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June 29, 2017

How to Show Your Patriotic Pride for July 4th

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 4:32 pm

Show-Your-Patriotic-Pride-for-July-4th-PaperDirect

Every year on July 4th, Americans from every corner of the country come together to celebrate the magnificence that is the United States. What remains true of our nation is that — no matter how entangled we may be in our own political struggles — the most liberal person and the most conservative person will always uniformly agree that our country is absolutely worth a celebration. If you’re looking to get especially patriotic on this July 4th, here are some tips from your friends at PaperDirect.

Decorate With Red, White, and Blue

Why not put out some commemorative decorations to celebrate Independence Day? Do you have some red, white, and blue pillows? Even solid color pillows placed one right next to the other are great decorations. Red, white, and blue stuffed animals can also make a cute impression, too!

Hang a Flag

The old standby for celebrating the Fourth, you can’t go wrong hanging the stars and stripes. The flag of the United States of America, also known as Old Glory, is a universally beloved symbol of the country that helps dress up any home or office – no matter what time of year it is.

Send Out Patriotic Stationery

You can either take the time to send out a letter to your friends and families to commemorate our national holiday, or you can switch up your business stationary to something a little more patriotic for the week before and after the Fourth. It can be a nice touch of individual charm that also celebrates the United States.

Dress for the Day

The odds are good you have a red or white T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. That means you’re at least two-thirds of the way to sporting a patriotic outfit. If you have a little cash to spend, a lot of national chains will put out limited release T-shirts to help you show off some American pride.

Set Off Some Fireworks

Provided that it’s legal in your state or city, why not hit a fireworks stand near you and set off some small bursts of color. This tradition has been a part of the Fourth of July celebration since 1777 — also known as the first official celebration of the holiday. Lighting some fireworks while oohing and ahhing at the multi-colored results is as American as apple pie.

Let PaperDirect Help You Celebrate Correctly!

No matter how you choose to show off your patriotic spirit, PaperDirect can help. Whether you’re using patriotic stationery to send a message or you’re choosing from our variety of patriotic invitations to call your friends and family to a barbecue, PaperDirect is your ally for the quintessential American holiday.

June 14, 2017

Elegant First Communion Invitations

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 12:14 pm

first-communion-invitations-PaperDirect

First Communion is a special time, and you want to make sure your invitations are just as special. Due to the formal nature of the event, a child’s first communion aligns especially well with invitations that are just as elegant as the entire affair. Here are some tips for creating an invitation with an elegant and sophisticated vibe.

Choosing the Stationery

Loud colors, boldface type and cartoon images are out. Church-themed, specialty invitations, postcards and border paper are in. Folded invitation cards are always a traditional classic, but you could also opt for postcard-type invitations sent out in matching envelopes.

Pick a subdued background color, such as beige, gray, light blue or pink. Add a dabble of flair by opting for a decorative border or subtle imagery throughout the background.

Choosing the Font

Script always adds an elegant flair to any invitation it graces, although it can be tough to read if it’s used for the entire text. A wise compromise is to use script for the text that you want to emphasize, such as your child’s name, the name of the church, and the request for invitees to RSVP.

Use a standard yet highly readable and attractive font for the rest of the text, such as Bookman Old Style, Georgia, or Baskerville Old Face. Times New Roman is another classic standby that works well in many situations.

Wording to Use

The wording for your first communion invitations should highlight the first communion recipient’s name while providing all pertinent details guests need to know to attend. These include:

  • Mention of First Communion
  • Name of First Communion recipient
  • Date and time of mass
  • Name of church (and location if people aren’t familiar with it)
  • Details on brunch, lunch or celebration following the mass
  • Where the post-mass celebration will be held
  • RSVP request and number to call

An example of First Communion invitation text that covers all the above bases would look something like this:

Please join us to celebrate the

First Holy Communion of (our son/daughter)

Jane Doe

Sunday, June 25, 2017

10 a.m. mass

St. Philips Church

Lunch immediately following

Casa Diedra

1426 E. Saguaro Road

Phoenix  

RSVP to (555) 555-5555 or e-mail address

Sticking with traditional wording, font, layout and stationery will create a classically elegant and special look for your first communion invitation, instantly letting guests now how important the occasion is for you, your family, and especially the recipient of this special sacrament.  

Still need help with your invites? Contact PaperDirect today and have one of our experts guide you in the right direction.

June 9, 2017

Father’s Day Activities for the Whole Family

Filed under: Event Planning Tips — PDWriter @ 9:00 am

father's day activities grilling

Struggling to find a fun way that you and your family can celebrate your dad this Father’s Day? Whether your dad is the strong, silent time or a social butterfly, you can plan him the perfect Father’s Day. Here are some fun Father’s Day activities your dad is sure to love.

Get Out and Grill

Do you have a Dad who likes to entertain? Invite some family and friends over to have a good, old-fashioned cookout. You can have Dad work the grill or give him a break and take over yourself. Either way, you can’t go wrong with good food and friends.

Leave Him Alone

Remember that Father’s Day is about your dad, and — let’s face it — sometimes Dad just wants a little bit of peace and quiet. If that sounds like your dad, just send along a note or greeting card expressing your appreciation for all his hard work and then let him have his day to himself.

Hit the Links (or the Lanes)

Is your Dad more active than most? Treat him to a day of golfing with the family. If you’ve got some kids in tow, you can always take Dad to the bowling alley for some great fun.

Let Dad Hold Court

Some fathers are more than happy to gather their family around them and simply catch up with one another, chatting into the wee hours of the morning. If your father is a social butterfly, why not give him what he wants and simply enjoy each other’s presence and stories for a few hours.

Whatever You Do, Make Sure Dad Feels Appreciated

More often than not, most dads across the world will insist that you don’t make a fuss about them when it comes to Father’s Day activities. Despite this, make sure that you show your appreciation in whatever way he would like best.

