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For Mother’s Day, every Mom appreciates most, something from the heart.  A child’s handmade card, special craft project or custom gift certificate for something such as “picking up my room without being asked for a month”.
An easy special treat, that even the littlest ones in the house can help with, is breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day!  Time to get up early, make some coffee and orange juice, and bring it to mom on a tray, complete with a flower and a homemade card!
Wondering what to make for the main dish?  Here are some easy recipes that not just Mom will enjoy!

Desert for Breakfast – Red Velvet Pancakes
Or are you looking for something decadent and surprising? Try these Kitchy Kitchen red velvet pancakes, complete with a hint of chocolate and a deep crimson color. Top with mascarpone and pretend you’re eating dessert for breakfast!
Baked French Toast Casserole
With a little bit of planning, you can whip up a batch of Paula Deen’s French toast casserole the night before, then pop it in the oven first thing in the morning. The whole house will smell like cinnamon and maple syrup!
Mushroom and Bacon Breakfast Skillet

Is Mom more of an eggs and bacon person? Here’s an easy and elegant breakfast skillet by Joy the Baker that will satisfy a salty-crunchy craving rather than a sweet tooth.
Fruit and Yogurt Parfait
Looking for something fast and easy that even the littlest cook can help with? Make these gorgeous yogurt parfaits for Mom, using whatever fruit is in season.
Layer the yogurt, fruit, and granola in beautiful glasses for a really pretty presentation!
However you choose to celebrate Mother’s Day, have fun and take the time to share your gratitude with all the Mothers in your life.
Happy Mother’s Day!
About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.  
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

It’s National Teacher Appreciation Day today, May 8th.
Share your thanks with the teachers in your life!
Education Pays
Where would any of us be without education? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows education pays; the higher our level of education, the higher our wages are and the less likely we are to be unemployed.
Who Educated You and Your Employees?
Your staff benefited from exemplary teachers while growing up, and probably from educators who taught them job skills as adults. This week, show your gratitude to your former teachers and those who conduct training for your employees. And what about staff whose partners, parents or children are teachers? Take the time to thank them as well.
A Simple Thank You
As the National PTA says, sometimes a simple thank you is all a teacher needs to feel valued. But sometimes you want to do more for those at the heart of learning. As the Teacher Appreciation site notes, your appreciation gift for teacher need not be extravagant; even a simple note of thanks can really go a long way to making someone feel special and valued. Or how about a gift certificate of gratitude with a free enclosure card?
Ways to Say Thank You
The National Education Association offers plenty of ways to thank teachers on National Teacher Day and all week (yes it’s National Teacher Appreciation Week too). As the site says: Great teachers make great schools!
§ Participate in the NEA’s “Teacher Thank-You Project” by writing a teacher thank-you note and sharing it on the virtual mural tribute.

The NEA’s “Teacher Thank-You Project”was started in 2009 by NEA President Dennis Van Roekel and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.  This inspirational worldwide effort to thank teachers is a mural of thousands of notes and letters. The NEA is keeping the project going by creating the largest on-line virtual tribute of thanks to teachers’ hard work and dedication.

§  Join the NEA and Parenting.com sponsored, “My Amazing Teacher Campaign”.
§  Help spread the word by tweeting Teacher Week messages using the #thankateacher hashtag.

The NEA offers some sample tweets:

• If you can read, #thankateacher
• If you followed your dreams, #thankateacher
• If you graduated, #thankateacher

If you’re interested in the history of National Teacher Day and week, read Education Bug article, Teacher Day in the USA.
Appreciate Your Employees
And remember, you can use many of these ways to say thank you on other occasions, such as Employee Appreciation Day, which Recognition Professionals International notes is always the first Friday in March.
Do you remember a favorite teacher?  What did you do to thank him or her? 
Happy National Teacher Day!

