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November 6, 2013

How to Reward Employees for a Job Well Done

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

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

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

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

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

October 19, 2013

National Make a Difference Day – Saturday, October 26

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

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

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

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

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

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

September 25, 2013

5 Awards Ideas for Students that Say “Keep Up the Good Work!”

Filed under: Student Recognition Ideas — Tags: , , , — PDWriter @ 2:13 pm

When it comes to students, a little award can go a long way. Whether you’re emphasizing behavior or trying to motivate students to be good friends, awards for students should be part of your day-to-day teaching, outside of the awards for academic achievement that are built into the school year. As you consider creative ways to award your students, consider these five award ideas for students:

Stacked Stars Casual Certificates by PaperDirect

The “Faithful Friend” Award

Reward your more social students with their very own “Faithful Friend” award. When you see students going above and beyond for friends, consider awarding them. This is behavior you want to encourage, as being a good friend is a valuable life skill, so have a stash of “Faithful Friend” awards to hand out.

The “Happy Helper” Award

Confetti Stars Casual Certificates by PaperDirect

Teachers and educators want to foster a sense of community in the classroom, and one way to do this is to encourage your students to help in the classroom. Rewarding those who help with an eager attitude will create a community of helpers. Add some “Happy Helper” student awards to your stash.

The “Excellent Effort” Award

If you’ve been teaching for long, you know that all your students are different, and they all learn differently. Sometimes, a simple “good job” or “excellent effort” goes a long way to boosting a student’s confidence in the classroom. When you catch them giving their all, they should be awarded for this, even if you can’t give them an “A” on the grade card. Reward them for their effort with an “Excellent Effort” certificate showing them that you noticed.

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The “Classroom Creativity” Award

Creativity is sometimes stifled in the midst of the daily grind of the school year, but you want to foster it in your students. Purchase some “Classroom Creativity” award certificates to give out to those students who show superior creativity in art, imaginative play, or writing activities. The more you reward creativity, the more it will grow.

The “Class Citizen” Award

Do you have a student who is careful to follow the rules? This student may not get much positive reinforcement from peers, especially if he is apt to tattle. Reward the good behavior, while working on the tattling at another time, with the “Class Citizen” award. This will show that you value a student who pays attention to the rules and tries to follow them, and it might encourage other students to follow.

Students who do well academically are rewarded many times throughout the school year. You can ensure that others get awarded for their strengths as well with these creative award ideas for students. Ordering them couldn’t be easier with the help of PaperDirect. Simply find the award you love, customize it for your specific category and order conveniently online!

August 29, 2013

Funny Office Award Ideas to Beat Summertime Blues

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — Tags: , , , — PDWriter @ 7:55 am
Funny Office award Ideas

Many offices hold an annual company banquet as a means of showing their employee appreciation and celebrating a successful year. While you can certainly hand out traditional awards, like Best Customer Service and Sales Rep of the Year, make sure to have to have some fun and include some more light-hearted awards.

Customize your own award certificates for a cute, quality keepsake of the event. Have fun thinking up clever and creative awards for the ceremony and be sure to have the camera on hand to grab a few quick snapshots of the lucky recipients.

Check out these funny office award ideas to get you started, and don’t forget to shop for extra certificates.

20 Funny Office Award Ideas

Brown Thumb Award: Every plant in their workspace is dead

Bermuda Triangle Award: The desk space where things go in and never return

Punny Award: For that very special person in the office that is always making clever puns and wordplay.

Ms. or Mr. Punctuality Award: For the ever on-time employee

Social Butterfly Award: Do you have a Tom Haverford in the office who’s constantly tweeting? Deem him/her the social butterfly.

Green Thumb Award: The best plants in the office

The Iron Chef Award: This award goes to the person who always packs a delicious looking lunch while everyone else gets Subway.

Busy Bee Award: For the employee who is always on the move

bee-themed stationery paper

The Caffeine Addict Award: For the employee who drinks the most coffee in a day

Mr. or Ms. Fitness Award: For the employee who hits the gym every day during lunch

Wise Guy or Gal Award: For the sarcastic employee who is always cracking jokes

Loch Ness Award: For the employee who is never at their desk, and hard to find

The Patrick Mahomes Award: Have a team leader who continuously impresses? Choose your offices favorite QB or sports star and name an award after him.

football themed certificate papers

Mama Bear or Papa Bear Award: For the caretaker of the bunch

Pig Pen Award: For the messiest desk in the office

Neatest Nook Award: For the cleanest desk in the office

Excessive Gambling Award: For the employee who is always betting on the game and life in general.

Pen Stealer Award: For the person who is always walking off with other people’s pens

pen and pencil gift set for employee

Rookie of the Year: For the newest employee who’s doing a rockstar job.

Old Timer Award: For the employee with the most distinguished history with the office

Just remember, when selecting awards for employees it is okay to poke fun, but keep the awards light-hearted and fun to avoid accidentally hurting somebody’s feelings.