No matter how you celebrate Father’s Day, make sure you pick up a greeting card from PaperDirect. While you’re spending time with Dad, let us help you find the words to say thank you for all his hard work.

May 30, 2017

Sunny Summer Stationery from PaperDirect!

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 12:50 pm

The sun is shining, the bees are buzzing, and the lemonade is ice-cold. That can only mean one thing – summer has finally arrived!

Take advantage of this bright and cheery season by stocking up on your favorite summer stationery. We’ve pulled a few examples of our favorite summer designs for 2017.

Check them out and stock up for summer!

Watermelon Party Border Paper

Watermelon-Party-Border-Paper-PaperDirect

Perfect for birthday parties, barbecues, outdoor events, and more! Buy it here.

Baja Flip Flop Border Papers

Baja-Flip-Flop-Border-Papers-PaperDirect

Perfect for beach parties, summer correspondence, themed office parties, and summer camps. Buy it here.

Balloon Dreams Border Papers

Balloon-Dreams-Border-Papers-PaperDirect

Perfect for store promotions, team building activities, travel deals, award ceremonies and more! Buy it here!

Paper Lanterns Border Papers

Paper-Lanterns-Border-Papers-PaperDirect

Perfect for evening events, silent auctions, company retreats, product launches and more! Buy it here.

Sweet Summer Border Papers

Sweet-Summer-Border-Papers-PaperDirect

Perfect for networking events, golfing events, summer seminars, and ice cream socials! Buy it here.

No matter the event or industry you’re planning for, PaperDirect has the summer stationery supplies to make it the most memorable event of the season.

Check out our entire selection of PaperDirect border paper today!

May 25, 2017

Flyer Ideas For The Company Picnic

Filed under: Designing Your Invitation — PDWriter @ 9:28 am

Flyer Ideas For The Company Picnic-PaperDirect

Over the course of the next few months, business owners and managers across the country will host countless company picnics to celebrate the hard work and dedication of their team. However, most of these company picnics will be low on attendants – doomed to fail from the moment an employee sees the drab flyer and decides not to drag his or her family out to such a seemingly boring event.

Whether you realize it or not, your company picnic’s flyer says a lot about the event you’re planning to throw. Advertising on a template you simply printed on the office printer isn’t going to convey the right sense of excitement that you want to generate for your next company outing. To get the buzz going from the beginning, make sure to follow these tips for creating the best company flyer possible.

Make Sure to Use the Right Paper

Printing your flyer out on regular printer paper, or even low-grade colored paper is a mistake. Let your employees know that you’re going all out with this year’s company picnic by printing your flyer on high grade, richly colored paper. Details like this matter.

Use More Than One Font …

Don’t stick to the same font throughout your flyer. Mix it up to keep your readers entertained. That being said, make sure the pertinent details (contacts, time, and location) are printed clearly and prominently.

Don’t Use Comic Sans or Times New Roman

It’s a real graphic design no-no. Comic Sans looks like a kid drew on your company form with a crayon and Times New Roman is too stiff and formal to be anything but boring.

Don’t Forget to Highlight the Events

Make sure you’re giving your staff a reason to attend your company picnic. If there’s going to be free food and fun games, say so! Organizing activities to keep kids entertained? Explain what they are. You can even use the flyer to enlist ideas and event volunteers.

Don’t Be Afraid of Pictures or Exclamation Points

Remember, you aren’t sending out a corporate memo. It’s okay to use the dreaded exclamation point in your company flyer. In fact, when you first mention your event, do so in big, bold letters and kick things off with a nice, friendly exclamation point!

A Great Flyer Begins and Ends with PaperDirect

Don’t rely on your office printer to create the most effective flyer possible. At PaperDirect, you can customize the perfect flyer with ease; then we’ll print it out on the highest quality paper before ensuring the finished product arrives in your office in ready-to-post condition.

May 10, 2017

DIY Mother’s Day Poem, Card and Gift Ideas

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 11:02 am

DIY-mothers-day-poem-card-gift-ideas-PaperDirect

Moms are a special breed indeed, so it’s only right to give them the recognition they deserve by honoring them on Mother’s Day. One of the most magnificent ways to honor mom is with DIY Mother’s Day poems, cards, certificates, or other gifts that come with a truly personal touch.

Mother’s Day Poems

Roses are red, violets are blue, make sure you tell mom what she means to you—and you don’t have to do it with a cheesy poem. You can instead create any number of clever Mother’s Day poems with a few simple tricks.

Make a number poem list: Pick her age, your age, or your mom’s favorite number, and then write a sweet list of X reasons she’s the best mom on earth. You may end up having so much fun that you’ll want to create an entire page of numbered Mother’s Day poems.

Write a poem using letters of her name: Write your mother’s name, or the words “mother” or “mom” vertically down the left side of the page. Then have each line of your poem start with each of the letters. If your mom’s name is Marcy, for example, your poem could read something like:

Magically sweet

Always on time

Ready for action

Compassionate and kind

You are the best mom in the world!

Mother’s Day Cards and Certificates

When it comes to Mother’s Day greeting cards and certificates, you can give yours a professional edge by using a ready-made template. Simply find a layout you like at online shops like PaperDirect, then choose your colors, fonts, images, photos, and other available options to personalize to your heart’s content.

Your card can be filled with any type of sentiment you like. Mother’s Day certificates that tend to go over well include “Best Mom Ever” and “World’s Greatest Mother.”

Pick an option you can print at home, and you can have your Mother’s Day card or certificate in mere minutes.

Other DIY Mother’s Day Gifts

Giving mom a break is an excellent Mother’s Day gift that never goes out of style, and you can do exactly that with a number of awesome options.

  • Mother’s Day coupon book: Create a coupon book containing coupons redeemable for breakfast in bed, a night out on the town, or all the chores you’ll do for her when she simply hands over the coupon.
  • Surprise cleaning: Usurp mom’s usual house cleaning ritual by getting to it first. Find a time when she’s out of the house, or have someone take her out shopping or something, then clean the entire abode from top to bottom. She’ll be thrilled when she comes home.
  • Surprise cooking: Same idea as above, but with mom coming home to a home-cooked, gourmet meal. Don’t cook? Order a pizza.

