Custom Awards & Corporate Plaques – Sustainable Wooden Recognition, Made in Ireland

Custom Wood Designs creates bespoke awards, plaques and medals that feel as meaningful as the achievement. Hand-finished in Dublin using FSC-certified timbers (oak, birch ply, beech) with precision laser engraving From one-off centrepieces to 500+ unit rollouts, we blend craft, brand consistency, and sustainability.

Bespoke wooden awards and plaques, made in Ireland. FSC timber, laser engraving, Pantone/RAL matching. One-off to 500+ units. Fast 3–4 week lead times.


Custom Awards & Plaques

Custom Awards & Plaques

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The Power of Gift Boxes and Awards: Elevating Employee Appreciation and Recognition - Custom Wood Designs

The Power of Gift Boxes and Awards: Elevating Employee Appreciation and Recognition

Employee appreciation is essential for fostering a positive work environment, boosting morale, and increasing productivity. Recognizing employees' hard work and achievements can be done in various ways, but one of the most impactful methods is through gift boxes and awards. In this blog, we will delve into how and why gift boxes and awards can be used as effective employee appreciation tools, highlighting their benefits and offering suggestions for implementing them in your organization.

  1. Tangible Expressions of Gratitude:

Gift boxes and awards serve as tangible expressions of gratitude, demonstrating to employees that their contributions are valued and recognized. These items can be cherished keepsakes that remind employees of their accomplishments, fostering a sense of pride and motivation to continue performing at a high level.

  1. Personalization and Customization:

One of the key advantages of gift boxes and awards is the ability to personalize and customize them according to the recipient's preferences or achievements. This attention to detail sends a powerful message that the organization truly cares about its employees and acknowledges their unique contributions.

  1. Encouraging Friendly Competition:

Awards can be used to recognize exceptional performance or achievements in various categories, such as sales, customer service, or innovation. This can encourage friendly competition among employees, driving them to strive for excellence and push their limits.

  1. Boosting Employee Retention:

Employees who feel appreciated and recognized for their hard work are more likely to remain loyal to their organization. By incorporating gift boxes and awards into your employee appreciation strategy, you can improve overall job satisfaction and reduce turnover rates.

  1. Promoting a Positive Work Culture:

When employees feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work. By regularly recognizing employees with gift boxes and awards, you can create a positive work culture where employees are motivated to excel and collaborate effectively.

How to Implement Gift Boxes and Awards in Your Employee Appreciation Strategy:

  1. Establish Clear Criteria:

Develop clear criteria for recognizing employees, ensuring that the process is transparent and fair. This could be based on performance metrics, peer nominations, or a combination of factors.

  1. Set a Budget:

Determine a budget for your employee appreciation initiatives, allocating funds for purchasing gift boxes and awards. Be mindful of the need to strike a balance between cost-effectiveness and perceived value.

  1. Choose Meaningful and High-Quality Items:

Select gift box items that are meaningful, useful, and reflective of your organization's values. Likewise, opt for high-quality awards that employees will be proud to display.

  1. Create Opportunities for Public Recognition:

Present gift boxes and awards during team meetings, company-wide events, or annual award ceremonies. This public recognition not only makes the recipient feel special but also inspires others to strive for similar achievements.

  1. Encourage Ongoing Appreciation:

While gift boxes and awards are excellent ways to show appreciation, it's essential to maintain an ongoing culture of recognition. Compliment employees on their accomplishments, provide constructive feedback, and encourage peer-to-peer recognition to foster a supportive and appreciative work environment.

 

Gift boxes and awards can be powerful tools for expressing employee appreciation and recognizing outstanding achievements. By incorporating these tangible tokens of gratitude into your organization's employee appreciation strategy, you can create a positive work culture that promotes employee satisfaction, retention, and productivity. Ultimately, an organization that values its employees is one that thrives and prospers in today's competitive business landscape.

Bespoke wooden awards and plaques, made in Ireland.

Premium, sustainable recognition pieces for corporate, hospitality & events

Custom Wood Designs creates bespoke awards, plaques and medals that feel as meaningful as the achievement. Hand-finished in Dublin using FSC-certified timbers (oak, birch ply, beech) with precision laser engraving and UV colour printing. From one-off centrepieces to 500+ unit rollouts, we blend craft, brand consistency, and sustainability.

Why choose our awards


  • Sustainable materials: FSC wood, water-based lacquers, low-waste production

  • Brand-perfect finishes: laser engraving, UV print, paint-fill, RAL/Pantone colour matching

  • Any format: desk awards, wall plaques, wall medals, trophy blocks, certificate frames

  • Fully custom: sizes, shapes, stains, inserts, mixed materials (wood + glass/acrylic accents)

  • Personalisation at scale: names, categories & numbering via CSV/Excel import

  • Made in Ireland: fast, reliable lead times and worldwide shipping

Popular styles


  • Solid Oak Block Awards — timeless, weighty, engraved or printed front face

  • Wall Plaques — oak/birch with hidden fixings; ideal for reception or back-bar walls

  • Tiered/Layered Awards — laser-cut face plates for depth, colour and contrast

  • Medals & Wall Medals — wooden medallions with ribbons or wall-mount sets

  • Eco Recognition Sets — plaque + certificate frame + gift box for premium presentation

Finishes & options


  • Natural, smoked, walnut, black or white stains; clear matte/satin lacquer

  • Laser engraving, spot-colour paint-fill, UV full-colour print, metal/acrylic badges

  • Edge profiles (bevel/chamfer/radius), hidden keyhole hangers for plaques


Gift packaging: branded boxes, kraft sleeves, foam fitments

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