Ever wonder why engravable flasks are still great items to give as gifts? Well, because these evoke the fun and carefree flapper 1920s; serve a utilitarian function of holding your favorite beverage and it is not water, bet your bottom dollar; boost your image, with sophisticated, man of the world who appreciates good brandy on the go as a safe bet; and it harks back to the time when drinking liquor was prohibited and carrying a flask around was risqu‚ and therefore exciting.

The good news is that you can get engravable flasks concealed in a “good book” (read: the Bible), much like how the drinkers of old hid their flasks in ingenious ways. And that is exactly what this hip flask is called - The Good Book Hip Flask.

With this hip flask, you can be good and you can be bad. Think how good you will feel when others compliment you on your stylish taste and when your brandy caresses your throat. Think how “bad” you will look when you swigged down your liquor; cowboys and wranglers got nothing on you. After all, bad boys are better than good guys, right? Right? Oh, well. Each to his own, I guess.

You can be bold, too. How about bringing this flask to church services, slip into the confession booth and take a swig? This ought to perk you up from the boring sermons delivered by your priest, though you might have to contend with uninhibited and uncalled for reactions once the alcohol sets in. (Boy, are you going to get in trouble with your church) Then again, 4 ounce should not be enough to send you over the cliff.

You can give these engravable flasks as gifts on various occasions. You can elicit many reactions - incredulity as to why a “good book” is a good gift, amusement at seeing the actual content, appreciation for your thoughtfulness, and at worst, insult at the implication that the recipient is an alcoholic. Let’s hope it is not the last.

But whoever you give this gift to, be very sure that there is something in it. And it better not be plain water! Perhaps a Hennessy or a Remy Martin?