As long as you put your heart into your DIY Mother’s Day gift, it’s bound to be a hit. And any amount of dusting, vacuuming, or laundry that the coupons might make you endure will be well worth the joy it brings the world’s greatest mother. Check out PaperDirect for cards, certificates, and other goodies for Mother’s Day and beyond.

May 2, 2017

Quick Tips for a Workplace Cinco de Mayo Party

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 9:00 am
tips-celebrating-cinco-de-mayo-in-office-PaperDirect

At least once a year, it’s completely appropriate to break out the sombreros and maracas. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo at the office should become an annual tradition, even if it’s only for one reason: Tacos!

Feeling festive? We are! Here’s how to get your co-workers into the Cinco de Mayo spirit!

Create a South-of-the-Border Vibe

Whether you play cultural music over the office intercom as employees arrive for the day, or schedule a surprise visit from a roaming Mariachi band – you’re sure to kick off the celebration with class! Encourage employees to get up from their desks and dance to the beats!

Host a Sombrero Contest

Everyone loves a little competition, so ask your staff to sport their favorite sombreros (or, any hat will do) for the day. Have everyone cast their vote for their favorite Mexican-theme head wear and present the winner with a special certificate or award just before starting the lunch festivities.

Create a Taco Buffet

There’s no better way to kick off a noon staff meeting than with a taco buffet lunch. Load up on the queso and guacamole, then discuss those sales numbers. Everyone will be feeling a little spicy and ready to share their ideas with the rest of the bunch.

Try Salsa Dancing

If you have a small team, take an afternoon break and learn new dance moves at a local studio. Or, hire a dance pro to come to the office and give a Salsa demo and quick lesson. The impromptu exercise will fire up the team for a productive end to their work day.

Schedule an Afternoon Drink

Break out of that 3pm slump and make a toast to Cinco de Mayo with some fruity virgin margaritas or a bottle of Mexican beer. Pair the drinks with a homemade salsa and chips to keep the snackers in the bunch happy!

Are you ready to let the crew know about the plans for Cinco de Mayo at the office? Stock up on festive paper to post the taco lunch menu and day’s festivities so everyone can get ready to say olé!

April 18, 2017

Hosting a Fun “Take Your Child to Work Day”

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 9:25 am

take-your-child-to-work-day-paperdirect

On April 27, more than 30 million Americans will let their kids take a day off from school to visit mom or dad at the office for Take Your Child to Work Day. This day is meant to inspire kids and get them excited about their future contributions to whatever workforce they choose to pursue.

All sentiment aside, Take Your Child to Work Day does present an interesting problem. That is, how do you keep your kids satisfied with the work experience while also ensuring that your business isn’t losing focus?

Here are some tips to help your office make the most of Take Your Child to Work Day.

Make Sure to Strategize Beforehand

Hold a meeting and let your employees know that kids will be in the office on April 27th.  Brainstorm ways to interact with the kids on their level as well as ways to get your whole office in the spirit. The more people that participate, the more fun everyone will have.

Talk to Your Child Beforehand

On the homefront, parents who are taking kids into work should sit down with them the night before to help them understand what’s expected. Be sure to ask them questions to try and get an idea of what they’re looking for out of the day, as well.

This is also a good time to lay out some ground rules for the day ahead. Examples can include:

  • No running
  • No yelling or screaming
  • Be respectful of others who are working
  • No devices like handheld video games

Be Inclusive

Even if some of your employees aren’t bringing in children, invite them to participate in the fun. Let anyone who wants to participate in the planning and execution of the day do so.

On the flip side of the coin, be aware that every office has that person who would rather be left alone to do their work, so try not to force Take Your Child to Work Day on them. Consider creating a quiet work space away from the hustle and bustle of the day’s activities so they can focus on their work.  

Pack Them Some Toys and Games

No matter how well you plan for Take Your Child to Work Day, there will inevitably be some downtime. To combat that potential chaos that could ensue, be sure to have your child pack a bag with some fun stuff like books or headphones to keep them occupied. You could even have them bring some of their homework along, though you might not win any popularity points for that suggestion.

Introduce Your Child to Your Coworkers

It’s never a bad idea to show your child around the office and introduce them to your fellow employees. This will help your child learn the basics of office interactions and hierarchies as well as help them put a face to the names you mention when talking about your day.

Communicate With Your Kids

Whenever possible, explain to your child what you’re doing as well as what your responsibilities are. Have them help you problem solve the situation and when you make a decision, explain to them how you came to that conclusion. And more than anything, let your child see that the workplace isn’t just a place you go to each day, but a challenging environment that requires collaboration and hard work.

Commemorate the Day

If you’d really like to drive home the experience of Take Your Child to Work Day, there’s nothing like a special keepsake. Why not give them something business specific with any of PaperDirect’s expansive line of Child-Themed Stationary. Or, if you’re helping to organize activities for the entire office, look into creating branded name tags or printed certificates to celebrate the completion of a day in the office.

Whether it’s envelopes, paper, or brochures – PaperDirect has everything you need to help your children get into the real swing of things on Take Your Child to Work Day.

March 21, 2017

What to Include in Your High School Graduation Program

what-to-include-graduation-program-paperdirect

So you’ve been given the opportunity to craft the program for the high school’s graduation ceremony. It’s a big job, and it’s extremely important that you create a stunning, yet informative document.

A graduation program will be every parent’s step-by-step countdown to the moment they can snap a picture of their son or daughter walking across the stage to shake the hand of the school’s principal. But, what should you include on this special occasion program to ensure that your audience is always informed about what’s coming next?

Not to worry, we’ve got you covered!

