PaperDirect Blog PaperDirect Blog

November 6, 2013

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In the era of email and text messages, sending an actual, paper note seems a little outdated.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. 

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 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 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.

September 12, 2013

Program Designs for Your Church’s Christmas Events

Poinsettia Swirl Specialty Programs by PaperDirect

Program designs are must-haves for your church’s Christmas events. They also send a very important message. Most people who see the programs will no doubt be church members. However, others will be newcomers and/or members of the community. They might be scoping out a new church to attend all year round, and Christmas is the most common time of year to do that. What do you want to say to your current, and possibly future, congregation?

The message you send might depend on the situation. A program for a children’s church event should bear a less structured motif than the overtly religious one used for a Christmas Eve service. One decorated with snowmen lends itself well to the time of year while letting those who see it know the event is centered around children. The children’s portion of your church’s Christmas pageant, special sales to benefit the less fortunate, and other child-focused events could even have their own program.

Christmas Scroll Programs by PaperDirect

A community Christmas program should include a festive and more fanciful design. A pretty poinsettia swirl would work perfectly for your church’s Christmas fair. Or perhaps you might prefer a simple Christmas scroll instead. No matter which design you choose, these programs can list what’s for sale at Christmas fair booths, or direct fair-goers to food stands, rest rooms, or the information booth.

There are program designs perfect for every Christmas event that your church hosts. Ask your pastor or church secretary to check out the wealth of ideas for programs available through PaperDirect – THE source for all things paper.

September 5, 2013

A Holiday Checklist for Church

Filed under: Event Planning Tips — Tags: — PDWriter @ 7:30 am

Bethlehem Star Programs by PaperDirectA holiday checklist for church ensures all those little details that make the holidays so special will be minded so members and guests enjoy the full meaning of the Christmas holiday season.

Tops that list are newsletters and programs. Order both with holiday motifs to convey the essence of the holiday to attendees, as well as the surrounding community. Starting in September, church secretaries are busy asking committees and branches of the church what they will offer to both holiday bulletins and newsletters, so that these supplies can be ordered early. Perfect options for your church include the Bethlehem Star Programs and Lion Lamb Newsletters.

Don’t forget to order certificates for all Lion Lamb Newsletter by PaperDirectchurch members who take part in either annual Nativity scene or church Christmas Pageant. Certainly, members perform these roles out of the goodness of their hearts, but Christmas is the perfect holiday to let them know how much their participation means. These certificates are an important part of your holiday checklist for church. When they are handed out, especially by the pastor, members feel a sense of pride and honor, knowing they have participated in something very special.

Wise Men Vinyl Banners by PaperDirectMake sure your Christmas banner is on that checklist, too, so that once Advent begins, members and guests will feel the anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. The date and time of your church’s Christmas program lets everyone know what to expect as Christmas approaches.

These items certainly don’t make the holiday, but with this holiday checklist for church items, the days leading up to Christmas will be filled with far less angst for the pastor and church secretary. If other items turn up on your holiday checklist, be sure to check out PaperDirect for all your church’s holiday paper needs.

September 3, 2013

Holiday Party Networking: 9 Dos and Don’ts

Swish Business Cards by PaperDirectWhen the line between personal and professional blurs at an evening company holiday party, know how to act. Remember: The boss is always watching. Holiday party networking should be causal and simple, with respect to the company hosting the gathering.

