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June 21, 2022

Types of Invitation Cards: Which to Use and When

types-of-invitation-cards-whici-to-use-and-when-paper-direct

The date is set and now you are tasked with spreading the word about your event. But, what type of invitation will catch their eye, and most importantly, be appropriate for the occasion? We’ve got the inside scoop on four of our best-selling invitations!

Flat Invitations

These sleek, open-face invitations display information about your event at a glance, so they are easy hang on a bulletin board or post on a refrigerator. Designs in the invitation margins let the guests know if the event or holiday party is whimsical or elegant. Choose to coordinate your custom text font, color or graphics with the event colors for a personalized touch.

These invitations are best for casual weddings, save-the-date notices, and special events such as business grand openings, a child’s birthday, baby shower, or a potluck dinner party.

Grill Time Flat Invitation

Send and Seal Fold-Up Invitations

If you love the idea of your guests unwrapping your invitation like a little present, a fold-up style works well. The all-in-one invitation (no envelope needed!) has space for event details and a tear-off response card, keeping the reply process simple. Our patterned papers make it effortless to coordinate the invitation with a holiday or theme.

Try these invitations for events that require an RSVP such as a graduation party, employee appreciation dinner, wedding with reception, catered dinner party, or fundraising event.

Fiesta party streamers fold up invite

Pocket Invitations

When you must impress, elegant pocket invitations complete with monogrammed seals, gatefolds and color coordinating ribbons will help you make a statement. These colorful, layered paper invites alert your guests to an upscale event and may or may not include a separate response card, depending on the RSVP method requested (paper, phone, or online).

Choose these invitations for a formal wedding, commitment ceremony, rehearsal dinner party, bachelorette party, baby shower, awards ceremony, or milestone wedding anniversary celebration.

Black and Silver Pocket Invitation

Folded Invitations

These classic invitations mirror a greeting card style, with a design, photograph and/or custom wording on the front and details about the event printed inside. If you need to provide extensive information, such as directions to the venue, a menu, a poem, gift registry location list, or biography of the guest of honor, folded invitations give you ample room. You can easily tuck inserts inside the fold, too!

Pick this style of invitation when honoring a special person, when you’d like to include extra information, or for a formal event where the invitation might become a keepsake, such as a wedding, milestone birthday, or adoption party.

Folded Pristine Invitations

Choosing the best invitation for your event is just a few clicks away. Browse our many paper patterns and invitation styles online today!

July 8, 2021

Politically Correct Holiday Greeting Ideas

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — PDWriter @ 12:00 am
Politically correct holiday messages

It’s not too much of a stretch to suggest that the age-old tradition of sending greeting cards to your friends, customers, volunteers, clients, or employees can be something of a minefield. Anyone who’s hoping to spread a little holiday cheer this season may be slightly hesitant for fear of their message not being politically correct.

Not to worry, though! Here is a quick list of politically correct holiday greetings that will convey the joy and gratitude you feel without insulting anyone, regardless of race, creed, or religion. No matter what you need them for, we’ve got the perfect politically correct holiday greeting card and message for you.

Personal

  • Here’s wishing you the fondest Season’s Greetings and continued Happiness into the New Year.
  • Happy Holidays to a Big, Bright Spot in Our Lives. Wishing you all the best in the coming year!
  • Hoping your Holidays are as heartfelt and joyous as you deserve!
  • No matter where this holiday season finds you, here’s hoping you’re surrounded with love and good fortune. Happy Holidays!

To Employees

  • Thanks for all your hard work in [Year], and here’s to keeping things chugging along in [Next Year].
  • All the best to you and yours this holiday season and thanks for a wonderful year. We couldn’t have done it without you!
  • For all that you’ve done to help make our workplace a better place, we say a tremendous Thank You. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for [Year]!

To Customers

  • Season’s Greetings, Happy Holidays, and All the Best for a Prosperous New Year.
  • Thanks for your invaluable partnership in [Current Year], and best wishes for a bright and happy [Next Year].
  • Best wishes for a happy Holiday Season. We’ll see you in [next year]!

Another quick note: While you should absolutely get a set of holiday greeting cards complete with a universal message, it might also be helpful to include a personalized conclusion to each card. It doesn’t even need to be unique. You could use one of the above statements, and then write in, “To a One-of-a-Kind Soul” in each card. It takes only a little extra time and it can make a huge difference.

unique card for the holiday season

More than anything, you simply need to remember that no matter the occasion and no matter the recipient, your holiday greeting only needs to come from the heart. That might sound a little schmaltzy, but there’s no better time of year to get a little sappy and express yourself to the people who are most important to you. You’ll be happier you did, and they’ll be grateful you took the time to say so.

October 23, 2017

8 Tips for Planning an Unforgettable Holiday Party For Work

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — PDWriter @ 4:47 pm

planning a holiday party for work

It’s likely that you’ve attended a holiday office party that doesn’t fill you with the holiday spirit – in fact, it may have been so dull that most employees wished they could just sit back down at their desks and resume their workday. Fortunately, your office doesn’t need to suffer the same fate.

If you’ve been tasked with planning a holiday party for work, look to this helpful list of tips and tricks to help you create a fun and memorable event that people will be talking about for years to come.

Send Out Invitations

Get your staff excited for the office holiday party by sending out invitations well in advance. Early invites mean that employees can block time on their calendars and begin looking forward to the impending festivities.

