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November 6, 2013

How to Reward Employees for a Job Well Done

Filed under: Recognition & Motivation Ideas — PDWriter @ 4:57 pm

Glass Container Small Star by PaperDirectAfter a year of hard work, your employees are looking forward to spending the Christmas season with their friends and family. As a business owner or manager, this is the time of year to show your appreciation for the people who work for you. You will want to know how to reward employees for doing a superb job, while also providing incentive for them to continue their hard work into the New Year.

How to Reward Employees for a Job Well DoneMoney Machine Gift Box by PaperDirect

  • Offer them a dress casual day or jeans day to use during the month of January. January is a long, cold and often depressing month. Giving your employees a chance to wear their favorite hooded sweatshirt or comfortable pair of jeans can boost their morale during the dead of winter.
  • Provide your employees with gift cards to a nice, locally-owned restaurant in the area. Give them a chance to take their spouse, partner or children out for a good meal and enjoy a night on the town. Showing that you promote the local economy and support small businesses also will impress your employees.
  • Give your employees a special Christmas gift at the holiday party. This does not necessarily have to be a big and expensive item, but it can be something useful and unique. Items with your company brand name are always a hit, such as a travel coffee mug or a new water bottle. Try to choose items that any person would use in their daily lives.
  • You Do It ALL NoteCards by PaperDirectWrite each employee a personal note of appreciation. This may seem like a small reward, but it will speak volumes to your employees. Many people go to work each day feeling like the job they do goes completely unnoticed, and they don’t expect to get this type of letter from their boss at the end of the year. It also presents the perfect opportunity to announce an additional reward or gift that the employee will be receiving.

No matter what reward or gift you decide to give to your employees, know that they will feel respected and appreciated. This goes a long way in increasing productivity throughout the entire calendar year, and also helps you to retain the best talent in your field. Don’t forget to invest in the best paper products for your Christmas party invitations and incentive letters. For all of your corporate Christmas needs, visit PaperDirect today.

Thank You Note Etiquette for Christmas Gifts to the Company

Scripty Thank You NoteCards by PaperDirect

At Christmas time, it’s not uncommon for clients and vendors to send presents to the companies they worked with over the past year. Although your business might have been the one providing the services to the client, it’s important to say “thank you” after receiving a gift. According to manners expert Emily Post, thank you note etiquette dictates that you send a note any time you receive a gift from someone who isn’t a close friend, especially if you aren’t able to say thanks in person.

Do: Write the Note as Soon as Possible

Vintage Elegance Specialty Thank You NoteCards by PaperDirect

It’s ideal to write out a thank you note for a Christmas gift as soon as you can. Try to write the note the same day, or the next day at the latest. Putting off writing the note means you’re likely to forget to do it. If you’re swamped with end-of-the-year work during the holiday season, have an employee write the note. Read and approve the note before it’s sent.

Don’t: Use a Form Letter

Depending on how many gifts your company receives at Christmas, it can be tempting to write the same thank you note over and over. Doing so will save time, but it will also make your clients and other gift-givers feel that you don’t actually appreciate the presents.

Customize each note, stating the name of the gift-giver and the item they gave. You can describe how your business will use the gift or simply express gratitude that the person took the time to think of your company. Write the notes by hand on Christmas note cards for an extra personal touch.

Do: Send an Actual Note

Holiday Holly NoteCards  by PaperDirect

In the era of email and text messages, sending an actual, paper note seems a little outdated. While it’s okay to call or email the gift-giver right away to say thanks, it’s also good thank you note etiquette to follow up with an actual card. A physical note lets the gift-giver know that you appreciate his or her thoughtfulness and that you hope to continue to do business with them in the coming year.

PaperDirect has the supplies you need to get ready for the Christmas gift-giving season. The site makes it easy to order thank you cards and other Christmas stationery online.

November 5, 2013

Inspiring Christmas Newsletters that Would Melt Even Scrooge’s Heart

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: — PDWriter @ 4:00 pm

Golden Glimmer Newsletters by PaperDirecrtIt’s Christmas time!

