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October 29, 2013

5 Easy Thanksgiving Potluck Recipes Your Co-Workers Will Love

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 11:07 am

When you have to be at work in the days leading up to a holiday, the least you can do is plan a fun event to keep everyone’s spirits high. This Thanksgiving, have an office potluck earlier in the week, or the week before. Not only will you get to eat delicious food, but you can also take the chance to try one of these Thanksgiving potluck recipes and see if it’s one you want to make again on Thanksgiving day!

easy thanksgiving potluck recipes cranberry dip1. Cranberry Dip: Someone always arrives a bit early for a potluck, so stave off hunger with a delicious spicy cranberry dip! Adding some horseradish, honey, and lemon to a classic jellied cranberry sauce turns it into something special. Serve it with miniature hot dogs and apple slices for dipping.

2. Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Even people who don’t typically like Brussels sprouts can’t refuse these delicious ones! An additional perk is that you’ll only need to spend about 10 minutes of active time making them. Here is a great recipe for roasted potatoes and Brussels sprouts!

Easy thanksgiving potluck recipes cornbress dressing 3. Cornbread Dressing: Instead of the typical stuffing from a bag that you may expect to see at a work potluck, make something more unusual. The Pioneer Woman’s cornbread dressing puts a bit of a twist on the classic dish by using cornbread instead of regular bread, and adding sausage and apples.

4. Sweet Potato Casserole: When people don’t want to wait until dessert is served to get a few bites of something sweet, they’ll appreciate a sweet potato casserole. The candied pecan topping is to die for, and the buttery sweet potatoes underneath are delicious as well.

easy thanksgiving potluck recipes apple cheesecake 5. Apple  Cheesecake: Rather than debating whether to make an apple pie or a pumpkin cheesecake for dessert, surprise people with these apple cheesecake bars. If you’re pressed for time, you can even start with a store-bought cheesecake and just make the apple cinnamon topping.

If you’re the one planning the Thanksgiving potluck, you have a few additional responsibilities besides bringing your dish. You’ll need to print out Thanksgiving invitations so people know about the lunch. It also may be worth assigning a specific type of dish to each person so you don’t end up with a whole buffet line of pies. You can even recommend some of these recipes to people who may be willing to cook them!

October 22, 2013

5 Breast Cancer Awareness Month Office Ideas

Filed under: Marketing & Sales Promotion Techniques — PDWriter @ 8:25 am

Pink Ribbon Round Address Labels by PaperDirectOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it’s the perfect time to remind everybody in your office and beyond about this deadly disease. Increasing awareness may save someone’s life by helping to catch cancer early. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get the word out; using some simple breast cancer awareness month office ideas does the trick without killing your budget. Remember to think pink with our selection of pink paper.

Self-exam Calendars

Print up a calendar for the coming year, October through October, on a single sheet of paper that each employee can take home and hang in a convenient spot as a reminder to do a monthly breast self-exam. Mark one day each month as the suggested exam day and make the calendar easy to display by putting a magnet on the back or punching a hole at the top. Print on bright pink paper as a reminder of breast cancer and use cardstock to make it durable.Pink Woman Profile NoteCards by PaperDirect

Group Fundraiser

Employees in offices that work together to achieve a common goal are more likely to think about breast cancer awareness. Set a goal of raising enough money during the month to pay for mammograms for women who need some financial assistance. You can plan a fundraising event or just have office workers gather pledges. Print the pledge card for each employee on pink paper as a reminder.

Regular Office Memos

Print all of your office memos and notices on pink paper throughout the entire month of
October. Add a header or a tagline about breast cancer awareness month to remind or
educate employees. Include such things as notes about how early detection increases the cure rate or add a reminder that men can also fall victim to breast cancer.

Special Business Cards

Use the office printer to print special business cards using pink business cardstock or pink ink for use during the month of October. Print each person’s regular information on the cards and add special breast cancer awareness tips as suggested by the American Cancer Society on the back. Cards like this get a lot of attention from everybody that sees them.

Pink Coupon Border Post-it® Notes by PaperDirectBulletin Board Notices

Use pink paper for all notices posted to the employee bulletin board in the month of October. Using different shades of pink will help to keep them all from looking the same. Use a neon or other bright pink paper to post weekly awareness reminders about regular checkups, self-exams and ways to help breast cancer victims. These will stand out from the other memos and are sure to get noticed.

Hopefully one of these great Breast Cancer Awareness office ideas inspires you to take on the challenge and support breast cancer awareness. Looking for other great items to make a difference in the office with? Check out our selection of recognition pieces.

October 19, 2013

National Make a Difference Day – Saturday, October 26

Filed under: Recognition & Motivation Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:54 am

national make a difference day The people you work with can make or break your company’s success. It’s important to take time for activities and efforts that make employees feel good about themselves and one another. One of the best things you and your team can do together is participate in events like National Make a Difference Day.