Entrance Information

As students enter the venue, will there be music playing? If so, find out which songs will be used, as well as how they’ll be played. If the music is live, it’s always a good idea to credit the people playing the music (i.e. the high school band) as opposed to the person who originally composed the notes.

graduation programs for high schools

Opening Remarks

Most ceremonies will include opening remarks, often from the salutatorian. It’s an opportunity to welcome everyone for coming before the awards and/or diplomas are given. You’ll want to be sure to note who will be speaking and include their title or reason for importance.

Class Awards

Awards are special for not only the recipient but for their family as well. Be sure to list out which students won which award (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude, Most Likely to Succeed, Most Popular, etc.) so that parents can keep track as they’re being presented.

Visiting Speaker

If you’ve recruited someone to give a few words of wisdom to your students before they graduate, this is the place to include it. You’ll want to include their name, professional title, and maybe a little snippet that explains why they were chosen as this year’s speaker. If there is no outside speaker, feel free to exclude this from your program.

Presentation of Diplomas

After the first speech and distribution of awards, it’s time to get down to the main event. Take this opportunity to shine the light on whoever’s been assigned to hand out the diplomas and shake each student’s hand. If you intend to add the names of all the graduating students, be sure to list them alphabetically and organize them evenly on the page. Also, double check that you’ve got the correct spelling of each graduate’s name. The last thing a parent wants to see is their student’s name spelled wrong on their special day. For larger-size high school classes, this may require multi-page programs or several inserts!

Valedictorian’s Speech

After everyone’s gotten their diploma, it’s time for the class valedictorian to top the occasion off with an inspirational and uplifting speech. Again, you’ll want to be sure to include their name and their valedictorian status. However, be sure to avoid posting their GPA as this is personal information.

Conclusion

At the end of the ceremony, students will toss their hats into the air marking that the occasion is officially over. Either the students will file out in an orderly fashion — in which case, include the song they’re marching to — or they’ll simply filter out slowly on their own.

Even if you do accidentally forget one or two things when you’re trying to craft the perfect program for your high school graduation, you can be sure that the audience will overlook it if your itinerary is printed on one of PaperDirect’s high-quality specialty programs.

March 7, 2017

10 Simple Ideas to Celebrate Your Employee’s Birthdays

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 11:13 am

10-Simple-Ideas-to-Celebrate-Your-Employee-Birthdays-paper-direct

Bring on the buttercream cupcakes and rainbow of balloons!

There’s a birthday guy or gal in the office this week! So how can you make your employees feel special on their big day beyond sweet treats? Mix up their usual routine a bit and spoil them with surprises and small gifts, that’s how!

1. The Gift-Wrapped Desk

Whether they have a dedicated office or use a co-working space, grab a roll of gift wrap and embellish their desk. Don’t forget to accent the workspace with oversized bows and curly ribbons.

2. The Charity Partner

Plan to give back to the community in honor of the birthday VIP. Pick a charity they love and schedule a special visit (onsite or offsite) complete with a small donation presentation. The co-workers can meet shelter dogs or spend a long lunch hour reading to special needs kids!

3. The Early Out

A week or so before the big day, leave a handwritten note on the employee’s desk offering the option to leave early one day during their birthday week. It’s the perfect way for the birthday person to grab a special weekday dinner or start their Friday evening a little early!

4. The Snack Fix

No birthday is complete without presents. Figure out what the employee loves to grab during the workday — gourmet coffee, herbal tea, cupcakes or fresh juice — and snag a gift card to the local business they frequent for their workday snacks.

5. The Office Potluck

A week ahead, send a memo to everyone in the office (or for larger businesses, the employee’s department) about a celebratory potluck. On the day, invite everyone to the meeting room for some home-cooked treats and recipe swapping.

6. The Public Address

Does your workplace have morning announcements via an intercom system? Amp up the presentation with a birthday shout out, complete with classic off-key singing and wild kazoo choir!

7. The Card Shower

This year, instead of having everyone squeeze their name on one company card, encourage each employee to bring a card, or pick one out of a big box of stationery supplies at the office, and create a personal birthday message for the co-worker.

8. The Balloon Maze

Fill the birthday person’s office with balloons. Helium balloon bouquets on the desk and individual balloons all over the floor help create a festive workspace for the day.

9. The White Elephant

Plan to surprise the birthday person with goofy dollar store gifts. The rule: Each employee can only spend $1. Bring on the funny socks, faux flowers and plastic wine glasses!

10. The Silly Award

A birthday is the perfect time to present the employee with a funny award. Choose a fun mug, plaque or certificate that lets everyone know they’re the Top Dog for the day!

Are you ready to order those birthday cards and snazzy awards? Shop PaperDirect today and your office birthday supplies will be delivered in no time!

February 17, 2017

Spring Stationery Finds from PaperDirect!

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 1:35 pm

Spring is *almost* in the air! We only have one month left of constant, fridged cold and we’re celebrating with spring stationery. For those of you looking for spring border paper, envelopes, or other paper products, we want to highlight some of our favorite designs for spring 2017.

Check them out and brighten up your office and customer’s mailboxes!

Spring Bike Ride Border Paper

Spring Biking Border Paper

 

Buy it.

Perfect for: Bike shops, schools, outdoor industries, home improvement, lawn, and landscaping!

Bumble Bee Border Paper

Bumble Bee Border Paper

 

Buy it.

Perfect for: Everyone, but especially schools.

Lollipop Flowers Paper & Invitations

Lollipop Flowers Border Paper

Buy it.

Perfect for: Florists, country clubs, healthcare, boutiques, schools, and coffee shops.

Fresh Lemonade Postcards

Fresh Lemonade Postcards

Buy it.

Perfect for: Food & drink, menu promos, boutiques, actual lemonade stands.

Happy Days Border Paper

Happy Days Border Paper

Buy it.

Perfect for: Churches, bible camps, schools, childcare.