Whether you are having a big company gathering, or just looking to have a little Friday afternoon fun on a hot summer day, office awards are a great way to do it. Shop PaperDirect now for certificates for your office awards ceremony!

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.

 

June 19, 2013

Frame Your Diplomas and Awards and Nail Them to the Wall

Filed under: Recognition & Motivation Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:13 am

Stars Certificate Plaque by PaperDirect

Congratulations, you graduated! Whether you graduated from high school, college or continuing education, it’s a huge achievement that will propel you forward in your life and your career. Now that you have your diploma, or once you receive it in the mail, don’t just stick it in a box or toss it aside where it will gather dust or get ruined. Make sure you keep it in perfect shape forever by framing it or putting it in a holder.

Even if you’re not interested in displaying it now, don’t forget about the future. Some day, when you have that corner office or your own counseling room, you might want your patients or clients to see your achievements. So be proud of all your hard work and frame your diploma.   A commemorative frame can also be a perfect graduation gift for your child, niece, nephew or mentee.

There are many options to preserve and display your diploma or other certificate:

Large Certificate Frames by PaperDirect

Certificate Frame: Add a mat and frame to your certificate and hang it on the wall. Thisis perfect for doctors, lawyers, counselors and anyone who wants their achievements front and center.

Certificate Wall Plaques: Make your certificate a little fancier by adding it to a wall plaque. You can pick from different styles to fit your personality and your achievement. You could even choose a perpetual award plaque so you can add your achievements throughout your lifetime.

Leatherette Certificate Holders: If you’d prefer not to hang your diploma but you Leatherette MiniAward Boards by PaperDirectstill want to preserve it, keep it inside a sophisticated leatherette certificate holder that you can keep on a bookshelf and pull out when you want to remember or prove your achievements.

Certificate Jackets: Another option is a certificate jacket, which keeps your diploma preserved and adds words of encouragement or significant symbols on top.

To preserve and display your certificate, get started online at PaperDirect.com.

May 20, 2013

Stellar Awards for Star Students

Filed under: Student Recognition Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 7:48 am

Encircle Casual CertificatesKids achieve great things in the classroom, and it’s about time their brilliance is rewarded. When generic honor-student bumper stickers aren’t enough, it’s time to get creative. Give your star students the personalized recognition they deserve. PaperDirect has a plethora of award ideas, including certificates of recognition and awards for excellence, special achievements, and simply for going above and beyond the call of learning.

Unique students deserve unique awards. Simply choose a template, then tweak the layout, Science Award Casual Certificatescolor scheme, fonts, and other design elements to bring out your child’s personality. Who says certificates of recognition have to be stuffy and serious? Change the title to something creative and whimsical. Toss in your student’s nickname. Reserve a special space for an inside joke. Add photos of your child and images of his or her favorite things to make it an award to remember.

What if you have a bunch of overachievers on your hands? Choose a template to foster group cohesion and team spirit, then give each award a unique finishing touch to boost your kids’ confidence as individuals. Whether your kids are eight or 18, they’ll be happy to have their accomplishments acknowledged.

Athletic Award Casual CertificatesOnce you’re finished designing the award, you can choose to print straight from your desktop, or order a custom print. Pocket-sized or poster-sized, fridge or framed, PaperDirect has a variety of colors, sizes and textures to make your awards pop, all custom-designed and delivered straight to your school or home.

At PaperDirect, It’s as much of a joy to design student awards as it is to hand them out. Proper encouragement is crucial in any endeavor, at any age. A well-designed award tells students that they are appreciated and capable of great things, and inspires them to keep going above and beyond.

May 13, 2013

Let the Graduation Party Commence – Creative Party Ideas

Filed under: Student Recognition Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 7:44 am

Baccalaureate Casual InvitationWhile the graduation ceremony itself is the official way to recognize a student’s accomplishment, there’s usually not space for all of the student’s friends and family to attend. That’s why so many families host a graduation party afterwards to celebrate together and give guests a chance to interact with the graduate, not just watch him walk across a stage. Incorporate some of these creative ideas into your graduation party.

Use the School Colors: Anybody can throw a generic graduation party full of black mortarboards and gold diploma scrolls, but you can personalize yours by using the school colors in the theme and decorations. Choose graduation party invitations with the school’s colors in the border, decorate with streamers and balloons, and even incorporate the school mascot if you can.

Set up a Photo Booth: Rather than creating a display with memorabilia from the Key To The Future Casual Invitationsstudent’s educational career, encourage guests to use the items as props in a photo booth. Create an area at the party with a camera or laptop set up to take pictures and let guests pose with old sports jerseys, textbooks, backpacks, and trophies.

Make Graduation Cap Treats: You’ll need plenty of finger food at the party, and one creative type is designed to look like a graduation cap. Make miniature ones with small peanut butter cups turned upside down topped with a chocolate square and fruit roll up tassel, or larger ones out of an upside down cupcake with a graham cracker on top and frosting tassel.