About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Always the last week in April, with Administrative Professionals Day Wednesday, April 25, it’s a great time to show your gratitude and appreciation to these valued employees.
The theme for this year’s Administrative Professionals Day is “Admins, the pulse of the office,”International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), as the holiday marks its 60^th anniversary.
It’s one of the largest workplace observances outside of employee birthdays and major holidays, IAAP reports. The event is celebrated worldwide, bringing together millions of people for community events, educational seminars and individual corporate activities recognizing support staff.
Say it with Gift Certificates of Gratitude
Holiday Insights notes the most common ways to recognize your administrative professionals are:

• Cards, often with Gift Certificates
• Flowers
• Lunch
• Candy
• Gift baskets

Administrative Professionals:  The Heart and Pulse of the Office
These professionals certainly deserve your thanks. IAAP calls them “the steady center of efficiency … helping ensure jobs get done right, on time and under budget.”  And, usually with a smile and a bright disposition too.
International speaker and trainer Marja Lee Freeman, “The Employment Lady”, and founder of M.L. Freeman Consulting, asks  “So, what are YOU DOING for your staff this Administrative Professionals Week?” in her article, Administrative Professionals Week Celebration . “It’s time people realize the office administrator is the heart and pulse of a successful organization—for profit, nonprofit or any profit!” she enthuses.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants work in the United States and 8.9 million people work in various administrative support roles.
Recognize Support Staff’s Contributions
Although it’s important to recognize employees throughout the year, Administrative Professionals Week provides a great opportunity to thank support staff for their contributions, advises OfficeTeam’s Robert Hosking, Executive Director of the world’s largest temporary staffing service for Administrative Professionals.
The staffing firm’s press release at PR Newswire, OfficeTeam Offers Recognition Tips For Administrative Professionals Day (April 25), says “Although the achievements of these individuals often occur behind the scenes, administrative professionals make a significant impact on their organizations every day.”
And Harvard Business Review enumerates admins’ contributions in The Case for Executive Assistants.  “At senior levels (of Management) the return on a skilled assistant can be substantial”, says author Melba J. Duncan.  And, “granting middle managers access to an assistant—or shared resources—can give a quick boost to productivity even at lean, well-run companies.”  Duncan adds:

“Effective assistants can make enormous contributions to productivity at all levels of the organization. They ensure meetings begin on time with prep material delivered in advance. They optimize travel schedules and enable remote decision making, keeping projects on track. And they filter the distractions that can turn a manager into a reactive type who spends all day answering email instead of a leader who proactively sets the organization’s agenda.”

Melba J. Duncan is president of search and consulting firm The Duncan Group and author of “The New Executive Assistant: Advice for Succeeding in Your Career”.
At gThankYou.com, we’ll thank our support staff with gift certificates for ice cream.  How will you thank yours?  Let us know.
For more ideas on how to build a culture of appreciation in your workplace, download our FREE eBook, “The Ultimate Guide to Employee Gift-Giving”.





About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.

“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Employees with team spirit feel more appreciated, work together better and are more productive.

Douglas R. Conant, recently retired President and CEO of the Campbell Soup Company, talks about employee engagement in an Inc. Magazine article posted on Business Insider called “How Former Campbell’s Soup Company CEO Doug Conant Pulled the Brand Out From A “Circle of Doom”.

“My observation has been, is, and always will be, that you can’t have an organization that consistently delivers innovations unless you have a high level of engagement and high level of trust.  People just won’t take risks,” he writes.

Team Building is a Challenge!

Teamwork leads to trust and engagement, Conant blogs in his post “Building Effective Teams Isn’t Rocket Science, But It’s Just as Hard” at the Harvard Business Review.  This post is part of the HBR Insight Center: The Secrets of Great Teams should you be interested in learning more.

“Over my 35 years of experience in the corporate and nonprofit worlds, I’ve been part of hundreds, if not thousands, of teams of all shapes and sizes”, writes Conant.  “I’ve led some of these teams as a Fortune 300 CEO, and I’ve been at the bottom of the ladder as a marketing assistant at the start of my career.”