  1. Do talk with people from other departments in the company. This is a great way to learn more about the business and meet more people, especially if you’re a newcomer.
  2. Don’t linger by the appetizers or bar all night. Although you should have a good time, limit yourself to two alcoholic beverages and a few plates of hors d’oeuvres or you might start acting a little too casual.
  3. Do share your business card with outside guests at the party. This helps them easily connect with you later during business hours to follow-up on ideas discussed at the party.
  4. Don’t run to your office for paperwork or reports. Holiday party networking is about establishing connections, not doing the dirty work in a social atmosphere. Plan a lunch date later to go over documents.
  5. Do learn names. After chatting a while, thank the person for his ideas or express gratitude for the chat, and use his name. This creates a personal connection and shows a genuine interest.
  6. Don’t do all the talking. Listen to what others are saying and doing at the party. When in doubt ask an open-ended question and sit back and listen.
  7. Do have a two-sentence explanation for your position and goals. What will you say if the boss introduces you to a new colleague? Know your role well.
  8. Don’t dress too informally. This is still a business function–with flair. Think business casual with a nod to the holiday. A shimmering metallic purse or sequined seasonal top is an appropriate touch. Leave the jeans and funny holiday sweatshirts at home for the weekend.
  9. Do take notes about people you want to connect with later. Use a simple notepad app on your cellphone to write down topics, interests, or follow-up questions for people you’ve met.Blue Carrara Business Cards by PaperDirect

As the invitations start stacking up, get ready to RSVP. You’ve got this! Be sure to make a statement with a professional business card from Paper Direct. A variety of full color, bordered, and patterned business cards are available to print from your desktop or have shipped to the office. It’s your choice!

August 16, 2013

Best Gifts for the 1 Year “Paper” Anniversary

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 7:40 am

Gilt Edged Paper by PaperDirectCongratulations on braving the first 365, you crazy kids! Your 1-year anniversary is just around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited. That’s because the theme for the inaugural year is paper! PaperDirect would be honored if you’d cordially invite us to help make your anniversary one to cherish.

Sure, paper may not be as lavish as pearls, silk or gold, but it is much more versatile, customizable and cost-effective. Gold edged paper, colored paper, and elegantly designed envelopes are just the beginning.  Give your spouse a custom-made ticket for a romantic night together, write your loved one a love letter (insted of a love email).  Or if you’re really ambitious, make a board game with paper pieces, paper dice, and card stock and play the night away!Solid Color Desktop Printable Paper  by PaperDirect

Perhaps you just want to relive the memories that led to the altar. Put your feelings on paper with an enormous selection of greeting cards. Round up your craziest, most lovable photos and print them on our custom photo cards. Jazz up the dinner table with napkins in colors that match your wedding theme, and top it off with a place card or table tent bearing your names. If you’re a musician, print the sheet music for you and your spouse’s song on textured paper and jam away!

The possibilities with paper are truly endless. PaperDirect is confident that the quality, variety, and customizable options of our paper items will make your 1-year anniversary playful and romantic. Posters and prints, stationary, event accessories and more – you name it, we’ve got it. Go traditional, get creative, or go absolutely nuts! Have fun, and congratulations!

July 30, 2013

Host the Hottest Summer Birthday Party with these Invitations

Filed under: Event Planning Tips,Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 3:40 pm

Aqua Splash Casual InvitationsBring on the sunshine, pool parties and barbecues! Summer time is finally here and it’s time to celebrate. If you are lucky enough to have your birthday in the summer, you have been able to enjoy a lifetime having the day off when your special day arrives. Not only that,  being able to plan your party when the weather is nice gives you endless possibilities.

You need to capitalize on the perfect party weather by throwing the birthday bash of the year! So let the planning begin! First off, you need a theme. Anything goes in the summer time, but beach parties and ice cream socials are always a big hit. After you have a theme decided, your next step is picking out the invitations. Your invitations are a vital part of your party planning. They are the first impression your guests will have about your party, so you want to make them appealing!

Invitations are your chance to let your guests know what to expect at your party. For Beach Balls Casual Invitationsexample, the ideal beach birthday invitation will help your guests escape to a tropical paradise just by looking at it. Your invitation will make your guests excited to come to your party. If you opt for an ice cream social, you will want your ice cream birthday invitation to be fun, so your guests know they will have a good time.