The graduation party should be a fun event, with lots of laughter and reminiscing about the student’s time in school. Start planning well in advance, and use PaperDirect to create custom graduation party invitations and graduation announcements to spread the word.

April 22, 2013

The Do’s & Don’ts of Teacher Gift Giving

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:33 am

Teacher's Apple Post-it® Notes Although you can give a teacher a gift anytime, it’s especially appropriate during Teacher Appreciation Week, which is May 7-11 this year. This week is your reminder to let inspiring teachers know what a difference they have made in your life or the life of your kids. Teachers receive lots of gifts, so choose yours carefully to ensure it’s meaningful and useful for the teacher.

When Giving a Teacher a Gift, Do:

  • Consider what the teacher may need for the classroom and pick a gift that meets those needs, like personalized Post-it® Notes with the teacher’s name on them.

  • Get your child involved in the process of selecting the gift, wrapping it, and adding handmade touches, whether it’s a drawing of the teacher or a small craft project.

  • Choose a classy greeting card and include a personalized note Floral Vine Specialty Thank You NoteCards about why you appreciate the teacher. These notes are often what teachers cherish most because it gives their job purpose.

  • Add a gift card to an office supply store or bookstore so the teacher can get classroom supplies, which are often more meaningful for the teacher than gifts to use personally.

In Your Teacher Gift, Make Sure You Don’t:

  • Include baked goods or other foods that the teacher may not be able to eat. Dietary restrictions are very common these days, so unless you know a teacher absolutely loves a particular treat, leave it out.

  • Go overboard on the teacher-themed gifts with apples or pencils or mugs saying “World’s Best Teacher.” They have probably been getting these for years and don’t need any more.

  • Choose scented items, like lotions or candles, that the teacher may not actually like. Many of these end up getting re-gifted because the teacher doesn’t like the scent and won’t use them.

Difference is You Tote Bag Teachers have one of the most challenging and underpaid jobs around, so take the time to choose a unique gift that recognizes the time and energy the teacher has put in during the year. The teacher should be able to look at the gift the next day and remember exactly who it is from and what they liked about it. As you’re deciding what to give this year, browse our catalog at Paper Direct to find high-quality gifts for each teacher on your list.

April 19, 2013

5 Ways to Make National Volunteer Week Special

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:20 am

Outstanding Volunteer Post-it® Notes Whether you work at a non-profit organization that works with volunteers who help to improve the community, or you are a teacher in a classroom who relies on parent volunteers, it’s important to remember those special people who are dedicating their time to your cause. National Volunteer Week takes place this year from April 21 through April 27, so be sure to do something that week to make your volunteers feel special. The following ideas will help you create a week they won’t soon forget.

5 Ways to Make National Volunteer Week Special for Your Do-Gooders

  1. Organize an awards ceremony to honor your dedicated volunteers. Consider distributing special, custom awards to each contributor on your team. Ideas for awards include “Volunteer Who Logged the Most Hours” or “Most Creative Volunteer.” Just make sure everyone gets something at this event, and don’t forget to create personalized awards to hand out.

  2. Write each volunteer a personalized thank you note. Using the custom volunteer note cards available on PaperDirect, you can take the time you need to truly express your gratitude for the efforts of your volunteers.

  3. Give the gift of a personalized tote bag. This is a practical gift that your volunteers will use for many years to come. It will help them bring supplies to and from the volunteer site, as well as provide many uses in their personal life.

  4. Create personalized coffee mugs for your volunteers. The volunteer mugs on PaperDirect include sayings like “The Difference is You” and “We Appreciate You.” These sentiments express your gratitude, and the volunteer receives a great gift that will make them feel appreciated each morning as they enjoy their cup of coffee.Volunteers a work of Heart Pin

  5. Take them to lunch and give them a lapel pin to thank them for their time and effort. Everyone enjoys a delicious meal, and awarding them with a special lapel pin will make it all the more memorable. Volunteer lapel pins that state “Volunteers, A Work of Heart” are available.

We Appreciate You NoteCards No matter which route you decide to take, just make sure your volunteers know how much you appreciate them. Chances are you couldn’t get your job done without these special individuals who are donating their time and skills to your organization. To make personalized gifts, note cards and awards quickly and easily, stop by PaperDirect. We have specialty volunteer products that will work great for this particular occasion.

March 28, 2013

Employee Prizes Under $10 Motivate and Award Great Employees

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — PDWriter @ 7:43 am

Star Key Ring Excellence by PaperDirectIt’s important to recognize your employees and let them know when they’re doing a good job. Employees who only receive negative feedback (or none at all) are more likely to quit and more likely to suffer from low morale, both of which can hurt your business and your chances of success.

You can recognize hard-working staff members with inexpensive employee prizes they’ll really love. PaperDirect is your online super store for employee gifts under $10 that will motivate and reward all in one!