Pick a Theme

Nothing help set the mood of the party (and direct your efforts) like picking a theme. And don’t make the theme “holidays” – get creative with it! Plan an ugly sweater party, complete with costumes or games, or turn your office into a winter wonderland with fake snow and wintery decorations.

Don’t Make Your Employees Bring Anything

More than anything, your holiday office party should be about celebrating your employees’ hard work. So make it about them: get a catering company or restaurant to handle the food and drinks so that your team can sit back and enjoy themselves.

Commemorative Photos

Set up a small area of the office — complete with silly props and clothing — where your employees can take a photo of the occasion. The snaps will look great on your social media or recruitment pages.

Make It Interesting With Door Prizes

If your budget allows for it, get a few great door prizes that you can hand out over the course of the party. You could also have a few thematic games with prizes for the winners.

Give Your Employees a Keepsake

Prepare a small gift for each employee, as well as a custom greeting card. Fill the card with compliments, thanks, and a few words of encouragement – your employees will love feeling appreciated for all their hard work.

Remember That It’s a Holiday Party

Do your best to make the holiday party inclusive – don’t make it Christmas themed if you have employees who practice other religions. Keep it broad by branding it as a holiday party, and sticking to a nondenominational theme.

Make It a Puppy Party

Yes, this is a real thing. Check your local listings for a company that will rent a swarm of adorable puppies for a few hours. Your employees will love to destress by playing with the special guests all evening.

No matter what you’ve got in mind for your upcoming holiday party, you can count on PaperDirect to help you plan a winning holiday party for work. Our entire line of paper products can help you spread good cheer to every corner of the office.

October 20, 2017

Enter to Win Holiday Cards from PaperDirect!

Filed under: Product Features — PDWriter @ 4:21 pm

paper direct holiday contest

The holidays are a magical time, filled with time spent with family, dinners around the fireplace, and letters from old friends. However, your bank account might not love the holidays quite as much – between the gifts and the parties, you may find yourself pushing the limits of your monthly budget.

This year, one lucky winner won’t have to worry about factoring holiday cards into their budget. You have the chance to win beautiful holiday cards for your business, friends, and family during PaperDirect’s Holiday Card Giveaway!

To enter, simply click the button below and fill your name and email in the form. Click “Submit”, and that’s it – you’re in the running to win up to $89.99 worth of holiday cards from PaperDirect!

enter to win

Don’t miss your chance to win – the contest ends on November 29th, 2017! Complete contest rules can be found here.  Good luck, and happy holidays from all of us at PaperDirect.

 

October 16, 2017

6 Cool Office Decor Ideas to Make Your Workspace Instagrammable

Filed under: Office Fun — PDWriter @ 11:49 am

cool office decor

Your workspace is a direct reflection of you. It is vibrant, exciting, and welcoming? Or, is your space bland and blah?

If you find yourself snapping tons of selfies at work for Instagram, pencil in a mini cubicle makeover using our cool office ideas so you can show the world more about you. After all, we could all use a little office refresh!

Uncommon Live Plants

If there’s tons of light or a windowsill in your office, add a living, breathing pet plant. Go for something that could work as a conversation starter, like a bold blue orchid, twisty bamboo, or a bug-eating Venus fly trap. Give that greenery a catchy name and introduce him on Instagram as your new office mate.

Expressive Cozy Pillows

Style your office chair, couch, or relaxation area with some emoji-face pillows. Each time you give a social media update, you can share your current mood by strategically placing the corresponding pillow in the frame. Clever and quirky!

Stress-Relieving Gadgets

From fidget spinners to squishy stress balls, it’s nice to have something for our fingers to fiddle with during a tense conference call. Earn bonus points for getting the marketing team to print your business logo on these gadgets so your company gets a free shout out each time your desk or office lands on Instagram.

Wacky Wall Art

Gone are the days of displaying mass-produced framed pictures. Skip the abstract landscapes and hang up something that brings you joy. Enlarge a family picture, show off your sketching skills, hang a quilt, display your own painting masterpiece, or frame that signed baseball jersey.

Creative Computer Accessories

Whether you channel your love of the 90s and cover your laptop with stickers, or feature a funny pet photo on your desktop, these details add extra interest to your Instagram updates. Update your background and accessories based on your mood to keep things interesting!

Awards and Accolades

Are you a little league Coach of the Year? Were you named the office Social Media Queen? Show off those award certificates with honor and pride on your desk or walls. They highlight your personality and will make you smile each time you see them, even in the background of your social posts.

Looking for more cool office ideas? Visit the PaperDirect blog to make your workplace rock! We can help you with everything from planning office parties and events to celebrating the accomplishments of your loyal employees.

October 12, 2017

#ThrowbackThursday: The 5 Best 90s School Supplies

Filed under: Helpful Resources — PDWriter @ 12:04 pm

90s school supplies

As most kids who grew up in the 90s know, school supply shopping wasn’t just throwing random supplies into a cart and calling it a day. Instead, choosing supplies was a feat that required finding the coolest binders, the best pens and pencils, and all the latest gadgets to show off your style.

To pay tribute to those bygone days and all those neon supplies, here are some of the world’s best school supplies from the 1990s.

