Traditional

• The traditional award is straightforward and immediately proclaims what it is for. A trophy with a gold baseball player atop is almost self-explanatory. When giving a traditional award or plaque, keep it simple and straightforward. Put both the name and the achievement in big, bold letters and the rest in finer print. A trophy or plaque is primarily interesting from the standpoint of who and what it is for. Stick to that and you will keep the interest of observers focused on the recipient.
  
  

Laser Engraving

• The advance of lasers has made it possible to engrave almost anything --- and in almost any size print. Gorgeous plaques can be made from hardwood, any metal or crystal. Pictures and artwork can be reproduced with the use of sophisticated laser engraving to make an award or gift into a keepsake. Instead of a traditional baseball award for a high school league, try a miniature baseball bat made of crystal and laser-engraved with the name and accomplishment of the recipient. Laser-mapping technology allows you to put anything else on the crystal you want, even including a replica of the wood grain on the bat.
  
  

Unique Gifts

• Diamond merchants often use lasers to put microscopic identifying marks on particularly valuable jewels. Imagine the delight of a loved one at receiving a beautiful piece of jewelry and then discovering that her name and your message were engraved in tiny print on one of the jewels. Beautiful corporate awards can be made out of the very things the company makes. These types of awards and gifts carry an intrinsic interest in the object as well as pointing to the recipient. Clever use of engraving techniques can make them an intimate expression of affection, gratitude or congratulations.
  
  

Gag Gifts

• Many companies and organizations make effective use of gag gifts to boost morale and establish camaraderie. The key is to stay away from generic gags and to tailor your presentation to something genuinely unique to the recipient's personality or work. A Mr. Clean Award, for example, engraved with the recipient's name and given to an investigative reporter, would be memorable, draw laughter and show genuine affection and respect. When dealing with gag gifts, remember that you want to flatter the recipient, show genuine insight and delight everyone with a little twist on that insight.