Here are just a few employee prizes under $10 from PaperDirect:Believe Bookmark by PaperDirect

When you order online from PaperDirect, you don’t have to spend a lot of money. Award employees with inexpensive prizes, less than $10!

February 26, 2013

Positive Reinforcement Works Wonders for the Struggling Student

Filed under: Student Recognition Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 7:47 am

“Finish your homework or you’re grounded!”

“If you don’t get those grades up, I’m taking away privileges!”

If you’ve ever uttered these words – or others like them – you’re definitely not alone. As parents, finding the best ways to help your children succeed in school can present a challenStar Student Award Casual Certificates by PaperDirectge.

But while attempting to change your kid’s behavior by threatening to enact punishments may be a completely natural parenting fallback – and, let’s face it, sometimes just a whole lot easier – it’s actually not the best way to help a struggling student.

Though it may seem counter-intuitive, offering rewards is actually a more effective method of getting your kids (or students) to do what you want.

Here’s why.

Skinner’s Box

The year was 1948, and psychologist B.F. Skinner had a problem. He was trying to do something that many felt impossible – train pigeons. After all, pigeons aren’t exactly known for their staggering intellectual capacity.

After much trial and error, Skinner discovered that if the pigeons received positive reinforcement – in the form of a treat — every time they did what he wanted them to do – which was pushing a tiny lever — the birds learned the desired behavior very rapidly.

Skinner named his method “operant conditioning” – and the fields of psychology, education and behavior management were never the same!

The Power of Positive ReinforcementFestive Streamers Casual Certificates by PaperDirect

If positive reinforcement can work wonders on a bunch of pigeons, just imagine what it can do for your student! Positive reinforcement can be something tangible, like a sticker, a lollipop, or a special certificate acknowledging their improved effort.

Positive reinforcement can also be intangible, like a hug or a smile. Praise is effective, too. When offering verbal positive reinforcement, be specific. Tell your child exactly why you’re proud of them, such as:

  • “You got most of your spelling words right this week! I can tell you’ve been working hard.”
  • “I can’t wait to tell the family about the good grade you got in math. How wonderful!”
  • “Your teacher told me that you’ve been trying harder in class. I’m so proud of you!”

Citizenship Award Casual Certificates by PaperDirectPositive reinforcement works best when it’s delivered immediately after the desired behavior takes place, or at least as close as possible. Best of all, you don’t have to wait until your student’s behavior is absolutely perfect in order to offer positive reinforcement; in fact, you should reinforce every incremental step in order to encourage continuing progress.

Studies show that random rewards are the most effective way to change behavior –so mix it up! Reward all positive behaviors with a smile or a hug, and dole out the special stuff, like treats or certificates, at random intervals. Above all, be consistent and emphasize positive reinforcement over punishment.

February 20, 2013

Host Your Own Office Dundies –Ten Employee Recognition Awards

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 7:26 am
employee recognition awards

If you’ve ever watched the hit TV series The Office, you will remember the infamous Dundie episodes, where boss Michael Scott gives out employee recognition awards to his staff.

He does this through made-up songs, horrifyingly embarrassing remarks, and inappropriate skits.  Though entertaining to watch, you could imagine how it could be rough to sit through.

In order to avoid a drastic Dundie situation, we have come up with ten recognition award ideas (some funny, some serious) for the employees in your office – to be presented in whichever manner you see fit (although you may not want to take your inspiration from Michael Scott).

Office Dundies 1

Employee Recognition Ideas:

1 Customer Service Award – Give this to someone who has gone above and beyond to make a client/customer happy. This person would possess and demonstrate a customer-first mindset, and always exceed expectations when interacting with clients/customers.

clown design sticky notes

2. Biggest Distraction Award – This is a humorous award that could be seen at the Dundies! This award would go to someone who is a hard worker but also knows how to have fun in the office. This should be the office “clown” and someone who is great at lighting up the mood in long meetings. This isn’t meant to be a disciplinary award, but rather a ‘thank-you’ award for keeping office morale up. A set of Post-it® Notes with a clown design is a fun little reward for these employees.

3. Cleanest Desk Award – This one is pretty self-explanatory. This award would go to the person whose office space is always the cleanest and tidiest. Which brings us to the next award…

4. Messiest Desk Award – Though this may seem a little harsh, if someone is known for having a very messy desk in the office, that person probably wouldn’t mind being called out on it. In order to avoid hurt feelings, make sure this person has a good sense of humor.

5. Would-Be-Winner of Trivia Award – This honor would go to the person in your office that always contributes interesting, yet sometimes irrelevant, facts to conversations and meetings.

6. Moving On Up Award – This award is actually a Dundie Award from The Office, given to Darryl because he was promoted to Shipping Manager at Dunder Mifflin. You can steal this idea and give this to an employee who has recently been promoted.