Whether you’re marketing your business, giving recognition, or providing in-office fun, these papers will have you singing springtime. Most of our products come in bundles of 25 so shop today! To see our entire selection of border paper, visit PaperDirect.

December 9, 2016

Why January Company Parties are Rising in Popularity (+Planning Tips)

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — PDWriter @ 8:24 am

Holiday Party in January

More and more, companies are shifting their traditional holiday parties into January. For an incredible variety of reasons, a January party is the perfect capper to a bustling holiday season. If you’re not planning a party this year, you absolutely should consider it, and if you are planning a party, consider postponing it a few weeks to start the New Year off right.

If it’s done correctly, a January company party can set a positive tone for the coming year.

Just Have the Party

Any self-aware boss knows that a night of partying can be an awesome opportunity. A rocking January company party will give you an opportunity as a manager to go a step beyond a simple thank you for a job well done. It will also give you an opportunity to interact with people you might not otherwise get a chance to talk to. Finally, a great holiday party is a good excuse for your people to let their hair down, get to know each other, and just have a little bit of fun.

You Should Absolutely Be Having Your Parties in January

It’s probably pretty tempting to schedule your company holiday party smack dab in the middle of the holiday season. Before you do, though, consider the following:

It’s Cheaper: In January, venues will likely be less expensive, which means you can save money, or double down on your food and beverages.

People Can Actually Come: People are far more likely to be able to attend a January party. After all, December tends to get pretty busy.

It’s For Everybody: A January company party is a bit more inclusive for those of your employees who might not celebrate Christmas.

It’s a Party in January: A company party held at the tail end of the holiday festivities can be a nice way to break up the January doldrums, as well. It can be a really nice way to bridge the gap between New Year’s and Valentine’s Day.

Kick Your January Celebration Off Right

Now, there are a lot of directions you can go with a January company party, because you’re not hamstrung by the holidays. That said, don’t go “generic party” as your theme. Do something to commemorate the New Year or the Winter, something that focuses the party a little bit.

Be sure to really do things up right for your employees, too. Book it somewhere outside the office and have it on a Friday afternoon or early evening. A late afternoon party will provide even more incentive for your employees to show up, plus it’ll seem like an extra treat since they’ll get a few hours off from work.

If there’s alcohol at the party, consider letting everyone know that taxi receipts can be sent to you for reimbursement. It’s an extra touch that might cost you a little bit of money, but it’ll still go a long way in terms of morale.

Finally, be sure to include a small gift for your employees. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy (think: gift certificates or movie tickets), but something tangible to take home is never a bad idea.

November 8, 2016

Handwritten Letter Services We Love

Filed under: Designing Your Invitation,Helpful Resources — PDWriter @ 9:51 am
Handwritten Letter Services

Admit it. You smile each time you see a hand-addressed card arrive in your mailbox. So, why not put that same smile on your customers’ faces? There’s a cool new trend among business owners to send handwritten notes to their top supporters. But before you groan at the thought of spending hours penning witty words of gratitude, listen up. Handwritten letter services are a thing. A big thing. There are eager busy bees with great penmanship ready to help you out.

Letter Friend

Handwritten letters have a 99 percent open rate, according to the folks at Letter Friend. They also claim these personal bits of mail get a three to six time higher response rate than other printed mail pieces. They will print on stationery and cards you supply, or work with you to print your logo on their paper products. Best of all? This company can integrate with your CRM so you can track who’s received a handwritten note and when, so following up is a breeze!

Handwrytten

This company uses custom-designed handwriting robots that hold real pens to write out the notes in the handwriting style of your choice. So, you get the personalized you want and you don’t have to worry about writer’s cramp. You can even add an insert for a small fee. The handwriting robots at Handwrytten write your message on their cardstock–and they even write on the envelopes, too!

Task Rabbit

Finally, Task Rabbit is a cloud-based matching service. You pick the task you need completed, like hand writing cards to your most prized clients or penning personalized thank you notes, and a freelancer (who has passed a background check and in-person onboarding process) will get the job done for you. All payments are taken care of via Task Rabbit, so you don’t have to deal with invoicing or phone calls from the tasker asking when they will get paid. Simply use their app to pay with a company credit card, and you’re done.

Need some gorgeous seasonal cards for your upcoming handwritten notes? Browse Paper Direct’s huge selection of holiday greetings online today!

October 31, 2016

How to Create a Seating Chart for Your Holiday Party

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: , , — PDWriter @ 3:17 pm
How to Create a Seating Chart for Your Holiday Party

Ah, the holidays, a wonderful time of year when you can happily gather all your friends and family for a great holiday party. And no holiday gathering is truly complete without a scrumptious meal to keep everyone’s tummy happy. Of course, any veteran host can tell you that the meal takes some strategy, not just in the kitchen, but in the dining room, as well.

A seating chart can make or break your meal. You don’t want grandpa sitting next to your best friend from college (no need to open up that lane of awkward, polite conversation). Fortunately, with a little planning, you can easily whip up a great seating chart that will keep your guests happy throughout the evening.

Step 1: Make Sure You Know Who is Coming

Send out invitations before the party and make sure those invitations provide some easy way for your guests to RSVP (try an email address or even a Facebook message). Once you’ve got a full list of your guests, you’re ready to begin your seating chart.

Step 2: Rearrange Your List

Shift party guest names up and down your list to loosely group friends with friends, family and family, and any potentially dramatic pairings as far from each other as possible. This is far from your final list, but it will give you a good idea of how big your tables should be and where they will need to go.

Step 3: Visit Your Site

Wherever your holiday party will be and however many people are coming, you’re going to need to look at the space you intend to fill. You should also get an accurate idea of the room’s dimensions. After all, nothing will kill a dinner party quicker than having to cram too many people into too small a space. The general recommendation is that you want about 42 inches in between tables.

