You already know how to pick a decent bottle of wine and you have the basics covered, from a reliable opener to a good stopper. Your table looks put together, your tools work, and your style shows. Now the question becomes, how do you make the same bottle feel unforgettable without buying a whole bar cart of new gadgets?
This is exactly where Corkers from Monkey Business step in. Instead of tossing used corks in the trash, you turn them into tiny astronauts, dinosaurs, robots, or animals that stand right on your table. You are not just serving wine. You are creating a moment people will talk about later and, the best part, you do it with something you already have lying around.
Here is how we will uncover the map of Corkers and innovative wine accessories together:
1. Why Corkers are more than cute wine toys
2. How to use Corkers to stretch every bottle further
3. Smart ways to pair Corkers with other Monkey Business wine accessories
4. Real-life gifting and hosting ideas that feel generous, not expensive
5. A simple step-by-step path to building your own signature wine setup
"Is this it?"
If you have ever opened a perfectly good bottle of wine, set it on the table, then felt like something was still missing, you are not alone. You know the wine tastes fine, your guests are happy, but the moment itself feels a little flat. It is good, not magical.
Here is the twist most people miss. You do not need a rare vintage or a premium decanter to make wine feel special. You just need a small, clever detail that turns drinking into an experience. That detail can cost less than a couple of dollars, can fit in your palm, and can literally grow out of the cork you already have.
Corkers from Monkey Businessdo exactly that. They are tiny, playful kits that clip onto used wine corks and turn them into mini characters. Astronauts from the Corkers in Space series, dinosaurs from Corkers Dinos, animals, totems, you name it. One moment you are done with the bottle, the next you are building a tiny buffalo, deer, bunny, or a space hero like Major Thomas.
As you move through this guide, you will see how these small characters quietly transform the way you gift wine, host dinners, and show off your personal style. Consider this your map. Each section unlocks another piece of how to make more of what you already own, without overspending or overcomplicating your setup.
By the end, you will know exactly how to turn an "empty" bottle into entertainment, how to pair Corkers with other Monkey Business favorites like the Katz 2 in 1 opener and Poncho De Vino, and how to build a signature wine kit that feels curated, not cluttered.

Start with the surface. What are Corkers, really?
Corkers are compact kits that include the body parts for one tiny character. You provide the cork, the kit provides the legs, arms, faces, and accessories. You simply push the pieces into a natural cork and, suddenly, you have a little dinosaur, rabbit, crow, buffalo, deer, or even a mini astronaut standing next to the bottle.
The Monkey Business Corkers collection covers several series, including:
• Corkers Animals
• Corkers Classics
• Corkers in Space
• Corkers Totem
• Corkers Dinos
Each kit is an original addition to the bottle you bring to dinner. It works like a conversation starter that also happens to be an upcycled sculpture. Instead of leaving with an empty bottle and a slightly guilty feeling about waste, you leave a keepsake that can sit on a shelf for months.
From a practical angle, Corkers take up almost no storage space and come at a fraction of what you would pay for higher-end wine gadgets. Compare that to premium corkscrews that can run 30 to 100 dollars or more, and you start to see how cost-effective playful design can be.
Here is where the map starts to reveal something deeper. Most wine accessories focus on the moment before or during pouring. Corkscrews, chillers, stoppers, aerators, all useful, all focused on the liquid itself.
Corkers flip that script. They live in the "after". The part people usually ignore.
Think about the usual flow.
• You open the bottle.
• You pour and enjoy.
• The bottle empties, the cork hits the trash, the moment fades.
With Corkers, the empty stage becomes a highlight. As soon as the cork pops, it turns into raw material for a character. You pass the cork and the kit around, someone snaps the legs in, someone adds the tail or helmet, everyone laughs, and suddenly the end of the bottle is a shared little ritual.
This is powerful for two reasons.
First, it stretches the perceived value of a simple bottle. You have not changed the wine, but you have created an extra layer of fun that you did not have to pay a lot for.