Once your invitations are out in the mail, you can plan the rest of your party. Make sure to choose food, games, and décor that all stick with your theme. The more thought you put into the details, the better your party will be. With the help of PaperDirect’s professional birthday invitations, your birthday party is sure to be the hottest event of the summer.

July 26, 2013

Ways to Say “Thanks! on National Parent Day

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas,Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 5:07 pm

Thanks Gold Embossed Thank You NoteCards by PaperDirectYour parents mean the world to you, so celebrate them on National Parent’s Day!  Whether you live next door or halfway around the world, make time to say “thank you” with five thoughtful suggestions.

Write a Thank You Note

Handwritten notes are rare in this electronic age, but you can revive tradition with a handwritten thank you note. Choose beautiful paper or thank you cards from PaperDirect, and write down everything you appreciate about your parents. They will cherish your sentiments for years to come.

Take Them to DinnerVibrance Thank You NoteCards by PaperDirect

Home cooked meals taste delicious, but a meal cooked by someone else tastes even better. Treat your parents to a meal at their favorite restaurant. If possible, drop off flowers or balloons beforehand to surprise your parents when they arrive.

Assemble Photo Albums

Pictures tell the story of your family, but no one can see that story if the pictures are stuffed into boxes under a bed. Organize your family’s story into photo albums. If possible, label the pictures that commemorate your heritage and thank your parents.

Take a Trip

Enjoy a trip to your parents’ favorite vacation spot or find a new haunt when you give your parents a family vacation. Corral your siblings and kids on a multigenerational journey, and then make sweet memories as you enjoy spending time with your parents.

Complete a Home Improvement Project

Kindly Thank You NoteCards by PaperDirectNo matter how spry your parents may be, they’ll appreciate your help fixing up their house. Repair the roof, paint the living room or install a new dishwasher. Your gift improves the value of your parents’ home and shows them how much you care.

Give your parents something they can really enjoy as you celebrate National Parent’s Day. Whether you spend time together or write a personal note on stationary from PaperDirect, plan now to appreciate and thank your wonderful parents.

 

How to Plan A Rockin’ Company Picnic

Filed under: Designing Your Invitation — Tags: , , — PDWriter @ 2:30 pm

When planning the menu for your company picnic, select a variety of foods that appeal to all guests. The safest bet is classic picnic foods that are tried and true, and sure to please the masses. Be sure to send picnic invitations in advance with details, and let the invitations be indicative of the type of picnic. Whether the event will be country casual or fancy fare, the food is always the main event. Here are the world’s 10 best picnic foods; so pull out the red-checkered tablecloths, send out the picnic invitations and get ready for some good old outdoor fun!

1. Grill: The most popular grill fare is of course hot dogs, hamburgers, and cheeseburgers. But don’t forget to have a few veggie or soy burgers on hand for vegetarian or vegan guests who are often overlooked at picnic style gatherings.

2. Salads: It wouldn’t be a picnic without the summer classic, potato salad. Pasta salad and coleslaw are in the same family and can help round out the side dishes and add variety to your picnic spread.

3. Fruit Salad: A fruit salad hits the spot on a hot summer day. Mix up watermelon, grapes, strawberries, and blueberries for a quick fruit salad that everybody is sure to love.

4. Corn: Corn on the cob is another yummy classic, whether you have room to throw it on the grill, or boil it before the picnic; corn on the cob is always a crowdpleaser.

5. Watermelon: The quintessential summer food, watermelon is a must-have for any picnic. Kids and adults alike can’t get enough of the sweet, juicy fruit — it may even start a good old fashion seed spitting contest.

6. Lemonade & Iced Tea: Always refreshing on a sunny day, have plenty of both beverages – and ice water – on hand.

7. Fried Chicken: Another picnic favorite, you can’t go wrong serving up fried chicken at your gathering.

8. Veggies: It’s always good to have some healthy snacks on hand, a veggie tray with dip is an excellent choice.

9. Cookies: You need to have some sweet treats for dessert, and an assortment of cookies will appeal to everybody’s sweet tooth. Plus, they are easy for guests to eat on the go between picnic events.