7. Cool Cucumber Award – This prize can go to someone who remains calm in the face of issues and situations where the easy option would be to freak out. They handle work issues very well and are always reliable in stressful situations.

coffee lapel pin thank you award

8. Caffeine Consumer Award – This is for the person in your office that either always has coffee or energy drinks in their hand. Every company has that one person in the office that would have a mental breakdown if the company ran out of coffee.

bird themed weekly desk pad

9. Early Bird Award – There is always the one person in the office who is a morning person at their desk every day at 7am sharp. This person deserves some recognition for braving the wee hours of the morning, and what better way to do it than with an Early Bird Award!

10. Organization Award – This award can go to the person in your office who always has all their work in line as well as the contents on their desk.

If you are looking to put these awards or recognitions down on paper to host your own Dundies, be sure to browse PaperDirect’s line of award certificates, trophies and plaques.

February 19, 2013

March 1st is Employee Appreciation Day–Honor Your Rock Stars!

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 7:11 am

It’s almost the first Friday in March – are you Excellence Specialty Certificates by PaperDirectforgetting something? Nope, it’s not your anniversary – phew! – or your youngest kid’s birthday, but it is one of the most important holidays of the year: Employee Appreciation Day!

And that’s one holiday you don’t want to forget! After all, the success of your business depends in large part on your employees’ performance, and happy workers who feel appreciated are a lot more likely to do a good job. Do you think your staff feels appreciated? Do you think their paycheck is “appreciation” enough? You may be surprised to learn that your team doesn’t view the workplace the same way management does.

Since it first appeared on calendars in 1995, Employee Appreciation Day has reserved the first Friday in March as a time for employers to officially acknowledge their employees’ hard work with more than just a regular paycheck. So don’t let Employee Appreciation Day slip by this year; instead, reward those rock star employees of yours with special recognition that lets them know just how important they are!

In almost every single workplace, there are employees who work hard day in and day out, never say “no” to anything that’s asked of them, never have an unkind word for anyone and just do their work. It is these employees who often get overlooked when it comes to giving an occasional pat on the back. They’d never point out something they did that went above and beyond the call of duty as that would be “tooting their own horn.” They just sit back quietly and read/hear about how wonderful the select few are doing.

Hand Write Some Kind Words

In a world dominated by e-mailing, texting and Tweeting, the handwritten note has gone by the wayside. Seriously, when was the last time someone took pen in hand and sent you an actual, handwritten note?

This phenomenon has resulted in two effects:

  1. A widespread epidemic of truly terrible penmanship
  2. Handwritten notes’ rare status means that they’re extra meaningful.

Vintage Elegance Specialty Thank You NoteCards by PaperDirectFortunately, the “meaningful” part totally cancels out the sloppy handwriting part. So pick out some beautiful thank you cards and set aside an hour to write out some personalized notes telling your employees exactly why you value them.

Relax

Make an investment in your employees’ morale and hire a local masseuse or manicurist to come to the office on Employee Appreciation Day. They can go from office to office, cubicle to cubicle, performing their services in 10 or 15-minute increments. Just make sure your employees know that participation is voluntary!

Just Go Home!Sparkle Specialty LetterTop™ Certificates by PaperDirect

If your company can afford it, make Employee Appreciation Day a half-day. Let your workers go home early that day to spend time with their families. Not many things say “thank you” quite as much as paid time off!

Whichever route you choose, it’s important to let your employees know how much you value their hard work. Even if you don’t have the time or means to hold a large celebration, even a certificate of appreciation will boost morale.

If your management team only speaks to employees when a mistake is made, you can be certain your employee morale is low. People may even dread coming to work. That can all be changed with a few kind words, a note, an early day out on a Friday or some other “privilege” that is earned. Think back to your last ten conversations with employees–how many of those ten interactions included a positive word or something that let the employee know you value him or her? If you’re hard-pressed to remember the last kind thing you said to a worker, then there’s a very good chance your employees are unhappy.

January 31, 2013

Creative Recognition Awards for Your Students

Filed under: Student Recognition Ideas — Tags: , , , — PDWriter @ 10:58 am
Perfect Attendance Award Casual Certificates by PaperDirect

Teachers, are you running out of ideas for student recognition awards? PaperDirect has you covered! While Student of the Month, Most Improved, and Highest Grade Point Average are wonderful award certificates to hand out, there are a lot of creative ideas out there for recognition awards for students of all ages.

Most teachers have such busy schedules that the thought of having to come up with one more creative task can be daunting. PaperDirect is here to help. We have award certificates that can be customized to award anything you choose. Our huge variety of styles will allow you to find certificates you really love. Just fill in the name and date and you have creative recognition awards the students will really appreciate!