3 Ways to Create a Seating Chart

Use Microsoft Excel

Screenshot from Microsoft's Tool
Screenshot from Microsoft’s Tool

Microsoft Excel has a spreadsheet for party planning, downloadable here. This allows you to do a lot of things related to party planning and has an entire tab devoted to seating charts.
Ease of use: This is a useful option but it’s hard to visualize because the standard table dimensions they have are in inches while their grid is based off square feet. You also will need to create your own tables and shapes which might take longer than you think. Either way, it’s a FREE tool to get you started.

Wedding Wire Seating Chart

Wedding Wire's Seating Tool
Screenshot from Wedding Wire

While they advertise this as a wedding tool, it can work for any party. This tool allows you to select round, square, or rectangular tables, and drag and drop them within the app. Then you can easily add names before downloading or sharing it.
Ease of use: We like this tool! Check it out here.

Draw Out a Floor Plan

It may be “old school,” but drawing a floor plan is still a fantastic way to visualize a seating chart. Simply take out a large piece of paper and sketch out your floor plan. Include the measurements of your room and the measurements of your tables (and don’t forget to include the chairs) so that you don’t overstuff.

Then put your guests’ names on sticky notes and put your sticky notes around the tables you’ve sketched out on your big piece of paper. You should start by simply putting the names around each table in the order they’re written on your list. Then, the top-down view afforded by your sketch will let you know if you’ve got any potential controversies brewing.
Ease of use: All you need is paper and some time. If this is your style, it can be a fun way to kill an afternoon.

If you keep your eyes open and keep in mind that conversations (and conflict) can jump tables, then you should be fine. Just be sure that all your planning doesn’t go to waste by leaving a properly-designed table tent at each of your guest seats. It will add a little flare — and maybe a little order — to you whole holiday event.

Shop PaperDirect for Holiday Name Place Cards.

October 25, 2016

Corporate Party Checklist 2016: Big & Bold Holiday Party

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — PDWriter @ 10:24 am

corporate holiday party checklist

If you’re in charge of overseeing your company’s corporate party, the task can seem like a daunting one. Sometimes, expectations are low: employees haven’t been wowed in the past, and don’t expect to be wowed this year. Other times, though, someone truly rocked it the year before, and you’ve got some seriously large boots to fill.

Whatever scenario you’re facing, being solely responsible for your company’s holiday party success can be intimidating, to say the least!

Even if you’ve got hundreds of guests showing up, a little foresight can go a long way in making the planning process easier and less stressful on you. Here’s our ultimate checklist for creating a rocking corporate party all your teammates will love.

Start early

Know when you should start planning your big corporate holiday party? Yesterday. That should give you an idea of how important early planning is to ensuring a great celebration. It’s never too early — there’s a reason event planners start planning next year’s event the day after that year’s event is over!

Here at PaperDirect, we’ve already started to reach out to venues and it’s only October 25th. We also use Evernote to capture ideas as they pop into our minds.

Create a team

No one should tackle such a massive undertaking alone, so connect with your colleagues about who can handle what. If you know them well, allocate the most sensitive or challenging tasks to those teammates who you know will come through. If you aren’t as familiar with your team’s work ethic, err on the side of caution by only assigning one or two manageable tasks to teach person.

Get clear about your financial freedom

Knowing what your budget is can have a huge impact on how big and bold you can go. It can also help inform what top-dollar items are important, and which ones can get put on the backburner. You’ll need to work with your HR department or whoever handles budgets. Typically, you’ll take a budget to them and they’ll modify or approve. To get a clear budget, factor in things like:

  • Venue
  • Food
  • Alcohol
  • Activity
  • Taxi vouchers
  • Decor
  • Cleanup

Send Invites

Whether you’re sending a simple Evite or stepping up your game with heavy cardstock invitations, you’ll need to amplify the who, what, when, and where to your attendees.

Settle on a theme

Your theme should reflect the time and atmosphere of your event — ie, a party that is expected to be a swag, fancy gala probably shouldn’t have an “ugly sweater contest” theme. Make sure you know what leadership’s expectations are for the classiness (or casualness) of this affair.

Decide what you can do in-house, and what should be outsourced

This can be dependent on budget, but in general, it’s extremely helpful to outsource things like entertainment, food and drink, printing/invitation sending, and other high-volume, high-touch tasks.

Leave enough time to do a “dry run.”

A dry run can illuminate issues early, from traffic jams in the loading and unloading areas to technology snags with the microphone. Run through your party itinerary multiple times before the big day to ensure a smooth operation.

Technology can help keep your seemingly endless to-do list under control, so check out apps such as Pro Party Planner— even Evernote for note and list making — to keep all your plans and thoughts in one central place.

Shop PaperDirect for Christmas invitations, table tents, and more paper products to make your corporate party pop. 

October 4, 2016

Sneak Peek: PaperDirect’s Christmas Stationery Line

Filed under: Event Planning Tips — PDWriter @ 10:39 am

Right now, the air is crisp with autumnal richness. Kids are picking out Halloween costumes and the entire world seems to be seasoned with pumpkin spice. But before you know it, you’ll be up to your ears in snowmen and reindeer, and it’ll be time to prepare for the Christmas season. One of the most important parts of Christmas is giving your love and best wishes to family, friends, colleagues, clients, and other acquaintances. That’s why the time is now to pick out your Christmas stationery, and consider bundling products to save.

Cards

From greeting cards to postcards, you’ll always find a reason to use these stationary pieces. Whether you want to send a thoughtful message to your favorite aunt or share a quick note to your children’s teachers before winter break, Christmas notecards are a winter wonderful way to spread holiday cheer.

Our Favorites

Some of our favorites include

Holiday Owl Christmas Notecards

Holiday Owl Christmas Notecards

Crystal Candle Postcard

Crystal Candle postcards

Single Snowflake Christmas Greeting Card

Simple Snowflake greeting cards

Invitations

It wouldn’t be Christmas without festivities. From holiday open houses to company soirees, you’re definitely going to need some Christmas invitations this season.

