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December 17, 2013

Funny (but Appropriate) White Elephant Gift Ideas

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 3:14 pm

Twinkles Casual Invitations by PaperDirectSpice up any office Christmas party with a white elephant gift exchange where each employee brings a creative or funny gift to play a ridiculous swapping and stealing game. The success of the event depends largely on whether people manage to find the balance of gifts that are funny, yet still appropriate for the setting. Try some of these funny white elephant gift ideas that are sure to get at least a few laughs after they’re opened.

Batteries with toy not included: People get plenty of gifts that require batteries but have small print on the box saying “batteries not included.” This time, do the reverse for your white elephant gift. Doctor up a package of batteries to make sure the recipient sees your “toy not included” message.

Old Fashioned Santa Fold-Up Invitations by PaperDirect

Coupon to give away a task: The boss is really the only one with the authority to create this gift, but it may be a popular one for employees to try to steal from each other. To limit abuse of the privilege, specify that the task must take an hour or less to complete and that the boss will do it.

Tickets to the gun show: Make a play on the classic cheesy pick-up line and print tickets to attend the best gun show in town. For bonus points, add a hand-drawn set of guns on the tickets, and maybe even a cheap frame to hang the tickets in a cubicle.

Ridiculous wall calendar: These days, you can find a wall calendar focused on just about any theme. Go beyond the classic kittens or pretty landscapes and branch out into a calendar of piglets, honey badgers, or firemen.

Anything with bacon: For some reason, bacon is an easy way to turn any gift into one that will get a few laughs. These days, you can buy bacon-flavored salt, chocolate with bacon bits in it, and even bacon-scented soap. Pick your favorite to wrap up a funny white elephant gift.

As seen on TV gifts: Just about anything in an “As seen on TV” box will make a perfect white elephant gift. These items are only useful to a miniscule fraction of the population, and everyone else gets a good laugh as they wonder who would have ever bothered to market the item on TV.

December 13, 2013

Employee Recognition Gift Ideas for the Christmas Season

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips,Employee Recognition Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 10:42 am

Personalized Checkmark Mugs by PaperDirectAs a manager, you know that when your employees feel appreciated, they will identify more with the welfare of your business and produce higher quality work. It’s important to provide positive feedback throughout the year, but the holiday season is an especially crucial time to let your staff know that you have noticed their hard work. Here are five creative employee recognition gift ideas:

Personalized coffee mugPersonalized Thumbs Up Mugs by PaperDirect

A personalized coffee mug is something your staff person will see and handle every day, and the message of appreciation will be at their fingertips even in the midst of stressful days. To add a bit of sparkle to the gift, fill the mug with little goodies before giving it to your employee.

Create a recognition certificate

Triumph Specialty Certificates by PaperDirectValidating your employee’s efforts through one of PaperDirect’s formal recognition certificates is a way to say that you are seriously grateful for their contributions. The official quality of such a certificate lends a momentous feeling to the occasion.

Take the employee out to lunch

Extend an invitation to lunch at an upscale restaurant and be sure to consult with the staff person about which day will work best for them. During lunch, keep conversation fun and easygoing, so that your employee doesn’t feel put on the spot to demonstrate high performance levels while they’re eating. If possible, allow a bit of extra time for this lunch; go ahead and order dessert and coffee. Even fifteen extra minutes will communicate a sense of special recognition to your employee.

Give a gift you’ve grown or made

Do you have a fruit tree or flower garden at home? Do you like to bake? Sometimes the clearest way to honor the time and effort your staff member contributes is to give some of your own time back to that person. This type of gift acknowledges your common humanity and softens the power differential between the two of you.

Put a commendation letter in their HR file

As wonderful as your employee may be, it’s likely that sooner or later the person will move on to another position. When you put a letter in their file (and give them a copy on paper as well), you are providing a solid boost for their future. Wherever they choose to take their skills in the future, your letter will be a testament to the high caliber of their work.

If you’re looking for ways to offer creative recognition to your employees, PaperDirect has a style and idea that will suit the occasion.

November 25, 2013

The Rules of White Elephant Gifting in the Office

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: — PDWriter @ 1:37 pm

Old Fashioned Santa Fold-Up Invitations by PaperDirectSick of the usual gift card exchange? It’s time to insert a little creativity into your tired office party — what better way to accomplish just that than with a white elephant party? In a white elephant gift exchange, participants find the goofiest, most ridiculous presents possible and then exchange them with one another.

