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September 5, 2013

A Holiday Checklist for Church

Filed under: Event Planning Tips — Tags: holiday checklist for church — PDWriter @ 7:30 am

A 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 church 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.

Make 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.

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September 3, 2013

Holiday Party Networking: 9 Dos and Don’ts

When 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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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!

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August 29, 2013

Funny Office Award Ideas to Beat Summertime Blues

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — Tags: employee recognition, funny awards, Funny Office, summer — PDWriter @ 7:55 am

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

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.

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

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!

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August 21, 2013

Nothing Says “Professional” Like a Sleek Set of Business Cards

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — Tags: branding strategy, business cards — PDWriter @ 7:37 am

You only have one chance to make a good first impression in the business world. Nothing works better for fulfilling that purpose than business cards.

A business card forms an important part of building your brand identity. It offers a snapshot of your business to clients, vendors and investors alike. Your bottom line hinges on making a good impression with these people. Creating a sleek set of business cards will showcase your brand in a positive light.

What essential elements should your business card include? Contact information is the most important thing. Include the current address, phone number, email and website for your business. This will make it easy for people to know they can reach you and that you will be available to answer questions or take feedback.

Your business card should also include key parts of your branding strategy. It can be designed with the same logo, graphics and color scheme you use on all marketing materials related to your business. You can also include the slogan you typically feature in your branding message. These little touches will help people remember your company and also influence them to tie specific products or services to your brand.

A set of business cards makes you look and feel more professional. They are perfect to hand out at trade shows and conventions. A good business card is also a great conversation piece. It can spark additional interest in your company and get people asking more about what you do. There is no way you can afford to do business without including business cards in the picture.

Check out PaperDirect to see the latest selection of business cards. We offer dozens of business card designs to fit your needs and your tastes.

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August 19, 2013

Folders that Make the Difference between “I’ll think about it” & “Sign Me Up!”

Filed under: Marketing & Sales Promotion Techniques — Tags: folders — PDWriter @ 7:43 am

It’s not only your public speaking skills that are on display when you give a presentation at a conference, industry event or shareholder meeting. Your presentation skills and ancillary information play a major role in how well you sell your product or service.

Consider handing event participants a coordinated presentation folder that contains key documents, takeaways and company information associated with your presentation. This helps customers follow along as you present, reinforcing what you’re saying and providing more information should the audience want to go deeper into the topic. When you enrich the experience by providing background material for the audience, you’re much more likely to get that “Where do I sign?” response.

There are many options for presentation folders and if you’re new to using these with presentations, choosing can be overwhelming. Consider what colors match your business logo or product, and then pick a heavy card stock folder in those colors. While thinner folders cost less, they also hold up less well. You don’t want to take the chance that folders become damaged during transit or torn on the way to the event. When appearance matters, make your best impression. Most presentation folders have one or two tabs to hold important information as well as a business card slot that allows you to insert your card front and center.

Order your folders well in advance of the presentation so you can plan out what to place inside. Then, play around with layouts until you’re satisfied that everything fits inside the presentation folder neatly. Online stores like PaperDirect offer a wide array of presentation folders in different colors, sizes and weights; shop online for the fullest variety.

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August 16, 2013

Best Gifts for the 1 Year “Paper” Anniversary

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

Congratulations 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!

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!

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August 9, 2013

Time to Golf! Hosting a Tournament is Easy

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — Tags: golf — PDWriter @ 10:33 am

A golf tournament is one of the best ways to get the community involved and for golf enthusiasts to show off their golfing techniques. With the summer sun, clear blue skies and manicured greens beckoning, this is the perfect time for hosting a golf tournament.

Putting together a golfing event is a piece of cake especially if you use the helpful, creative and innovative products available at PaperDirect.com. From casual invitations, colorful banners and place cards, to golf brochures or tickets with a golf design, PaperDirect.com can handle all the “paper work” from the first hole to the last.

