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September 22, 2010

How to Address Wedding Invitations

Filed under: Wedding Wording & Etiquette — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 8:30 pm

Pristine Wedding InvitationsInvitation Envelopes Etiquette & Wording

As with any aspect of a formal occasion, every nuance of etiquette needs to be followed. There are conventions for thank you notes, for invitation wording and even on how to properly address wedding invitations and envelopes. By sticking to the rules of etiquette that are pertinent to this particular aspect of the wedding invitation, the “perfect wedding” can be achieved. While there are some that won’t care if it is perfect, there are those that want every single detail to be exacting. This guide is for those people.

The outer envelope should contain the names of the invited guests and their address. Write your return address on the outside envelope in the event that the sender doesn’t have a recent address. Traditionally, the return address, without names, is written on the back flap, not on the front of the invitation envelope. This will also ensure that those guests who want to send cards and gifts directly to your home will have the correct address.

Each guest’s title and family name is written on the inner envelope, along with the first names of the invited children.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller
David and Susan

Use formal names. If you would like to use middle names be sure to write out the full name.
Mr. and Mrs. David Miller
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allen Joseph

Spell out words such as apartment, avenue, street, and state names.
543 South Maple Street
Denver, Colorado

Abbreviate only Mr., Mrs., Ms., Jr., and Messrs. Write out professional titles, such as doctor.
Mr. and Mrs. David Miller
Doctor and Mrs. Henry Anderson

Address envelopes to both members of married couples even if you only know one.
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Morris
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Adams

The phrase “and Family” should only be used when everyone under the same roof is invited.
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Morris and Family
Doctor and Mrs. Henry Anderson and Family

Address envelopes to unmarried couples with the names on separate lines, listed alphabetically by last name.
Ms. Roberta Smith
Mr. Joseph Thompson
Mr. Henry Albright
Mr. Jeremy Barnes

Single guests should be listed by name on the outer envelope.
Mr. Robert Smith

For single guests, you may also add “and Guest” to the inner envelope.
Mr. Smith and Guest

Hosting Timely Events – Holiday Event Planning

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:04 pm

The holiday season is upon us yet again, and as with every year, planning holiday parties and events is up for consideration. When it comes time to sit down and work up holiday party planning, the biggest issue, aside from where to hold the function, is when to hold the function. While a couple of dates are definitive, there are other dates that have play to them and we have to incorporate a lot of factors into defining those dates.

Halloween parties generally take place on October 31st. If that doesn’t fall on a Friday orBlack Cat Capers Postcard Saturday, however, we have to take a look at what kind of party we’re having, the people to be invited, and where it’s being held. If it’s a kid’s party then having it at someone’s home (for a small party) or at a public park or event center (for a larger one) is a good idea. Not only can it be held on the 31st, regardless of what day it falls on, but it can also be held during the day, if need be. This way kids won’t be kept out late on a school night.

Snowflake Wishes PostcardFor office parties and parties where only adults will be the guests, then limiting it to a Friday or Saturday is necessary. This way parents will be home on school nights as well. This kind of attitude also applies for Christmas parties as well. While it is more acceptable to have an office or church related Christmas party during the week, it still interferes with school schedules and should be avoided if possible.

Being reasonable and balanced when it comes to party plans is what it takes to have the most success when it comes to having the parties themselves. It can be difficult, especially when trying to balance school schedules around work schedules and church schedules, but it is do-able. Plan well and have a great Holiday season.

September 19, 2010

20 Creative Ways of Boosting Employee Morale

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — PDWriter @ 2:15 pm

When it comes to keeping things flowing at work, production up and employees happy, Thanks Retro Dots Gift Card Holders by PaperDirectnothing helps like finding ways to boost employee morale. These could be big things like parties and celebrations, and they could be little things like a card in the paycheck expressing appreciation. Here are 20 sure fire ways to increase employee satisfaction and morale:

  1. A raise always helps boost spirits, but isn’t always feasible in this economy. Although, sometimes even a token raise of a penny or two an hour shows employees their efforts are appreciated.
  2. A thank you card or note in the paycheck envelope as mentioned above does show the employee that their effort is noticed.
  3. A special parking spot near a door or in a prominent location can be used as an incentive or reward
  4. A locker or fridge magnet for Employee of the Month or some other morale boosting phrase can be put on a locker or in the break room to encourage morale
  5. Birthday cards show employees Birthday Gifts Deluxe Greeting Card Setthat they are important by honoring their birthday
  6. Holiday cards also improve morale and build a better company community
  7. Award bonuses for performance encourages productivity
  8. Recognition awards and certificates for attendance and a whole host of other little things encourages employees to be consistent and timely
  9. Diplomas and bonuses for “company birthdays” for years with the company
  10. Certificates or awards for ways to improve efficiency
  11. Bonuses and awards for cost saving measures and ideas
  12. Invitations to company events like Christmas parties and other celebrations. This not only gives the employee the “official status” of being invited, but can also be used as an RSVP for planning
  13. Employee family recognition cards can be given out during holidays and other occasions like graduation. This shows the employee that not only does the company care about them, but their family too
  14. Awards or diplomas for personal goal achievements like quitting smoking or losing weight. These encourage employees to be healthier.
  15. Safety awards Safety Award Winner Recognition Pinand cards to encourage employees to be safe and not get injured on the job
  16. Production awards and incentive certificates to encourage employees to maintain or boost production levels
  17. “Perk” awards like a “day off” certificate to add a lighter atmosphere with a random “award”
  18. Back to school coupon deals with local stores shows those employees with school-age kids the company is paying attention
  19. and 20. Non-standard Christmas and New Year’s parties show employees the company is forward thinking and progressive. Instead of the same old parties, why not have a pool party in a hotel or some other themed party totally not what the occasion is about?

Employee recognition and morale is all about showing the employee they are important and that the company is appreciative of their efforts and who they are. All too often, employees feel like they’re just a number in the machine. Showing them the company is paying attention definitely improves attitudes.

Easy Certificate Layout Designs

Filed under: How to Design Certificates — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 2:04 pm

When it comes to a quick and easy way to boost morale around the office, You Make a Difference Certificate Papernothing helps like recognition. Knowing your superiors are paying attention to your efforts is definitely appreciated and having that recognition validated by even something as inexpensive as a certificate is appreciated as well. There are even things that can be done with the certificates beyond saving them as recognition validation as well, and your certificate layout designs can reflect what it’s being used for.

Most certificates are simply used for recognition purposes, and the layout is generally the same. Having the company logo up top, the award heading under that, then the person’s name who won the award and a description is usually under that. Other things that can appear on the award are signatures of corporate officers, the company slogan or even the mission statement can be on it. Of course, having everything laid out in a nice script font and that has a scalloped edge or at least some kind of laced border lends an air of sophistication to it as well.

Great Job Certificate PapersHowever, other layouts are perfectly acceptable as well. Logo left or right, text opposing is acceptable, and even doing a reverse order for everything, as long as it makes logical sense will work. Certificates are meant to be an expression of the company’s appreciation of an employee, not a straight jacket. Especially when the company is using the certificate as incentive as well as recognition.

When companies do that, not only is there the appreciation for the award, but by setting them up as “cashable” incentives, encouraging an employee to earn multiple awards and exchange them for a bonus or prize like a vacation trip, days off, or other nice incentives, employees have added desire to try to get those certificates.

Certificates like that can have a more “open” layout since there could Renaissance Standard Certificate Paperbe areas to put incentive program stickers or add-ons, and there’s no set way that has to be done. Certificates are meant to encourage the employees to be better at their jobs, and making your own, using your own layouts and ideas, lets them know the employer is paying attention to their efforts as well.

September 17, 2010

9 Tips for Delivering Powerful Presentations

Filed under: Marketing & Sales Promotion Techniques — PDWriter @ 11:43 am

Powerful presentations are vital to gain visibility for your company, prospect for new customers, and sell your products or services.  Read our tips for powerful presentations to make your delivery successful. Regardless of the structure involved, there are rules you can follow to make sure your presentations reach out and grab your audiences effectively.

