As we ring in the New Year, now the perfect time to show your team how much you value their contributions. Celebrating employees isn’t just about boosting morale; it’s about fostering a culture of appreciation that drives engagement and teamwork throughout the year. Here are three simple but impactful ways to celebrate your employees as you start the New Year.
1. Write Handwritten Notes
In a world dominated by emails and instant messages, the personal touch of a handwritten note stands out. A few heartfelt sentences acknowledging an employee’s unique contributions or personal growth can make a lasting impression.
Handwritten notes are a thoughtful, low-cost way to express gratitude, and show employees you took the time to genuinely appreciate their hard work. Leave these notes on their desks, mail them to remote workers, or present them at a team meeting to make the moment extra special. Check out PaperDirect’s collection of beautiful thank-you cards!
2. Hold a Kickoff Event
Start the year with energy and excitement by organizing a kickoff event. This could be as simple as an in-office breakfast or as elaborate as a team-building retreat. Use the event to celebrate the team’s achievements from the previous year while setting a positive tone for the months ahead.
Kickoff events are also an excellent opportunity to outline company goals and inspire employees by sharing the bigger picture. Incorporating fun activities, awards, or even a motivational speaker can make the event memorable and meaningful. The goal is to create an environment where employees feel valued and energized for the year ahead.
3. Create a Recognition Board in a Common Space
A recognition board in a shared area is a simple yet effective way to celebrate employees all year round. Dedicate a physical board in the office, or a digital space for remote teams, where coworkers can post shout outs, thank-you notes, and highlight accomplishments.
Supply a nearby cabinet with fun letter paper, thank-you cards, and invitations so your employees will never run out of something positive to put on the board. Visible and interactive recognition keeps the spirit of appreciation alive daily, and creates a culture where everyone feels seen and valued.
Final Thoughts
Celebrating your employees in the New Year doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. Thoughtful gestures like handwritten notes, a fun kickoff event, or an ongoing recognition board can make a significant impact. By prioritizing employee appreciation, you’ll build a stronger, more motivated team ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the year ahead.
PaperDirect has the products you need for employee recognition, and so much more! With the best selection of employee recognition supplies, to high-quality and cost-effective stationery solutions, it’s no wonder why businesses across America choose us for their employee celebrations year after year.
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If you need ideas for rewarding employees without spending a great deal of money, you have come to the right place. Sure, you can take the easy way out and shoot off an email telling your employee he/she has done a great job, but there are more creative, personal, and meaningful ways to convey to your team that they are doing a fantastic job and that you appreciate their hard work.
Raises and bonuses are usually the most appreciated way of rewarding employee performance, dedication, and creativity, but company budgets don’t always allow for this type of recognition. Tell your employees you appreciate their great work with these creative, inexpensive means of employee recognition.
Praise is free, meaningful, personal. If you’re looking for a more tangible way to recognize a job well done, there are creative ways of rewarding employees.
Never underestimate the power of recognition. It boosts morale, motivates, inspires, creates feelings of self-worth and value, increases productivity, and fosters loyalty and dedication.
If you haven’t told your employees they’re doing a good job, they may have low morale, lack motivation, or do just enough to get the job done. While employees may appear to not need a pat on the back, everyone truly likes to hear they’re doing a good job every now and then. And with so many creative, inexpensive ways of rewarding employees, there’s no reason to put this off any longer.
If you need another excuse to blow off a Friday and spoil your staff, this is it! Host a company picnic to recognize your top employees and thank the entire crew for their hard work throughout the past year. And you know, a party isn’t a party unless it has a theme. Here are 12 unique company picnic themes and ideas that will make your celebration a blast.
The Classic Cookout
One of our favorite company picnic themes is the all-American BBQ. Fire up the grills, cook some hot dogs and hamburgers, and keep the event simple. Host the cookout on the lawn out back or at a nearby park. Or, go classic tailgating style and deck out the parking lot for a party.
Watermelon Eating Contest
Why not focus your company picnic around a ridiculous event, like a watermelon eating contest? You get to see who’s a competitive eater at heart and cheer on your co-workers. Bonus: Host a watermelon seed spitting contest for those with smaller appetites.
Country Dress Up
Encourage everyone to channel their inner cowgirls and cowboys for a western theme picnic. Bib overall, boots, flannel, and jeans are required attire at the casual Friday gathering.
Red, White, and Blue
Are you planning a company recognition party in July? Pair it up with Independence Day so you can flaunt the stars and stripes. Tell everyone to don red, white, and blue so you can look fabulous in a company team photo. Don’t forget the sparklers!
Chili Cookoff
Bring on a challenge! Inspire your staff to break into small teams and dig into their spice racks. Host a chili cookoff to pass a Friday afternoon. Require each team to assemble their chili in a slower cooker at the start of the day so you get to smell the entries cooking until it’s time for the afternoon picnic.
Ants in Your Pants
If the weather is unpredictable, convert the boardroom into picnic central. Red and white check tablecloths and plastic ants will transform the space into a park setting instantly. Supply a few kid’s games like Ants in Your Pants, Checkers or Jacks to play during lunch.
Potluck Party
Does your staff love bringing treats to work? Let them show off their culinary skills with a potluck picnic. Have each employee draw a card from a hat letting them know what to bring: salad, dessert, fruit, or entree.
Halloween Revival
Why wait until October to wear a goofy costume to work? Encourage your employees to raid their closets for past Halloween costumes and flaunt them at the picnic. If families are invited to the company event, encourage kids and spouses to dress up too.
The Royal Court
When it’s time to name the king and queen of the office, go royal. Prepare paper crowns for the top employees and treat everyone like royalty by putting on a medieval spread complete with giant grilled turkey legs and flutes filled with grape juice (or wine)!