4 Ways to Build Successful Teams

Conant offers four key guiding thoughts that can materially improve your odds of team building success:

1. Hire Highly Effective Team Members. Conant looks for the 4 C’s: competence, character, courage, and collaboration.

2. Focus on Inspiring Trust. He calls this the single most important challenge, noting Steven Covey says in his book, The Speed of Trust, “It is the one thing that changes everything.” Over time, Conant has found that trust, based on competence and character, trumps all other attributes.

3. Encourage Candor. It’s important that teams acknowledges mistakes and celebrate progress in a timely way.

4. Be Clear About Expectations. The greater the clarity of the mission, the greater the odds of success.

Bottom line, Conant believes, “If you fully leverage these four guiding thoughts, you may not build the next-generation space shuttle, but you will most assuredly see your teams soar to new heights.”
How do you help your team soar?  Why are your best teams successful?
Conant is the coauthor, with strategic leadership and learning expert Mette Norgaard, of Touchpoints: Creating Powerful Leadership Connections in the Smallest of Moments. Douglas Conant was recently elected to the Board of Directors for Avon announced by Daily Markets.

Make Team Building an Everyday Priority

Team building takes prioritization and a commitment to building it into the fabric of your culture. Building in easy ways to nurture and encourage employee engagement are critical to your success. At gThankYou, we believe in helping leaders build great workplaces. Download our free resource for building a culture of engagement and appreciation – “Day-to-Day Employee Celebration Calendar” and share with colleagues today!

Holiday Ham leftovers at their finest.
To me, sandwiches are like cars. They can be humble and serviceable like my old green Saturn, they can be overly large and hard to handle like a Hummer, efficient but somewhat boring like a Prius, or packed with things you don’t really need like a Mercedes tricked out with docking stations, heated seats, and snowboard racks.
Following this analogy, the world’s greatest ham sandwich is a red 1969 MG convertible. It’s sporty. It’s sleek. A classic with a European flair, it turns heads and it’s gone in a flash. It’s easy to make, fun to eat, and good enough to be pictured on calendars.
Here’s How:
*Start with the bread. A fresh crusty baguette is best. A lightly toasted croissant or sturdy rye would also work, if you can’t find the perfect combination of crunchy brittle exterior and pillowy soft interior that defines the ideal French bread.
*The add cheese. Specifically Brie, softened a bit. Don’t mess around with fake brie (in a plastic container, without the rind), or American brie that’s been pasteurized and sterilized until it tastes like Velveeta.  Get the real thing – gooey and creamy with a healthy layer of crust. Slice it and cover one half of your halved baguette with the oozing goodness.
*Smoked ham, very thinly sliced.  The better the ham, the better the sandwich.  Holiday ham leftovers are perfect!
*Baby spinach. Wash carefully, pat dry, and remove the stems. Then pile on a layer of soft, supple leaves – just enough to add a slight crunch and a bitter note to the sandwich.

*Cherry mustard. Mix one part cherry preserves (homemade or from the store), with one part dijon mustard. Blend well, then slather the other slice of baguette with that sweet and spicy mixture.
Assemble sandwich and luxuriate in the combination of flavors. Think of it as a joy ride along the Pacific highway the top down on a warm summer afternoon.
Enjoy!




About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Let’s Eat Leftovers – It’s Easy & Delicious!
Ham is amazing. It can be a main dish on its own, a side dish, or an ingredient in a larger recipe. It is equally welcome at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It can add a touch of salty, smoky goodness to fancy French cuisine or simple, down home favorites.
Here are 5 Easy and Delicious Leftover favorites everyone will enjoy:
1.  Pot Pie
Nothing says comfort food like a flaky, warm pot pie.
2.  Spicy Scramble
Ham makes breakfast better! Fry up some leftover ham, sweet potatoes and eggs for a fabulous dish to spice up your day.
3.  Frittata
Hosting a brunch or need an easy dinner?  Serve this “green eggs and ham” frittata, filled with leftover ham, nutty gruyere cheese and fresh spinach shared by Food & Wine Chef, Melissa Rubel Jacobson.
5.  Not Your Usual Dinner Casserole
Rachel Ray marries ham and cauliflower a creamy, cheesy and savory casserole that’s as easy to make as it is delicious!
About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Lamb is a favorite by many for Passover and Easter Holiday dinner celebrations.  While Americans in general eat less lamb than other cultures, if you haven’t tried it, you are missing a delectable treat.  Why you ask?  Well…

