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.

Award season is upon us, and if you’re feeling the weight of it—take a deep breath! We’re here to remove the pressure with our expert tips for giving award certificates. Just follow these steps!

1. Choose a Certificate Paper and Coordinating Folder. What’s the occasion? If your award ceremony or celebration is centered around a special achievement, event, or milestone, our foil-stamped certificate papers are a convenient option. Many styles come pre-printed with the most popular award titles—just choose the one that suits your occasion and you’re on your way. Pair it with a matching foil-stamped folder for a polished presentation; or, for ultimate ease and affordability, try our certificate bundles.
   
   
   
   Looking for a more traditional presentation? Our scallop certificate paper is our absolute best-seller, so you can rest assured that you’re giving an award certificate that your recipients will be proud to display.
2. Make It Look Like a Million Kudos. You’ve ordered a certificate paper and presentation option that you love…now what? Your next step for making a flawless delivery is to make sure they look professional. Our free certificate templates are available for every paper we sell and ensure an easy and precise result. Templates are arranged by the paper design, and some come in both portrait and landscape options. Click here to see them all!
   
   
3. Match the Message with the Moment. Whether you’ve selected a certificate paper with a pre-printed title or not, you’ll want the sentiment on the award certificate to be consistent with the reason for giving it. Need some inspiration? We have just the free downloads you need to send a message that sings. Try our sample Award Certificate Titles and Employee Recognition Messages, or check out the popular verses we use for our award trophies.
4. Present it with Panache. RecogNation, our free resource center, is filled with articles that share tips and ideas from preparing your award presentations through giving them. Our two favorites are: Five Tips for Recognizing with Award Certificates and Memorable and Effective Award Presentation Tips. Read up and you’ll be a pro in no time! Plus, your awardees will feel truly honored—and that’s what matters most!
   
   

National Volunteer Week (April 21-27) is fast approaching! How will you celebrate the dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy to help your organization achieve its goals?

If you’re not sure, no worries! We’re here to help with our top three volunteer appreciation ideas!

Knowing that our customers love to see new designs and are always looking for fresh ways to give recognition, we’re continually developing new themes.

To welcome the New Year, we looked at the three top requests on our customers’ wish lists and responded with these:  

About four times a year, we busy ourselves creating catalogs that feature our new and bestselling products. We do this because we know that, in your hands, our products can bring value to you and help you create a positive and rewarding environment for your team.

But, one day we asked ourselves, “What more can we do? Above and beyond our products, how can we engage with our customers in an informative and thoughtful way?”