Buying your employees or staff members an expensive gift is considered as a nice gesture, however, making a personalized gift will be more affordable and will be much more appreciated more than anything that money can buy. If you are looking for an affordable gift alternative to the usual gift ideas for special occasions and holidays, consider making customized office awards, appreciation certificates, and other personalized gifts online that you can easily print out in no time. When you give your employees an item bought from a gift store, an impression will be left in their hearts for a while. But when you give something that you have made or have personally designed, like appreciation certificates for example, you will surely leave an impression that will last for years.

Personalized gifts are a great option for cost-effective and a more intimate gift giving. It does not really matter if you are looking for a gift for your assistant, a colleague or a helpful staff in a different department – making your gifts as personal as you can, will definitely show your co-workers how much you value their efforts. You can make gifts out of online templates like Best Employee Award, Early Bird Award and other appreciation certificates. Or, you can simply pick out a design and layout of your choice and make up your own award, appreciation certificates, poem, and so on. All you have to do is to print the default layout, put it in a frame, wrap it nicely, and give it to your workmate. Now tell me, how much more simple can it get?

The best part about making your gifts is that you can be both simple and cost-effective without having to be cheapskate. There are a lot of affordable gifts out there that really look affordable, to the very sense of the word. But, since the templates for certificates and awards come free, the only cost you will have to worry about are for the piece of paper and the little amount of ink that you need to print it.

Giving out personalized awards and certificates allows you to specify every detail of the award. From the template, to the layout, to the frame and even up to the type of paper to be used are totally at your disposal. You can find lots of kinds of papers in office supply stores – top quality printing paper, card-stock, parchment paper and the likes. You can also choose from a wide variety of frames from different stores.

Whether you are trying to be really thoughtful or is simply looking for a way to save a little money on your gift giving, personalized certificates and awards are a great means to express your appreciation for your staff and officemates.