At the end of a season, the spotlight turns to celebrating the best of the best — the ones who left it all on the field, the ice, the stage, or the screen. For most corporate organizations, the year’s end is their championship moment, their annual opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the past 12 months. That moment is now, and you can help them get ahead of the game.
Prepare to party
Recognition has always been a big deal in workplace culture, and even in our screen-saturated world, nothing beats the moment someone is handed a shining, personalized award. Receiving a custom piece with a special sentiment makes a bigger splash than a social media shoutout or a paper certificate — it’s a keepsake that says, “We see you and appreciate you.”
Now, here’s a poorly-kept secret that shop owners know well: The final stretch of the year is a whirlwind! Holidays pile up, projects wrap up, and calendars fill up with gatherings and celebrations. Chances are, most end-of-year events are already booked — but between the hustle and bustle, ordering awards for them often slips to the last minute.
Be the MVP your customers didn’t know they needed: Look back at 2024’s orders and reach out now to get the next round of awards in the pipeline before it’s crunch time.
Trends for 2025-2026
Crystal awards will always be a timeless favorite, but this year, many organizations are also looking for fresh options that fit today’s priorities — like durability, sustainability, and affordability. By offering awards in a variety of materials, you give your customers the flexibility to choose designs that best reflect their culture and values, while also meeting budgets of all sizes.
Awards made from stone, wood, acrylic, and recycled glass are increasing in popularity every year. So much so that we launched an expansion of our product line to include more than just crystal; we
now feature awards crafted with multiple substrates.
Each brings its own unique look and advantages, along with a few things to keep in mind when selecting the perfect fit.
Stone awards
- Features: In conveying strength and endurance, stone awards (often created as cast stone) have a presence that speaks for itself. They can be shaped to look like a natural rock or refined to portray a more traditional award design. Meanwhile, unique textures (like the popular look of carbon fiber) add even more intrigue. Stone awards come in a variety of colors and can coordinate nicely with interior decor.
- Popular customization: Full-color images, like logos and text
Wood awards
Wood awards- Features: As an eco-friendly resource, wood immediately resonates with organizations prioritizing sustainability, while the warmth of the material creates an organic sense of connection. Wood awards are created in a wide variety of shapes and, depending on the supplier, may be crafted from renewable sources and layered with other species of wood to create depth and interest.
- Popular customization: Laser engraving
Acrylic awards
- Features: Lighter weight than crystal, acrylic caters to bold, modern aesthetics at accessible price points while retaining the gleaming appearance synonymous with elegant awards. Acrylic can also be chosen to complement crystal designs: Some organizations appreciate having the option to display a crystal showpiece while gifting durable acrylic versions to each of their employees.
- Popular customization: Full-color images, like photos and vibrant graphics
Recycled glass awards
Recycled glass awards- Features: Glass can be recycled over and over and over, making it a sustainable substrate beyond compare. Locally sourced, 100% recycled glass featuring unique textures and variations that reflect the beauty of nature makes every award subtly unique. When paired with wood bases made with responsibly-sourced wood like bamboo, recycled glass awards stand out for customers seeking an especially Earth-honoring award option.
- Popular customization: Full-color images with logos and text in earth-tone hues
Tough to decide? Ask your suppliers about mixed-media awards!
Awards for today’s organizations
Leaders always want to honor the teamwork, grit, and standout performances that fueled their success over the past year. But recognition is no longer limited to sales records or years of service awards (though they are always in the mix).
When working with customers on their award needs this season, encourage them to look deeper into their organization and expand who they honor this year — maximizing engagement for more people. This broader approach ensures recognition is inclusive, consistent, and relevant across the workforce, while making it possible to honor more people, at more levels and locations across the organization.
Awards to add include:
- Leadership and teamwork: Highlighting effective collaboration and synergy
- Innovation and creativity: Celebrating new ideas and initiatives
- Cultural impact: Embodying organizational values or advancing inclusion
- Personal milestones: Acknowledging achievements outside of work, such as earning advanced degrees or certifications
- Volunteerism: Spotlighting community involvement and mentorship participation
- Retirements: Honoring employees, board members, and key partners
As businesses continue to adapt to new workforce expectations, recognition delivered through thoughtfully-designed awards, created to reflect what makes each recipient special, remains one of the most effective strategies for building loyalty, engagement, and performance — and driving future success.