A Pencil Grip

Because those patented number two pencils were just too squirrely to handle with your bare hands, the 1990s saw the invention of the ergonomic pencil grip, a totally-not-useless addition to every 90s kid’s backpack. Hip kids had a plethora of colors to choose from for appropriate coordination with their outfit or binders.

A Trapper Keeper

No matter where you lived, at school the coolest accessory to own, hands down, was the Trapper Keeper. It wasn’t just a binder; it was a personal expression of your individuality. From the pattern you picked to the stickers you plastered across the front and back, the Trapper Keeper was a scholastic necessity.

Standalone Erasers

When you needed to get rid of those obnoxious pencil marks, but you preferred to just smear low-grade rubber across the page instead of erasing them, you reached for one of your decorative erasers. Of course, you never actually used your favorites, just kept them in your pencil bag to show off your style!

Push-Up Pens

Using two different writing utensils was something your boring old parents did. In the 1990s, it was all about using cigar-sized pens that had five or six different colors right inside of them. Who cares that they never worked longer than five minutes? They were must-have items.

Five Star Notebooks

If Trapper Keepers were for the kids, then Five Star notebooks were for the serious academics. Equally important was having a notebook in every color of the rainbow to distinguish between your subjects.

Recapture Some Childhood With PaperDirect

Just because you’re spending at an office desk instead of a tiny, fiberboard desk doesn’t mean you have to go through life without a touch of whimsy. With a little help from PaperDirect and our complete line of business stationery, you can make sure that you’ve got the right paper products for every mood, even if your Trapper Keeper days are behind you.

October 9, 2017

What to Write In A Boss’s Day Card

Filed under: Recognition & Motivation Ideas — PDWriter @ 10:21 am

what to write in boss day card

Boss’s Day is coming! This year, it’s celebrated on Monday, October 16, and if you don’t want to be the odd employee out, it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to show your appreciation for all that your supervisor does for you and the company.

While gift giving is common in some companies, we suggest giving a heartfelt greeting card and saving the gift for the holidays. Knowing what to write in a Boss’s Day card can be a little tough as mushy prose is super awkward and just signing your name is a little cold. So, let’s find that happy medium that your boss will think is just right!

The Opening Greeting

Somewhere on the card, place your boss’s name. You might open the card and hand-write “Dear (Their Name)” above the pre-written greeting card text. Or, include a message, starting with their name, on the left side of the card in the blank space. First names are fine if you use them in everyday office conversation.

The Main Message

OK, this is where things can get as elaborate or as simple as you’d like. First, start off by wishing them a Happy Boss’s Day! Then, in a sentence or two, say what you like about your professional relationship. You might mention their mentoring skills or perpetual patience. If that feels sufficient, wrap up the card with your closing and signature.

If you’ve had a memorable experience within the past year, this is a good time to acknowledge it. Are you a new employee? Thank the boss for their extra attention and guidance during your transition. Or, did you finish a big project together? Talk about how your collaboration made it all possible.

Have you worked with your boss for ages and have grown a friendship outside the office? It might be nice to include a few lines about how much you value your friendship and look forward to the future together, tackling whatever comes your way in and out of the office.

The Closing Signature

Remember, this card is going to your boss. Skip the sappy “Yours Truly” or “With Love”, unless the head of the office happens to be your spouse or child! Instead, keep it professional and simple by closing with “Sincerely”, “Thank You” or even “Warm Wishes”.

If you haven’t picked up a Boss’s Day card yet, browse Paper Direct’s online store. With a few clicks, the card will be on its way to your office. Then, grab your favorite pen and write a short, but meaningful message in honor of Boss’s Day. Your supervisor is sure to love your appreciation!

October 5, 2017

3 Spooky Ideas for Halloween Office Decorations

Filed under: Event Planning Tips — PDWriter @ 12:53 pm

halloween office decoration ideas

Whether your office space is modern, retro, traditional, or high-tech, you can transform it into an enchantingly eerie environment with these top Halloween office decorations ideas. Instead of popping a pumpkin and paper skeleton here and there, you can best bedeck the entire office by choosing an overall theme. These three themes are some of the most spooktacular Halloween office decorations ideas out there.

Spooky Spider Den

Spiders and the tangled webs they weave make for a fast, easy and super-stunning Halloween theme. You can create spiders of various sizes out of numerous items, provided you have a solid item to serve as the body, eight items for legs and a can of black spray paint. Try empty boxes with cardboard tube legs, or Styrofoam balls stuck with eight pencils or pens.

Rows of skittering rubber spiders can add a frightening touch door jambs, window sills, and counter edges. Just stick them on with double-sided tape. Faux spider webs are inexpensive and easy to drape over doorways, windows, and hallway openings. Invest in a larger spider web as the central focal point, or create a groovy one out of a cut-up trash bag.

Spider snacks can consist of goodies shaped to look like spiders. An easy one is spider cupcakes, featuring an unfrosted chocolate cupcake on a white plate, and eight legs drawn on the plate with icing. Flatbread sandwiches can likewise serve as a spider body, with mini carrots sticking out around the sides for legs. Use a couple of radishes for eyes.

Make sure to top off the spooky spider theme with spider sticky notes and spider stationery for all your reminder notes, office memos, and announcements during the Halloween season.

Ghosts and Goblins

If spiders tend to freak out your coworkers, you can always opt for something a bit tamer, like ghosts and goblins. Ghosts can be quickly created by drawing eyes and a mouth on a white sheet, cheesecloth, or gauzy fabric and then positioning the fabric over lamps, filing cabinets, or other office items.