10. Root Beer Floats: Surprise everyone by offering a root beer float station; a simple and delicious ice cream treat that kids and adults love!

Use any or all of the above ideas to plan the best, well-rounded company picnic that will have everybody talking!

June 28, 2013

Party like It’s 1776: Invitations to Make this 4th of July a Blast

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 7:41 am

The snacks are ready, the grill is fired up, and the rockets are itching to be fired. This year’s party is going to the best! Now, how to get people to come… PaperDirect’s rich and elegant invitations will have guests flocking to your party like the British to Concord in 1775. Choose from clean and simple flat invitations, classy fold-up invitations, modern square invitations and more. Or if you’re feeling as bold as Washington and his troops crossing the Delaware, design your own call to celebration with your choice of paper, address labels and other DIY invitation tools.

When you’ve got your invitations just right, slide them into plain or designer envelopes. A Soiree or Black Tie envelope can help you stand out, while a plain white or cream envelope serves as a fully customizable canvas.  Now, just seal ’em up and… wait, retract thy tongue! Before you send your invitations on their midnight rides, secure them with classy envelope seals (and not saliva).  Browse over 60 types of envelope seals in a variety of colors and shapes. Scalloped seals fit the old fashioned theme; while “You’re Invited” seals help create a festive mood.

Creativity helped the colonists win the revolution and continues to make America great. While PaperDirect has a broad selection of designs, all of them can be tweaked, scrambled, dismantled and spliced with your own innovative designs as you see fit. If a design speaks to you, download a free template in Word or Publisher format to your desktop, and play around with it at no cost. You can print your invitations directly from your desktop, or order special prints using PaperDirect’s namesake papers. However many guests you want to invite, PaperDirect wants to make sure that they flock to your party as the bombs burst in the air and wishes you a majestic 4th of July.

June 21, 2013

Invitations to Best Backyard BBQ in the Neighborhood: Yours!

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

BBQ Party Casual Invitations by PaperDirectIt’s barbeque season again, and it’s time for you to throw a great neighborhood BBQ! Dust off your grill, sweep off the deck and pull out the plastic silverware; because it’s time to party!

Every great BBQ starts with festive invitations from PaperDirect. They add excitement and anticipation to the celebration while making your guests feel honored to attend your big bash.

The decorations you choose should match the invitations. That means a Fourth of July event will feature tables cloaked with red, white and blue tablecloths; while a granddaughter’s birthday BBQ could feature pink and purple pastel streamers and tablecloths.

Once the invitations are mailed and the decorations planned, it’s time create an amazing Barbeque Casual Invitations by PaperDirectBBQ menu. You could serve traditional ribs, burgers and hot dogs; or go for a unique meal of lamb, shrimp and fresh fish marinated in homemade spice rubs and marinades. Exotic side dishes like fruit salsa, oriental salads, grilled corn, eggplant and asparagus are great choices to accompany tender meat selections.

Keeping an outdoor refrigerator chilled will help keep your cold side dishes fresh and refreshing beverages cold.  Or, fill a kiddy pool or aluminum tub with ice and set the food and drinks in it.

Like your drinks, you want your guests to stay cool, so arrange tables and chairs under the shade of the deck or backyard trees. Then provide entertainment with a karaoke machine (and if all the neighbors are your guest, you won’t have to worry about noise!) or other Grillin' Casual Invitations by PaperDirectoutdoor games like lawn darts, volleyball and even cards.

End the evening on a high note by providing guests a small party favor to take home. A bottle of homemade marinade, customized magnet or fresh flowers from your prized landscape shows how much you appreciate your friends and neighbors for attending your event. From the PaperDirect invitations to the personalized guest favors, you can relax because you’ve just hosted the greatest BBQ in the neighborhood!

« Newer PostsOlder Posts »

Powered by WordPress