A white elephant exchange can be handled in a number of ways, such as passing presents around in a big circle or playing a game in which, at the end, everyone is forced to keep the gifts in their hands. No matter how you plan your white elephant event, you and your coworkers will be sure to have an amazing time!

Planning Your White Elephant Party

White elephant might not be as fancy as those seen in a traditional
Rules for White Elephant holiday party, but that in no way necessitates skimping on other elements of the occasion. Kick things off with a set of quirky white elephant party invitations. These invites should make the intent of the party clear, while also offering detailed instructions for purchasing white elephant gifts. For example, you may want to impose a monetary limit on presents in order to prevent a huge disparity in present value. Also necessary for the party invitations are such specifics as the time, date and location of the party.

Themed White Elephant Gift Exchanges

Typically, white elephant exchanges have no themes, as the concept is largely considered a theme in and of itself. But if you want to further distinguish your party, you might want to consider attaching some sort of theme requirement to the gifts. This will depend largely on the demographics and interests of your office friends; a group of sports enthusiasts might want to stick to an athletic memorabilia exchange, while crafty types may prefer exchanging kooky scrapbooking embellishments.

Rules for White Elephant presents White Elephant Party Decorations

Your white elephant party will be quirky and unique, so why not go the same route while decorating? Whether you’re holding the party in the office, at an event center or in your own home, you can amp up the silliness with some well-placed decor. For a holiday white elephant party, look for goofy Santa designs, or, if you’ve attached a gift theme, decorate your surroundings accordingly.

On the hunt for white elephant party decor or invites? Stop by the PaperDirect website for the ultimate selection in party supplies!

[photo via]
[photo via]

November 21, 2013

Celebrate Winter with the Sunniest Employee of the Year Award

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — Tags: — PDWriter @ 8:04 am

Star Gala Specialty Certificates by PaperDirectAt many companies, the end of the year means it’s time for Employee of the Year awards. If your business decides to give out awards, it’s important to make them meaningful and to actually recognize the efforts and contributions of your staff over the past year. Only give awards to employees who really deserve them.

Categories

Pick a few categories that are relevant to your company. For example, if you run a business that prides itself on providing cheery customer service, give the most upbeat and positive person the “Sunniest Employee of the Year” award. Other categories can include “Most Growth Over the Year” and “Most Helpful,” as well as a general “Employee of the Year Award.”

Nominations and VotingCurlicues Specialty Certificates

Decide whether employees can nominate themselves or need to be nominated by other staff members. Create a nomination form that asks the person submitting it to explain why he or she believes a certain employee is the best for a particular award. After all the nominations are received, choose a team of supervisors to serve as judges and choose the winners of each award.

Award Prizes

The exact prize you give each award winner depends on your company’s budget. At the very least, winners should receive an award certificate printed with their names, the name of the award, and the year.

If your company has room in the budget, you can include a cash prize with the award, to give it more meaning. Another option is to give award winners a gift certificate to a local restaurant or other business or award an extra day or two off. The better the prizes, the more likely people are to try to be nominated for an award.

Awards Ceremony

Star Bright Casual CertificatesHold an awards ceremony during your office Christmas party or as its own event. The company’s president can act as the emcee of the ceremony and announce each winner. You can also have the person who nominated the winner give the announcement and share the reasons why he or she nominated the award winner in the first place.

Employee awards give your team something to work towards and an incentive to go above and beyond the call of duty. An awards ceremony also a fun way to wrap up the year and get everyone ready for the holiday season.

November 18, 2013

8 Memorable Client Christmas Gift Ideas: Beyond Fruitcake

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: — PDWriter @ 12:12 pm

Client Christmas Gift IdeasChristmas is a wonderful time, but it can bring a bit of stress with it as you look for just the right client Christmas gift ideas to say “thank you” to your loyal clients. When it’s done right, your clients will remember you throughout the new year.