Create goblins out of cardboard cut-outs you can place strategically around the office. They can make a dashing statement peeking over cubicle walls, on the sides of office trash cans, and even positioned near the main company sign in the lobby.

Ghost snacks can be as simple as peeling a banana and then adding chocolate chip eyes and mouth, stuck in place with a dab of peanut butter. Drawing a face on the outside wrapper of string cheese makes another tasty ghost treat, or you can always go for a ghost-shaped pizza.

Ghost and goblin stationery needs to be an office staple with this theme, with options that include border paper, vinyl banners, and postcards for your office announcements and other communication.

Office Haunted House

Perhaps the most versatile theme, the office haunted house lets you combine the ghosts, goblins, and spiders with anything else you may find in your typical haunted house. Try spooky silhouette cut-outs on the windows. Pepper the hallways with a few plastic skeletons and black cats. You can even create miniature haunted houses to place strategically around the workspace or erect a haunted house computer.

Spooky snacks that align with the haunted house theme again give you a range of options. Sugar cookies shaped like cats, bats, witches, and ghosts are an option, as are graveyard cupcakes, featuring a vertical fig newton iced with R.I.P. as the gravestone.

The field is likewise wide open for Halloween stationery that supports your haunted house theme. Send out announcements on pumpkin border paper. Use candy corn border paper for your office memos. Hook up a banner with a haunted hill background.

These three Halloween office decorations ideas can certainly enliven the office and get everyone in the mood for the sensationally spooky season. Don’t forget to visit PaperDirect for all your Halloween paper needs leading up to the haunted day!

October 4, 2017

5 Tips for Standing Out at Your First Job Interview

Filed under: Business Marketing Ideas — PDWriter @ 2:19 pm

girl at first job interview tips

You’ve received some training, you’ve sent out your resume, and now — at long last — you’re finally headed toward your first job interview. If your palms are starting to sweat and your shoulders tense up at the thought, don’t worry. You are not alone! Interviewing for any job, let alone your first one, is a nerve-wracking experience.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make sure the interview goes smoothly. Follow these first job interview tips to get an edge over the competition.

Prep Physically

Remember that when you step into the room with your potential employer, it’s not just your mind that needs to be working well. Make sure that you’re prepping your body correctly. Get a good night’s sleep the night before and eat a filling breakfast the morning of your interview. If you have time, do some yoga or hit the gym before your interview to boost confidence and get those endorphins going. There’s no sense being tired and hungry when you’re trying to impress your potential employers.

Dress for the Occasion

Think about the job you’re applying for and how you might dress for it on a day-to-day basis, then outfit yourself a step above that. If you’re trying for a manual labor job, go with business casual, like a formal button down shirt paired with slacks or a skirt. If you’re interviewing for an office position where the dress is business casual, consider wearing a suit or a professional dress.

Whatever you wear, make sure that your clothes are clean and as wrinkle-free as possible. Avoid flashy colors or bold fashion statements – there’ll be plenty of time to express your true fashion-forward self once you get the job.

Do Your Homework

Spend at least an hour researching the company at which you’re going to interview. Read articles about them, review who the decision makers are at the company, and try to find out what former employees are saying. A simple Google search of the company’s name should yield several results to peruse before you walk in the door. Glassdoor is also a useful resource for employee opinions and interview experiences.

When you’re informed, you can speak easily and handle any topic that comes your way, and your interviewers will be impressed with the effort you put in to learn about their company.

Project Confidence and Good Humor

This one is straightforward, but it can be an easy one to overlook when you’re walking into your first job interview. You might be nervous, but if you hold your shoulders back, look your interviewer in the eyes, give them a firm handshake, and keep a smile on your face, you’ll go a long way toward masking your anxiety.

You never know – a little feigned physical confidence may even inspire some inner confidence, too!

Send a Note Afterward

No matter how you think the interview went, you can only help yourself by taking the time to pick up a pen and write a short thank you note to your interviewer. A friendly note thanking them for their time might make all the difference between landing the job and being beat by the competition.

Follow these tips, and your first job interview is going to be a breeze. Don’t forget to prep in advance by doing some research, finding a professional outfit, eating a filling meal, and ordering thank you notes from PaperDirect to send after your interview. Now, go get ‘em!

September 28, 2017

When to Plan Your Company Holiday Party

Filed under: Christmas & Holiday Party Tips — PDWriter @ 10:29 am

planning company holiday party

It’s never too early to get the ball rolling on planning a company holiday party, especially if you host it off-site and incorporate vendors like catering and entertainment. Planning early means you’ll have less stress as the holidays roll around. Here’s our guide to planning the perfect holiday bash for your office!

When to Start Planning

Large companies that host parties for hundreds, or thousands, of employees work on some aspects of planning all year long if they have well-known entertainers on their wish list or are creating catering menus complete with signature drinks.

If you fit into this category and haven’t lifted a finger yet, it’s OK. You have options! Start calling venues you hope to reserve and ask if they’ve had any winter-season cancellations.

Remember, it’s not uncommon for retail-focused businesses to host their annual company holiday party in January or February so they can get through their busiest season efficiently, then unwind with a party! Use that date flexibility to your advantage.