1. It’s Delicious
   Lamb can be broiled, grilled, baked, or braised. It can be ground into patties, stuffed with herbs or marinated. It can be an ingredient in stews, tagines, and meatballs, or the star of the dinner table.
2. It’s Full of Nutrients
   Lamb is a prime source of high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals. A 3-ounce serving of lamb provides 43 percent of the recommended daily allowance of protein. Lamb is also high in B vitamins, zinc, and iron.
3. It’s Lean
   Compared to other meats, lamb contains very little marbling (fat in the meat). And, since the fat is on the edges of the meat, it is easily trimmed off, which means fewer calories — only 175 in an average 3-ounce serving.

Not sure where to start your lamb adventure?   Here are some important cooking tips.
Do not over cook!
For safety, the USDA recommends cooking lamb patties and ground lamb mixtures such as meat loaf to a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 °F as measured by a food thermometer. Cook all raw lamb steaks, chops, and roasts to a minimum internal temperature of 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer before removing meat from the heat source.
Shop smart
When shopping for lamb, look for meat that is fine textured and firm that has red coloring and white marbling (white flecks of fat within the meat muscle). The fat trim should be firm, white, and not too thick. The USDA quality grades are reliable guides.
Lamb vs. Mutton
The meat from a young sheep (less than 12 months of age) is called lamb. It is naturally tender and mild in flavor. The meat from an older sheep (over one year of age) is called mutton. It has a more intense flavor than lamb, but is preferred to lamb in some cultures.
Know your Parts!
There are five basic major cuts of lamb: shoulder, rack, shank/breast, loin, and leg. The rack contains 9 full ribs and can be split (along the back bone) into two lamb rib roasts. A “lamb crown roast” is made by sewing two rib roasts together to form a circle or crown.  “Loin” chops come from the loin and “rib” chops come from the rack (or rib); these are the most tender and most expensive chops. “Blade” and “arm” chops (from the shoulder) and “sirloin” chops (from the leg) are less expensive but may be just as tender.
Add to your holiday recipe repertoire with lamb!
Try this recipe for your next big holiday feast or dinner party.  You’ll be sure to wow your guests!

• Stuffed Leg of Lamb with Feta and Olives featured by Russ Parsons, The California Cook, Los Angeles Times

Let us know if you serve Lamb as the center piece of your holiday dinner.   Do you have a favorite lamb recipe to share?
About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

gThankYou! announces new Spring and Spring Holiday Enclosure Cards.   As with all gThankYou! Enclosure Cards, these new designs are free with any purchase, and can be customized with your personal message and Company Logo.  These thoughtful cards make the perfect addition to your  gThankYou! Certificate of Gratitude Gift this Spring.
gThankYou! Gift Certificates offer company leaders a convenient way to celebrate employees, holiday time or anytime.
gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude come in a variety of meaningful yet affordable varieties including: Turkey or Ham Gift Certificates, Ham Gift Certificates, Turkey Gift Certificates, Grocery Gift Certificates, as well as, Other Popular Varieties   (such as Pie, Ice Cream, Pizza and Fruit & Vegetables).  Recipients choose any Brand and can shop at virtually any Grocery store nationwide.  And, nearly all orders ship same day.
New Springtime Enclosure Cards:

gThankYou! Enclosure Cards are available for all seasons and variety of occasions such as Autumn and Thanksgiving,  Winter and Winter Holidays, and Thank You! Designs and More.
gThankYou! Gift Certificates are the ideal workplace gift and appreciated by all.  Share your gratitude today!
About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

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Show employees your gratitude by celebrating World Compliment Day on March 1!
The holiday’s Netherlands originator, recognition professional Hans Poortvliet says 50 nations celebrated World Compliment Day last year.  It’s not intended as a commercial holiday; it’s simply an opportunity to recognize and appreciate others.  And that’s something everyone needs.