8 Client Christmas Gift Ideas:

  1. Fresh Fruit Box: Don’t just give your clients a basket of fruit from the grocery store; order them something special from a company that specializes in high-quality fruits. Make it even better by sending them a gift of fruit that arrives several times each year.
  2. Make a Charitable Donation in Your Client’s Name: Look into making a donation in your client’s name to a trustworthy charity. You can sponsor a child, send a needy family in another country a goat or some chickens, or find another good cause. Send your client a classic Christmas card letting him know what you’ve done.
  3. Decorate His Table: Send your client a special centerpiece for his holiday table. For multiple clients, work with your local florist to send a personalized centerpiece to each of them.Pretty Poinsettia Laser Labels  by PaperDirect
  4. Personalized Candles: If your gift budget is small, get a case of scented candles in glass jars and personalize each one with your business logo on a label affixed to the jar.
  5. Give a Unique Experience: Check out one of the sites that offers experiences such as cooking classes, skydiving, and horseback rides. Give each client a gift card for the site and let them choose an experience they’ll never forget.
  6. Host a Client Appreciation Event: Let your clients know how much you value them by treating them to a special night. Showcase as many of your services as you can during the evening without being overbearing about it.
  7. Personalized Stationery: Buy your client tasteful, personalized stationery that he can use to write quick notes. Look for a color and style that fits him; buy a box for Personalized Leather Coasters by PaperDirecteach person that you deal with at the same company.
  8. Personalized Coasters: Get a set of leather, glass, or wooden coasters engraved with your client’s initials. He’ll think of you every time he uses one to protect his furniture.

Keep your client’s tastes and needs in mind when considering your client Christmas gift ideas. Avoid gifts that may not be suitable for everyone, such as alcohol and chocolate. Remember to include a Christmas card with each gift and your clients will remember you throughout the year.

November 13, 2013

5 Ways to Recognize the Most Improved Employees of 2013

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 8:06 am

Collaboration Casual Invitations by PaperDirectAs 2013 winds down, it’s time to think about the end-of-year celebrations that employees look forward to. In addition to planning fun gatherings like the company Christmas party, consider how you will encapsulate the accomplishments your company has made during the year. In particular, consider who has made huge strides in helping your company along, and use one or more of these ways to recognize the most improved employee.

1. Announce the name of the employee at a company-wide meeting
Public recognition for an accomplishment is always encouraging. If you have time, give the employee’s supervisors and peers a chance to share specific stories of what the employee has done so well during the year.

2. Give the employee a tangible perkPlaid with Holly Specialty LetterTop Certificates by PaperDirect Whether it’s a monetary bonus, or simply a gift card – even the smallest gift is bound toplease.  Another coveted reward would be letting the employee take one or more extra paid days off before Christmas as a sincere thank you.

3. Promote the employee to a position with more authority
More interesting work + higher pay = a happier, better employee. Employees who have shown huge improvement during the year deserve promotions to positions that let them use more of their skills for the benefit of the company.

4. Take the employee out to a relaxed meal
During the meal, share some of the reasons you selected the employee as the most improved. In addition, take the time to listen to the employee’s feedback or suggestions for you that could help you steer others in making similar improvements.

5. Present the employee with a personally crafted and signed letter
Christmas Twilight LetterTop Certificates by PaperDirectIt’s always nice to have a detailed list of accomplishments from an authority figure.  Christmas LetterTop certificates are perfect for this sort of recognition, as the employee can display the tear off portion of the certificate in his cubicle or office.

Your attentive affirmation often means a lot more than any tangible reward you can give the employee. Therefore, invest the time and effort in the method you choose, and make it clear to the employee that his or her contributions are incredibly valuable to you and your company. Your encouragement may even help the employee to continue in the same trajectory and be the most improved employee next year, too!

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 trophiesplaques or motivational gifts like coffee mugs and water bottles.

December 12, 2012

Gift Etiquette: Is Re-Gifting Practical, Forbidden, or an Art?

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — Tags: , — PDWriter @ 12:59 pm

Glee Tree Casual Invitations by PaperDirectRe-gifting is a nice way to utilize unwanted or un-needed gifts that others may really need or enjoy. When it may be impossible or just impolite to make a return, re-gifting has become an acceptable practice (in most cases) for getting use out of something you really can’t use. Some people justify re-gifting by imagining gifts they’ve given to others in the past have been re-gifted, while others are just not comfortable re-gifting no matter what.

When handled politely and kindly, re-gifting can really be a practical means of passing along something you don’t need to someone who does need or want it. Just don’t get too involved in the process and make re-gifting an art by craftily Jolly Holiday Border Papers by PaperDirectplanning how you will “pass on” every single gift you receive. That really has nothing at all to do with the spirit of giving, especially during the holiday season. When done tastefully, re-gifting is not forbidden at all. Let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions about gift etiquette and the process of re-gifting.