Verbal presentations can be one of the most frightening aspects of your job (more so than being bitten by a dog or flying in an airplane, research shows). We hope to help relieve some of that fear and stress by providing you with these useful tips and ideas you can use for your next presentation:

1.   Appear confident in front of your audience; stand erect but relaxed.
2.   Speak so everyone can comfortably hear you, making sure to modulate your voice naturally.
3.   Speak at an appropriate pace for your material—neither too quickly (you’ll lose your audience) nor too slowly (you’ll put them to sleep).
4.   Use visual aids, overheads, or a software program like PowerPoint® to help keep your audience’s interest alive.
5.   Make frequent eye contact with your audience. Think of your presentation as a series of brief, one-on-one conversations with individuals. This keeps you from talking at your audience.
6.   Use a tone of voice that projects authority. Be enthusiastic in your delivery, and speak with belief in your message.
7.   Keep your presentation as brief and simple as possible.
8.   End your presentation with a clear message reiterating the most important points that you want them to remember.
9.   Engage your audience shaking hands with them either before or after your presentation.

Great Party Tips – Party Invite Wording Ideas

Filed under: Designing Your Invitation — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 11:31 am

Holiday InvitationReady for some great party tips, start with great party invite wording. Parties are all designed to celebrate something. Birthday parties, Christmas and New Year’s parties and even Halloween or Employee Recognition parties are all designed to celebrate accomplishments or to commemorate a special occasion. When you’re planning your parties, one of the key elements to almost all of them is invitations. And while that would seem to be the easiest part of the party to plan, they can actually be the main reason a party is a success or failure.

All too often, people don’t apply any real thought when it comes to invitation wording ideas. They’ll simply put a time and date of when the event is, and maybe add an RSVP if they have to know the number of people coming for reservations purposes. But putting some brain power into how you word the invitations can actually make your party a real must-see event.

Gold Stars InvitationGranted, you do need the time and date on the invite, as well as the location of where it’ll be. And if you are having to reserve tables at a restaurant or other facility that needs a reasonably accurate head count, that needs to be in there too. But that doesn’t mean your invitation has to read as dry as the Sahara Desert during a drought. On the contrary, while that style of delivery does ensure the facts stand out, it doesn’t encourage the invitee to participate.

When it comes to fun parties and celebrations, having a fun invitation sets the tone. Having a humorous patter to your invites encourages people to expect a fun, entertaining party. If you’re planning a celebration specific to an event, using words that encourage that theme and concept will set the tone. While a certain amount of expectations can be set with the kind of card you send, it’s the words and concepts delivered with the wording that will ultimately have the most impact on how the party starts, and ultimately progresses.

Choosing the wording for your invitations may not seem like it’s a very important thing to do, but it can make all the difference when it comes to how people expect your party to be.

September 15, 2010

Cool Halloween Invitations You Can Make

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:45 am

Black Cat HalloweenBorder PapeWhen it comes to parties, there’s usually not a better party during the year than a Halloween party. Not only are there lots of fun decorations, but all the different costumes are enjoyable as well. To start things off, you can even have cool Halloween invitations. And the best part of that is the fact you can make them yourself!

While having Halloween invitations printed up is something you can do, it’s usually pretty expensive, and having them made for you takes away a little of the fun. And spending tons of money on Halloween cards that all you have to do is put your name on it actually seems lame in a lot of ways.

Good Ghost Halloween Border PaperThat’s why making invitations yourself can be an enjoyable task to do. Even if you simply buy printable invitation cards and run them through your printer to add the text, you can customize each card and even do fun things inside them with graphics and styles to make them stand out. Even if you decide to hand design each card, people receiving them will know you’ve put personal time, effort and thought into something as trivial as the invitation. That kind of attention to detail is going to make for an entertaining party!

I Want My Mummy Halloween Border Paper

So take a look at the different styles of invitations out there, pick one or two you like and sit down and make them your own. Whether you’re planning a lively party, or a scary haunted house, you don’t have to start from absolute scratch to get a great customized, totally cool Halloween invitation and the rest of it is pure fun!

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