Although the Thanksgiving holiday has come and gone, at Baudville, we don’t see any reason to stop being thankful. In fact, we like to think we’re just getting warmed up!

As we reflect on the year, we can’t help but feel deep appreciation for those who make our business thrive: that’s you! We realize that you, our loyal customers, are truly essential to our success. Thank you!

We hope we can give back to you by continuing to provide you with products and resources that help your company be the best it can be. To do just that, we’ve been working over the past months to bring you a great batch of new products that you can use to start off the new year with excitement and enthusiasm. Watch for them in January, and until then…

Cheers to a happy and prosperous holiday season!

 
Happy Holidays from the entire Baudville team!

The Recognition at Work blog will be taking a break over the holidays, but we'll return after the New Year on January 3rd. Looking for more information and ideas? Visit our new Recognition Resource Center!

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Brad Darooge is President and CEO of Baudville and a positive mojo aficionado. He brings the positive mojo to work every day along with his bike. In addition to leading Baudville, Brad is also an amateur triathlete.

With Christmas only one week away, those of us in the office who like to bake – and like to eat baked goods – have sugar plums, candies, and cookies dancing in our heads. If you’re like me, you may spend days in the kitchen making goodies to share with neighbors, friends, family, and party hosts. It’s a lot of time and a lot of work!

This year, one of my teammates arranged a cookie exchange among our department. Ten of us signed up for the very easy swap: bake enough of your favorite cookie to share with nine other coworkers. The result was fabulous! We didn’t all have to spend the entire weekend in the kitchen, but we got a delicious variety of sweet and chocolatey treats to share with friends and family.

When we got together for the exchange, we had fun learning about the different kinds of cookies and admiring the unique holiday packaging (we declared Hobby Lobby the best resource for cute bags). We each talked about the type of cookie we made and explained the significance, if any, of the recipe. I made my family’s sugar cookie recipe and decorated each cookie, while one of our designers made an authentic Bosnian dessert. Next year, we’ll each bring a recipe card for the exchange, too, so we can recreate a new holiday favorite.

This is a really easy and fun team activity. Everyone gets to take home delicious goodies and share a little bit about their holiday traditions, too. In our cookie exchange, we had brand new recipes and family favorites shared. You can use this opportunity to learn more about your teammates as individuals and celebrate the holiday season in a friendly way.

Here are a few of the recipes we swapped in our office cookie exchange:

Red Velvet Cheesecake Cookies

Chocolate Toffee Matzo Candy

Chocolate-Caramel Cookie Bars

Russian Tea Cakes

Rolo Cake Mix Cookies

You can find more of our team's favorite recipes on our Pinterest Board, Office Potluck Ideas. 

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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.

Last Friday night, Baudvillians gathered together to see who had Lady Luck on their side at Baudville’s Vegas themed Year End Party. Baudville played their cards right, because the party was a blast for all!
    

When we arrived each employee received an envelope filled with playing cards. The cards were used to raffle off dozens of gifts that were lined up on a table. Throughout the night, employee’s names were called and employees won gifts from a 32” T.V. to gift certificates for dinner and a movie.  
    

 Goofing Off in the Photo Booth!

 For dinner we were all assigned tables with flashy center pieces that were named after the famous casinos of Las Vegas.  This was one of my favorite parts of the night because I had the opportunity to meet new people and talk with co-workers that I don’t see daily. Assigning employees’ seats at an event may not be popular, but it is very important. Employees get a chance to mingle with other co-workers from different departments, and this allows them to find out what’s happening in other co-worker’s lives.
    

When we finished eating, the different departments of Baudville were brought up front and recognized for their accomplishments. Each of us received an engraved spinner ornament  to thank us for our achievements and partaking in an awesome year. Baudville’s Helping Hand  then announced three different non-profit organizations we were helping this year, and encouraged us to get ready to volunteer for the upcoming year. Last, Baudville handed out its annual INSPIRE Award. Managers nominate individuals whom they believe exemplify Baudville’s core values  every day. These outstanding employees were honored by a standing ovation and cheers from their co-workers while being presented their award.    