Throwback Picnic
Pick an era and encourage everyone to dress the part. Neon clothes and big hair are perfect for a 1990s party. Or, get groovy by wearing bellbottoms and peace symbols for a 1960s theme.
Family Fun Day
Invite the employees and their families to the recognition picnic. Host the event at a park that allows pets, and encourage four-legged family members to attend. Kick off the day with a best tail wag and pet costume contest to break the ice!
Playtime Theme
Take a company field trip to the local roller rink, bowling alley, or climbing wall. Let the staff channel their inner kids with some playtime antics before the picnic lunch and announcements.
After you get the picnic catering scheduled and location booked, whip up some cute invites. Paper Direct has decorative paper featuring several company picnic themes ready and waiting for you to order online. Shop now!
When an employee gives impeccable customer service, celebrate it. Providing words of thanks and feedback to the employee not only boosts their confidence and shows your gratitude, but it also confirms they are adhering to the ideals and goals of the company. In moments like this, the employee’s supervisor should consider writing an employee recognition letter for customer service.
Not sure where to start? We’re pros at positive communication exchanges and know how to recognize a job well done. Let’s start writing.
Preparing Your Employee Recognition/Customer Service Letter
As you sit down to handwrite a beautiful card or type up a letter on company stationery (both are perfectly acceptable!), you’ll want to focus on three things:
Summarizing the admirable customer service moment
Why it was a notable exchange with a customer
Gratitude for the employee’s performance
The purpose of writing this letter to a stand-out staff member is to show how much their attentiveness is appreciated and noticed by customers and senior-level employees at the company.
Sample Letter to Celebrate an Employee
Here’s an example that you can customize to fit your profession, situation, and/or company structure to celebrate an employee’s interaction with a customer or a general trend of excellent service over time.
Dear Employee Name,
Here at Acme Health Supplies Inc., we strive to celebrate greatness when we see it, and this week you’re in the spotlight! We received a phone call from Mrs. Smith regarding your exchange on Friday to set up her new home delivery service. She was thrilled with your helpful tips, attention to detail, and complimented your courteous tone. This moment of stellar customer service was also noticed in the office by a few of your coworkers, who shared words of praise for your customer service skills.
We’ve always believed in giving our customers our undivided attention and working with them until every aspect of their transaction has been explained and understood. You achieved those goals and went above and beyond by tending to Mrs. Smith’s extra questions with patience and grace. You’ve set a noteworthy example in our office and for that, we thank you!
We’re so appreciative of your natural talents with our clientele that we’d like to use your phone call as an example of successful customer service in our training program. And of course, no good deed should go unrewarded. Please enjoy lunch on us this week at your favorite cafe with this gift card. Once again, we appreciate your outstanding representation of Acme Health Supplies Inc. and feel honored to have you on our team.
Sincerely,
Your Supervisor
That’s all there is to it! Recall the positive interaction, explain why it was great, and then show your appreciation. Whether your note is three sentences or three paragraphs long, your recognition will be appreciated.
As you start to brainstorm what to include in your letter, consider browsing our line of greeting cards and stationery. We are sure to have the perfect paper to complement your sentiments.
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Most years, these words typically have mixed emotions across the board—teachers might jokingly groan, parents are excited to send kids back to class, and the kids themselves aren’t so happy. This year, back to school has more emotions than ever before.
To help teachers and schools prepare for an uncertain 2020-2021 school year we have a few ideas for you to use to keep your students, teachers, and staff safe. Plus, they’re perfect for any school— from elementary school to middle school to high school.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.
1. Stock up on health and safety supplies.
In addition to the typical bandages and ointments, Masks, Sanitizer, and hand wipes are must-haves for every classroom for the upcoming school year. Having these supplies in every office and classroom will go a long way toward easing teachers’ and parents’ worries. And some Masks and Sanitizer options can be customized to match your school name and/or mascot.
2. Stock up on antimicrobial pens.
Pens are another must-have for any elementary, middle, or high school. Anti-microbial Pens eliminate pen sharing and the transfer of germs. Having these special pens around (or Anti-microbial Lanyards) is just one more way to make your school a little safer for everyone.
3. Set up Sanitizer Stations in common areas of your school.
Sanitizing stations can be as informal or elaborate as you want. You can set up a Sanitizer Pump on a hallway table or shelf and post a sign above the sanitizer, or purchase a special Sanitizer Station. Set up Sanitizer Stations in various common areas of your school, like entrances, cafeteria, gymnasium, by locker rooms, and offices.
4. Raise teacher morale with a Gift Set for each of them.
With all of the uncertainties teachers are facing, it’s the perfect time let them know how grateful you are for everything they do. Welcome teachers back to school with a Gift Set that is full of fun and functional gifts that will be used on a daily basis.
5. Brighten up your school and grounds with Signs and Banners.
It’s more important than ever to raise everyone’s spirits and keep morale up. There’s no better way to do that than with a colorful “Welcome Back” Yard Sign, poster, decals, and Banners. Whether they are displayed on your school’s front lawn, by school entrances or sidewalks, or inside on walls, bulletin boards, doors, or windows give everybody a warm welcome.
6. Post decals on walls and/or floors to encourage social distancing and hand washing.
Floor Decals are easy ways to create a one-way flow of traffic through school hallways. They are also essential for offices; they can be spaced 6′ apart to encourage visitors to maintain social distance in your school. Wall Decals are also must-have supplies. Secure a hand washing decal in every school bathroom.
In addition to the six above ideas, you can maintain a safe and healthy school environment with extra cleaning and disinfecting supplies. Use these supplies every day and try to schedule a deep cleaning once a week. No matter which ideas you choose to use in your elementary school, middle school, or high school, everyone will be a little safer for it.
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You have probably heard these words used in abundance to describe these current times, but we can think of a better one:
Thankful!