Second, it changes what "waste" looks like. Instead of single-use, the cork becomes part of the story. That small act of reuse can feel surprisingly satisfying, especially if you care about getting more life out of everyday items. Globally, hundreds of millions of wine bottles are opened every year and a large portion of those corks are tossed. Turning even a tiny fraction of them into tiny art pieces feels like an upgrade.
A true-to-life example. Imagine a low-key Friday night at home. You open a modest bottle, nothing fancy. Normally, it is a quiet drink and done. With a Corkers Animals kit, that same night turns into a mini "build and sip" session where you and a friend assemble a tiny buffalo or bunny and line it up on the windowsill. The wine did not change. The experience did.
Now we uncover the next part of the map. How do you turn an ordinary bottle into a gift that actually feels thoughtful?
The answer is not always "buy a more expensive wine". Often, it is "add one playful, functional accessory". Monkey Business spells this out in their own advice. If you want a simple bottle to feel special, pair it with something small, clever, and memorable.
Here are two easy combos you can use right away:
1. Everyday wine plus Katz 2 in 1 opener You bring a solid everyday wine, nothing intimidating, and pair it with the Katz 2 in 1 opener from Monkey Business. At first glance it is a sturdy bottle opener you will use every week. Look closer and you see it also acts as a mini level that can help hang a picture frame or straighten a shelf. Your gift suddenly does double duty, both at the table and in the toolbox.
2. Bottle plus Poncho De Vino sleeve plus Corkers kit This one turns a standard bottle into a tiny "experience kit". The Poncho De Vino sleeve adds color and keeps the wine chilled, while the Corkers kit waits for its moment once the cork comes out. You are not just dropping off a bottle. You are gifting a cold drink, a visual statement, and a creative activity.
The finishing touch is free. Add a small handwritten note about why you chose that combo. For example, "This little astronaut is for your first dinner party in the new place" or "This dino is your official celebration mascot." That is the kind of detail people remember long after the wine is gone.
Research on gifting shows that people often underestimate how much a personal touch matters. Thoughtful, personalized gifts often create stronger emotional connections than expensive ones. Corkers lean fully into that. They are small, personal, and make it clear you did not just grab the first bottle off the shelf.
Now that you see how Corkers change the "after" and upgrade gifting, let us map out your whole setup. Think of it as a staircase. Each step adds one small but powerful element to your wine game.
Step 1: start with a signature piece Pick one accessory that quietly says "this is my style" every time it hits the table. Monkey Business suggests fun options like a hat bottle stopper or a Poncho De Vino sleeve. The stopper makes your bottle look dressed up. The sleeve keeps it chilled and colorful.
Step 2: add protection tools Next, make sure you are not wasting a drop. Keep at least one good stopper for still wine and, if you enjoy bubbly, a sparkling wine stopper that hugs the neck tightly. Quality stoppers help preserve freshness and keep your wine tasting its best.
Step 3: layer in corkers Now you bring in the fun. Corkers are where you turn "empty" into entertainment. Line up a small set that fits your personality. Maybe the Corkers Dinos family pack, which often runs as "4 for the price of 3", or the Corkers Animals family pack of 6. These bundles give you multiple characters to play with at once, great for parties or family nights.
Step 4: pick one multiuse hero tool This is where the Katz 2 in 1 opener really shines. It earns its place by doing more than one job. You use it as your weekly bottle opener, then pull it out again when you need to straighten that slightly crooked frame in the hallway. You avoid clutter and still feel cleverly equipped.
Step 5: finish with mobiles and hangers Finally, add a visual flourish. Simple mobiles or hangers can turn a bottle into the star of your table or kitchen corner. One bottle becomes a tiny display piece, especially when it is standing next to a Corker character you built from its own cork.
Each step is small, but together they create a complete experience. From the first impression (your signature piece) to the last laugh (your Corker mascot), your wine setup tells a story about you.
So how do you bring all of this to life when people actually come over?
Here are a few true-to-life scenarios.
Family dinner with kids at the table Kids are often bored by adult conversation and uninterested in the wine itself. Corkers change that. As soon as the first cork comes out, pass a Corkers kit to the kids. Let them build a deer, bunny, or crow while the adults chat. You keep small hands busy and give them something they can proudly show off when dessert arrives.
