You can make someone feel special by just printing out a certificate on regular paper and presenting it to them but why bother if you're not willing to go the extra mile? My aunt always said "a thing worth doing is worth doing well". Pay attention to the little details and the person you're honoring will notice the difference. Here are four steps that you can take to make your certificate recipient extra happy!
1. Select the right paper - Think about the weight and color. Ideally you want to choose thick, high quality paper or card stock that you can buy from your local office supply store or craft store. As far as colors go if you want something classy and elegant I would recommend a nice neutral shade like cream or off white. There are also 'speckled' types of paper but I would stay away from anything too distracting. For young kids you can go for bright colored papers in hues of sunny yellow, baby blue or light apple green. I would obviously try not to use darker colors like reds and navy blues unless you are specifically trying to create an effect. If the certificate template you choose has any graphics make sure the colors don't clash with the color of the paper. When in doubt, I say, go with white or cream.
2. Print "Best Quality" - When the certificate templates were originally designed many of them were black and white because we thought most people (especially teachers working in schools) would not have access to a color printer. It seems though that this is not so much of an issue any more and so most of our certificates are now in full color. If you don't have a good quality printer you may want to have it printed at your local copy store. Unless this is an award that you tend to give out every week in class (Student of the Week etc.,) you will not want your certificate to print out all fuzzy and pixilated.
3. Pick a good frame - Frames can cost anything from a dollar for an inexpensive plastic one up to $50 for something that comes pre-matted with a lovely ornate border. The type of frame you pick depends on the occasion and your budget. If you're going to be giving away a certificate to every student in your classroom or every attendee at your conference you may not want to spend too much money. One little word of advice - try to stay away from plastic frames. I have been able to buy inexpensive wooden ones for about a dollar and they look so much better! If you HAVE to buy plastic frames buy them in dark colors and please, nothing that looks like 'imitation wood'.
4. Present it with flair - How you present the certificate is as important as the prep that goes before it. Know something about the person and state specifically what they did and what impact it had. One of my former bosses was a master at remembering something special about each of the participants who completed his four-day leadership training course and would share this as they walked to the front of the room.
Little things make a difference. Delight in the details and your students, teachers, staff and employees will feel truly recognized and rewarded!
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