Once a theme for the tournament is selected, peruse the many products and choose the items needed to ensure a successful event staring with the invitations, envelopes and address labels with golf scenes. Add informative cool flyers and golf brochures to your advertising campaign and get the word out about tee time and tournament day events.

Let everyone know there’s a tournament going on with colorful golf-inspired banners. These heavy weather resistant signs are easily installed and available in medium, large and extra large to fit any sized venue.

Every good tournament has awards and trophies for participants, and golf is no exception. From crystal paperweights and engraved plaques to acrylic stars and stone medallions, you’ll find the perfect awards for winners and runners-up.

As a thank you gifts for tournament sponsors and volunteers, fill a decorative tote bags with an assortment of items such as a key ring, calendar, motivational pen, bookmark, themed Post-It notes, coffee mugs and specialty pins.

Make your tournament a hole-in-one by ordering online at PaperDirect.com, where service and quality products are on par for success.

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August 7, 2013

Rain, Rain, Go Away: What to do When Your Outdoor Wedding Gets Wet

Filed under: DIY Wedding Ideas — PDWriter @ 9:35 am

Rain on your wedding day is considered good fortune; however, most brides still prefer to get hitched without a hitch. Summer weddings are rained out frequently, and those with wedding liability insurance may have the luxury of rescheduling while others must simply embrace the situation and forge ahead.

It’s advisable to always have a rain contingency plan in advance for any outdoor wedding. These tips will help you prepare ahead, and learn how to make the most of your rained out summer wedding.

Rent a Tent – You might already be planning to have a tent onsite for your outdoor wedding ceremony, but you should consider getting one large enough to hold the entire event in case of bad weather. One step often overlooked, is renting a tent floor, so the bride and groom don’t have their feet stuck in the mud during the first dance. Leave the sunken feet to the cake topper!
Landscape Considerations – The dream of having your outdoor wedding within a serene valley may need rethinking. Although ideal on a perfect summer day, that gorge could become flooded quickly and put a damper on things. Check the lay of the land, and have your tent set up along a level landscape.
Put Together a Rain Plan – Write up a contingency plan, and make ample copies for each guest and vendor, so they’ll know what to do and where to go if Plan B needs to be implemented on the fly. The clever, flexible bride might consider including the rain plan along with the wedding invitations and reception cards to save time.
Photography – The lighting during an overcast day is actually more flattering for photography subjects than a bright and sunny day. Be flexible and let your photographer use his skills to ensure that your wedding pictures are flawless. Use fun accessories to spruce up your rainy day wedding photos.
Make it Fun – Believe it or not, a rained out summer wedding can be fun if you plan ahead. Keep a supply of colorful umbrellas, galoshes, and weatherproof cameras on hand – just in case – and break them out if rain becomes a wedding crasher. Consider purchasing a personalized heavy weather wedding banner that will hold up through the elements and creates an excellent place for guests to take snapshots with disposable cameras.

Your rained out summer outdoor wedding doesn’t have to be a bust! Plan ahead, be flexible, and simplify your event shopping at PaperDirect, where it’s fun to shop for wedding stationery and supplies.

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July 30, 2013

Host the Hottest Summer Birthday Party with these Invitations

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

Bring 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 example, 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.

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July 26, 2013

Ways to Say “Thanks! on National Parent Day

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

Your 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 Dinner

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

No 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.

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How to Plan A Rockin’ Company Picnic

Filed under: Designing Your Invitation — Tags: outdoor fun, picnic, quintessential summer food — 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!

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July 1, 2013

Don’t Show Up Empty Handed – Presentation Folders that Pop

Filed under: Marketing & Sales Promotion Techniques — Tags: presentations — PDWriter @ 5:25 pm

Appearance matters when you’re giving a presentation; keeping everything you need in order not only helps soothe your nerves, it can impress your audience. Retain presentation material order with a custom presentation folder that keeps your documents organized and professional looking.

