here we are a few years later and I thought, I need to get these out to other guys. They're a fun item to have around, and we (guys) love this kind of stuff. Everyone needs money to burn.
So now... no matter where you are along life’s journey, there’s an MTB cigar lighter for you and your cigar smoking buddies.
The MTB 30s (the $1 bills) - for the guys just starting out and making a name for themselves, the MTB 45s (the $20 bills) - for the “masters of the universe” - the guys in their prime, the big dogs, and the MTB 65s (the $5 bill) - for the guys that are settling into the back nine and enjoying the second half.
MTB 30s - for the guy just starting out
MTB 45s - for the guy in his prime, and
MTB 65s - for the guy enjoying the second half
And that’s the story of the MTB cigar lighters.
Hey BTW - As many of you know, you want to be lighting your cigars with something that doesn’t affect the taste (e.g., a butane lighter). We know that too. But every once in a while it’s fun to get together and light up with a $1, $5, or $20!
Not to mention that a pack of MTB cigar lighters lying around your office or home makes a great conversation piece - whether you're smoking or not.
- The Big Dog at the Money to Burn Club