Our Favorites

Crimson Delight Flat Invitations

For family-friendly events, use something casual and fun-loving like the Crimson Delight Flat Invitations

Plaid Fold Up Invitations

If you’re hosting an elegant Christmas affair, the Traditional Plaid fold-up invitations might be more inviting to your guests.

Christmas Stationery for Businesses

The Christmas season isn’t just about family and friends. It’s also an important time of year for businesses. Depending on the industry you’re in, your Christmas stationery needs might go beyond cards and invitations. For instance, holiday themed banners and brochures might be the extra special touch that your business needs to attract more customers. 

These additional fourth quarter expenses are worth finding the room in your budget to share the holiday spirit with your staff and customers alike.

Clever Communications

People are receiving a lot of mail during the Christmas season. You, of course, want your Christmas tidings to stand out in a deluge of yuletide cards and letters. Make an impact with your holiday greetings using something clever such as newsletters, calendar cards, photo cards, and decorative border papers. Deliver more than an ordinary holiday message, using an extraordinary piece of Christmas stationery that truly conveys a warm, meaningful seasonal sentiment.

Our Favorite Festive Border Paper

[one_half]modern christmas border paper Modern Christmas Paper[/one_half][one_half_last]Christmas Memories Letterhead Chritmas Memories Letterhead[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Stacked presents border paperStacked Joy Border Paper[/one_half][one_half_last]ugly Christmas sweater border paperUgly Christmas Sweater Paper[/one_half_last]

Christmas Stationery Accessories

It’s the little touches that make the Christmas season magical. When preparing your holiday season mail, use Christmas seals and address labels. Complement the church’s Christmas pageant with nicely printed tickets. Holiday party hosts can add an elegant touch with Christmas place cards.

The sky’s the limit, so have fun this holiday season with your Christmas stationery.

shop now holiday paper button

September 21, 2016

When to Start Planning Your Holiday Party. Hint: Soon!

Party Santa

A holiday party might seem like a simple-enough event to organize. However, those with experience planning a company-wide holiday party know it is no easy feat to host a successful yuletide gathering. For those new to holiday party planning, or those who are looking to make the process easier than years past, use this timeline and tips to put together a memorable, spectacular, and festive soiree.

Three Months Before the Party

Confirm Party Budget

Meet with key decision makers to set a budget for your event. Without knowing your budget, it’s impossible to make the necessary arrangements for this event.

Visit Potential Venues

Start exploring your venue options. This will help you ascertain the feel or mood for the party, thus allowing you to start planning the smaller details of the event.

Two Months Before the Party

Book the Venue

You’ve had some time to consider what this year’s holiday party will look and feel like, so now it’s time to commit to a party locale.

Compare Vendors

You’ve booked the party venue. It’s time to start researching caterers, decorators, and entertainers.

Develop the Holiday Party’s Theme

Share the information you’ve found along with the broad party details with the company’s decision makers to ensure you’re on track with this project.

6 Weeks Before the Party

cute-christmas1

Send “Save the Date” Notices

Make sure the entire staff has marked the date on their calendars for the company holiday party. It might seem like too far in advance to send a “Save the Date” for a holiday party but this season is one of the busiest of the year. Before you know it, people are booked solid during the month of December and because you sent out a late “Save the Date”, half the company’s workforce has other holiday events to attend instead of yours.

Tastings

Work with caterers or possible venues so you can decide who will create the food for the holiday party. Food=fun!

Consider Hotels Near the Venue

Contact nearby hotels about group rates so you can encourage staff members to really enjoy the evening without anyone finding themselves in a drunk driving situation.

1 Month Before the Party

Send Out Invitations

Formally invite all staff members to the holiday party. Include RSVP, dress code, themes, who is invited (significant others, kids), location details, nearby hotel accommodations, and other relevant information.

Merry Christmas
Connect Vendors with Venue

It’s time to connect the dots for your holiday party. Make sure each vendor is in contact with the venue so they coordinate times and any necessary deliveries.

Confirm Details

Contact vendors and the venue to double check that everything is on track. From the appetizers to music, the servers to the holiday-themed decorations, you want to confirm that all of the arrangements you’ve worked so hard to put together are in order for the party.

Send RSVP Reminders

Contact party invitees who have not yet responded to the invitation to confirm their plans.

Three Weeks Before the Party

Create Supply List

You want to make sure there are disposable cameras on all of the tables. Or maybe you’re handing out goody bags at the end of the event. Take the time to make a list of the odds and ends you are responsible for getting to the venue. You’ll find you are using this list up to the day of the event.

One Week Before the Party

Send Party Reminders

Include all of the information from the invitation, except for the RSVP details so everyone knows where to go and when.

Confirm Schedule with Vendors and Venue

This is the final pre-party check-in before the big day. Go over every detail with a fine-toothed comb to save yourself a headache on the day of the party.

The Day of the Party….

Have fun! You might need to connect with vendors and the venue for any last minute details but on the day of the party, it’s time for you to kick back and enjoy yourself with your co-workers.

Following the party, you want to share photos and send a feedback survey to see where your party succeeded and where it might have fallen short. This is also the time to reconcile the party budget. While it can be stressful to plan a holiday party for a business, your hard work will be appreciated by everyone in attendance.

September 15, 2016

Small Business Saturday Promotion Ideas: Online

small business saturday online promotion

Targeting a local audience with your Small Business Saturday promotion ideas can definitely happen in person and in your shop. But it can also happen online. With a few keen strategies and a bit of advance planning, you can reach a wide audience of local folks with a few clicks of the mouse.

OK, online Small Business Saturday promotion ideas may take more than a few mouse clicks. But your online efforts can reap huge rewards if you do it right.

Social Media

If your business doesn’t have social media accounts on the top channels, create them now. Right now. Most businesses of any size frequent the most popular channels, with company pages or accounts on at least the big three:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

You can kick off your online Small Business Saturday promotion ideas by simply posting announcements that you’ll be participating in the event. List the exact date of the Saturday following Thanksgiving, the times your business will be open, and any details on the specials you’ll be running.