Consider choosing a colorful presentation folder to stand out among a crowd. Vibrant reds, purples and other colors can reinforce your brand identity by matching your business logo or your presentation materials. Plus, it’s much easier to locate a colorful folder in a crowded room than it is to determine which black folder is yours. As an added touch, you can have the folder printed with your company logo or sealed with stickers branded with your business logo. You’ll get more mileage from a folder made of heavier card stock than one made of thinner paper, so take that into account when considering what type of folder to buy. Even if the thicker folder costs more, you’ll get more use out of it than a thinner, less expensive item.

Look for a folder that offers a business card slot, so you can insert your card in an easy-to-locate, front-line spot. Not only will this help your audience remember who you are, it serves as free marketing. While a standard presentation folder is 9 inches by 12 inches, you’ll find larger and smaller models. Choose a folder that will comfortably hold your documents and looks attractive.

Finally, make your presentation pop by coordinating the material inside with the exterior. Use the same colors and fonts in your presentation documents, as an example.

Carefully arrange documents inside the folder to correspond with your presentation. Keeping everything in order helps your audience follow along and shows your attention to detail; shop online for colorful, quality presentation folders from PaperDirect.com.

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June 28, 2013

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

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: 4th of July, office party — 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.

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June 21, 2013

Invitations to Best Backyard BBQ in the Neighborhood: Yours!

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

It’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 BBQ 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 outdoor 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!

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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 still 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.

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June 18, 2013

Safety + Summer = Happiness: 7 Steps to Safe Summer Parties

Filed under: Event Planning Tips,Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: picnic, summer — PDWriter @ 10:08 am

Summer is here and that means lots of outdoor play and weeks of family fun and memory-making vacations. Unfortunately, it also means an increase in accidents. Nothing destroys the fun and joy of a family outing faster than an accident, so make the pledge to keep this summer the safest possible by taking these few, simple steps:

1. What’s more fun during the summer than cooling down with a dip in a pool, lake or ocean? Water play is a great way to keep temperatures from soaring on even the hottest summer days, but it’s important for children and adults to take a few steps to make sure their summer swim sessions are as safe as possible. First, never swim alone. Drowning can occur even in relatively shallow bodies of water, and it can happen quickly. When your kids are in the water, provide full supervision and attention – no texting or talking on the phone.

2. Respect the sun. Wear plenty of sunscreen that’s strong enough to protect your skin type, and apply it after swimming and after playing sports. Use a hat to protect your scalp and sunglasses to protect your eyes.

3. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water even if you aren’t involved in strenuous sports and seek shade if you start to feel overheated. Watch for heatstroke symptoms including headache, flushed skin, skin that feels hot, nausea and lack of sweat.

4. Avoid picnic panic by keeping everyone a safe distance from grills and open fires, and always keep a fire extinguisher or pail of sand on hand to put out a fire quickly. Don’t leave any fire unattended.

5. It may seem like fun to run or roll in a field of wildflowers, but bees like those flowers too. Wear shoes and have a first aid kit equipped to handle the pain of stings.

6. Wear a helmet when biking and review biking rules with kids at the beginning of the season. Gloves and kneepads may be a good idea for inexperienced riders.

7. Lots of people hit the road for summer vacations, so use special caution while driving. Make sure kids stay buckled and provide them with activities so they don’t distract you. Never, ever leave a pet in a parked car; even with the windows cracked, the heat can soar and every year, pets are killed in parked cars with open windows.

Think Safety Post-it® Notes by PaperDirect

Kids love rewards, so make summer safety fun by offering safety award certificates personalized with their names. Use safety-themed Post-It® notes to remind kids how to remain safe; their sticky surface makes them ideal for posting on pools, play areas or in outdoor eating areas, and they’re ideal for when kids have friends over.