Given the current climate we are living in, it’s more important than ever to show and express your gratitude to all of your employees. We have five ideas that you can implement right away to let your employees know how much you truly appreciate them and all of their hard work–no matter if it’s onsite or at home.
Continue to recognize milestones like tenure and Employee of the Month.
Recognition of your teachers and employees does not have to stop just because most of them are working from home or remotely. If you are holding meetings through conference calls and/or websites and programs, take the time to spotlight these special employees with a presentation. Then, mail them a “recognition package” that includes quality awards, like Certificates, Jackets, and Lapel Pins. And don’t forget to include a Greeting Card or NoteCard with handwritten words of gratitude.
Send a “Thank You” note to your employees and consider a gift card.
When you think of thank you notes, you may think of weddings, birthdays, or graduation parties, but they can be used for employees, too! Whether you use a NoteCard, Greeting Card, or LetterTop Certificate, this is a great way to put those appreciative thoughts to paper. You can even personalize them with a unique message for each employee. If your budget allows, you can also include a gift card (printed or plastic) as a token of thanks.
Send or give a Gift Set.
Our Direct Ship program is the perfect way to send Gift Sets to all of your teachers and employees as a show of support whether they are working from home or onsite. Gift Sets are not only budget-friendly options for you, they offer fun and functional items that everybody can use. Sending Gift Sets directly to each employee’s home lets everyone know they are still an important and valued part of your team.
Send a Kit to help employees work from home.
Unique work-from-home kits are great ways to keep employees organized, “plugged in,” and even stress a little less. Most kits include some electronic accessories with a mix of standard desk supplies, so everyone is sure to a get a lot of use out of them. Kits are affordable ways to show your appreciation for everyone’s hard work and dedication.
Words of appreciation go a long way.
We understand you may have a tight budget to work with; sometimes a simple note of thanks goes a long way. Thank You NoteCards are always much appreciated–and if you mail them they will be attention grabbers because of their size! If you take a few minutes to write your own “thank you” message with a personal twist for each employee those notes will mean a lot more. Thank You Certificates are also a fun, motivational idea; employees can proudly display them at home. Even a simple Lapel Pin with a thank you message on it can say a lot.
We hope you can use at least one of these five ideas to say “thank you” to your employees. It’s so important right now to hear encouraging or motivational messages. No matter which idea you choose, the results will be much appreciated by your employees, teachers, volunteers, and more.
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Honor the employees that have gone above and beyond on the work that they have done. There are many ways that you can honor employees for their achievements. Recognizing and celebrating employee achievements should be frequent for your company and should honor dedicated employees.
Frequent Recognition
Continuous recognition for everything your employees do is a wonderful way to show that you are aware of their efforts. Specialty certificates are perfect for coordinating with a certificate jacket for stylish representation and display! Reward your employees right when they’ve gone above and beyond in their work. Recognize them with a certificate that recognizes their excellence in the work place.
Recognize Employee Loyalty
Honor the employees that have been loyal to your company! Recognize employees with pins that represent their years of hard work. Pins are wonderful recognition pieces because they can be keepsakes and proudly shown off. Honor the years of excellent service and volunteering with customizable certificates to add that personal touch.
Gift Certificate Award
Everyone loves a gift certificate to a restaurant or a movie theater! Make sure the gift certificate matches each employee’s personality; it’ll show just how much you care. Our gift certificates are desktop printable, which makes them wonderful customizing. Your employees will love this recognition and will spend the gift certificates gladly.
Recognizing employees’ hard work and commitment is perfect for keeping spirits high. Awarding employees frequently with certificates and plaques, acknowledging their loyalty, and handing out gift certificate awards or trophies are great ways to recognize employees. Visit PaperDirect for more stationery products that your employees will love
Recognizing students and staff is crucial in building a productive school environment. Create special recognitions at your school that will turn into traditions that your staff and students will love by congratulating them with a variety of tangible awards.
Student of the Month Awards
Creating a ceremony where students, parents, and teachers can come together to celebrate a student’s achievements is wonderful for recognizing students. When you recognize students for their exemplary academics and character, you set the right tone for how you want your students to act. Reward them with customizable certificates that they can display in their room and show off to their friends.
Teacher of the Month Awards
Recognizing teachers for their hard work really pays off. Have students vote for their favorite teachers, and recognize those teachers with breakfast and a ceremony. Award each teacher with a trophy they can display proudly on their desk or a plaque they can hang up on the wall. This recognition is great for celebrating a teacher’s hard work and dedication to their students.
Celebrate Staff Birthdays
Birthdays should be celebrated! Celebrate a staff member’s birthday by decorating their workspace with a customized banner. When they walk in and find their workspace decorated, they’ll be proud to work at a school that notices the details. If a staff member doesn’t like their birthday to be a big deal, create a custom message using a stylish border paper to recognize them in a smaller way.
Student Attendance Recognition
Not missing a day of school can be tricky for many students. This may be an achievement that goes unnoticed in some schools, but handing a student a certificate that acknowledges their dedication to their academics goes a long way. Complement their attendance certificate with a coordinating certificate jacket that’ll display their award beautifully.
Recognition Awards with Swag
Everyone loves some swag! Your staff will appreciate all the different ways they’ll be able to show their school pride: apparel, tumblers, and more! Show your appreciation by including some of these items in a gift basket or as a surprise gift in their mailbox. Your staff will be proud of their school as they walk through the halls with their cool items.
These award and recognitions ideas are great for building a happy school environment. Your students and staff will desire these recognitions and work hard for them. Recognize with style and use PaperDirect for all your recognition needs.
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Recognizing your students’ achievements has amazing outcomes. When you recognize individual student achievements with a tangible award, they will all feel appreciated and motivated to continue to work hard in the classroom.
