PlaqueMaker Blog

Being recognized at work is important, no matter how humble you are. It shows that the company values your individual contribution to the group dynamic. It makes you feel special, and probably a lot more motivated, too.

Here are some eye-opening facts: Half of shoppers say the on-premises sign for your business is the primary eye-catcher that draws them into your store. About 76% of people would try a new store based simply on liking the sign.

Ask any realtor how to add curb appeal to your home, and you’ll get some popular answers:

In the era of cell phones, people are debating the demise of old-fashioned etiquette. “Eyes-on-the-phone” has replaced eye contact. Rather than in-person connection, we communicate through social media posts, likes, and emojis.

If you’re wondering whether to give gifts to your bridal party, wonder no more. The answer is an enthusiastic yes! The members of your bridal party are likely your closest pals – the people you love and trust to help everything go perfectly on your big day. Gifts are a thoughtful way to thank them.

Almost as long as there have been pictures, there have been picture frames – and that’s a surprisingly long time. The earliest known picture frame is discovered in an ancient Egyptian tomb. It is wooden and handcrafted in the second century A.D. and it displays what’s known as a mummy portrait – a colorful, lifelike painting that helps members of this ancient society remember loved ones long after their deaths.

We’re pretty fond of our furry family members at PlaqueMaker, so we’re getting ready for National Dog Day*, celebrated annually on August 26 to honor all the dogs putting their lives on the line every day – for their law enforcement human, for their blind companion, for the child who is disabled, for their partner in the military -for all the ways they save lives, keep us safe and bring us comfort. This special event also brings attention to the astounding number of dogs in need of rescue each year, and what we can do to help.

When it comes to celebrating success at work, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out what the right approach is. After all, people don’t want to be disturbed too much at work, as it can be hard to be taken out of your flow to celebrate someone’s special day or an office accomplishment.

Certain milestones in life can only be accomplished with patience. Anniversaries. A lifetime achievement. Retirement. A 100th birthday. For these special traditions, a commemorative clock can be the perfect gift to acknowledge someone who withstands the test of time.

Pets are pals, playmates, confidantes and beloved members of the family. When a pet dies, it can be a difficult time for everyone who knew and loved them. Suddenly, there’s a pet-sized hole in everyone’s heart, and it’s hard to know how to mourn – especially for children.

When your office décor is boring and blah, it gives the impression that you don’t care. Unintentionally, you may be telling visitors that you lack passion for your work, your space and your life.

On any humdrum morning, it can be a real mood-booster to look at vibrant and meaningful travel photos from a recent trip. Research shows looking at uplifting images is one of eight things the happiest people do every day.

If you feel embarrassed about receiving compliments, you’re not alone. While 88% of people associate praise with being valued, 70% of them also associate it with feelings of discomfort.

While National Employee Appreciation Day often falls on the first few days of March, there’s no bad time to show your staff how much you value them and the hard work they do. Consider the following gifts to show gratitude to your outstanding team members.

If you’ve never organized a golf tournament, here’s the first thing to know: Golfers love tournaments. Golf Digest magazine ranks them among the three most-beloved aspects of golf, alongside watching pro golfers and receiving fabulous golf-related gifts.

Isn’t it embarrassing to forget someone’s name? It implies that you don’t care about connecting with them, which isn’t necessarily the case. It’s just hard to keep up with names, especially when you’re interacting with a lot of people at once.

The first Sunday of August was declared an American holiday by a Proclamation made by the United States Congress over 85 years ago, in 1935. Other countries have been inspired by its popularity and success in the U.S. and now, Friendship Day is celebrated around the world. In April 2011, the United Nations made July 30th International Friendship Day. Whether you celebrate the first Sunday of August or on July 30th, Friendship Day is a great day to celebrate your existing friendships through appreciation or foster new ones!

Thursday, July 30 is the International Day of Friendship, which recognizes the importance of friendship as a noble and valuable relationship in the lives of human beings around the world. Proclaimed in 2011 by the United Nations General Assembly, the occasion supports the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and each other not only inspires peace, it builds bridges between unlikely allies.