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Celebrating Accomplishments with Awards

As 2016 draws to a close, many of you may be in the midst of planning a holiday party or end of year party. Traditionally, this is a time of year when many businesses, organizations, schools, and nonprofits take a moment to celebrate their milestones—and that includes recognizing exceptional contributions or achievements. One way to do so is with by giving your staff, business partners, colleagues, or honorees a thoughtful holiday gift. Another way to honor hard work and loyalty is through special awards, plaques, or certificates.

If you’re giving awards out to your top dealers or franchisees, who’ve made great successes in advancing your business, or if you’re recognizing the accomplishments made at your nonprofit, school, or other organization, we’re here to help you choose an appropriate way to celebrate. If you need a way to recognize members at an end of year industry event for your trade association, professional organization, clubs, school or organization, we can help you find an award that stands out.

Here are a few special mementos you may find fitting for any of these occasions:

#1. Paperweights
paperweight
Both strikingly gorgeous and useful, crystal paperweights are a great reminder to your employees, business partners, colleagues, or honorees of how much they are valued. With your logo appearing alongside words of recognition and achievement, this attractive gift will be a stately presence on any desk, bringing smiles year-round.
#2. Plaques

plaque

If you want to recognize someone’s accomplishments, a plaque is a good choice. There are many decoration and branding options available, allowing your organization to craft a meaningful message in honor of the occasion. It will likely find a place of honor on that person’s office or cubicle wall, reminding them each day of how much they are appreciated.
#3. Crystal Awards

crystal-award

These glittering awards aren’t just for awards shows you see on TV. They are also perfect for a major occasion such as a holiday party or a gala in which you are honoring and celebrating the accomplishments of your team. A crystal award is an enduring symbol of the esteem in which you hold your awardee, and it will be cherished for years to come.
#4. Trophy Cups

trophy-cup

As sports fans know well (especially hockey fans with their Stanley Cup), a trophy cup represents the pinnacle of achievement and success. If there is someone you know who has truly excelled in their role, surpassing all expectations or perhaps having contributed a lifetime’s worth of career accomplishments, this is an elegant and memorable way to honor them.

There are, of course, many other varieties and versions of the awards you see here—this is just a curated list to get you started. If you’re thinking about what gifts to get your employees, colleagues, clients, or honorees in a more general sense, check out our tips on corporate holiday gift-giving. We also have some pointers on how to plan a holiday or year-end party that everyone will enjoy.

Wondering if there are other kinds of awards that might be a good choice for a holiday party or other occasion you have in mind? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for advice. If you could benefit from some creative and collaborative brainstorming, we’d be happy to share some recommendations. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise you on custom branded promotional products that can represent your brand with style and grace.

5 Gift-Giving Tips for the Holiday Season

The holidays are almost here! Although we haven’t seen many decorations go up yet here in New York, that will likely change right after Halloween. If you’re thinking of giving corporate gifts over the holidays or if you’re beginning to plan a holiday party, you might be at a loss for what type of gift to select. Never fear! We’re here to help. Here are 5 gift-giving tips for the holiday season that will help make sure your present is met with a warm smile of appreciation.

5 holiday season gift-giving tips:

  1. Get them something they’ll like. Gifts are most appreciated when they speak to someone’s unique interests. Does your client or employee has a favorite sport, a special hobby, or a pastime that they particularly enjoy? Then select a gift to match, like a Moleskine journal for a budding writer, a cheese plate for a foodie, or a power bank for a gadget-loving techie whose batter is always running low.
  2. Take care with the presentation. Although the gift itself is the star of the show, presentation also matters. Make sure to have your gift festively or stylishly wrapped so that it will make a positive impression, and don’t forget to add a personalized, handwritten note to show you’ve taken special care in selecting the present.
  3. Take cost into consideration. No one wants to receive a cheap-looking gift, but it can also be awkward to receive an excessively expensive present. Aim instead for a thoughtful, quality gift that is not ostentatious but in good taste. If you have a corporate gift-giving policy, it may spell out precisely what you are allowed to spend on holiday gifts.
  4. Be careful about regifting. Although regifting is becoming more commonplace, many people still prefer to receive an original gift that was selected just for them. You want to convey genuine feeling and sincerity, so make sure that the gift is still something they will like. It’s also wise to avoid regifting a present if the original giver is either likely to be there or could somehow find out. For more etiquette tips, check out our post on etiquette for corporate holiday gift giving.
  5. Be the life of the party. If you’re giving a gift to a group of people in an office, make sure there’s enough of it for everyone to enjoy. Generosity is always appreciated at this time of year, so you may want to opt for a nice gift basket, chocolate truffles, or a cookie tin that is loaded with tasty goodies.