Awarding Good Behavior
Awarding good behavior sets the foundation for your classroom and how your students should act. When students follow the rules of the classroom, you create a safe learning environment where students can learn without distractions. Award each outstanding student with a pin that they can show off in the classroom with pride.
Make Students Feel Appreciated
Recognizing your students’ achievements will let them know that you see their efforts and are proud of their achievements. An appreciated student won’t give up on their work and will feel like doing something that matters. Handing them a certificate that you have customized to be specific to that student is the perfect recognition gift.
Encourage Student Pride
When students have something they can be proud of, it shows in the way they act. Awarding students with trophies and plaques is a great way for them to feel a sense of pride. They’ll be able to show off their awards to their friends and family, or hang them up in their rooms. The pride that your students will feel in school will continue to move them in the right direction.
Motivate Students
Recognition is a great way to keep students motivated any time of year. When you introduce certificates, pins, trophies, and lanyards that can be awarded for different achievements it will motivate your students to work harder. This motivation will provide the drive your students need to excel in their studies.
Happy Students
Students that are successful with their studies are happy. By recognizing your students’ achievements, you are encouraging them to continue to work hard and be productive. When you reward your students you’ll make them feel appreciated and happy.
Making sure that you are recognizing achievement when you’re supposed to is important. Award your students with certificates, pins, and other recognition items to show that you appreciate all their hard work. Check out PaperDirect for more recognition items!
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Certificates are a great way to award teachers and students who are going above and beyond in their sports or studies. Traditional and styled certificates make great awards that turn into keepsakes. Show students and teachers you appreciate and recognize their achievements.
Graduation:
Graduation is a monumental part of a student’s life and should be celebrated in style. Awarding students with their diploma is one of the most important achievements in a student’s life. Choose between styled or traditional certificates that will be cherished forever.
Honor Roll:
Give your students the recognition they deserve! Students that have made it onto the honor roll have gone above and beyond in their studies and have achieved academic excellence. Award them with a stylish certificate that they can hang up in their room.
Student Of The Month:
Awarding a student for their achievement and excellent citizenship is what Student Of The Month is all about. When teacher’s hand students their certificate, it will become a keepsake they can show their parents and families. Choose a certificate that goes perfectly with your school’s colors.
Athlete Award:
Athletics is an important part of every school and exceptional athletes are hard to come by. Award your above and beyond athletes at your sports banquet or at the end of the year ceremony.
Teacher of the Month:
Teachers often times aren’t awarded properly but with the right certificate they can be! The teacher of the month is influential and important in a student’s life, recognizing and awarding those teachers is a great way to show teachers how much you appreciate them.
Celebrate and recognize your students and teachers the right way with customizable certificates. Handing them graduation diplomas, teacher awards, honor roll or excellence certificates is a wonderful way to award teachers and students. Don’t forget to check out PaperDirect for your entire certificate needs.
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Downsizing and restructuring is often part of business management, and ultimately, structured growth. If your company is preparing for a round of layoffs to improve the stability and positioning of your business, you need to make a conscious effort to boost employee morale after layoffs. Don’t let concerns or confusion linger among the remaining staff.
The Harvard Business Review reports that a “heightened level of employee dysfunction” is common after a downsizing situation. Thankfully, supervisors and top-level management can ease tension and fears regarding the future by implementing these ideas.
5 Ways to Boost Employee Morale after Layoffs
After the pink slips go out, and the remaining staff has been honestly informed of the purpose behind the company changes, the real work begins. Focus on career development, solidifying trust, and listening to the staff’s needs.
Focus on team-building. Hiring an outside speaker to conduct a workshop or creating an internal activity can help stimulate creativity, conversation, and trust among the staff. Be sure to reward top performers with small gifts to reinforce the company’s dedication to recognizing stand-out participation and skills.
Encourage open communication. Distribute information to senior staff regarding active listening skills and open-door policies they can use to encourage junior staff members to reach out with concerns during the transitional period. Employees want to feel heard and understood.
Present future plans. Be candid with the staff about how their work duties will change and future hiring plans to ease their new workloads. Is an increase in tasks temporary or a new long-term expectation? Be clear about timelines and job description changes in the new office environment.
Offer a support system. As your company adapts to changes, roll out helpful training courses, bring in workplace morale counselors, and schedule team meetings that empower employees to do their best. You can’t expect success from employees who feel unguided or confused about a shift in duties or new co-worker collaborations.
Celebrate current value. Everyone loves to know what they’re doing right and receive praise. After a round of layoffs, a little reassurance can help stabilize trust in the company and the employees’ places in it. Take the time to thank individuals for their contributions, positive office attitudes, and adaptability to the changes.
Boost the morale at your company by keeping employee recognition gifts on hand and presenting them often. From certificates to trophies, PaperDirect offers a variety of motivational products to boost the spirit and confidence of your hard-working team.
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Just because remote employees are out of sight doesn’t mean they should be out of mind. Even if they can’t participate in on-site team building and camaraderie events, you can help ensure they aren’t left out or go unrecognized. Make sure they know they’re a valuable part of your organization with these ideas for providing employee recognition for remote teams.
Virtual Bulletin Board
Your in-office bulletin board may be packed with employee updates, kudos, photos, and other fun stuff that enhance business relationships. Take that same bulletin board concept and put it online. Create a space where remote team members can post funny pictures, cartoons, and comments to each other. This type of open forum can help your remote employees feel less isolated and more involved with your company.
Remote Employee Awards and Rewards
Doling out regular awards or rewards can be a spectacular way to provide employee recognition for remote teams. Create a lineup of awards that are for remote workers only and hand them out on a weekly or monthly basis. Get staff involved by having coworkers nominate each other for the awards.