 

INSPIRE Award Winners

 

After dinner, we put our poker faces on and cards were dealt.  Some of us went all-in at the Texas Hold’em Table, while others put chips on red or black, waiting for the roulette ball to decide their fate. We beat the dealer with 21 in Black Jack, and spun the Wheel of Fortune hoping for big money.  While we waited for a seat to open at a table, we perfected our silly faces at the photo booth.

Baudvillians Trying Their Luck on Roulette

 

I didn’t know what to expect for my first Baudville Year End Party. In the six months that I have been here, I have attended a few company events and had a little idea of what to expect. But once again, Baudville blew me away. The Year End Party was a phenomenal experience for me to truly see how amazing the Baudville community is and experience the appreciation everyone holds for each co-worker.  Not all of us were lucky enough to win prizes that night, but I think we all know how lucky we are to work with each other.  

 

Tell me about your Year End Party!

 

 

 

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Kendra is the newest Baudvillian. She is currently an advertising intellectual at Grand Valley State University, and is ecstatic about the change of atmosphere as Baudville’s web marketing intern. Watch out because this young professional just touched down at Baudville.

    

The holidays are a busy time of the year, especially for nurses. The winter is a common time for people to get sick, so offices and hospitals are teeming with patients. And with so many people on vacation around the holidays, offices are packed with appointments! Nurses and employees in the healthcare industry are often required to work during the holidays to help meet patient demand. Even though your staff has to work, you can make their holidays bright with a few gifts and gestures of appreciation.

Stock the break room with festive food and snacks. You could host a staff potluck that is available throughout the shift, so employees can grab a bite when they are on break. Or make a batch of bite sized candies and cookies and package them in clear bags. Present to your staff at the end of a busy day during the holiday season to thank them for their dedication.

Remember, it’s the little things that count. Even if you can’t afford to do a lot, a small gesture can mean a lot to your staff. Give all the nurses on your team a new Nurses Rock badge reel to use at work. Present the badge reel with a personal holiday greeting card, and your team will feel a little extra boost of appreciation.

Decorate your workspace to get in the spirit. Put up a few decorations in your area to make the workplace a little warmer and friendlier during the holidays. Wrap bulletin boards in wrapping paper and decorate windows with gel clings.

Give gifts that are practical for their job. After talking with two of my friends who are hospital nurses, I’ve learned a lot about their different schedule sand responsibilities. They appreciate gifts that fit into their hectic work lives and can be used to make life a little easier. Tote bags, travel mugs, and water bottles are used by nurses on a daily basis, so they make excellent holiday gifts. Add a personal note or sweet treat (I hear chocolate is always a big hit) to make the gift truly special.

What are your favorite gifts to give to nurses or receive? Let us know here!

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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.

We’re feeling very cheerful at Baudville. Our Year End party is one week from today, and we're all excited! It’s a time when we celebrate the year as a team and have a lot of fun! Plus, we’re listening to Christmas music in the office, so we’re definitely in the holiday spirit.

We want to spread our cheer with all of you by giving away a free gift! Use code JOLLY at checkout and receive one of our Snowman Cheer to Our Year Note Cube and Pen Gift Set for FREE when any order of just $50.

Continue to spread the cheer by giving your Note Cube and Pen Gift Set away to a deserving recipient:
• Your boss
• Your administrative assistant
• The individual who delivers your mail or newspaper
• Your local librarian who always has a great book recommendation
• Your stylist who keeps you looking great
• An outstanding volunteer
• Your kid’s teacher
• A friendly cashier at your local grocery store

Or keep it for yourself and get some cheer every time you look at it on your desk!

How are you going to use your free Note Cube and Pen Gift Set? Tell me in the comments, and I'll give away a matching Snowman Travel Mug to one lucky person! 

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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.