Joining like-minded groups on social media can also help advance your brand – and perhaps even drum up a few other local shops to join in the SBS celebration. Seek out groups based on location, or go for common services, products, interests or industries.

Boost awareness of the event even further with paid social media advertising, with ads that let you select the location of your target audience. Instead of setting up an ad that can be seen by everyone, you can choose who sees the ad by zip code or even by a select radius directly surrounding your business. Location-based targeting options are available for ads on FacebookTwitter and LinkedIn.

Email

Email is another way to drum up awareness and business with Small Business Saturday promotion ideas. Strategic SBS announcements, downloadable coupons, alluring marketing messages, and even incentives to come on down can help bring business into your shop. But first, of course, you need to have a mailing list.

Growing your email list can be done by:

  • Having an opt-in form on your website and social media pages
  • Asking in-person shoppers to sign up when they’re at the register
  • Having a sign-up list in your shop

Your next step is to craft an email with a distinct goal, which would be driving folks to your shop on Small Business Saturday. Effective emails will speak directly to the customers you’re targeting with language they use, a hook that will grab them, and a delivery time when they’re most likely to open and read it.

Effective emails also contain:

  • Compelling subject line
  • Header with your brand
  • Personalized greeting
  • Short, easy-to-scan body copy that backs up subject line
  • Call to action that tells them what you want them to do
  • Social share buttons so they can easily share with their social media pals
  • Unsubscribe button so they can easily opt-out if desired

While you’re online revving up your emails and social media pages, don’t forget to write about your Small Business Saturday celebration on your blog – before and after the event. Taking photos at the event can also make for a fun post that showcases your business as well as locals who came by to support it on SBS.

August 24, 2016

Short & Sweet Thanksgiving Message Templates

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 2:47 pm

Thanksgiving Turkey

While Thanksgiving may be a notorious day for turkey and pumpkin pie, it’s definitely not a notorious holiday for marketing. Companies are quick to send out cards celebrating Christmas, Valentine’s and even their customers or clients’ birthdays, yet Thanksgiving cards are an oft-forgotten batch. In fact, they’re nearly in last place when it comes to greeting card sales in general. The only holiday cards less popular than Thanksgiving are those for St. Patrick’s Day.

Your company could certainly take this info to mean you’re on the right track by ignoring the holiday like most other folks. Or you could take it as a keen opportunity to stand out from the crowd by sending out Thanksgiving messages to customers and clients.

Whether you’re sending cards, emails or posting on your Facebook page, taking a small moment to honor Thanksgiving can be a big way to show your company cares. With that in mind, we’re sharing five short and sweet Thanksgiving messages you can use on your batch of greeting cards.

Thanksgiving Messages

May your Thanksgiving be filled with wonderful things

(like whipped cream and pumpkin pie!).

The only thing better than food on Thanksgiving
is having loyal customers like you.

Just wanted to say Thank You

for your business

your loyalty

being you.

We’re grateful for the opportunity

to serve sensational customers like you!

Customers like you make every day

a good day to give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving.

While these Thanksgiving messages were created for use on the interior of Thanksgiving greeting cards, there’s nothing stopping you from using them on notecards, printed stationery or even as the text for a social media or email that also features a striking autumnal-themed visual.

You can never go wrong sending warm Thanksgiving wishes to people you appreciate. And as the people who keep you in business, customers and clients should be at the top of your list.

July 19, 2016

Planning Back to School Sales for the Small Business

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 10:19 am

Back to School Sale

The back to school frenzy can be awesome for business, even if you don’t sell school supplies, children’s clothing or other items directly related to the upcoming school year. Companies of any sort can boost customers, revenue and their overall bottom line with a number of creative back to school sale ideas.

Last Chance Sales

Back to school season can be used to create a sense of urgency in any industry, as it’s the last chance for parents, kids and teachers to savor the last moments of summer. Last chance examples for back to school sales ideas include:

  • Hair salon: Offer a last chance to get that killer haircut before the school year for parents, teachers, and kids.
  • Toy store: Give kids the last to get the coolest toy they’ve had all summer with a massive merchandise sale.
  • Book shop: Serve up a last chance to grab fabulous fiction for people’s last trip to the beach.

Kids Not Home Sales

Instead of looking at back to school season as the end of summer, you can frame it as the beginning of a quieter, less rambunctious home environment. Here back to school sales ideas include:

  • Art gallery: Encourage customers to fill their now-empty house with new artwork.
  • Tool or home improvement shop: Help people inexpensively finish those home or yard projects without the kids under their feet.
  • Furniture store: Back to school is the perfect time to for folks to invest in a new couch, chair or bed now that the kids won’t be melting ice cream or popsicles all over the house.

Parent-Only Promotions

If your company sells products or services that can help parents adapt to the back to school schedule, now is prime time to cater to their needs.

  • Wine bar: Launch a wine tasting promotion for parents to celebrate their kids return to school.
  • Gyms and spas: Pump up membership numbers with special rates or two-for-one deals now that parents have time to hit the gym or spa.
  • Massage, reiki, personal care centers: Invite parents to take a breather now with the kids at school.

Teacher Celebrations

Other smart back to school sales ideas involve attracting teachers to your business with discounts or specials just for them.

  • Restaurants: Offer a discount once a week, such as with Teacher Tuesdays, where teachers get a reduced rate on meals.
  • Car dealerships: Rev up business with a special leasing or purchasing deal for teachers, giving them a new set of wheels for the new school year.
  • Bowling alley: Get groups of teachers into your lanes with discounts or buy-one-get-one free games on certain days of the week.

Even if your business doesn’t fit any of the back to school sales ideas noted above, simply slap on your thinking cap to find a creative link between what you sell and any aspect related to the back to school season.

Make sure to promote your sale with signs, mailers, and other promotional communications, starting your sale prior to the first day of school and extending it throughout the entire month of September.

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