In addition to awards, you can set up a reward system where remote employees earn points for receiving weekly or monthly honors. You can then let them redeem the points for things like gift cards, subscriptions, and memberships.
Online Recognition Tools
Make it easy for team members and managers alike to publicly recognize and thank remote employees by setting up an online recognition platform for sharing praise and words of encouragement. Establishing an easy way to send e-cards and other personalized messages is another idea that can help workers thank and connect with each other.
Offline Recognition Tools
While e-cards and online recognition platforms are fast and easy, sending handwritten notes and thank you cards can provide a truly personal touch. Keep a few boxes of different thank you cards in stock so managers and coworkers can create and send out personalized praise.
You can keep the good vibes going by also sending out birthday cards or cards marking other important dates, like work anniversaries, to remote team members and in-house employees alike.
These ideas for providing employee recognition for remote teams can help remote employees feel included, valued, and an integral part of your company. Regularly delivering positive reinforcement to remote employees can go a long way toward making them proud to deliver exceptional work. Don’t forget to check out PaperDirect for everything you need to recognize and thank your remote team.
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Does your school need a few extra helping hands when it comes to fundraisers and event planning? Call on your alumni – literally. Pull up your database of bachelors, masters, and doctoral graduates when structuring your university’s alumni volunteer program.
This dedicated group of university fans brings genuine enthusiasm and first-person authenticity to each project you tackle.
Where Can They Help?
Alumni volunteers quickly connect on a personal level to current students, making them the perfect representatives at college job fairs, student recruitment efforts, college club events and on-campus fundraising activities.
They can also step in and assist with everyday events. Ask your alumni if they want to take tickets at sporting, musical, and theatre events. Alternatively, they can run the snack bar during games and intermissions. They can also be on homecoming or phone-a-thon committees.
Does your university have a mentoring program? Alumni are great at coaching younger students on career path choices, class selection, and preparing for job interviews.
Recruiting Alumni To the Program
Now that you see the value in welcoming past students back to campus, how can you do it? A multi-faceted approach to recruitment will reach the most students.
Mention the alumni volunteer program on the university’s email newsletter
Let communications students create television and radio ads
Make announcements at university events
Finally, make a few personalized phone calls to key alumni and ask them to come back to campus and help the younger students grow. Emphasize how much you appreciated their contributions while they were enrolled and how they can pass that enthusiasm on to the new group of upcoming graduates.
Celebrate Your Volunteers
Once your program is up and rolling, let your volunteers know how much you admire their dedication to the university. Plan an annual volunteer appreciation event. Whether it’s an on-campus catered picnic or a more formal evening dinner gathering, your gratitude will be loud and clear.
At the event, host an awards ceremony to recognize your long-term and most dedicated alumni volunteers. Present small trophies or awards certificates to mark the occasion. We also love creating photo slideshows of the volunteers in action on campus and recognizing them in the alumni publications to help inspire others to reach out to their alma mater and become part of the college culture once again.
Are you ready to start planning? PaperDirect can help you stock up on small gifts, trophies, and certificates to present to your volunteers. Browse our online store today!
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Naming an employee of the month is a great way to recognizing your top performers’ hard work and dedication to the company. With all the effort they put into their job, they deserve more of a thank you than their picture on the wall. Why not give your employees of the month a unique treat instead? Transform your employee of the month recognition from a rather ho-hum honor to an enticing goal with these five spectacular ideas.
Free Lunch
Employee of the month recognition can be delicious when it means a free lunch. Pick a trendy restaurant near the office, or let the honored employee choose one from a pre-approved list. Then tell your employee to order in or head out on their lunch hour, with you picking up the tab for their meal.
Goodie Basket
Get a basket and fill it with items you know your employees would like. Choose a collection of munchies that fits the particular employee, with options that include fruit, granola bars, gourmet cheese, or candy. Non-food items can also work – think sketch pads, gift certificates, scented candles, or coffee mugs.
Supply Box
Keep your employee of the month recognition work-related by gifting a supply box filled with items they can use on the job. Ideas here run the gamut from colored sticky notes to pen sets to personalized memo pads to planners.
Certificate or Trophy
Certificates and trophies are superb for letting your employees of the month display their honor on their desk or wall as long as they wish. Get a batch of high-quality certificate paper and print up your own awards every month, or choose to have them custom printed and framed.
Choose from trophies shaped like stars, circles, or half-moons, all of which can be engraved. If springing for a trophy every month may be a bit much, invest in a single trophy that gets passed around month-to-month to the person who nabs the honor.
Paid Time Off
While you may want to reserve a paid week of vacation for your employees of the year, add an extra day to your employees of the month’s allotted PTO. Review the employee’s schedule, and then have them pick a day that works for you both. Even your best employees would love an extra day to relax!
With so many enticing options for employee of the month recognition, it may be tough to pick just one. Feel free to rotate the recognition ideas every year, or even on a quarterly basis. And yes, if you’re a big fan of the photo in the hallway, you can still keep that tradition, too. Just strengthen the honor with an additional perk that makes sure employees know you truly value their work. Check outPaperDirect for more ways to recognize your hardworking employee of the month.
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The primary goals of employee reward and recognition programs are simple: attract and retain amazing talent. So, we shower them with awards, praise, and tokens of appreciation to express our gratitude for their service and dedication. But, are we doing it right? And well enough?
The research pros at Gallup, Inc. found, “only one in three workers in the U.S. strongly agree that they received recognition or praise for doing good work in the past seven days” and that many workers feel their best efforts are ignored. These folks are twice as likely to quit their jobs in the coming year.
In short: We need to do better. Here are a few ways for leaders and managers in your organization to recognize accomplishments, boost employee motivation, increase company loyalty, and meet employee retention rate goals.
