Now that the weather is nice here in Michigan, we finally get to make it outside and we're definitely high fiving for that! Check out the top five things were giving High 5s for this week!

We're bringing back the High Five for Friday blog posts from last year to share some of our favorite tips, activities, and ideas to make work more engaging. Our bloggers will take turns giving high fives to their favorite things, so you'll get a wide variety of information from week to week.

Let's get it started!

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Cori is Baudville's in-house Recognitionista (she's officially a Certified Recognition Professional, too)  and a member of the Millennial generation. Get her employee recognition tips and special discounts by liking Baudville on Facebook.

Here in Michigan, we've had a bit of a rough start to spring. Last week it actually snowed—with accumulation. Even our most devoted winter enthusiasts were not impressed!

This slow transformation has us all gazing out our windows in anticipation: a sprig of green here; a flash of sunshine there… signs of hope! And inspiration for planning some ideas for getting outside when the weather does finally show its fairer side.

While we wait (patiently!) here are our five favorite activities for appreciating your team while enjoying the great outdoors!

Whatever you do, don't forget the giveaways!

•  Tote bags are ideal for carrying around all the treats and finds your team members pick up along the way.

•  Drinkware is great for staying hydrated if you're out in the sun, and a terrific take-away they'll continue to use at work or at home.

•  Team Shirts are the best way to brand your activity. Check out our event shirts that you can customize with your personalized text and logo. We provide the artwork; you add your one-of-a-kind flavor!

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Allison is a self-proclaimed Copywriting Diva and has the certificate to prove it! She’s been writing for Baudville for four years and has worked in a variety of business settings for more than 19 years. Before becoming a professional writer 12 years ago, Allison worked as a department manager where she used Baudville products to motivate her team. She’s what we call a true believer!  
 

Every year, the third Thursday in April marks National High Five Day. We love this holiday! It serves as an important reminder of the power of a high five. This simple gesture can express so much! It’s an incredibly fun and effective way to encourage a coworker, recognize a teammate, or simply say “hey, glad you’re here!”

We hope you’ll join us on April 18 to partake in some National High Five Day festivities. Here are five ways you can celebrate next week:

1. High Five EVERYONE!
We mean it. Strangers on the street, the barista serving your coffee, the mail carrier, and your teammates. Hand out high fives like it’s nobody’s business on National High Five Day. We guarantee you’ll spread some smiles in the process!

2. Learn more about Baudville’s new hi5 Service Awards
Baudville now offers service awards, which means you can turn to your friendly Baudville Recognition Specialists for all your recognition programs! Our Service Awards are part of our new brand, hi5 Recognition, so National High Five Day is a great time to learn more!

3. Hold a High Five Competition
Challenge your teammates to come up with the most elaborate, creative, and exciting high five your organization has ever seen! Have the participating teams perform in front of the entire team. Select a panel of judges to choose the winner. Give all the teams a high five gift for participating. Don’t forget to take pictures!

4. Decorate High Five Cookies
Bake sugar cookies in the shape of a hand, and bring in all the toppings: frosting, sprinkles, candy, even marshmallows, for a cookie decorating bar. Your team will have a blast decorating the cookies and enjoying a tasty high five. We made these high five cookies to celebrate our new service awards! They were delicious!

5. Create a Cultural Phenomenon
Did you notice a difference in your team’s attitude when you were passing out high fives? Make high fives a lasting part of your culture! Create team t-shirts that proudly proclaim “I brake for high fives.” You can implement a day-to-day recognition program using high five lapel pins or Team Tokens.

Want more ideas for National High Five Day? Check out these blog posts from previous years!

Ten Ways to Give a High Five on National High Five Day

National High Five Day: Time for a Little Hoopla

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Cori is Baudville's in-house Recognitionista (she's officially a Certified Recognition Professional, too)  and a member of the Millennial generation. Get her employee recognition tips and special discounts by liking Baudville on Facebook.

Employee Appreciation Day is March 1st this year. That dreaded calendar flip day when you realize you didn't look ahead and now you're not prepared AT ALL. Well, have no fear! Here are 10 great last-minute ideas that will delight and impress your team!

1. Head to the local gas station or grocery store and pick up some candy bars - lots of them have appreciation sayings . Pass those out with a personal hand-written note to show them you're grateful for all that they do.

2. Stop by the local coffee shop on your way back from lunch and surprise your team with an afternoon pick-me-up. Sweet treats and coffee are best when they're a surprise!

3. Check out our FREE, downloadable Winning Ways to Recognize Your Stars ebook for some great last-minute ideas.

4. Can't get out of the office? No problem! Send a thoughtful ePraise to your team members. You could even leave an element of surprise in the note and bring them a special breakfast on Monday or grant casual days for the next work week.

5. Use our FREE downloadable Freedom Passes to let your team members out an hour early in honor of your appreciation for them.

6. Attach one of these download-and-print wraps to a sucker, candy bar, or another sweet treat to show your appreciation.

7. Hold an impromptu morning meeting and spend time publicly thanking each team member for their specific contributions to the team. Tip: Be prepared with notes before you head into the meeting!

8. Take your team out to lunch! Or order in if you can't get out of the office.

9. At a loss for words? It's ok, our Sample Employee Recognition Messages list will help!

10. Split your group into teams and have a friendly office scavenger hunt throughout the day. Use this idea list to get started, and modify it for your office environment.

Most importantly, have fun with your team! And, to never find yourself in this unprepared predicament again, check out our Recognition Survival Kits; they’ll keep you equipped for every recognition moment, every time.

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As a team member since 2005, Falon has worn just about every hat the ‘ville has to offer. She’s seen both sides of working life — as an employee and as a manager — so if it sounds like she knows what she’s talking about, we’re pretty sure that’s why. When she’s not juggling between the IDville and Baudville brands, she’s been known to whip up a mean diorama - just like that!