Thank you for being a loyal reader of the Baudville blog in 2010!

We’re going to take a break for the holidays and prepare for more great recognition tips, ideas and suggestions in 2011 to make your recognition program great! We’ll return to the blog January 3rd with an exciting new product announcement!

Have a safe and happy holiday!

The end of the year is not only an important time for recognition, but also the ideal time of year to review our favorite posts from the year!

Now presenting, our 10 favorite blog posts from 2010! (in no particular order)

1. Recognition TV Summaries. We introduced monthly educational webisodes to our content offering this year. Each presenter posted his or her ideas on the blog. These are some of our best articles from the year. You don’t want to miss them!

2. Choose a Recognition Program that will Inspire, not Backfire. Allison shares the sad, but true, story of a previous job where the espresso maker won Employee of the Month. She shares tips for effective recognition programs.

3. 8 Steps to Writing a Meaningful Thank You Note for Employee Appreciation Day. Even though this post focuses on Employee Appreciation Day, handwritten thank you notes are important all year round!

4. Volunteer Appreciation uses Essential Piece Theme for Special Event Success. This was a fan favorite! Recognition themes are popular for special events, and one of our customers shared the details of her Essential Piece volunteer appreciation event.

5. Employee Recognition can be as Easy as a High Five. Get recognition ideas that keep things simple in your organization.

6. How to Get More Recognition at Work. Maybe you’re a strong advocate of recognition in the workplace, but your boss…not so much. This post offers suggestions on how to make some subtle – and not so subtle – hints.

7. Have More Fun at Work.  Because we can all benefit from having a little more fun !

8. Customer Service Week Ideas. Customer Service Week is an important recognition celebration at Baudville, and we hope you celebrate your frontline employees during this week and all year round with these ideas!

9. Celebrate Boss’s Day! Boss’s Day is a holiday that is often overlooked. After all, our bosses are usually the ones giving recognition. Add October 16 to your calendar now, and don’t forget to thank your boss!

10. Four Things to Know When Ordering an Award Trophy. Trophies are common at the end of the year when many organizations have holiday parties and award ceremonies. Bookmark this blog post now because it will come in handy throughout the year, too!

What were your favorite blog posts from the year? Tell us in the comments!

Recognition and appreciation are common in workplaces this time of year. Are you looking for holiday employee recognition ideas that will make your team feel appreciated? Our Recognition Resource Center and blog are full of great articles, tips, and ideas! Here are a few of our favorite to get you in the recognition spirit!

Corporate Holiday Gift Giving Made Easy. Get ideas for everyone in your office and on your list!
 
Top Holiday Employee Gifts. Some of our favorite ideas for meaningful gifts you can give to every member of your team.

Employee Recognition Awards and Reasons to Recognize.  There are many reasons to recognize at the end of the year. Get ideas for awards from this helpful article!

Holiday Gift Finder. Find the right gift for your recipient, occasion and budget with our holiday gift finder!

Award ceremonies are common during the fourth quarter as organizations host holiday gatherings and recognize the outstanding performances from the year. When planning your award ceremony and award presentation, make sure you also plan photo opportunities with the award winners.

You can use pictures of your award ceremony in many ways. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. Here are five uses of award ceremony pictures:

1. Make the award presentation a big deal
A special photo opportunity makes the recipient feel like they’re in the spotlight. Have one of your employees volunteer as photographer for the event and take both candid and posed shots of the award recipients as they are announced.

2. Create a lasting memory for the recipient
A personal photograph of the event will make the award truly memorable and serve as a lasting reminder of the recipient’s accomplishment. Give the photograph to the recipient after the award ceremony in a certificate folder for a nice presentation.

3. Effective post-award ceremony communication
After your award ceremony, post pictures of the event on your intranet, Facebook page, or in your newsletter. This is a great way to communicate with those who weren’t able to attend the award ceremony and promote the award recipients.

4. Motivate the entire team
Pictures of the award ceremony will serve as a reminder of the recognition for everyone, not just the award recipient. The reminder of the recognition moment will motivate everyone to strive to earn the award.

5. Educate others about your award programs
The time after an award ceremony is optimal for informing your organization about your different awards. In your post-event communication, share the details of the different award programs, who is eligible for each and how the nomination process works.

Holiday gift shopping is officially in full swing! In addition to finding presents for family and friends, you’re probably also thinking about your team at work, boss or special co-workers who make work go so smoothly for you.

It can be hard to find the right holiday gift for the office. To help you with your holiday shopping, we’ve put together a list of our top 5 holiday gifts for 2010. Do you have other favorites? Tell us about them in the comments!

1. Spinner Ornaments
A festive gift, you can select the Spinner Ornament with the appropriate setting for your work group. For a truly memorable gift, engrave the back side of the ornament with your company’s logo or a custom message for each recipient.

2. Personalized Gifts
Personalized gifts mean the most, especially at the holidays. Engrave one of our many high quality silver gift items with your recipient’s name. They’ll use the gift on a regular basis and be constantly reminded of your thoughtfulness.

3. Travel Mugs
A universal gift for every one on your list! Choose from our contemporary and colorful travel mugs or our solid stainless steel designs for a gift you’ll see recipients using all year.

4. Character Pin
With over 150 options, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect sentiment and lapel pin for each person on your list. Select a Character Pin that speaks of the qualities you appreciate in your co-worker, and present it in person for a memorable holiday gift.

5. Note Gift Sets
Sure to be a hit, our Note Cube Gift Sets and Note Holders are full of sticky notes that can be used everyday. Select the theme that best expresses your appreciation for their efforts in 2010, and present it in a gift bag for a nice presentation.

If you need some more help selecting the perfect appreciation gift this holiday season, use our Holiday Gift Finder! Simply refine your search by occasion, theme, product and price, and we'll provide you with lots of gift options!