“A sincere and personal compliment costs nothing, but the impact on the recipient is huge,” Poortvliet says. “Nothing stimulates more, gives more energy, makes people happier, and as far as business is concerned, increases productivity and commitment faster than sincere appreciation. So why not use it a little bit more?

As philosopher and psychologist William James once said, “The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.”

Your employees are the reason your company runs smoothly—they do their best for you every day. Take this opportunity to show your gratitude and appreciation by giving each of them a sincere compliment.  Here’s how…
Reason + Feeling + Result = Great Compliment
The three parts to a compliment that will reach employees’ hearts, not just their heads, and make them feel you really understand and care, according to HaLife.

1. The Reason – Pinpoint the reason you’re giving the compliment by describing the project and providing examples of the outstanding efforts that impressed you.  Employees need to understand why the compliment is warranted.
2. The Feeling – Define how you felt about the work that exceeded expectations—grateful, thrilled, elated, ecstatic, pleased, thankful—so you can connect on a more personal level.
3. The Result – Factually identify how employees’ above-and-beyond exertions helped the company. Do you have statistics that show how the employee saved time or money? It’s your chance to help employees understand how their actions directly help the business.

Together, these three elements form a sincere and meaningful compliment that shows your approval and admiration. Your employees will likely be motivated to continue to earn more heartfelt compliments through hard work.

Delivery Counts!
Demand Media provides tips for successful delivery of compliments in Amie Martin’s Chron.com article,  “How to Compliment Good Employees”.   Marten reminds managers to say “thank you”, two of the most important and valuable words to communicate to employees, often.
If penning a note is more your style, WriteExpress provides compliment letter templates you can use to craft your great compliments.
For more ideas, or to go public with your compliments, sign up to follow World Compliment Day on Twitter  or Facebook.
What’s the best workplace compliment you have received?  What’s the best one you have given to someone else?
Have a happy World Compliment Day!







About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.
 

There is something magical about waking up in the morning and gazing out your front window onto a yard covered with powdery, pure white snow. Watching drifts form with the frigid winter wind, seeing icicles appear along the eaves, and hearing the fresh snow crunch under your boots – these are the simple pleasures of winter.

But after a long day shoveling the sidewalk, building snowmen, or pulling the kids up the sledding hill it’s time to thaw out with food that warms you from within – soup. Easy to make, soups come in endless varieties, with recipes that can easily be adapted to the ingredients you have on hand. Best of all, leftovers are even better reheated a few days later!
Serve a hearty bowl of soup with warm crusty bread and a green salad and you have a meal that will keep you warm, even as the temperatures outside plunge into single digits.  Check out these favorites and enjoy!

• Heat things up southwestern style, with The Pioneer Woman’s beloved Chicken Tortilla Soup.  (See picture above, how can one resist?)  The Pioneer Woman does a marvelous job of showing the cooking steps in pictures for even the newest of cooks.
• Try a new twist on beef stew from Food Blogger, Joy the Baker.  The sweet potato makes all the difference.
• New England Clam chowder is hard to beat!   Here’s the recipe for Boston’s best Clam Chowder, Courtesy of the Union Oyster House in Boston and The Food Network.com.  It’s easy and delicious.  Substitute the salt pork with bacon for a truly traditional version.
• Last but certainly not least, one of our favorites is the Barefoot Contessa’s Cream of Fresh Tomato Soup.  This is not the tomato soup of your childhood – it’s spicy and so much better!  Serve with grilled cheese and don’t be afraid to dunk!