Christmas is nearly upon us, and it’s time to think about your Christmas newsletter. For business owners, inspiring Christmas newsletters need to strike a delicate balance. You are, after all, addressing a tender, sentimental time of year deeply rooted in religious tradition. But, you’re also reaching out to business associates and need to maintain a degree of professionalism. Having a hard time finding just the right balance? Here are a few tips for writing truly inspiring Christmas newsletters while remaining professional.

Remember, it’s Christmas!
Christmas is a time of joy and celebration. Keep your newsletter bright and cheery. Include an old-time cookie recipe, for instance, and holiday decorating tips. Or, add the secret to making rich, dreamy, homemade cocoa.

Remember your AudienceWinter Rose Frost Newsletters by PaperDirect
You may be sending your newsletter to business associates, customers and suppliers, but the holidays are about people and their families. Direct your newsletter to them. Save talk about marketing and sales figures for another time.

Be Approachable
Business relationships can often be impersonal, and that can actually hurt sales. Christmas is the time to open up a bit. Share a favorite Christmas memory from your childhood, for instance, or describe a treasured family holiday tradition.

Use Christmas Stationery
Save the plain white paper for another time; it says, “Business,” not, “Christmas.” A Christmas newsletter should be colorful and appealing, but not so visually stimulating that your message gets lost in the shuffle.

Remember the Less Fortunate
Keep in mind that the holidays can be difficult for people who are struggling financially when writing your newsletter.  Write about charitable works of your employees, as well as those of your own. Encourage everyone to do what they can for others during the Christmas season.

Pine Perfection Newsletters by PaperDirectExpress Your Gratitude
If nothing else, Christmas is a time of gratitude. Use your Christmas newsletter to thank everyone who has made your life a little better over the past year. Your employees and customers all deserve a “thank you” for making your business the success that it is.

If you keep these principles in mind, you’ll create a Christmas newsletter that will touch people’s hearts. And, if you want to find other ways to brighten up the holidays, visit PaperDirect. They make it fun and easy to shop for invitations, gift certificates, and greeting cards – everything you need to make this Christmas season truly sparkle!

Fun Christmas Games for Everyone from the Intern to the CEO

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 9:14 am

Holiday Christmas parties can either be either a drag or a blast, depending on how well you plan. Rather than carrying office hierarchies over to the company party, choose games that will help everyone feel like equals – and have some fun! Try these Christmas games for everyone at your party this year.

Fun christmas Games for the OfficePuzzled Cards

Divide the number of guests by two and find that many Christmas cards. Cut the picture of each card in half and mix the halves together in a basket. As guests arrive, have each guest draw a card half from the basket.  The next step – mingling with fellow guests to find their “better half!”

Gift Wrap Twins

Once everyone has found their match, have these pairs compete together in a fun gift wrapping game. Distribute boxes, scissors, tape, gift wrap, and ribbon to everyone and give the pairs three minutes to wrap the box as nicely as possible. The catch is that each person can only use one hand!

Oven Mitt Unwrapping

Rather than raffling off prizes to guests, make them work for them. Put a gift wrapped in many layers of paper, a die, and a pair of oven mitts on each table. Guests pass the die around the table, each rolling it, until someone rolls a six. That person takes the oven mitts and attempts to open the gift as others keep rolling the die to see who goes next. Whoever finishes unwrapping the gift gets to keep it!

Fun Christmas games for the officeHoliday Charades

Once everyone is loosened up, play a fun game of charades to end the party. Divide guests into teams of about five people, and if you have a large company, divide the room into many head-to-head battles of two teams. Have each team create Christmas-themed charades prompts for the other team to act out. Everyone will get some good laughs from this game!

Of course, before you host a fun party full of Christmas games for everyone from the intern to the CEO, you’ll need to get them all there. Choose classy Christmas party invitations that set off the event as a fun and festive one that everyone will enjoy. When you choose invitations that mesh with the fun company culture you’ve created, employees will come to the party ready to play these fun games!

November 4, 2013

How to Write Your Company’s Very First Christmas Newsletter

O Christmas Tree Newsletters by PaperDirect

Sending a Christmas newsletter to employees, supporters, clients, and customers gives a glimpse of what has happened during your first year as a company. Even if you already know how to write a company newsletter, adjust your approach a little for the Christmas season. Your newsletter should have a warmer feel because of the holidays, it should also be a snapshot of the whole year, plus a peek at the year to come. Follow these tips as you write your first company’s Christmas newsletter.