Reading Award Casual Certificates by PaperDirect

Academic Award Ideas

Instead of awarding students for good grades or most improved classroom performance, try these unique award ideas and make any changes necessary to fit the age of the student:

  • The Albert Einstein Award (future brilliant scientist)
  • The Lewis and Clark Award (most excited to try explore something new)
  • The Deep Thinker Award (best problem solver in the class)
  • The Survivor (the one who never gives up)
  • The Emily Dickinson or Robert Frost Award (the best poet in the class)
  • The William Shakespeare Award (best playwright in the class)

Candy Bar Student Awards

  • The Butterfinger Award (the kid most likely to drop things or break things)
  • The Payday Award (the kid who forgets his lunch money)
  • The Three Musketeer Award (always surrounded by friends and supportive of others)
  • The Almond Joy Award (always happy and optimistic)
  • The Snickers Award (the class clown always making others laugh)
  • The Milky Way Award (the student who loves astronomy)
  • The Watchmacallit Award (the student who forgets the names of things)
  • The $100,000 Bar Award (the student most likely to be a millionaire)
On the Spot Casual Certificates by PaperDirect

Other Creative Recognition Awards

  • The Dale Earnhardt Award (the student who speeds through the hallways and is always told to slow down!)
  • The Emily Post Award (the most well-mannered student)
  • The American Idol Award (the kid who loves to sing)
  • The Bobby Flay Award (the future chef in the class)
  • The Edgar Allan Poe Award (the kid who loves a good horror story)
  • The Rolex Award (the student who is always asking what time it is or who watches the clock)
  • The Patrick Mahomes Award (future football star)
  • The Dr. Phil Award (the kid always giving advice)
  • The Anderson Cooper Award (the student who loves current events)
  • The Barbara Walters Award (for the student who loves asking personal questions)
  • The Justin Bieber Award (for the student who just loves to perform)
  • The Joe Biden Award (for the kid who wants to be President)
  • The Florence Nightingale Award (for the student who loves taking care of others)
Festive Streamers Casual Certificates by PaperDirect

This is just a short list to get your creative juices flowing. PaperDirect has hundreds of recognition award certificates for kids. With our “Print Right Now” option, simply customize your certificate and print them out on 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper in any color you like. PaperDirect certificates are designed to print on our Perfectly Plain 28lb paper.

December 21, 2012

Employee Anniversary Gifts to Start the New Year

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:07 am

Star Gala Specialty Certificates by PaperDirectStart the new year off right by beginning the tradition of getting your employees a little something to mark their anniversary with the company. Beginning January 1, send the message that you care and that you appreciate their hard work by presenting employees with a gift on their date of hire anniversary. Employee anniversary gifts boost morale and raise productivity, studies show. PaperDirect has some great employee anniversary gifts to start the new year off right!

PaperDirect award certificates come in a variety of styles to suit what you’re looking for, and we offer free certificate layout templates for every design. For honoring an employee’s anniversary, you can include the employee’s name, date of hire and any other information you’d like to include. Whether your company’s big or small, these award certificates will be a great gift at the employee’s anniversary.

You can make your own certificates, too, with a little help from PaperDirect. Just use our easy online design tool, and we’ll print up your custom certificates! We offer full color printing, customizable front, 8.5″ X 11 size, free logo and image uploads, and we print and ship most orders in just 1-2 days! For ten custom certificates they’ll love, you pay just $6.99!

You Do It ALL NoteCards by PaperDirect

A handwritten note or thank you card is thoughtful and doesn’t take long to write. Instead of sending an email, take the time to write a personal note to the employee and mention something unique he has contributed to the company. This is much more meaningful than a generic email that reads “Happy fifth year anniversary. Thanks for all you do.” Write something that will let that employee know you truly appreciate the specific contributions he/she has made to the success of your company.

Star World of Difference Recognition Pin by PaperDirect

Be sure to shop online at PaperDirect for other employee anniversary gifts like trophies, plaques and motivational gifts like key chains and water bottles.

December 17, 2012

Writing a Thank You Note at Christmas

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — PDWriter @ 8:05 am

Holiday Holly NoteCards by PaperDirectIn a world where technology rules and handwritten notes are practically non-existent, there is one handwritten note that will never go out of style or become obsolete–the handwritten thank you note. There is absolutely no acceptable replacement to writing a thank you note to show your appreciation for a gift you received or a kind gesture someone did during the holidays to help you out. A phone call is nice but just isn’t enough, an email is a bit of a cop out, and a text message is simply unacceptable. PaperDirect has a large selection of thank you notes at affordable prices, and the best part? You can order online and receive your thank you cards in just a few days!Cranberry Lights NoteCards by PaperDirect

Christmas Thank You Notes

With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s important to know the necessity of writing a thank you note to the person who was kind enough to give you a gift for Christmas. Writing thank you notes does not take a lot of time, and receiving a handwritten thank you note will show the gift giver that you really appreciated what they did for you.

It’s never too early to teach your kids the art of writing a thank you note to show their gratitude. In fact, writing out thank you cards should be part of the Christmas routine. Sure, let the kids play with their new toys for a few hours, but before bedtime, ask them to sit down and start writing thank you notes to their loved ones, especially the ones who mailed Christmas presents from afar.