What’s your favorite winter soup?  Share it with us and we will post it for everyone.  Stay warm.
About gThankYou, LLC
Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey or half or whole Ham, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.
 

Or Beyond the Box of Chocolates…
Admit it. You love Valentine’s Day.
Ever since you got your first box of candy hearts and exchanged superhero Valentines cards with all the kids in your third grade class, it’s been a special day on the calendar. You may have outgrown the Mickey Mouse mini cards, but you still look forward to the sweet treats that accompany this festival of love. This year, ditch the box of chocolate covered cherries and show your Valentine how much you care by making something delicious.
For kitchen novices, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to make Valentine’s day cut out French toast, or swirl your breakfast batter into heart-shaped pancakes. Decorate plain sugar cookies with red and white frosting, sprinkles, and red hots, or bake pre-made cookie dough into Xs and Os. Bake brownies from a mix and top with red raspberries, strawberries, and vanilla ice cream.
To truly play culinary cupid, try one of these decadent desserts. You and your lucky recipients will be glad you did!
Fond of Fondue. You’ll be tempted to double dip with this warm, fudgy Rachel-Ray fondue treat. Great dippers include sliced bananas, strawberries, pound cake, pretzels, even marshmallows!

Be My Cupcake?   Who says Valentine’s day is all about chocolate? These pretty pink cupcakes are full of fresh strawberries. This recipe thanks to Oprah, is straight from the world-famous Sprinkles Cupcake bakery and will win your heart.   Complete the decadence with Sprinkes’ fresh strawberry frosting recipe.

Make the Most of Mousse.  Like a dozen roses and Casablanca, sometimes the classics are the best.   Here’s a classic bittersweet chocolate mousse from Martha Stewart that chocoholics will thank you for.
Spice it up!  Add some excitement to your Valentine’s treat with these molten chocolate cakes.
Fill someone’s day with a special treat, you will be glad you did.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.
 

Did you know the Monday after the Super Bowl is notoriously unproductive?
Consider human resources expert Susan M. Heathfield’s article, “Make the Super Bowl a Workplace Win.”  It cites interesting statistics from an employee survey by career community Glassdoor, which asks: “Is the Super Bowl good for the workplace?”
The results:

• 20% of employees say employee morale is typically better in the office the day after the Super Bowl.
• 22% of employees notice, however, that the Monday following the Super Bowl is commonly a less productive day than usual.
  (Need some last-minute productivity boost suggestions?  Check out the blog Workplace Productivity.)
• 8% of employees plan to take the day off following the Super Bowl.
• 9% of employees plan to take the Monday off as a vacation day.
• 3% of surveyed employees admit that they plan to call in sick the day after the Super Bowl.

Some Companies Offer Perks on Super Bowl Monday
The survey asks employees if their companies offer perks for Super Bowl Monday:

• Several employees say they’re either allowed to work from home or use the Monday as a flex day.
• Another employee says their weekly Monday morning meeting gets bumped until later in the day on Super Monday.
• Other survey respondents say their employers buy breakfast for employees on the Monday after the game.

Should Super Bowl Monday be a Holiday?
Some even say Super Bowl Monday should be a national holiday and not just sports fanatics.  In her article, “Do We Need a National Holiday on the Day After the Super Bowl?”,  Lisa Johnson Mandell  argues it’s a lost day anyway.  She notes that in 2010, “1.5 million Americans didn’t show up for work the next day at all, and an estimated 4.4 million showed up late. Then there are all the people who do show up on time who are fuzzy, drowsy and blurry-eyed.”
What Can You Do?
For one, take advantage of the high morale employees have on Monday.  Chances are your employees are in great moods the day after the Super Bowl—or horrible ones, if their team lost—but nonetheless they’re engaged and talking about the game and how they spent Super Bowl Sunday with family and friends.  It’s something almost everyone in the workplace can relate to and chatter about.
You’ll make the whole day more productive if you allow employees an hour in the morning to gather and talk. Consider hosting a simple breakfast for everyone to share or make it a potluck event.  A simple gesture such as this not only provides a needed transition for employees to focus for the day, but also builds long-term morale and goodwill too.
Be sure to announce special plans in advance, so those thinking of taking the day off or calling in sick will have an incentive to attend.  If you restore normal productivity on Super Monday, it will be well worth the time, effort and money.
What do you think? Do you see diminished productivity on Super Monday? What kinds of perks might work well in your workplace?
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.
 

