We’ve all received the traditional award certificate at some point in our life. Maybe you received one in elementary school for completing the Presidential Fitness Challenge. Or perhaps your certificate came in high school when you were given the honor of being Student of the Month. You may even have gotten one during your college years from participating in a fundraising walk one of the Greek organizations put on. 

Regardless of when you last received an award certificate , you probably have the same mental image of what that certificate should look like: gold foil lettering, embossed seal and the signature of a person of authority. Traditional award certificates remain a very popular form of recognition, but if you have Gen Y employees, you may want to make it a little more “hip” this holiday season.

Award certificates are popular because they’re affordable recognition you can give to a large group of people. This is especially important this year as a record low number of organizations are planning on throwing holiday parties. I can assume a similar trend is occurring with employee gifts and awards. Companies everywhere are trying to cut back even though employee morale is at an all time low.

This year, reward your entire team for their hard work and dedicated efforts with some spiced up award certificates. Here are three things you can do to make award certificates cool again:

1. Pick a trendy design. The traditional gold foil lettering certificates are still available, but there are some cool new designs available now, too. Why not give your employees an award certificate that can double as cubicle art?

Tip: Use a contemporary award certificate design to encourage your younger employees to post the award at their desk.

2. Have fun with award titles. Your award certificates don’t have to be formal to be effective. This year, make recognition personal and memorable by giving a special, individual award for each employee, and have fun coming up with award titles. Employees want to have fun at work, and they need some levity. Your humorous award certificates could be just the trick.
Some of our favorite award titles:
Rookie of the Year Award
Why Didn’t I Think of That Award
Samurai Seller
Unsung Hero

3. Make the presentation an event. Even if your organization has cancelled its holiday party this year, make your presentation of award certificates an event for the entire team. Reserve a conference room, bring in festive snacks, and set a festive mood by playing holiday music or – better yet – play “Gonna Fly Now,” the theme song from Rocky. Encourage employees to shake their hands over their heads in victory as they accept their award.

Now you’re a true award certificate champ!!