Reach a Broad Audience


You likely haven’t built up a huge mailing list of people in your specific business niche, which means your newsletter needs to appeal to a wide range of people. Choose general interest stories and don’t pack them with technical data and industry abbreviations.

Christmas Fantasy Newsletters by PaperDirect

Share Your Success Story

One of the key articles in your Christmas newsletter should be an overview of what your company has accomplished over the year. In addition, thank your readers for their contributions, which could include time, money, expertise, or loyalty.

Write Descriptive Headlines


People are often bombarded with newsletters during the Christmas season, so yours might get tossed aside if nothing grabs people. Write catchy headlines that are a complete sentence with a verb, which helps hook the reader.

Create Compelling Leads


As you write the articles, remember that readers may not dig for the most important information if it’s hidden in the middle of the article. Create a strong lead sentence that makes the information easy to find and draws in readers who are actually interested in knowing more.

Luminous Holiday Newsletters by PaperDirect

Discuss Goals for Next Year


The Christmas season is a time to reflect and to look forward, so finish your company newsletter with your upcoming plans. Show people that your start-up is here to stay, and that you have exciting new developments ahead.

After you have written the newsletter, it’s time to tackle the layout. Articles are easier to read when they are arranged in two or three columns. Make the most important headlines the largest, and use no more than two fonts for the entire newsletter. Also, rather than printing your Christmas newsletters on plain paper, choose festive Christmas paper to match the celebratory feelings of the season. Your newsletter will not only get read, but it is likely to be displayed alongside other Christmas cards during December.

8 Corporate Christmas Party Ideas

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 7:36 am

Poinsettia Petals Casual Invitations by PaperDirectThe office Christmas party is back. Whether you have a lot of employees or just a few, ring in the holiday season this year by holding an event to celebrate a year of hard work. Go beyond the basic office party with one of these corporate Christmas party ideas.

1. Hawaiian Luau

Throw a Hawaiian luau to get your employee’s minds off of the cold temperatures outside. Decorate a Christmas tree with leis instead of tinsel and silk hibiscus flowers instead of ornaments. Teach employees to hula and limbo.

Penguin Pals Die-Cut Holiday Greeting Cards by PaperDirect2. Give Back Party

Celebrate the spirit of Christmas by holding a “give back” party for your company. Ask employees to bring in items to donate, such as canned goods and winter clothing. Spend part of the party writing Christmas greeting cards to people who are ill or lonely during the holidays.

3. Bowling with Santa

Reserve a few lanes at a local bowling alley for this year’s party. Bowling will give people an activity to focus on while they mix and mingle with co-workers. Someone from the company, perhaps the boss, can dress up as Santa and give up small gifts to employees as they bowl.

4. Cookie Swap

If you are looking to hold a low-key, relaxed party, try having a cookie swap. Ask each employee to bake (or buy) a batch of cookies to bring in. During the party, workers can trade cookies and share their Christmas plans.

5. FiestaFiesta Vinyl Banners by PaperDirect

Turn your office Christmas party into a “Feliz Navidad” party. Decorate the office with bright colors, hang a piñata and serve Mexican favorites, such as tacos.

6. Awards Show

Your corporate Christmas party is an ideal time to recognize the hard work of employees. Hold an awards show themed party, complete with a red carpet and podium. Give out awards in categories such as “Cleanest Desk” and “Most Sales.”

7. Casino Night

A casino-themed Christmas party is a great option if you plan on inviting spouses and family to your company party. Set up tables for card games such as blackjack and poker. Use a deck of cards with a Christmas theme to make things extra festive.

8. Comedy Club

If your budget is big enough, hire a local comedian to entertain your employees during the Christmas party. You can also purchase tickets for the group to a performance at a nearby club.

Hopefully one of these corporate Christmas party ideas inspires you. After all, a company Christmas party gives you and your employees a chance to enjoy time together, celebrate the holiday and reflect over the last year. Use PaperDirect to order cards, certificates and place cards for the perfect party.