If you’re hosting, be sure to order Christmas invitations online from PaperDirect.

Gift Etiquette: Frequently Asked Questions About Re-Gifting

When is it acceptable to re-gift? If and when re-gifting is permissible depends largely on the feelings of the giver. Will the gift giver ever discoverChristmas Fantasy Newsletters by PaperDirect that you have passed along their gift? If you are certain there’s no way the giver will know you re-gifted, then you may feel safe to do so. There are time when it just makes sense to re-gift such as when the person to whom you are re-gifting will get a lot of enjoyment out of something that doesn’t necessarily suit your personal tastes.

Should I admit to my gift recipient that I re-gifted? Sometimes this may be appropriate, such as when you re-gift an expensive item. If you don’t tell the recipient that you re-gifted, he/she may feel obligated to buy you a gift of equal value. This could cause both of you to be uncomfortable and cause financial hardship for the giver.

How should I re-package the gift? Whatever you do, don’t re-package your item so that it appears to be from another retailer. Dazzling Sparkle Casual Invitations by PaperDirectImagine the embarrassment if someone tried to return your re-gift! Select beautiful wrapping paper and a gorgeous piece of ribbon just as you would for any other occasion.

Are there certain occasions where re-gifting is a good idea? Absolutely! Consider a couple with a large family who is celebrating the arrival of a new baby. They may receive baby equipment or clothing that they already own. In such an event, it might make sense for them to pass along these duplicate gifts to someone in need.

What is one very important rule to know when re-gifting? Other than not hurting the feelings of the original gift giver, the most important thing is to be sure that the re-gift is suitable for the new recipient. Are you merely burdening someone with an unwanted item, or presenting someone with something they really will enjoy?

Shop PaperDirect for things you need for the holidays like Christmas invitations, holiday greeting cards, and Christmas stationery for holiday newsletters.

 

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.

 

April 18, 2012

Employee Anniversary Recognition–Appropriate Gifts

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

Double Star Business Card Letter Holder Recognition of employees is something that supervisors, owners, and CEO’s must make time and effort for.

Why?

Because studies have shown that when employees feel appreciated and valuable, they tend to be more productive and are more vested in their company’s success.

When it comes to employee anniversary recognition gifts, even those that are not expensive, are greatly appreciated. The smallest gesture can mean the world to hard-working employees, especially those who have worked for the company for several years.

If you’re struggling with ideas, here are some appropriate gift ideas to recognize a loyal employee’s years of service to your company.

Ideas:

Classic Appreciation

Certificates of appreciation, plaques, and trophies are very common anniversary recognition gifts.

These can all be personalized with the employee’s name, years of service and can be placed in the employee’s office for others to see.

PaperDirect has a large selection of employee certificates, plaques and trophies, and to jazz award certificates up a bit, we carry certificate holders and jackets, embossed certificate seals and frames to preserve their quality and make them last for many years.Premier Blue Standard Certificates

We offer award certificate templates to assist you in design and printing certificate layouts.

Our free desktop printable templates format your certificate automatically, with preset margins, borders and tabs.

We also offer a certificate template CD with certificate headings for professional results. Whether you need one or one hundred certificates, PaperDirect’s desktop printable templates make certificate creation extremely fast and easy.

Personalized Gifts

If you’re looking for something more creative, PaperDirect has many motivational employee gifts including clocks, paperweights, pins, banners, and personalized gifts including key rings, business card holders, and mugs.

Hobbies 

A great way to find out what gift to get your employees for their anniversaries is to learn a little bit about what they do in their free time.

For instance, if you know one of your employees is an amateur photographer, picture frames make a great gift. How about a gift card to their favorite restaurant or movie theatre passes for the movie buffs in the office?

Inexpensive Ideas

Employee anniversary recognition gifts that cost nothing, but that are greatly appreciated are “free” days off, long lunches, acknowledgement in the company newsletter, a small office pot luck luncheon, and public recognition at a staff meeting. Take your employee to lunch at his favorite restaurant or allow him to leave early on a Friday afternoon.

How about a work-from-home day, if his job allows it or a late arrival day? Employees loves little perks like this, and sometimes “privileges” are enjoyed more than a tangible gift such as a plaque or coffee mug.

Excellence II Deluxe Embossed Foil SealsWhatever employee anniversary recognition gift you choose, your employee will be appreciative, and the gift will show him that you recognize his contribution to the company.