For over two decades, people have come together on National Make a Difference Day to help improve the world we live in. Millions of people all over the country participate every year, making it the world’s largest national service day. There are projects for people with a wide array of interests, from feeding the hungry to volunteering at youth events.

When your team comes together to volunteer, it helps them bond with one another. Seeing each other outside the office helps increase rapport. And, you all feel more deeply connected to the community where you live and work.

You and your team can join an existing project, or, create one of your own. Ask your employees about the causes that they feel passionate about and what skills they have to share. You may also wish to pick a project that relates to the work you do at your company. For instance, a building supply company may donate a day improving a local playground.

Don’t forget to award those who participate. PaperDirect offers a wide array of gifts to give employees to show your appreciation for donating one of their days off. Fill a Make a Difference Day tote bag with items like water bottles, participation pins and handwritten notes of thanks. Don’t forget to include small snacks and drinks to keep your team refreshed out in the field. Those who show up to give back will appreciate the gesture.

October 18, 2013

5 Tips for Organizing a Company Golf Scramble

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:59 am

Let's Golf BrochuresOrganizing a company golf scramble is one way to build stronger teams on the job and off-the-clock. While some company organizers work with the local golf club planner to develop a charity event or semiannual outing, there is nothing wrong with in-house planning to save some money. Make it more fun by tailoring the event to fit your group!

One of the first steps in hosting a successful scramble is getting the word out. Printing sign up sheets, personal invitations and bulletin notices on golf-themed paper will generate buzz and encourage participation. Here are five more tips for organizing a golf scramble:

Flighted or Handicapped

Making the competition fair and balanced means giving everyone a chance at winning the prize. Especially if you expect more than four to six teams, establishing flights is normally considered the best approach. Encourage everyone to list their skill level and handicap – if they have one – on the sign up sheet. Decide if you want to tee off both nines or use a shotgun start based on the number of teams and the skill level variance.

By the Numbers

Decide how many teams will be allowed, tee off times, how teams will be assembled and when registration fees are due.

Establish the FeeCountry Club Golf Postcards by PaperDirect

Everyone wants to know the fee in advance – and if it includes a continental breakfast, a post- competition luncheon or a simple spread of beverages and snacks. Include this information on all invitations, brochures and flyers.

Coordinating envelopes and themed RSVP cards are available with many of our invitation styles. You could also design a PaperDirect custom postcard invitation that will double as an entrance coupon for the golf scramble.

Prizes, Gift Bags and Categories

Make if fun. If you are using gift bags, decide early what to put in each bag. Every office has someone that has that coveted entertainment gene. Enlist help from the office “party-girl” for inspiration.

Determine the payout and which flights and places will qualify for prizes. Some suggestions include longest shot, straightest drive and closest to the pin.

Back Nine Golf Border Paper by PaperDirectsNeed a Do-Over?

When printing the rule-handout, don’t forget the mulligan rule. Decide if mulligans are allowed and if so, publish the fee.

Planning a company golf scramble takes organizational skills and expert recording keeping abilities. Ordering your event banners, custom invitations and registration sheets online with PaperDirect will get you to the tee on time – no mulligan required.

October 15, 2013

5 Keys to the Best Dental Waiting Room on Earth

Filed under: Business Marketing Ideas — PDWriter @ 12:29 pm

Smiling Tooth Letterhead by PaperDirectAs a dental office manager, you probably try to minimize the time that your patients spend in your waiting room. However, it is inevitable that some people will spend their time waiting to see the dentist while relaxing in this area, so it’s important that you make your dental waiting room as comfortable and inviting as possible.

5 Keys to the Best Dental Waiting Room on Earth

  1. Provide free Wi-Fi. Kids can play games and adults can catch up on news or work. This small gesture can immediately make going to the dentist office less of a hassle.
  2. Offer your waiting guests a complimentary cup of coffee, or a treat such as a cookie or granola bar. This allows your dental waiting room to feel more like a home than a cold and isolated doctor’s office. You will want to be welcoming to your patients, and show them that you care.
  3. Design patient education materials that will help your patients become more informed as they are waiting to see the dentist or hygienist. Creating these materials on high-quality letterhead will help to maximize your impact while minimizing your cost. When printed on the best paper, these materials will last for months at Smiling Tooth Postcards by PaperDirecta time despite the fact that patients are handling them every day.
  4. Create awards that recognize the youngest patients that visit your office. Children are often intimidated by the dentist, so take this opportunity to show them how fun it is to visit the dentist while they are waiting for their appointment. Clean Teeth Awards and Patient of the Month awards are a great way to recognize young children who are visiting your office.
  5. Dental Logo Business Card by PaperDirectProvide plenty of entertainment for your patients of all different ages. Create a play area for children to use while they are waiting. Purchase reading materials such as magazines and newspapers for your older patients to peruse before their appointment.