When to Host the Party

Company parties are as unique as your business. Some are small dinner get-togethers on a Friday night to wrap up the work week on a festive note, while other parties are celebrated on a weekend so children and significant others can join in on the fun.

If your business operates 24/7, with various locations, be mindful of your staffing and plan to shut down operations for a day (or host two parties) so everyone has a chance to attend. The last thing you want to do is make anyone feel excluded from an office event.

Time of day is also important! If you plan to keep the celebration at your work location and only for staff, scheduling the party during business hours (and pausing work duties) is common. However, if you’re planning something more along the lines of a pizza and bowling party that encourages family members to attend, a Saturday afternoon or evening is best!

What You Need to Do

So, now you’re in full-on party mode! Before you can hit the dance floor or belt out your version of Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer on karaoke, you have to do a little bit of planning. We’ve put together a comprehensive road map of exactly what should happen next, including creating a budget and buying gifts for the attendees. Use our holiday party checklist to make sure you cover everything in your planning!

As you work through each step, don’t forget to order your party invitations and annual awards certificates! PaperDirect can ship your stationery directly to the office so you can check yet another thing off the party planning to-do list.

September 25, 2017

Seasonal Wedding Colors that Never Go Out of Style

Filed under: DIY Wedding Ideas — PDWriter @ 12:44 pm

seasonal wedding colors bride and bridesmaids

The lime green bridesmaids’ dress trend may come and go, but some seasonal wedding colors are always in style. These classic color staples remain eternally elegant because they take their cue from Mother Nature, mimicking the colors that are typically associated with each season in the great outdoors. Check out a lineup of seasonal wedding color schemes that remain fresh, fabulous, and beautiful year after year.

Fall

Earth tones make sensational wedding colors in autumn, particularly because the season is packed with some of the most amazing natural colors. You don’t have to opt for pumpkin orange tablecloths, but you can take advantage of autumnal accents. Accent a nude or taupe base color with hues of golden yellow, rust, and forest green for effortlessly amazing results. Autumnal earth tones look as gorgeous inside as they do outside, providing a warm and cozy feel.

Winter

Winter weddings stir up images of a magical wonderland, and you’ll always be in style if you deck out your wonderland with the classic combo of white and gold. Winter white paired with metallic gold brings a sophisticated touch to any event, providing a clean, crisp, and classy atmosphere. These seasonal wedding colors not only provide a nod to the holidays and snow, but they add a layer of polished opulence to your affair.

Spring

Spring is when nature begins to wake up from its long winter nap. Bring that fresh and airy feel to your wedding with a palette of pastels. While soft pink may immediately come to mind, you can also choose hues like chiffon yellow, robin egg blue, or seafoam green. Pair your pick with neutrals to create a captivatingly sophisticated vibe.

Summer

Summer is one of the hottest seasons for weddings, and you can keep the sizzling ambiance alive with a vibrant color scheme. Jewel tones are a stunning option for summer weddings, with a bright energy that matches the season’s intensity. Choices here include passionate purple, magnificent magenta, and enriching emerald green. Jewel tones are forever dramatic and bold, with a deeply vibrant edge.

Choosing your seasonal wedding colors is the first step in creating a gorgeous backdrop for your big event. Selecting the table settings, flowers, wedding stationery, and other elements to create your backdrop is the next step. Yes, your bridesmaids’ dresses are part of the equation, and no, they never have to be lime green!

Head to PaperDirect today to shop wedding invites, menu cards, place cards, and even vinyl banners for your most important day.

September 21, 2017

Tips for Planning a Last Minute Event

Filed under: Event Planning Tips — PDWriter @ 9:51 am

last minute event planning with campagne

So your big event is just around the corner, and you just haven’t had the time to start planning. Maybe you were handed the reigns with no time to spare, or life simply got in the way. Whatever the case, just because you’re short on time doesn’t mean that last-minute event planning needs to be a headache. With a little bit of forethought and ingenuity, you can turn your last-minute event into the talk of the town.

Here are some tips for last-minute event planning:

Get Your Guests Involved

Depending on the nature of the party, you can always incorporate your guests. Throwing a business function? Have your informed guests get up and start industry discussions in a casual, round-table manner. It’ll save you the time and effort of finding the perfect guest speaker. If your party is more casual, ask your guests that they bring a dish, potluck style, to help you cut down on food costs and avoid the hassle of finding a caterer.

Grab Attention With a Flyer

The best way to get the word out — especially if you’re throwing a last-minute professional event — is to put up several colorful flyers in specific target areas. A bold flyer, or time allowing, a compelling mailer, can make a huge difference when it comes to getting the word out about your event.

Engage on Social Media

The great thing about social media for last-minute party planners is that it’s possible to publicize your event instantaneously and in a big way. If done properly, social media can make up a hugely successful portion of your event marketing plans.

Don’t Overthink the Venue

If you’re throwing an office party, have the party at your office. If you want something a little more intimate, host the party at your house. The important thing is that you have food and activities, not just a fancy setting.

Focus on Quality, Not Quantity

Try to give yourself a break when it comes to planning. Make sure that important aspects are planned carefully as opposed to trying to organize every minuscule detail – you’ll stress yourself out unnecessarily.

A little creativity and a little determination, and you should have no problems with last-minute event planning. No matter why you’re throwing your party, PaperDirect has a full line of products that will help make your soiree something special. Browse PaperDirect’s selection of flyers to market your last-minute event today.