Vintage Elegance Specialty Thank You NoteCards by PaperDirectHere are some tips for writing a thank you note at Christmas:

  • Address the gift giver with “Dear” rather than just beginning the first sentence of the note.
  • Describe the gift you are giving thanks for instead of sending a generic message to all recipients; include specific details that show the gift was a memorable one. Instead of “thank you for the jewelry box,” you could write, “Thank you very much for the beautifully hand-crafted gold jewelry box that will make a nice addition to the master bedroom bureau.” This shows you truly remember the gift and appreciate its value.
  • Discuss briefly how the gift will be used. For example, “The jewelry box will make the perfect storage for my rings and bracelets that I don’t wear when I sleep.”
  • If you received a cash gift, do not say “Thank you for the cash.” Instead, write something along these lines, “Thank you very much for your generosity. Your gift will come in handy when we begin the addition to the upstairs kids’ play area.”
  • Include something personal that shows your relationship to the gift giver. For example, “It was so nice seeing you this Christmas, and we’re looking forward to seeing you and the kids again at Uncle John’s birthday party in March.”
  • End by reiterating your gratitude with a simple, “Thank you again for your kindness.”

Shop online at PaperDirect for all your thank you notes this Christmas.

December 14, 2012

Employee Recognition Gifts at the Holidays or Year’s End

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 10:59 am

Extra Mile Star Mugs by PaperDirectWhen you own or manage a company, whether large or small, it’s absolutely crucial to recognize employees for their hard work.

Studies have proven that showing employee appreciation boosts morale and increases productivity, and it certainly doesn’t take an expert to confirm that when people work hard, they appreciate a pat on the back.

It doesn’t even have to be a grand gesture like a huge bonus, raise or promotion. A simple verbal “thank you,” a handwritten “‘Nice Work” or a small gift are often appreciated just as much as a monetary award.

Some Ideas for Employee Recognition Gifts:

  • Personalized Mugs
  • Tote Bags
  • Mouse pads
  • Water Bottles
  • Post it Notes
  • Personalized Stationary
  • SWAG
  • Gas Cards
  • Recognition Award
  • Bottle of Wine

Expensive or Inexpensive? That is the Question

Employees may appreciate the big gifts like a vacation, corporate car, gift cards to fancy restaurants or high end stores, but even less expensive gifts will reach out and touch an employee as effectively as something more expensive. Being able to give fairly inexpensive employee gifts to numerous deserving employees will do more to boost morale and make happier employees than giving once-in-a-career luxurious gifts and large monetary rewards to a select few top performers/earners.Individual Photo Plaque by PaperDirect

At the holiday’s and at the end of the year, you can show your appreciation and let your staff know you value their contributions by giving employee recognition gifts to those who have truly earned them. Here are some suggestions regarding gift giving in the workplace around Christmastime.

Workplace etiquette certainly doesn’t “require” that gifts be given to employees at year’s end or during the holidays, but in many businesses, it’s just something that is done each year and it’s something employees really look forward to. If you’re new to your job and don’t know what the office custom is regarding gift-giving, ask a colleague or someone in Human Resources to let you know what’s been done in the past.

Gifting Etiquette

Decide what the company can spend and stay within budget.

In many companies, giving the boss a Christmas gift is not standard practice as it can be deemed a way to win favor or get preferential treatment. It’s also awkward to buy a gift for someone who makes a good deal more money than you. However, in many workplaces, employees will chip in at Christmas and give the boss a group gift–something related to his/her hobbies such as tickets to a sporting event, a gift card to a favorite restaurant or something collectible. Many bosses prefer the “gift” of year-round hard work and dedication to the company rather than a gift card to Outback for a free steak.

If you decide to do a group gift to the boss, contribute what you can afford, and if you’re the organizer of the group gift effort, give the employees a dollar amount range and emphasize that they need only to contribute what they can afford. You don’t want to embarrass anyone by asking for a large contribution the employee simply cannot afford.

A handwritten holiday greeting card with a kind message is a simple, inexpensive way to show employees you recognize their value to the company. If you’re not sure of your employee’s religion, choose a neutral Seasons Greetings type of sentiment and keep your note short. Wishing them best happiness, health and prosperity in the new year in a PaperDirect holiday card is an employee recognition gift that goes a long way.

When giving gifts to people you work with, avoid perceptions of discrimination and favoritism by offering similar gifts of equal value to all. Although you may not expect it, the reality is that some of your employees will compare their gifts to that of their colleagues.

If you’re the boss or manager, you may want to consider a group gift to your staff such as a basket of goodies, providing breakfast in-house or even We Appreciate You Water Bottle by PaperDirectallowing an “early dismissal” around the holidays so time can be spent with families.

If you have a small company, the amount of money lost by allowing your staff to leave a couple of hours early will not even come close to the amount of gratitude they will feel for this very kind gesture.