Individual Personalized Outreach
The gold standard for employee recognition relies on one-on-one communication from a top-level colleague. We want to hear positive words from our supervisor or the head of the company. Gallup, Inc. found the most memorable and meaningful recognition came from the employee’s manager (28 percent), the company’s leader or CEO (24 percent), or the supervisor over the individual’s boss (12 percent).
The outreach should be genuine and personal. Taking a few minutes to chat about accomplishments and share a handshake speaks volumes to an employee. Writing a note on quality stationery or in a thank you card also makes a big impact.
Employee of the Month/Year
The next most effective form of recognition is based on individual outreach in a public forum. When a supervisor presents a certificate, award, or verbal praise for an individual employee in front of his or her peers, the impact is two-fold. The employee feels appreciated, and the staff learns more about the company culture, possibly feeling inspired to aspire to a similar experience.
Explore this option by creating your own employee of the week, month, or year depending on what feels appropriate for your industry. Make the announcement public and available for the entire staff to enjoy, whether it’s in the form of a meeting or morning announcement.
Individual Evaluations and Reviews
Although it’s not glamorous or public, employees feel valued when you take the time to sit with them and review their goals and performance within the company structure. These evaluations give both the supervisor and employee a chance to discuss improvement, promotions, and future opportunities. Again, personalization and direct communication with a superior at the company is key.
This form of recognition is usually part of an annual employee performance review. In a smaller office setting, this sort of check-in would be valuable after completing large company projects every few months or even on a monthly basis. Consider pairing the reviews with an employee appreciation day to enliven the workday.
Peer-to-Peer Recognition
Gallup, Inc. finds that you really can’t give too much feedback or recognition. They feel it should be all-encompassing and come from supervisors, peers, clients, and customers to really make an impact.
Share shout-outs for individual employees on customer surveys. Allow peers to nominate their co-workers for company awards. Encourage immediate supervisors to recognize when an employee excels in accordance with the company culture, purpose, or brand.
Are you ready to overhaul your company’s employee reward and recognition programs? Find everything you need to acknowledge your amazing employees at PaperDirect today!
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Volunteers are the backbone of your organization. In fact, you might have a hard time running your organization without them. With Volunteer Recognition Day celebrated every April 20, you can show your appreciation with a lineup of volunteer recognition awards.
Make your volunteer recognition awards extra special by choosing unique award titles that creatively highlight different claims to fame. Here are some ideas for awesome awards to bestow on your hardworking volunteers:
Biggest Heart Award
Whether it’s to lend an ear, show up for an extra shift, or dedicate an entire weekend to service, the Biggest Heart volunteer is always there to help. This volunteer is kind, compassionate, gracious, and always giving to others.
Early Bird Award
You know that volunteer that’s always standing outside the door when you open, eagerly waiting to start working? It doesn’t matter if it’s raining, snowing, hailing, or even Daylight Savings Time. This guy or gal is first in line, waiting to help out your organization.
You’re not sure if you’ve seen this person frown, ever. When things are tough, they’re smiling. When things are great, they’re grinning even bigger. This volunteer brings a smile to your doorstep every time he or she arrives, sharing it freely with everyone inside.
Band-Aid Award
Things go wrong from time to time in every organization, and the luckiest organizations have a volunteer who can always fix what’s gone wrong. Creative solutions, rapid action, and remedying any situation are the claims to fame of the recipient worthy of the Band-Aid Award.
On-the-Spot Award
Maybe three volunteers didn’t show up, or you need extra help to quash a crisis. The person who always comes through in a pinch deserves the On-the-Spot Award. They are, after all, always on the spot whenever you call and need them most.
Eternal Service Award
You may be lucky to have a volunteer that has been with the organization since the beginning, continues to show up and suit up every week, and is likely to stick with you far into the future. The Eternal Service Award honors the volunteer for ongoing service – a kind of lifetime achievement award in the world of volunteers.
Now that you have a solid idea of the types of volunteer recognition awards you want to dole out, all you need to do is get some qualitycertificate paper and lapel pins and make the awards happen.PaperDirect has an array of options you can have customized or print up on your office printer – stock up today!
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April 15th is Stress Awareness Day, and aren’t we all aware of it! While it can be tempting to overlook holidays that seem minor, this one can be a big deal for employees. After all, who doesn’t want a less stressful workplace? Here are seven tips on how to reduce stress at work on Stress Awareness Day and throughout the year to create a happy, healthy working environment.
1. Host a yoga class
Even the biggest skeptic will find themselves relaxed after a good yoga session. Whether or not your employees all buy into the spiritual aspects of the practice, everybody will benefit from a set time to relax, stretch, and focus on feeling grounded in their bodies.
2. Hire a masseuse for the day
While bringing in a masseuse may seem like an obvious way to reduce stress at work, it’s still a good one! Hire a masseuse (or several, if you work at a large company) to offer employees chair massages throughout the day. Your employees will find their stress melting away after a few blissful minutes in the chair.
3. Bring in a mindfulness speaker
Your company might have a long list of speakers and conferences planned, but these tend to be targeted toward new business or productivity. If you can tell your employees would benefit from a bit of a breather, find a speaker who can talk about mindfulness or stress management, and give your employees better ways to manage their stress even after Stress Awareness Day.
4. Make sure your employees get their lunch breaks
Workday breaks are important year round! It’s so easy to get into the habit of eating at your desk, even if you don’t have work piling up. However, one of the quickest ways to reduce stress is to make sure all of your employees have their lunch break to move around, leave the office, and give their brain a break.
5. Finish work early
If you’re wondering how to reduce stress at work in a major way, even for the day, try cutting down work hours! Surprise your employees by closing down after lunch on a Friday (or, if you have a more meticulous bunch, give them warning at the beginning of the week). Either way, a half day won’t cost you much in productivity, but it’ll go a long way to knock down stress levels a couple of notches.
