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When your kids have four legs and a tail, it’s perfectly fine to feature them in your holiday greetings. These pet Christmas card ideas will show your friends and family just how much you love your fur babies, especially at this festive time of year. Be bold and have fun with your holiday cards!

The Dressed Up Pets

Tis’ the season to get a little goofy. Break out the holiday sweaters and gift wrapping bows. Dress up the pet (safely!) in gear that makes them look like Santa’s little elf. Don’t forget the hats and scarves, if your pet will leave them in place! Dressed up pet photos would look adorable on the Twinkles Holiday or Caroling Snowmen cards.

Twinning Holiday Ideas

Snuggle up and say cheese with your pet in this year’s Christmas card. Dress alike in matching red sweaters or Santa Claus hats to make an impact. Or, get crafty and cover boxes in gift wrap and pop out of the packages as the best Christmas gifts of the season! We think these poses would look best on the Red Ribbon and Pine Holiday or Ice Skating Party Holiday cards.

Pet Perfect Portraits

Head to your local pet store or animal rescue fundraiser offering professional family portraits – with your pets! With perfect lighting, expert posing and amazing holiday backdrops, you really can’t go wrong with this refined approach. Use one of these images on an elegant Peace Azure or Silver Scroll Holiday card.

An Artsy Holiday

Do you have a knack for photography? Set up a seasonal backdrop, grab the camera, and show off those skills! Whether you’re in the shot or not, make your pet look like a cover model. For an added fine art touch, consider doing a color wash to highlight the reds against a black and white image or print the picture in old-fashioned warm sepia brown tones. Try framing your artsy photo with the Vintage Christmas Holiday or Timeless Holiday card!

Winter Fun Photo

Do you live in an area with evergreen trees and a fresh blanket of snow? Head outdoors with your bundled-up pet and frolic in the season. Have a friend snap some pics of you and your pets making snow angels, building a snowman or peeking through a holiday wreath. Then, show off your silly pose in a Snowflake Holiday or Peaceful Pine card.

Are you ready to start designing your holiday cards? Browse Paper Direct to get the perfect card to showcase your pet Christmas card ideas!

The 4th of July is almost upon us, and if you’re sensing that summertime itch brewing among your employees, you’re not alone. As we approach the nation’s most patriotic holiday, American workers across the country are spending just a little bit more time staring out the window than they are staring at their monitor.

But, that’s okay — you won’t get anywhere if you try to force your team’s collective nose to the grindstone. Give in to the feeling and throw your hard-working team a 4th of July party that celebrates the United States and their combined work ethic.

Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Have Everyone Bring Their Favorite American Meals

You can get your team involved and have people sign up to bring in some homemade dishes to celebrate the 4th of July. You don’t need to enforce an American theme, but as the boss, it might be a good idea to order in some US-style grub just to make sure the theme is cohesive.

Pass Out Sparklers

Fireworks have been a part of the 4th of July since the very first anniversary way back in 1777. Indulge in your ability to blow stuff up by handing out some Snappers or Sparklers to let your employees indulge in some old-fashioned July 4 fun. Just make sure they go outside first.

Play Some Games

You don’t need to leave the office to have fun. Organize a scavenger hunt with some small prizes for the winners. Orchestrate a relay race using common office materials, or plan a scavenger hunt.

You can also use some 4th of July-themed paper products and have your team pit their best-designed paper airplanes against one another.

Get Outside and Cook Some Food

The 4th of July is the quintessential outdoor American holiday. Families and friends will almost invariably commemorate the 4th by getting outside and enjoying a little bit of summertime fun. When it’s your turn to celebrate the holiday in your office, why not follow suit and get your team gathered in a local park for some fun in the sun.

However You Celebrate, PaperDirect Can Make It Special

No matter what kind of celebration you choose, you can spice things up with some top-of-the-line paper products from PaperDirect. When you need to decorate your office for the 4th of July, PaperDirect is your perfect source for a wide variety of certificates, border paper, brochures, postcards, and more! We absolutely have what you’re looking for.

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.

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.

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

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

Baja Flip Flop Border Papers

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

Balloon Dreams Border Papers

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

Paper Lanterns Border Papers

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

Sweet Summer Border Papers

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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

Buy it.

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

Bumble Bee Border Paper

Buy it.

Perfect for: Everyone, but especially schools.

Lollipop Flowers Paper & Invitations

Buy it.

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

Fresh Lemonade Postcards

Buy it.

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

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.

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.

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.