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June 10, 2013

I Pledge Allegiance to Betsy Ross: Heroes Who Made the US Flag

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — Tags: 4th of July — PDWriter @ 7:28 am

Are you planning a Flag Day event to celebrate the nation’s most iconic symbol? As you are picking out the perfect patriotic party invitations and supplies and decide what you’ll toss on the grill, take time to think about those patriots who took Betsy Ross’ creation and made it the beloved treasure it is today.

George Morris – Credited in Kansas: a Cyclopedia of State History for suggesting Flag Day on June 14, 1777, George Morris never saw the holiday’s official declaration. His hometown of Hartford, Connecticut first observed Flag Day in 1961.

Bernard J. Cigrand – From the 1880s until his death, Cigrand traveled the nation speaking about respect for the flag, patriotic pride, and the need for an official observance of Flag Day on June 14^th in honor of the date the Continental Congress officially adopted the Stars and Stripes. In his lifetime, he gave more than 2100 speeches and is credited by many as “almost singlehandedly” getting the holiday officially observed.

Patriot Casual Invitations by PaperDirect

William T. Kerr – Kerr was the founder of the American Flag Day Association ofWestern Pennsylvania and served as the group’s national chairperson for fifty years. This patriot was lucky enough to attend President Harry Truman’s signing of the congressional act that made Flag Day an offical holiday in 1949.

Elizabeth Duane Gillespie – A descendant of Ben Franklin, Elizabeth Gillespie was also the president of the Colonial Dames of Pennsylvania. She utilized the stronghold of her group to foster a resolution to require all of Philadelphia’s public buildings to display the American flag. Although unsuccessful, Pennsylvania became the first state to declare Flag Day an official holiday, and this is why many people credit Philadelphia as the home of the flag.

Theodore Roosevelt – An old oral tradition passed through generations may or may not be true, but it is rather funny in a patriotic sense. It is said that Teddy Roosevelt was dining out in Philadelphia one afternoon, happened to look out the window, and saw a man wipe his nose with something that resembled a flag. Infuriated, he stormed out and whipped the man with a stick for “defacing America’s symbol.” Unfortunately, the man was only holding a blue handkerchief with white stars, not a flag. Apologizing for his error, Roosevelt smacked the man once more for making him “riled up with national pride.”

All of these heroes helped make Flag Day possible in some vital way, and you can be the hero of your party when you shop for all of your patriotic party supplies at PaperDirect, where shopping is both fun and simple!

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June 7, 2013

Wedding Invitations for Every Budget!

Filed under: DIY Wedding Ideas — Tags: diy wedding invitation ideas, wedding invitations — PDWriter @ 10:00 am

Your desire to make your magical day extra special might make you feel pressured to expend a lot of money – on decorations, that perfect dress, the fairy-tale venue, and divine catering. Weddings, are indeed, quite costly occasions, but you can tamp down the expenditures by saving money on your customized wedding invitations without sacrificing quality or style at PaperDirect.

Regardless of the style, pattern, or colors that you are looking for to match your event’s scheme, you’ll discover the largest selection of high-quality invitations printed on premium stock at prices that will make your budget sing. Savings that are even more amazing are yours if you opt to print your own wedding invitations on pre-cut stock from PaperDirect.

Choose Your Wedding Invitation Style

Pristine Vellum Specialty Layered Invitations

Do you want something simple and to the point? Take a peek at PaperDirect’s vast selection of casual, flat, and basic fold up wedding invitations designed to sway them to “save the date” without breaking the bank. A variety of shapes, styles, and matching envelopes and sticker seals gives you complete freedom to make the impression you want upon your potential guests.

Folded, layered, and pocket-folded invitations make an authentically classy statement and are perfect for more extravagant and elegant affairs. You will come across matching response cards and wedding reception cards along with an extensive selection of fabulous wedding invitations that will be custom printed to your specifications at prices you can afford.