September 18, 2017

9 Quotes About Stationery Every Writer Will Love

Filed under: Phrases & Wording — PDWriter @ 4:11 pm
stationery quotes writing on paper

Humans require basic necessities to survive. These include food, water, shelter – and, for some, stationery. If you’re the type who lists stationery as one of your must-haves, you’re not alone. We found a handful of notable folks who have felt the same way, as evidenced in this collection of stationery quotes.

What Stationery Can Do to You

Stationery has the power to stir up all types of emotions, from comfortable to creative for both personal and professional situations. It’s alluring, addictive, and could perhaps even prompt a life of crime (see below for explanation).

“There was something very comfortable in having plenty of stationery.”
– Charles Dickens, English writer and social critic

“Whatever you choose for your stationery is your favorite color because it’s where you pour your heart out.”
– Mary E. Pearson, American children’s author

perfectly pink stationery papers

“Stationery is addictive. I get mine made in Paris at Benetton, and writing on it gives me a strange thrill.”
– (Edward) Graydon Carter, Canadian journalist and Vanity Fair editor-in-chief

“If I were a criminal, stationery stores and bakeries would be the two kinds of places I would concentrate on.”
– John Turturro, Italian-American actor, writer, filmmaker

colorful stationery papers for writers

What Stationery Can Do for You

Stationery provides a keen place to write, of course. But it can also come to be an attention-grabber for your business letters, complement your academic musings, and help convey an emotion to readers of all ages.

“Ideas are elusive, slippery things. Best to keep a pad of paper and a pencil at your bedside, so you can stab them during the night before they get away.”
– Earl Nightingale, American author and radio personality

“Love is a letter on pink stationery.”
– Charles M. Schulz, Peanuts creator and American cartoonist

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”
– William Wordsworth, English Romantic poet

“The visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper, and re-imagines the world.”
– Malcolm Gladwell, Canadian author, speaker, and journalist

“I put a piece of paper under my pillow, and when I could not sleep, I wrote in the dark.”
– Henry David Thoreau, American essayist, poet, naturalist, and philosopher

If these quotes fire up your inspiration to augment your stationery collection, check out our sensational stationery selection. Whether you’re looking to pour out your heart, pen a love letter, send a morale-boosting note to employees, or add another layer of comfort to your home, PaperDirect stationery has you covered.

September 15, 2017

What Should Your Business Card Include?

Filed under: Designing Your Business Communication — PDWriter @ 4:12 pm

business card exchange

Business cards are often the first currency of a business transaction. You meet someone, decide to stay in touch, and exchange your contact details. But, in the digital age, what should you include on a physical business card? Just a hint: Fax numbers are out. QR codes are in. Now, let’s explore some options for what your business cards should include.

What to Include on Your Business Cards

The whole purpose of a business card is to remain memorable and initiate future contact. First, choose a card color and design that stands out and makes sense for your industry. Go beyond the classic white rectangle and pick a patterned rectangle, red circle or glossy metallic square.

Then, fill that teeny-tiny document with pertinent information. Here’s what we feel best showcases and keeps you top-of-mind with a new contact:

Pictures

Whether you choose a smiling headshot or an image of your key products for sale, visuals help jog the memory, making your conversation come to life each time the card is viewed.

Name

Of course, this one is obvious, but what you put after your name isn’t. Do include your job title and company. Your title should explain a bit about what you do, not just “Senior Executive” or “Owner”. For example, “Sami Hanson, Lead Photographer, Owner of Shutterbugs” is descriptive and accurate.

Social Media

Business connections on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are expected. Include your handles or profile names alongside the corresponding social media icon. If you handle document transfers often, include Dropbox, OneNote, or your cloud service.

Phone Number

Which phone do you use all day long? Include that number. It’s common for many professionals to have a dedicated cell phone and no office phone.

Email

This is probably the primary means of follow-up contact. Include your individual business email address prominently near your name and job title.

Website

The URL to your company’s website allows people to dig deeper and learn more about what you do. Don’t forget a logo if it’s a key branding feature of your business. Try implementing a QR code that directly links to your preferred online presence.

And don’t forget to leave a little breathing room. You don’t have to cover every inch of your business card with text or photos. Sometimes blank space makes an impact too!

What to Skip When Designing Business Cards

So, are you getting worried about what we didn’t mention? Don’t be. There are so many details that are auto-populated onto business cards that just don’t have the same impact they once had. For instance, when was the last time you received a fax that wasn’t spam?

So, get rid of:

  • fax numbers
  • physical addresses
  • team email addresses
  • unused landline office phone numbers
  • maps to your physical location
  • outdated social media including MySpace and messenger services

Is it time to update your business card?  Browse the styles and ideas at PaperDirect, add your information, and we’ll get them printed and shipped to your office!

September 8, 2017

4 Promotional Ideas for Grandparents Day

Filed under: Marketing & Sales Promotion Techniques — PDWriter @ 12:20 pm
national grandparents day

Every business knows that in the weeks before Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, kids across the country race to local shops to grab a token of appreciation for their mom or dad. Family-motivated holidays are big business. In fact, Mother’s Day rakes in around $21 billion and Father’s Day nets around $12 billion in sales of cards, flowers, and gifts. But what about National Grandparent’s Day?