Wine and craft night with friends Ask each guest to bring a bottle and, instead of focusing on label prestige, lay out a few Corkers kits from different series: Animals, Dinos, in Space, Totem. As bottles are opened, people claim a character and build it. At the end of the night, everyone takes their Corker home as a souvenir.
Housewarming or host gift Instead of spending extra on a high-ticket bottle, choose a balanced everyday wine. Pair it with a Poncho De Vino sleeve, a Corkers kit, and that all-important note. You keep your budget in check, but the gift feels curated and interactive instead of generic.
Office celebration or team toast For a small office party, bring several bottles and a multi-pack of Corkers Animals or Dinos. As people refill their glasses, let them build their own tiny character and keep it on their desk. It is a simple way to spark conversation across teams without forcing awkward icebreakers.

By now, you can see the full picture of what Corkers really do for you.
On the surface, they are tiny toy-like accessories. Look a little closer and you realize they solve several problems at once. They help you make the most of what you already own, they turn waste into something delightful, and they let you impress without leaning on expensive wine or bulky gadgets.
Layer Corkers into a setup that also includes a signature stopper or Poncho De Vino sleeve, a reliable stopper to protect what is left in the bottle, and a multiuse tool like the Katz 2 in 1 opener, and you have a complete wine kit that feels personal and smart. It is not about having more stuff. It is about choosing a few pieces that pull extra joy, story, and function out of every bottle.
The next time you open a wine, pause before you toss that cork. Maybe that little cylinder is not done working for you yet. Maybe it is about to become a dinosaur, an astronaut, or the one small detail your guests remember most. If one tiny character can transform the way people feel at your table, what other everyday moments in your home are waiting for a playful upgrade?
Q: What exactly are Corkers and how do they work?
A: Corkers are small kits from Monkey Business that include plastic body parts for one character. You provide a natural wine cork, then push the pieces into the cork to create a tiny figure, such as an animal, dinosaur, or astronaut. They are designed to work with standard natural corks, so you simply save your corks instead of tossing them out and use them as the base for your mini sculptures.
Q: Are Corkers only for serious wine lovers?
A: Not at all. Corkers are perfect for anyone who enjoys a fun twist on everyday moments. They work in family settings with kids, casual dinners, office gatherings, or more serious tastings where you want a lighthearted icebreaker. You do not need deep wine knowledge to enjoy them. You just need a bottle, a cork, and a sense of play.
Q: How can I use Corkers to make a budget-friendly wine gift feel special?
A: Choose a good but affordable wine, then pair it with one Corkers kit and, if you like, an accessory such as a Poncho De Vino sleeve or Katz 2 in 1 opener. Add a short handwritten note explaining why you picked that character or combo. This low-cost bundle turns an ordinary bottle into a mini experience that feels thoughtful and personal without raising your budget much.
Q: What Corkers series should I start with?
A: If you want broad appeal, Corkers Animals or Corkers Dinos are great entry points, especially if you plan to use them with kids or mixed-age groups. For something quirkier, try Corkers in Space with characters like Major Thomas or Galileo 17. If you host often, consider a family pack, such as the Corkers Dinosaurs family pack (4 for the price of 3) or the Corkers Animals family pack of 6. These give you multiple characters to use across several bottles and events.
Q: Do Corkers replace other wine accessories like stoppers or openers?
A: Corkers are not meant to replace essentials like a good opener or stopper. They complement them. Think of Corkers as the playful layer that joins your practical tools. You still want a reliable opener, such as a waiter's friend or the Katz 2 in 1 opener, and a stopper to protect leftover wine. Corkers enter the scene once the bottle is opened and the cork is free, turning that leftover piece into something fun and memorable.
Q: Are Corkers reusable and how do I store them?
A: Yes, Corkers pieces are reusable. You can pull them out of one cork and place them into another. To store them, keep the parts in a small box or resealable bag between uses. Some people even leave the built character on a shelf or desk as decor until they are ready to reuse the cork or retire it. The kits are compact, so they take up far less space than most traditional wine gadgets.