There’s no need to spend a lot of money on employee anniversary recognition, but it is important that you make the time and put forth the effort to honor the loyal employees who have been with you for as little as one year or as long as twenty years.

There is no worse feeling than thinking you’re not appreciated at work, so find out when your employees’ anniversaries are coming up and make some plans to recognize their great work and continued loyalty to your company.

 

November 2, 2011

Inexpensive Employee Gifts They’ll Love

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

Orleans Standard Certificate PaperOne way to give recognition to employees is by giving a small gift to the deserving employee to show your appreciation.

Employee award certificates mean a great deal and serve the purpose of acknowledging good work, but small gifts show you went the extra mile and will boost employee morale even more!

During the holiday season, you will find a number of inexpensive employee gift ideas online and in stores to make shopping for your employees a breeze!Sparkle Specialty LetterTop Certificates

Gift Cards

One way to make employee recognition easy is to learn a little bit about each of your employees such as their favorite restaurant, coffee shop or bookstore. Some ideas:

  • Restaurant Gift Cards
  • iTunes Gift Cards
  • Smazon Gift Cards
  • Air Fare Gift Cards
  • Movie Theater Gift Cards
  • Gas Cards

Gift giving will be easy if you find out what your employees do in their time away from the office. If you have a movie buff on your staff, a gift card to a local movie theater would be greatly appreciated. For only about $20, you can get two nighttime movie tickets for your employee and a guest to enjoy.

Hobbies

If one of your staff members enjoys a certain hobby such as gardening, you can get her/him a book about the hobby or supplies for their hobby to show your appreciation for a job well done.

Chocolate Star on a StickIf one of your team members is a dog lover, why not have a picture of his dog put into a digital frame? You can ask someone in a nearby cube, or a friend of the employee, to somehow get you a photo so your employee doesn’t know what you’re up to. And since you can get just about anything personalized these days, you can take that photo and have it put on a coffee mug, tee-shirt or even a necktie!

Gift for Everyone

Pretty much everyone in the office loves getting a bottle of wine. If you’re at a loss for gift, something like this is simple and sure to please.

PaperDirect is your source for everything you need to make your business a huge success. Need employee recognition ideas? The PaperDirect blog has some great tips.

August 24, 2011

Motivate With These Employee Incentive Ideas

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

World View Specialty CertificatesWho doesn’t want a pat on the back every now and then? Regardless of age, all people want recognition for a job well done, and people in the business world are no exception. No matter how high your position in a company, you, too, probably want a little acknowledgement when you go above and beyond the call of duty. Not all employee recognition must come in the form of a raise or bonus. There are many ways to reward employees and motivate your staff to work hard besides money.

If you are an employer, you may feel your employees are doing what they are supposed to do, and that the salary they are paid should be incentive enough to keep up the good work. However, in today’s workplace, to retain the efficient and hard-working employees, it is important to view the world from their point of view and fulfill any legitimate demands or requirements they pose. Giving them some incentives and recognition will help.

Pot of Gold NoteCardsHere are some employee incentive ideas that will work for just about any type of business:

  • Make an effort to learn your employees’ interests and hobbies. When it comes to time to provide an employee incentive or reward, you can offer a gift certificate to the local nursery for your employee who gardens on the weekends. A gift certificate to a book certificate will be appreciated by the avid reader in the office.
  • Acknowledge years of service. No matter what size your company is, you should acknowledge your employees’ years of service with a certificate, plaque or trophy.
  • Plan an office outing such as a picnic or happy hour when a project is completed. Schedule the reward ahead of time, so the staff knows there is a fun activity planned at the conclusion of the difficult project. Be sure the location of the event is out of the office and is casual in nature. This is a time when the employees can get to know each other.
  • Reward employees with good attendance with a paid day off. You will be amazed at how much this is appreciated and how rejuvenating one single day off with pay is to an employee.
  • Allow workers to recognize the work of colleagues. You can set up a box in which employees can put nice comments about their co-workers. Read the comments out loud at a staff meeting or put them in the company newsletter. This is a great incentive to keep doing great work because it has been acknowledged.
  • Hand write a thank you note. Taking the time to write a personal note of thanks to an employee who did an especially good job will mean the world to that employee and will be an incentive to do even more great things at work.

PaperDirect has a full line of employee recognition and incentive materials.

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