6. Encourage workouts
Give employees incentives to hit the gym or take a walk – offer a gym membership discount, bring in instructors for a lunchtime workout, or set up flexible hours to accommodate gym hours. Working out while you’re working hard can be challenging to balance, but we all know regular exercise is a major way to reduce stress at work.
7. Reward your employees’ hard work
Take some time to reward and celebrate your employees for their hard work. Whether it’s a lapel pin, a new tumbler for their desk, or a nice certificate, honoring their achievements at work can help reduce employee’s worries that they’re not performing well. Small rewards also serve as a good reminder to employees that even when their job stresses them out, you appreciate and value their hard work.
If you’re looking for more ways to show your employees that you appreciate them on Stress Awareness Day or any other day of the year, PaperDirect has everything you need to say thanks! Shop our range of employee recognition gifts and certificates today.
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A diploma reflects your academic achievements and personal growth, but what happens once the ceremony is over? If your diploma is gathering dust on a shelf or languishing in a drawer, it’s time to give it the honor it deserves.
Framing your high school or college diploma is not just about display; it’s a way to preserve it, enhance your space, and celebrate your accomplishments. Whether you are searching for professional, creative, or handcrafted ideas, we’ve got you covered. This guide will inspire you with creative options to proudly showcase your diploma at home or in your workspace.
Why Frame Your Diploma?
Before exploring the variety of diploma framing ideas, let’s understand why framing truly matters.
Celebrate a Milestone: Mark your academic and personal achievements with a fitting display.
Motivational Decor: A well-framed diploma in your office or home serves as a constant reminder of what perseverance can achieve.
Professional Aesthetic: Create a polished look for your office or library, leaving a lasting impression on clients, coworkers, or guests.
Preservation: Protect your diploma from wear and tear, moisture, and fading over time with a high-quality frame.
Showcase Your Diploma in a Shadowbox
For a display-worthy keepsake, consider showcasing your diploma in a shadowbox. Shadowboxes add depth and dimension, allowing you to incorporate other meaningful items alongside your diploma. They are ideal for graduates who want an eye-catching display that captures their academic journey.
Personalization Ideas:
Include award ribbons, honor cords, medals, or lapel pins from your graduation ceremonies.
Customize the backing with school colors or opt for a timeless black felt background.
Add a small engraved plaque with your graduation date for a personalized touch.
Decorate a Custom Frame Yourself
Feeling crafty? Take a plain wooden frame and transform it into a personalized masterpiece. Decorating a frame lets you add a touch of creativity and make it uniquely yours.
DIY Decoration Ideas:
Paint it in your school colors or incorporate your high school’s or college’s mascot/logo and graduating class year.
Glue on seashells, ribbons, charms, or medals to create a themed frame—for instance, coastal decor for seaside universities.
Add 3D elements inspired by your academic field (e.g., small globes for geography majors).
Display Your Diploma with a Leatherette Award Board
For a sleek and classic option, consider a leatherette award boardfor personal and professional settings. This traditional frame style slips your diploma into an acetate overlay while exuding sophistication and professionalism. Pair them with certificates, awards, or framed graduation photos for a cohesive display.
Why Choose Leatherette Boards?
They suit office shelves or professional settings due to their timeless and minimalistic look; they also take up less space!
Available in multiple color options to match your interior decor.
Mount Multiple Diplomas on Engraved Plaques
For graduates with multiple degrees under their belt, coordinating engraved plaques offer an impressive way to display them together. This setup is perfect for academic offices or home study spaces, creating a showcase that celebrates your lifelong learning.
Tips for Displaying Multiple Diplomas:
Arrange your associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate diplomas side by side.
Add engraved plates beneath each diploma to note the degree type and graduation year.
Choose a wooden plaque kit for a substantial and cohesive display of each diplomas.
Mat and Frame Your Diploma Professionally
A traditional, professional framing style is always a trusted choice for showcasing diplomas in formal environments. A professionally matted and framed diploma is ideal for office spaces where a polished and authoritative tone is key.
Framing Tips:
Select Mat Colors: Black or cream mats are timeless and versatile, but incorporating school colors can add a personal touch.
Add a Protective Glass Cover: This ensures the diploma is safeguarded from dust and smudges.
Coordinate with Decor: Match the frame and mat to your room’s aesthetic for a seamless look.
Create a Diploma Collage Frame
Celebrate more than just the diploma itself by creating a collage frame that captures the spirit of your entire graduation experience. This option allows you to combine sentimental memories alongside your achievement, making it a wonderful piece for your home or work office.
What to Include:
Center your diploma in the largest mat opening.
Surround it with graduation photos, ceremony invitations, or programs.
Add keepsakes like your tassel or a personalized thank-you note.
Choosing the Right Frame Style for Your Diploma
When selecting the perfect frame, consider the wide variety of styles and materials available to match your personal preferences and budget. The right frame style can elevate your diploma into an integral part of your home or office decor.
Traditional vs. Modern: Traditional wooden frames evoke warmth, while sleek metal frames offer a contemporary feel.
Acrylic Frames: Lightweight and casual, acrylic frames are ideal for informal settings like dorm rooms or apartments.
Custom vs. Pre-Made: Pre-made frame options save time, while custom frames allow for unique, tailored designs.
DIY Diploma Framing Tips
Want to try your hand at framing your diploma yourself? Here are some tips to ensure a successful DIY framing project:
Use Acid-Free Materials: Prevent yellowing and damage by choosing acid-free backing and mats.
Measure Carefully: Precision is key to avoid gaps or uneven mounting.
Get Creative: Incorporate embellishments like stickers, small keepsakes, or personalized messages.
Save on Costs: Explore budget-friendly DIY kits or repurpose existing frames from thrift stores.