When you take the time to create a comfortable, soothing and relaxing space for your patients, you will notice that your patient satisfaction rates will skyrocket. The dental waiting room is the place where your patients make their first impression about your practice, so make sure you create a positive space. For more information on ways to improve your dental waiting room and products you can use, visit PaperDirect.com today.

October 11, 2013

How to Create Custom Church Programs for Christmas

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: — PDWriter @ 7:51 am
Poinsettia Swirl Specialty Programs by PaperDirect

They say Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year,” and rightfully so. It’s a period marked by joy and goodwill, spending time with family and friends and, of course, gifts and great food.

Christmas Scroll Programs by PaperDirect

But there’s one other part of the Christmas holiday that’s looked forward to by all, both young and old, and that’s the church Christmas programs that are put on by the children each year. Such masses are typically the most crowded, as church-goers flock to them to see the children play various roles in the reenactment of the birth of Jesus Christ. However, while these programs are enjoyed by everyone, nobody perhaps takes greater satisfaction in them than the children that are performing. After all, they’ve worked hard to perfect their parts and put on a good show over the previous several months. They’re the stars of the show and they’ve earned it.

That’s why custom church Christmas programs make a nice touch around the holiday season, especially to hand out for churchgoers during the services.

  1. Creating custom Programs gives your hard working children some much deserved recognition, as they’ve prepared such presentations for the whole church community to see and enjoy.
  2. Programs help the church community follow along better, as they’re able to see which child is playing each character.
Bethlehem Star Programs by PaperDirect

Christmas is a great holiday and so much goes into making the holiday season a memorable one each year. The church Christmas programs are a big part of this and also a big part of helping to get people into the holiday spirit. Creating programs for these events just goes to further benefit this cause and give props to the children who are the stars of the show.

What’s more is that such programs can also be custom made, to include any news or upcoming events that the church also has planned throughout the holiday season and into the New Year. Common items to also include might be the church logo, church phone number, address, and website.

Yes, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. And church Christmas programs for those special occasions help make it even more wonderful. Find more information on custom church programs today.

October 3, 2013

Place Card Etiquette for A Company Banquet

Filed under: Event Planning Tips,Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 7:46 am

Estate Specialty Folded Place Cards by PaperDirectIf you’re the one who has been assigned with the task of organizing a company benefit, you will likely feel as if you’ve got your work cut out for you. A typical office environment can play out a bit like a soap opera, and if there are guests from out of town, or even International visitors, it can make the task that much more challenging. When figuring out how to approach place card etiquette, it is best to take things one step at a time.

Making the Seating Chart

In the United States, seating at a business banquet or similar event has not always been a big concern. In other countries, for example China, this is taken very seriously. The driving force for making a seating chart is honor, or the perception if it. If a company gets this wrong, future business dealings could be put at risk, potentially costing the company money.Euphoria Folded Place Cards by PaperDirect

Identify who is supposed to be considered the host, and sit them near the head of the table. Many suggest that the host should not be exactly at the head because it invites a separation between the host, guests of honor, and other people who are attending the meeting. The most honored guest should be seated to the right of the host, and the next most honored should sit on the their left.

Several things might put a person in position of honor including position in the company,

  • Representation of an International branch of the company, or a partnering company
  • Executive or manager at a company where a merger or other major transaction is on the table.
  • A person who has recently received an award of recognition
  • A person celebrating a birthday or retirement

Of course, everyone wants to feel important, therefore there needs to be a protocol in place that will keep some members from feeling as if they are so far down the totem pole that they are insignificant. If there are any tense relationships within the group, for example colleagues that were once in a relationship, care should be taken to see that their place cards are not next to one another.

 	 Wine Tasting Folded Place Cards by PaperDirectAddressing the Place Cards

The name you put on the place card is also important because it makes an impression and can play a large role in how much a guest or colleague feels respected and appreciated. If the banquet is an event where all parties may not know one another, tent cards should be used rather than flat cards. This means the occupant’s name should both face them and face outwardly in order to allow for networking.

Place card etiquette dictates that the formality be consistent throughout the addressing of the place cards. The most formal will have a title, and the full name of the guest, i.e.. Mr. Michael Jones, rather than Mike Jones. If he is the only “Mr. Jones” this is all that needs to face his place setting.

Whatever method you use, stay consistent. You may want to be formal for the top 3 or 4 guests of honor, and informal for subsequent guests. Much of the decision will depend on the company culture. A person’s everyday email signature may also indicate the appropriate way to address their card.

The Guest’s Role

In many cases, guests may not agree with seating arrangements, and may want to move a place card. Doing this without consulting the host is not advisable, and may make that employee seem unprofessional. However, guests that do make requests should be accommodated.

Ordering Place Cards

Regardless of the tone of the banquet, place cards need to look professional, and you can see that this is taken care of by ordering from Paper Direct. There are several designs to choose from, and the cards can either be ordered blank or preprinted, whichever is preferred.

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