With Super Bowl Sunday just a few days away, we know the players—the New York Giants and the New England Patriots —and party planning is in full swing.
Whether your team is in the big game or not (ours isn’t—Go Packers!) it’s hard not to watch the spectacle of the Super Bowl, if only for the halftime show  (are you a Madonna fan?) and the commercials.
Indianapolis is prepared for the Super Bowl, are you?
If not, check out these six tips for planning your own “winning” Super Bowl party:

• Prepare some of the best Super Bowl recipes for parties of all sizes.
• Read up on Super Bowl history so you can regale your party guests.
• Download a Super Bowl countdown clock to keep up guests’ anticipation for the game.
• Have these Super Bowl trivia questions at the ready.
• Plan some fun Super Bowl party activities for football lovers and non-football lovers alike.
• Queue up the Top 10 Super Bowl games for everyone’s enjoyment.

If your workplace is focused on the Super Bowl, it’s the perfect time to consider distributing gThankYou! Pizza Gift Certificates to employees as a thank you for a great holiday season or as a winter pick-me-up.  Order today and receive them tomorrow if you want.
May it be a great football game!
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates – The Perfect Holiday Gift for Employees!

Recognize your employees’ achievements this holiday season with a gThankYou! Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificate.

Everyone likes to feel appreciated, especially during the holidays. And a thoughtful gift of food this time of year is especially appreciated by all.  Imagine your employees’ warm feelings when you hand them a gThankYou! Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificate, along with one of our cheery seasonal Enclosure Cards.