Where to Shop for Diploma Frames
Whether you’re looking for a custom frame or a simple DIY option, there are plenty of places to shop for quality diploma frames:
Online Stores: Browse e-commerce sites offering customizable frames that are known for their wide range of certificate frames and recognition products.
Local Frame Shops: Visit brick-and-mortar stores to compare materials and get guidance from experts.
Custom Framing Services: Ideal for unique diplomas or personalized designs that require professional care.
Explore PaperDirect’s collection to find everything from classic leatherette frames to engraved plaques that highlight your achievement.
Display Your Diploma with Pride
Your diploma is more than just a document; it’s a testament to your perseverance, dedication, and growth. By framing it thoughtfully, you’re giving your accomplishment the recognition it deserves while protecting it for years to come.
Whether you prefer a sleek leatherette award board or a sentimental collage frame, there’s a perfect option to match your style. Explore creative ideas, experiment with DIY options, or go for professional matting and framing to showcase your success.
Are you ready to make your diploma stand out? Browse the diploma frames at PaperDirect and turn your achievement into a keepsake that inspires pride and admiration every day!
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Making the Dean’s List is a big deal, and your school needs to produce a certificate worthy of the honor. While no national standard dictates what a Dean’s List certificate must look like and include, most schools follow a similar format to ensure they produce an official certificate that contains all of the essential information.
Information to Include
At the very least, your dean’s list certificate needs to include:
Title of the award, such as Dean’s List Award, or simply Dean’s List
Name of university or college
Name of recipient
Semester and year the certificate is being awarded
Official signature(s)
Certificates may be signed by the dean, deans from different departments, or other administrative members authorized to bestow the award.
Design Elements
For the most official, traditional look, it’s imperative to pay attention to several design elements.
School Logo or Seal
The school logo refers to an emblem that can be printed on the certificate, while the seal is created by a sticker or stamp that creates an imprint. One or the other is typically used on a dean’s honor list certificate, with the logo frequently appearing near the top center of the certificate and the seal often appearing in a bottom corner. Choose a Seal that comes with an embossed design or create your own with a blank foil seal and Custom Embosser.
Font
The font style sets up the overall vibe of the certificate, with the most official and traditional often using an Old English type font. For a less fussy look, a straightforward font such as Bookman Old Style can work. Use no more than two different types of font on the certificate to retain a crisp and clean look.
Font sizes can vary, with larger lettering for the heading and important information and a smaller font size for less crucial information.
Certificate Paper
A dean’s list certificate is not the place to skimp on paper. You will want to use high-quality paper designed specifically forawards and certificates. Attractive options for a dean’s list can include:
Border Specialty Certificates: Keep it simple and elegant with a light background enclosed by a foil accent border on 38-lb stock.
Charisma Specialty Certificates: Add a rich layer of color with a full-color option featuring 38-lb stock and a silver foil-accented design.
When finalizing your design, make sure you adjust your layout to account for any borders on your certificate paper.
These tips can help ensure your dean’s list certificate makes a stunning statement, providing a tangible testament to all the hard work and dedication that went into receiving it. To start creating your Dean’s List certificate today, browse PaperDirect’s certificate and recognition options.
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College can be an incredibly fun time for students, but it’s not without its challenges. Between juggling homework, theses, and job applications, your students are likely stressed out much of the time!
While you can’t help them manage their busy schedules, you can acknowledge their hard work and unique quirks with fun and meaningful awards. Try out some of these award ideas for college students to boost morale in your university.
1. Superlatives
Superlative awards are one of the most popular parts of high school. Almost anyone can recall at least category from when they graduated, like Best Couple, Class Sweetheart, or Most Likely to Succeed. You can easily adapt this concept for college. Try some fun ideas that poke a little fun, while still showing your students you know them as individuals. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Most Likely to Drink 5 Cups of Coffee in One Class
Most Likely to Wear Pajamas in Class or Most Likely to Wear a Suit to Class
Most Likely to Know the Answer to Every Question
Most Likely to Start a Debate Over Anything
Most Likely to Take Impeccable Notes
2. Awards for High-performing Students
Giving high-performing students a small award, either in class or in privacy, for their achievements is a gesture that can go a long way. Extra validation can make a big difference, especially during high-pressure times like midterms or finals. Hand out certificates acknowledging one of the following achievements:
Top Math/History/Biology Student of the Year
Top Grade in the Course
Highest Test Score
3. Rewards for Students Who Study Together
Students often study together during college – there’s so much work to be done, and it always goes faster when you’re in a group! If you have a student you know shows up to help support others during test prep, reward them for their willingness and ability to cooperate with others. Some ideas to help recognize their collaboration are:
Most Dedicated Study Group
Biggest Team Player
Best Group Project of the Semester
The Test Prep Dream Team
4. Awards for Students with Perfect Attendance
If your class is at 8 AM, then this is one of those award ideas for college students that should be mandatory! College students have a lot going on, so simply making it to class all the time is an achievement that deserves acknowledgment. Whether it’s a certificate or a gift card for the local coffee shop to keep them punctual, it’s a worthwhile thing to celebrate. Awards relating to punctuality can include:
Most Punctual
Most Likely to Be the First to Class
Perfect Attendance
Most Visits to Office Hours
5. Certificates for Students Who Audited the Course
Students audit courses for a variety of reasons, but since they don’t receive official credit, giving students who audit a class an award is worthwhile. While all students are pursuing their educations and broadening their horizons by attending college, there’s something extra special about students taking on a course just for the sake of learning. Reward students who often go unacknowledged for going above and beyond with a certificate of completion.
No matter what awards you choose to celebrate your college students this season, PaperDirect has the certificates, trophies, and other awards you need to thank them for their hard work – or dedication to wearing PJs to class. Browse our range of recognition products today!
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