Are you wondering how you can surprise and delight someone with the right gift this holiday season? We’d be happy to recommend some fitting choices that will thoughtfully express your gratitude and appreciation. Check out our holiday board on Pinterest, reach out to us on Twitter and Facebook, or call us at 877-881-6845. We’ll be glad to advise on ways you can make a positive impression through well selected gifts.

6 Tips for Hosting a Company Gathering That’s Actually Fun

Is your company or organization planning a retreat or a picnic this summer? We’ve got some good news and some bad news for you. When the staff finds out that there’s an organization-wide event planned that they have to attend, you’re going to see a couple of people rolling their eyes and muttering about “mandatory fun” while looking for the exit. And it’s understandable—such gatherings can often be pretty boring and feel contrived.

But here’s the good news: they don’t have to be! If you feel like you’re fresh out of ideas for ways to actually make your summer get-together enjoyable for all involved, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Here are 6 tips for hosting a company gathering that’s actually fun!

6 tips for hosting a fun company gathering:

  1. Let employees have input into the day’s programming. Company-wide events aren’t usually met with much enthusiasm when they’re planned in a top-down or hierarchical manner. You may want to create a planning group to organize the event. That way the responsibility won’t fall solely on one person and you’ll get more creative suggestions for fun things to do that a range of people will actually like.
  2. Allow people to enjoy the event in their own way. Chances are, your company or organization has a mix of personality types in it. Some folks love to be a part of large groups; others are more likely to enjoy themselves in one-to-one conversations with less noise and bustle. Consider these dynamics when planning your event and avoid making it a one size fits all affair.
  3. Offer games and contests with fun prizes. Everybody loves a good contest, especially when they win! If you’ve got a picnic planned, that might be a great opportunity for a softball game or a relay race. Not all contests have to be sports-related, though–you could host a trivia challenge or a game show! Events that are relevant to your company culture and brand values are especially likely to be a success. Whatever you choose, offer meaningful prizes and gifts that your staff will enjoy—a battery pack for gadgets like smartphones is a crowd pleaser, while Bluetooth speakers are also a hit (and may get some great music going later that day!).
  4. Provide branded gifts that the staff will enjoy. Contests are great, but there’s also another opportunity to increase the excitement at your retreat or picnic. Many companies and organizations give out special branded items at these events as a thank you to the staff. Such giveaways include temporary tattoos, caps, sunscreen, sunglasses, water bottles, picnic blankets, duffel bags, tote bags, or coolers—all items that come handy during the summer months. As with contest prizes, it’s a good idea to make sure that your branded giveaways are consistent with your brand image and values.
  5. Have entertainment or an educational component. If you’re hosting a picnic, your focus should be on providing a relaxing, fun experience for everyone. Consider providing some entertainment such as live music or a magician. If you’re hosting a retreat, then you might want to have an educational offering. This could be an excellent, inspiring speaker or a presentation on something truly innovative that is happening in your industry. You could also take a moment to recognize staff that have been with the company for many years or that have made remarkable contributions with an award certificate or an award plaque.
  6. Provide good food and beverages. If someone’s been working hard on an important project all week, the last thing they want is to have another task added to their plate. This includes cooking or preparing a dish for a mandatory company get-together. If you’re requiring that everyone at the company or organization attend your event, lighten the load and the atmosphere by providing good food and beverages that they can responsibly enjoy.

Planning a summer gathering? We have protective branded items for summer corporate outings, summer camps, company retreats and picnics. Looking for some ideas for promotional products that might be a good fit for your business this summer? Check out our Fun Promotional Summer Gifts board on Pinterest! Or get in touch with us on Twitter and Facebook or call us at 877-881-6845 and we’ll be glad to advise you on exceptional promotional products that can represent your brand with style and grace.