November 1, 2013

10 Corporate Holiday Card Messages That Don’t Sound Corporate

Sparkle Tree Specialty Holiday Postcards by PaperDirect

The holidays are a time of year when business owners start thinking about how they will craft corporate holiday card messages to show clients and partners they care about them and appreciate their business. The main challenge is in determining how to make each message sincere and professional, but not too “corporate.”

If you can’t find the perfect card, don’t stress – you can customize your own Christmas cards and postcards!

Here are some corporate holiday card messages to get you started – feel free to mix and match these Christmas messages to create your ideal corporate holiday card:

Ways To Start Your Messages:

Happy Holidays Burgundy Deluxe Holiday Greeting Card by PaperDirect

Warmest winter wishes for continued success and an enchanted holiday season…

Wishing you the gifts of the season: Joy, Peace and Hope…

May the magic and the wonder of the Christmas season stay with you throughout the coming year…

Best Wishes for a holiday season filled with joy…

Warm Winter Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year…

Best wishes for a happy new year filled with health, happiness, and success…

Wishing you a festive holiday season and a very happy New Year…

One of the joys of the holiday season is the opportunity to say thank you and wish you all the best in the coming year…

Best wishes for a happy holiday season – our sincere thanks for your loyalty and goodwill throughout the year…

In warm appreciation of our association during this past year, we extend our very best wishes for a happy holiday Season…

Words to Keep in Mind:

  1. Happy Holidays
  2. Season’s Greetings
  3. Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year
  4. Joy to the World
  5. Warm Holiday Wishes
  6. Happy New Year
  7. Tidings of Joy
  8. Holiday Blessings
  9. Celebrate!

Creating corporate holiday card messages that don’t sound corporate need not be difficult or stressful – in fact, it can be easy and fun. Just speak from the heart, be sincere, and you’ll be able to show clients, partners and associates you really care about them and appreciate doing business with them.

Use these corporate holiday card messages and ideas to get you started, but feel free to improvise and customize your message as appropriate for your brand and your goals for the upcoming New Year. For the perfect card to contain your non-corporate message, shop PaperDirect’s range of holiday cards.

9 Tips for a Sparkling Business Christmas Letter

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 9:57 am
Sapphire Christmas Border Papers by PaperDirect

Christmas is coming, and that means it’s time to create your annual business Christmas letter. This holiday season; take the time to really make it sparkle!

Spice up your business Christmas letter and make it stand out this year with these nine tips:

1. Accentuate the Positive

Write your business Christmas letter in a cheerful manner. Open with a positive message like:

“One of the blessings of Christmas is the opportunity to send warm Holiday greetings to our customers during this joyous time of year,”

or

“We’ve been very busy but full of cheer this Holiday season here at _______ we wish you a very Merry Christmas.”

2. Short and Sweet

Brevity is appreciated during the busy holiday season, so get to the point and write your main highlights in a succinct and impactful way.

3. Show Some Personality

Write your Christmas letter in a voice that characterizes the company brand, vibe, and personality; be professional yet accessible.

4. Write to Your Audience

Who are your customers?

Keep your audience in mind as you compose this year’s Christmas letter and choose content, phrasing, design, and fonts accordingly.

5. Begin with the End in Mind

What sort of reaction are you hoping for from your readers? Imagine how you would like them to feel while reading your letter and what impact you’d like that reaction to have on your brand.

6. Make Use of Professional Software

Organize your contacts using a printable Christmas card list (many are available for free online) to group recipients and to manage mailings. Software and/or templates should also be used to professionally design your letter.

Glee Tree Border Papers by PaperDirect
7. Avoid Too Many Embellishments

Business Christmas letters are sometimes used as a platform for bragging about accomplishments and advertising the business. Don’t go overboard and use your Christmas letter as an overt marketing tool. Now is the time to be personal and genuine.

8. Choose Photos Wisely

Be selective if including photos in your Christmas letter. Share them sparingly; include just one or two high-quality shots that really capture the essence of your business.

holiday envelope for business letters

9. Use Quality Paper

Finally, don’t skimp on the materials you use for your business Christmas letter. From the paper you use to the envelope you mail it in, make sure your business Holiday letter is printed on paper worthy of your business and how hard you work each day.

For some examples of Christmas letters, view our post: Sample Business Christmas Letters. 

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