This underappreciated holiday takes place every year on the Sunday after Labor Day. National Grandparent’s Day has been set aside as a special day to honor those people who have always been your biggest cheerleaders and never forget to send you a birthday card.

Few businesses take advantage of this opportunity. It’s a perfect time for your company to show some love to grandparents and stand out from your competitors. Here are some tips for promoting your business on Grandparent’s Day.

1. Grandparents Eat/Enter for Half Off

If you run a restaurant or you charge admission, then you can lure in customers by halving the amount that grandparents pay, provided they come with a grandkid in tow. Hang a banner in front of your restaurant to attract grandparents looking for a bit to eat.

2. A Special Ticket

Provide a bundle of services that can be redeemed with a custom-made ticket or gift card. Grandkids can buy them for their grandparents to redeem when it’s convenient.

3. Don’t Count on the Kids

Not every grandparent is going to be able to see their grandchildren on National Grandparents Day. So, dress up your shop or restaurant with eye-catching promotional materials to welcome those looking for a little appreciation, even if their grandkids are far away.

4. Early Bird Specials

Everyone knows that grandparents like to wake up early. Cater your business to them on their special day! Restaurants can offer specials for early arrivals. Bars can move their happy hour specials to earlier in the day. Retail shops can offer special deals during the early morning hours.

No matter how you choose to celebrate National Grandparent’s Day within your business, make sure that you don’t skimp on the quality of your promotional items. The experts at PaperDirect have an impressive variety of customizable promotional materials that are certain to meet your needs. Contact us today  – we’re here to help!

September 1, 2017

Appreciate Your Administrative Professionals Every Day

Filed under: Employee Recognition Ideas — PDWriter @ 4:53 pm

Appreciate Your Administrative Professionals Every Day PaperDirect

The wacky work season is approaching. Black Friday. Fourth quarter sales goals. Juggling holiday time-off requests. Whew! You know how much you depend on and appreciate your administrative professionals during this hectic time of year so now it’s time to show them! Let’s spoil your right-hand helpers with a few of these ideas in the coming months!

Start the Weekend Early

To show your gratitude, let your administrative pros pick a Friday in the month of October or November to work a half day. After lunch, let them head home to unwind with a long weekend and some much needed R&R.

Decorate their Workspace

Get to the office early, start the coffee and surprise your administrative staff with a little cubicle makeover. Fresh flowers, bowls of snacks and new coffee mugs or tumblers are sure to let everyone that these folks rock!

Craft Personalized Notes

Pick out some beautiful stationery and write a little thank you note to each member of the administration team. Tell them how much you appreciate their dedication to the company, where they excel and how you look forward to their assistance going into the end of the year.

Deliver a Surprise

Everyone loves seeing a delivery person with a fruit basket, green plant or cookie bouquet approach the office. We all wonder, who’s getting spoiled? This month, send those special deliveries directly to your administrative professionals.

Make an Announcement

If your business relies heavily on social media and a growing audience, introduce your fans to the admin pros behind the scenes with a heartfelt thank you post online. Share a photo album of fun and festive pictures of them setting up at events, goofing off in the office and smiling for the camera.  

Treat Them to Lunch

Present your administrative professionals with Awesome Admin Pros certificates. After gushing about why you appreciate them, note that the certificate is good for a work-day lunch outing to a favorite local restaurant with another member of the office of their choosing.

Do you need to stock up on motivational gifts, paper certificates or other paper office supplies? Browse the PaperDirect website today. We have everything you need for the fall season and as an added bonus, it can all be shipped directly to your office.

July 19, 2017

Quotes for National Parents’ Day

Filed under: Phrases & Wording — PDWriter @ 12:34 pm

Quotes-for-National-Parents-Day-PaperDirect

While we celebrate our moms in May and honor our dads in June, we can give them both the kudos they deserve on National Parents’ Day in July. Celebrated on the fourth Sunday in July, National Parents’ Day may not be as well-known as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, but it’s just as important. It’s a day to pay tribute to our parents as a team, and the double love they provided, that helped shape us into who we are today.

And there’s no better way to show your love than sending a heartfelt greeting card with an equally heartfelt quote. We gathered up six of our favorites you can share to make your parents’ day complete.

Adorable Acronym

The meaning of FAMILY:

Father

And

Mother

I

Love

You

Tender Tear-Jerker

I believe in

Love at first sight –

Because I’ve been

Loving my Parents

Since I first opened my eyes.

Sweetest Sentiment

Heaven

must be really small –

because I can see it in

my parents’ eyes.

Generational Greeting

The only thing better than

having you as parents is

my children having you as

grandparents.

Graceful Gratitude

All that I am, or hope to be,

I owe to my parents.

Personalized Passage

Card front:

A parent’s unconditional love is the foundation on which children build their lives.

The stronger the foundation, the higher and sturdier the children can build. (Randi G. Fine, author)

Card interior:

Dear Mom and Dad,

Thanks to you, I can build mountains!

Feel free to mix, match, edit and add to any of the quotes to make them as uniquely special as your parents are. And don’t forget to include a wish for a Happy National Parents’ Day!

Need more help? Contact one of our PaperDirect experts and let us guide you towards the perfect sentiment.