Make Your Own Wedding Invitations for Extensive Savings

Print your own wedding invitations that start in the $22-28 range, and you’ll enjoy immense savings! Choose the design that melts your heart, and design your own invites for the big day. You’ll unearth a huge selection of printable wedding invitations at PaperDirect, along with clever tools to help stylize your do-it-yourself invitations from start to finish!

Sensation Folded Invitations

Discover the best selection of wedding invitations at super prices that just cannot be beat at PaperDirect. Wedding stationery needs can be checked off the “to do” list, and you can focus on saying “I Do” with Paper Direct – your one-stop wedding and reception paper goods supply store. You will also find clever wedding party gifts, thank you cards, and so much more. Shop PaperDirect today!

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May 28, 2013

Dos and Don’ts for Throwing the Perfect Bridal Shower

Filed under: DIY Invitation Ideas — Tags: bridal shower — PDWriter @ 8:17 am

Are you always a bridesmaid? Have you thrown bridal showers before? Or is it your First Time? Either way, we’ve put together some fresh ideas along with Do’s and Don’ts for throwing the perfect bridal shower.

Take a deep breath – Before getting started. Visualize the whole event turning out great! Not to worry, your bride, best friend, sister or cousin will certainly appreciate all that you’re doing—even if she’s too distracted to show it right now!

Get help – Now that the right mindset is in place, line up some assistance. Assign your co-hostess (es) specific elements of the party: Invitations/RSVPs, food/menu, games, favors, prizes and decorations. List those who’re helping out as hostesses on the bridal shower invitation.

Optimistic Casual Invitations

Decide on invitees – Ask the bride if others are also hosting a bridal shower for her. Sometimes the bride will have a family shower, for example. Ask if your bride would like an intimate affair with a few girlfriends or an all-out event including female co-workers, etc.

Plan personalized games – For instance: ask each guest to reveal something no one else knows about the bride. Then have the bride draw the “secrets” out of a fishbowl and read aloud. She must guess who told the “secret” (nothing too deep and dark). Interesting back stories generally emerge and you all get to know each other just a little better. There are many fun variations on this one.

Have an extra pair of scissors – Or two! One is needed for gift and card opening, the other for assembling the ribbon-bouquet. A third is good if one is misplaced during all the excitement.

Make reservations and check out the venue in advance – Make sure there’s enough room for all and verify the menu or refreshments and other details. If in a home, plan out the seating–in case you need to bring extra folding chairs, for example.

Confirm RSVPs – So you can inform the caterer or venue or do the right amount of grocery shopping/cooking.

DON’T

Don’t choose a theme randomly – Make sure to reflect the bride’s tastes and personality. Don’t go too casual if she has more traditional tastes or vice versa. Consider a theme related to the honeymoon destination. Stumped? Browse a party supply or a custom printing and paper design website for decoration inspiration.

Delightful Purple Casual Invitations

Don’t include too many games – Two or three is plenty, allowing guests plenty of time to mingle, snack and of course watch the gift opening.

Don’t send an Evite – Go ahead and use an online method or email as a reminder, but a custom printed invitation is always a wonderful keepsake for the bride-to-be and guests.

Don’t forget about your gift – In the midst of all your party planning. Choose your shower gift well in advance so that you can get just what you have in mind.

Don’t stress if something goes amiss – Everyone will still have fun and make memories. Enlist your co-hostess to help iron out any issues–it can be a bonding experience.

For help planning a bridal shower, stop by and browse our website. You’ll find lots of inspiration and good advice from experienced bridal shower veterans. At PaperDirect.com, it’s easy and fun to shop online for bridal shower invitations, RSVP cards, stationary, place cards, personalized napkins, favors, decorations and more for your event.

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May 20, 2013

Stellar Awards for Star Students

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

Kids 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, color 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.

Once 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.

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Choose Your Wedding Invitation Style

Make Your Own Wedding Invitations for Extensive Savings

May 28, 2013

May 20, 2013