It’s time to start thinking about employee recognition gifts for the holidays or end of the year. If you’d like to buy each of your workers an award of some sort, check out PaperDirect’s trophies, plaques or motivational gifts like coffee mugs and water bottles.

November 27, 2012

Do’s & Don’ts for Employee Christmas Gifts

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 9:18 am

Star Medallion Stone Trophy Have you been assigned the task of helping the boss choose employee Christmas gifts this year, or are you the boss and need to begin the process of selecting nice, affordable gifts for your employees. If you’re on a budget, you may be able to spend a certain amount on each employee, but even if you are limited in what you can spend on each employee Christmas gift, you can get great Christmas gifts at reasonable prices.

Tips for Employee Christmas Gifts

Here are some tips for giving gifts to employees (and bosses) this holiday season:

Gift giving in the workplace does not really have specific rules; it’s more of a common sense and good judgment issue. Business etiquette does not require you to give gifts at work at Christmastime, but in many companies, it’s a custom. Observe your office’s practices and when in doubt, to avoid making an embarrassing faux pas , find out from a close colleague or from someone in Human Resources what has been done in the past or what is considered acceptable when it comes to boss and employee Christmas gifts.

  • When buying a gift for workmates you should foremost consider the message you want Star Medallion Star Plaque to convey. Your gift allocation should be based on your budget, your past relationship with that person and their interests.
  • Giving gifts to the boss. In most work environments buying a gift for the boss is a not an accepted practice as it can be perceived as a way to get preferential treatment. It is also awkward to buy a gift for someone who has a great deal more money than you, if that is the case with your boss. Giving a gift to your boss will probably make him or her feel uncomfortable, and you certainly don’t want to do anything to tarnish your relationship with your boss. Your gift to your boss is doing a great job at work during the year and giving the company your all.
  • If you insist on doing something for your boss at the holidays, consider initiating a group effort. You can take up a collection from everyone in the office and discuss potential gift ideas, or you can let someone else organize the effort and you can contribute what everyone else. Don’t over contribute or under contribute if it’s avoidable.
  • For everyone in the office, a handwritten holiday greeting card is another simple, yet very effective, gesture that can go a long way in showing gratitude. Keep it simple and to the point. If you are not sure of the recipient’s religious affiliation, choose a holiday card versus a Christmas card.
  • When giving gifts to people you work with, avoid perceptions of discrimination and favoritism by offering similar gifts of equal value to all. Although you may not expect it, the reality is that some of your employees will compare their gifts to that of their colleagues.
  • A popular gift giving choice at the holidays, is a basket of treats the whole office can enjoy.
  • Take a department out for lunch before the holidays. This will surely show them how much you appreciate their hard work.

The Difference is You Mugs Keep in mind the importance of employee recognition at this time of year and throughout the year. You can show employees how much you appreciate their hard work by giving them trophies, plaques or motivational gifts like coffee mugs and water bottles.

 

August 22, 2012

Fall Themed Certificates for Seasonal Awards

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:00 am

Sienna Specialty CertificatesPaperDirect has a number of seasonal designs to make award certificates appropriate for the time of year. Fall themed certificates are designed with the lovely, earthy colors of Autumn such as shades of yellow, orange, brown, red and copper. When making fall themed certificates for students, employees, or family members, be sure to use quality stock paper from PaperDirect and choose a design befitting the season. Check out these beautiful fall themed certificates exclusively from PaperDirect:

Remember that PaperDirect will custom print your fall award certificates. Let’s take a look at some of your options when it comes to printing certificates from PaperDirect. Desktop printable standard certificates are 8.5″ X 11″, white parchment paper, full-color designs and come in boxes of one hundred. The paper is laser and inkjet compatible. Custom printed fall themed certificates come in seven different colors, and we will do free logo and photo uploads. You customize your layout, font and ink color. We produce professionally Decorative Specialty Certificatesprinted, folded and boxed fall-themed certificates for all types of awards.

You can order a sample from PaperDirect to see the high quality products we create. A sample is just a single piece of a paper product so you can see and feel the quality of our work. All samples are full size, and you may order up to eight different paper products per sample order for a $5 shipping charge. Ordering a sample is easy! Simply find the product you want and click “Add to Sample to Cart” or you can call PaperDirect at 1-800-272-7377 to place your sample order. Samples are shipped first class mail and usually arrive within 3-5 business days, depending upon your location. You can pay $10 for express delivery, and we ask that you pay a $5 shipping and handling charge, which you will receive back in the form of a $5 coupon off your next order!

Swirls of Autumn LetterTop CertificatesPaperDirect also has a Certificates Template Software 2010 CD for $34.99. This amazing piece of software is for the person who spends a great deal of time making certificates as this is a HUGE time and money saver! The software lays out your certificate for you and offers 25 different headings in three different styles. It even offers suggested wording for over 20 types of awards. The Certificate Templates CD is compatible with Microsoft Word® 97 and above in PC and MAC versions.

Looking for some certificate award ideas? Check out these blogs from PaperDirect:

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