July 13, 2017

8 Fun Ways to Improve Employee Engagement

Filed under: Office Fun — PDWriter @ 11:05 am

improve employee engagement high five

Is the typical workday at your office filled with laughter, chatter, and lots of work completed with loads of enthusiasm? If your answer is no, you may want to work on boosting employee engagement. Here are eight fun and easy ways to improve employee engagement and make your staff excited to come into work every day.

In-Office Events

In-office events can be something as simple as a weekly staff lunch hour, or as elaborate as monthly catered event for birthdays or milestones met during the month. Contests are another fun way to bring people together and improve employee engagement, with prizes offered for the biggest sales, most productive workweek, or other achievements.

In-Office Awards

In-office awards can include work-related endeavors, or you can also go outside the box with awards for fitness achievements, creativity, or even reaching humorous goals. Perhaps a monthly award for staying calmest in the midst of chaos can be on the list. Awards can consist of certificates, plaques, trophies, and motivational pins and gifts.

Out-of-Office Perks

Take employees out to the ballgame, a play, a picnic in the park, or weekly happy hour. Planning social time outside of work can improve employee engagement inside the office. Out-of-the-office events take away the confines of the office and let employees get to know each other on a more personal level.

Team Building Activities

Team building activities can range from office trivia contests to mini-car races, with annual retreats or off-site scavenger hunts as additional options. The most important aspect of team building activities is not necessarily what you do, but that the team is doing it together to improve employee engagement and strengthen bonds.

Setting Goals

Whether you set daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly targets, setting goals is another way to fortify teamwork and engagement. Bonds can’t help but form when people work together for a common cause that benefits the bigger picture. Strengthen the bonds even further by celebrating goal achievements with one of the aforementioned in-office events or out-of-office perks.

Mentoring

Pairing up employees for training and mentoring opportunities can also work to improve engagement. It may not only be the senior staff members who can offer something worth learning. Have two employees spend two weeks with each other, giving each person a week to be the mentor. Longtime employees can share their experience, while newer employees can bring knowledge, insight, and new perspectives to the table.

Volunteering

You already heard how working toward a common cause can improve engagement, and that cause can include volunteer opportunities outside the office. Consider donating time to an organization or activity that betters your community while contributing to your mission. Adjust work schedules to accommodate those interested in participating.

Listening

Giving your employees a voice, and then letting them know their voices are heard, is another strategy that can improve employee engagement. Keeping an open avenue of communication via email and in-person meetings is one way to do it. Conducting monthly surveys, establishing a suggestion box, and holding a weekly sound-off are others.

Feel free to mix and match any of the ideas to best suit your company’s personality and culture. Also feel free to ask employees for ideas, giving them yet another way to contribute to and become more engaged in the workplace. When handing out office awards or prizes, stop by PaperDirect for all your motivational award needs!

July 11, 2017

The Importance of Visual Presentations

The Importance of Visual Presentations-PaperDirect

With all the various forms of online communication at our fingertips, it can be very tempting for a manager to simply convey new tasks, methods, or ideas through an email or text chat. If you’re one of those employers who might be overlooking the importance of visual presentations, then you’re missing out on a chance to utilize one of a manager’s most effective presentation tools.

The next time you’ve got a new assignment or a change in policy, here are some reasons to consider getting your team in the same room and walk them through a visual presentation.

Add Some Visual Pizazz

Any manager knows that when you send an email, most of your team won’t read it word for word. With a visual presentation, you’ve not only got a captive audience, but you have the opportunity to make the information stick with graphs, pictures, and bright colors.

Help Visual Learners

Most of your employees fall into one of three major categories of learning: hands-on, aural, and visual. In other words, when you whip up a visual presentation, you’re appealing to members of your team who learn through both seeing (visual) and listening (aural) to the information. Toss in some audience participation (hands-on), and you’re engaging with all three.

Get Everyone on the Same Page

By encouraging your team to interact with the material in a group setting, you can make sure that everyone is getting the information they need to succeed in the workplace. As a manager, it’s reassuring to know that you’ve gotten your message across to the whole team efficiently and effectively.

Give Your Team a Chance to Ask Questions

To ensure that everyone on the team is properly grasping a topic, encourage them to ask questions. This tactic helps guarantee that you’re explaining things clearly to your people. Not only that, but a question-and-answer session can help get your team talking and thinking about the assignment at hand which raises the chances that they’ll absorb the information.

Explain Complex Ideas Simply

You’ve heard the expression, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” That absolutely applies when you’re trying to explain complex new ideas to your team. A short video or a few slides with strong images can sometimes explain those complexities better than an email ever could.

cornerstone report cover for presentations

Let PaperDirect Tell Your Story

When it’s time to bring your ‘A’ game and make your point with confidence, it’s time to whip up a visual presentation. At PaperDirect, helping you make the most of these opportunities is our life’s work. We have an entire suite of supplies that will help you make your next visual presentation pop.

Papers, envelopes, report covers, and so much more are at your fingertips when you enlist PaperDirect to help with your next visual presentation. Contact us today and let one of our experts help make your next visual presentation a hit.

June 30, 2017

4th of July Office Party Ideas

Filed under: Seasonal & Special Events Ideas — PDWriter @ 5:08 pm

4th-of-July-Office-Party-Ideas-PaperDirect

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

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

Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Have Everyone Bring Their Favorite American Meals

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

Pass Out Sparklers

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

Play Some Games

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

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

Get Outside and Cook Some Food

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

However You Celebrate, PaperDirect Can Make It Special

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

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