For some people, a game or a sports item makes the perfect service award.  To them, it represents relaxation, fun, and time spent with family.  The possibilities are endless here: equipment for the family game room, camping items, golfing, fishing, fitness.  Overall, this group of awards encapsulates the sorts of things many of your employees may like to own, but might not spring for on their own.  Here are a few of our suggestions.

This Viscount Leather Backgammon Set (pictured left) is great for getting the whole family together, or for an evening of entertainment with friends.  It’s a luxurious set with a genuine leather carrying case and a suede playing field. Not your average electronic game that will be outdated by next year, the quality of this set will be around for a very long time.

Here’s a fun item for the family.  Metal detectors have come a long way over the years, and this Delta is a state-of-the-art unit with an LCD target readout. Of course the great excitement with a metal detector is the thought of what might be found!  Treasure hunters and explorers will enjoy having this as part of their service awards selection.

Chances are you have a few golf lovers on your staff.  While some service awards programs like to offer golf clubs, that can be a bit tricky for the recipient to choose.  Will they work for him or her?  Are they the right size? Instead of going with the clubs themselves, how about all the extras that make the game more enjoyable and exciting for the enthusiast?  There are a number of kits available here at General Motivation.  One of our favorites is this Golfer’s Perfect Accessory Set. The included Swiss Army Golf Tool is a must-have on the course.  It’s paired with a set of Callaway golf balls and presented in a collector’s tin. A practical shoe bag designed just for golfers; tees and a divot tool are included. Fob watch and fine leather scorecard holder complete the set.

Whether your employee is looking for something to enhance family time or tee time, there is a wide array of items you can add to your incentive awards to make games and sports lovers excited to hit that special years-of-service level. (For more information on these and other ideas, feel free to give us a call at 1-888/664-6449. Perhaps we can set up a friendly game of backgammon.  We’ll provide the snacks.)

You may have discovered a growing trend towards the practical.  This often extends to your employees’ service awards choices.  Perhaps your employees are leaning more towards something they need around the house, instead of something they’ve just plain always wanted.  But we feel these two things can merge quite nicely.  Yes, many of the more useful service awards may stray from becoming any sort of a keepsake, but there are some items that can be of great use – and value – to your employees long after the awards presentation is over.  Take, for instance, kitchen items.

We’re not talking cheap electric blenders and quickly-forgotten avocado colored fondue pots, either.  We’re talking practical, quality, enjoyable items to make that very necessary event – dinner – more fun.  And thanks to the great popularity of television’s cooking shows these days, more and more people are excited about adding something new and useful in the kitchen.  We’ve selected a few of the items we carry to share with you here.

Take, for instance, this Top Chef 9-piece knife set (pictured above left), officially licensed by Bravo TV and inspired by the popular cooking show.  Knife sets have always been a sought-after item in service awards, and it’s no wonder.  They make cooking preparation easy – even a pleasure – yet most people don’t invest in a good set, no matter how much they may want one.  A good set like this one will easily last a lifetime.

How about a solid set of cookware?  When times are tight, this is another item your employees will appreciate not having to purchase for themselves; and when a great set is part of your awards program, they may just be giving themselves a welcome upgrade from their current set.  Cuisinart has made a name for itself, and this 10-piece nonstick cookware set will definitely hold its own in the kitchen.  A good quality cookware set is another great practical item that will last years longer than the average lifestyle item.

Most families enjoy pulling together great feasts for the holidays, and with the feasts come great preparation.  Having something around like this Waring Roaster Oven will make life much easier.  Capable of roasting an 18-pound turkey, chefs will have their entire oven free for the rest of the dinner.  And next time you have an office potluck, you may even be able to convince them to prepare their famous baked beans for the whole crew!  Now, that’s incentive for everyone!

Adding practical service awards to your incentive program can be a welcome addition – just be sure to choose quality items that will give your valued employees years of daily home use.  Family life tends to revolve around the kitchen, so there’s no doubt adding some cooking items as recognition awards will give you one hot program!

There’s a reason things like watches, clocks, and jewelry are so closely associated with service awards: They’re well-liked and a fantastic way to turn an award into a keepsake.  But for every employee that would love to have a watch or a gold ring, there’s another who would more appreciate something as unique as they are.  Offering great choices in your service awards programs means adding some things a little less traditional to counter the more common favorites.  Here are a few suggestions that will fit nicely into your employee’s at-home game room:

Authentic Gaming Machine – Definitely not your average service award, a slot machine will give your award recipient a bit of Vegas right at home.  This beauty is a full-sized slot machine that was once a true blue ringer on the casino floor.  Completely refurbished, authentic, and ready for at-home use!  Even includes the tokens.

Old-Fashioned Kettle Popcorn Maker – Add it to a game room, even the family room.  This one offers fun for the whole family, as movie night is turned into something really special.  Anyone can throw a bag in the microwave, but how many people can have their own true blue movie popcorn?  This is a manageable tabletop version that stands 18″ high.

Gumball Machine – Another one sure to please the whole family, a gumball machine adds a bit of nostalgia to the household fun area.  This one is built the old fashioned way with a cast metal base and a glass globe.  

Chess Set – Here’s an award that offers a lot in craftsmanship and style.  This chess table features genuine Italian alabaster inlay and comes complete with a full set of handcrafted maple chessmen, weighted and felted.  The table includes two drawers for storage.  An elegant piece sure to be proudly displayed.

Keeping in mind the varied personalities in your company will go a long way to setting up a great awards program.  While the popular choices of watches and jewelry will always have a favorite spot, adding some more unusual items to your awards catalog lets your employees know you understand how unique they are!

Got some more unusual ideas of your own?  Let us know!  Want to get ahold of something you see here, or perhaps discuss other options?  Feel free to contact us.  We’d love to chat with you.  (We also tell great jokes, and some of us sing on occasion.)