Tip #6: Keep up with the Weather Forecast


Today is our fifth post in our series matching Lifehacker’s Top 10 Outdoor Tips for a More Pleasant Summer list with some suggestions of our own for how to increase the summer pleasure quotient of clients, customers or hard-working staff. Not all summer days are sunny and fair and we like to be prepared for all possibilities. There are loads of apps out there to help us stay on top of what’s coming weather-wise, but just in case, why not send out Fold N Go Fisher hats or hooded ponchos to keep customers and clients from getting unexpectedly drenched. And if your business or product is directly related to rain fall, you might want to consider sending out a branded rain gauge to remind customers of what you do, as they track the rain fall this summer.

May is National Bike Safety Month

Ever wanted to share your passion for biking with your customers and staff? Or promote your organization or products at the same time as you encourage healthy, eco-friendly habits? May is National Bike Month and the perfect opportunity to encourage your staff and customers to start pedaling! And better yet, start pedaling safely and comfortably with our wide-selection custom branded bike products.

And for a view into the future (maybe) check out this lightweight flexible bike lock by TiGR. It’s not on the market yet so we haven’t tried it, but in form and function the “Titanium Lock as Cool as your Bike” looks very promising. Even if your bike isn’t that cool.

And for a charming view into the past check Cyclist’s Special produced by the British Rail film board in 1955.

Inspired? Want to participate in a Bike Month special event in your zip code? Find Bike Month Events from the League of American Bicyclists.

Promotional Gift Ideas for Summer

All summer long we’re going to be brainstorming ideas for new and exciting promotional items and gift-giving ideas for the season–while we’re lounging poolside, of course! There are plenty of affordable ways to promote your business, brand or project for the warm weather. One of our favorite ideas is a 6-inch multicolor inflatable beach ball, which gives you big fun at a little price. There’s plenty of space to place a logo, picture or slogan, and they’re easy and affordable to ship too. Mail them as invitations in a standard envelope or give them away at a summer beach party! Another great beach/backyard gift is a 9-inch recycled fun flyer. Made from recycled material with an enhanced biodegradility additive, it’s a fun, eco-friendly way to promote your message all summer long.

Summer isn’t the time of year people expect corporate gifts, so why not surprise your very best, valued clients with a special family gift that will keep you and your business on their minds all season? The portable Mini Fridge Personal Cooler/Warmer allows users to enjoy cold drinks in the hot summer and warm food in the chilly winter, which means that with your logo or brand printed on it, it’s a summer gift that keeps giving throughout the year! Another great corporate gift for summer is the Catalina Riviera Edition Picnic Basket for Two, a classic style picnic basket, the durable wood and designer fabrics of which are fresh, summer, European pattern-picnic perfect. And it comes filled with glasses, napkins, plates, utensils, salt and pepper shakers, a tablecloth, food storage containers, a cheese cutting board, and more!

Check back here throughout the summer for more promotional and gift ideas!

Cutter & Buck Desk Blotter- Corporate Gifts


This classic desk blotter in mahogonay is part of an exclusive line of Cutter and Buck corporate gifts and promotional products

Known for exceptional quality golf and sportswear this handsome Cutter & Buck desk blotter is the perfect gift for your executive team. Available blank or custom debossed with your corproate logo.

  • Luxurious, yet firm writing surface provides desktop protection with a classic look
  • Signature Cutter and Buck lining
  • Includes 1-piece Cutter & Buck gift sleeve
  • Decorating includes one location deboss centered on bottom panel (1″H x7″W)

Visit our catalog of corporate gifts for more information.

Dimensions: h 18″ x w 0″ x l 25″
Color: Mahogny

A Swiss tool you can take on a plane!


Looking for a great corporate gift or promotional product for clients or employees?

Designed with the traveler in mind this variation of the famous Swiss Army Knife has no blades but includes lots of great tools so you can carry it on a plane.

Swiss Memory Flight by the original Swiss Army is a removable USB flash memory drive that can be used to transfer or store digital files from a computer. Consider these promotional uses:

  • Store a presentation on it and give it as a corporate gift to clients
  • Put your training manual on it and give it to new employees engraved with their name
  • Engrave them with your company name and give out as holiday gift
  • Get one for yourself to carry around your MP3s.The Swiss memory Flight includes:
  • You choice of 64 MB, 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, or 1 GB model
  • Key Ring
  • LED Mini Light
  • Retractable Ball Point PenThe Swiss Memory Flight can be customized with custom printing, laser engraving, foil stamp, or standard engraving.