Employees appreciate the convenience and practicality of your holiday gift—recipients can redeem their certificates for either a whole turkey or half or whole ham, at just about any store, anytime. You’ll be front and center in recipients’ thoughts as their gThankYou! gift of a ham or turkey enlivens their holiday tables.  And the gift will keep on giving as they enjoy delicious leftovers, courtesy of you.
It’s not too late to share your gratitude with employees this holiday season.  Give the perfect holiday gift: a gThankYou! Turkey Or Ham Certificate of Gratitude gift along with one of our free customizable Enclosure Cards with your personal message and company logo.
And during this season of gratitude, we at gThankYou! wish you, our readers, the happiest of holidays this year and always. Peace and joy to you and your families, and Happy New Year!
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Seriously.
There are a few recipes in my files that I’m extremely proud of. I make an awesome cranberry raspberry pie. My trays of holiday cookies are works of art. And my crème brulee? Killer. But it is my perfect turkey sandwich that consistently amazes my friends and dinner guests.
I think it’s because sandwiches seem so pedestrian, so unassuming. How magical could they be? They are, after all, just condiments and protein slapped between two pieces of bread, right? Making a sandwich doesn’t even count as cooking, and it certainly doesn’t need instructions.
But this turkey sandwich. . . it is superlative. It is stunning in its flavor combinations – a perfect blend of salty, sweet, creamy and crunchy and the best use of leftover Thanksgiving or Holiday turkey ever created.
Start with marbled rye – it’s bread with attitude, with depth of flavor and an artistic flair. Toast it, or not. This is up to you. Either way, it is the greatest foundation for your mind-blowing turkey sandwich.
On one piece of the bread, spread cranberry mustard. (You can buy various versions at grocery and specialty food stores.) If prepared cran-mustard is not available for some reason, you can also mix leftover whole berry cranberry sauce with good quality Dijon mustard. The result should be sweet, tart, spicy and gorgeous – a beautiful burgundy color. Apply liberally.   
Layer thin sliced turkey breast on next. Make sure you don’t overload the sandwich here – the amount of turkey should not exceed the sum of the other filling ingredients. Balance, as in all things, is key.
Next comes bacon. Oh yes. Three to four pieces of lovely, smoky, salty fried bacon. No you can’t use turkey bacon to substitute. No you can’t leave it off the sandwich because of the calorie count. Commit to running an extra hour on the treadmill and enjoy these crispy slices of pork heaven. They are not optional.
Lastly, the most temperamental ingredient — top the bacon with quarter-in thick slices of perfectly ripe avocado. Now I know what you’re thinking: avocados are only perfectly ripe for approximately 60 seconds in their life cycle. They seem to morph from granite hard to brown mush in an afternoon, and unless you live in California, they are out of season for most of the year. Never mind all that. Pinch every avocado at your supermarket until you find one with no blemishes, and just the right amount of give to the touch. Then rush home and assemble your sandwich. There is no time to lose!
At this point some people would add sprouts. I would not. Some would add a thin layer of mayo. But it’s not necessary if your avocados are appropriately luscious and creamy.
Cut in half. Serve with sweet potato chips (again, perfect sweet, salty, crispy, crunchy counterpoint). Enjoy. And give thanks all over again that there’s lots more leftover turkey in the fridge.
You’re welcome.
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Around here, we love turkey leftovers!  Growing up, we made an enormous Butterball turkey for Thanksgiving and ate it in one form or another until Christmas. And then we made another one. Turkey wasn’t a food group, it was a season. We had no choice but to embrace reheated plates of turkey and potatoes, warmed up, gooey green bean casserole, and fermented cranberry relish. As I got older I branched out, trying lots of new recipes with turkey as the star ingredient.
Of all the leftover dishes I’ve tried, turkey pot pie is consistently the best. And it’s a recipe that can be adapted to whatever you like, and what’s in the fridge. Here are the basics:
Turkey
Chop 1-2 cups of cooked turkey into bite-size pieces.
Veggies (This is a perfect way to use the leftovers from the relish tray!)
½ cup diced onion
½ cup diced carrot
½ cup peas
½ cup diced celery
1 cup sliced mushrooms
Sauté them in butter until crisp-cooked. Mix vegetables and turkey in large bowl until combined.
(You can also use leeks, broccoli, cauliflower, diced squash, corn, or green beans if that’s what you’ve got on hand.)
Gravy
Add gravy to generously coat all ingredients. Start with your leftover gravy from Thanksgiving. If you don’t have enough you can use canned chicken or turkey gravy, or make more.
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup whipping cream
Melt butter in a large saucepan. Whisk in flour until completely combined into a paste. Cook for one minute. Add broth all at once, stirring constantly. Bring mixture to a boil. When it has thickened, add wine (if desired) and whipping cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Herbs
Chopped parsley, sage, chives, or thyme make nice additions to the pie. Add to taste.
Crust
After you pour the gravy, turkey, and veggies in a large casserole dish, decided what kind of crust you like. You can use:
• A tube of refrigerated biscuit dough
• Pre-made puff pastry (thawed)
• Leftover mashed potatoes, mixed with an egg and some grated Parmesan cheese
• Pre-made pie crust (flat folded sheets found in the refrigerated section)
• Bisquick biscuit recipe
Place your crust of choice over the filling, making sure there are slits for the steam to escape. Bake at 350 F until the topping is browned and cooked through, and the filling is hot and bubbly. Serve with leftover cranberry sauce and enjoy!
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

Ah leftovers. . . for most of us, a welcome part of a Thanksgiving or Holiday turkey tradition.  Let’s face it, there’s nothing like a slab of leftover stuffing and turkey cold cuts to bring a holiday flavor to your lunchbox. And turkey is remarkably versatile. The white meat particularly can be used in a plethora of creative recipes in place of chicken, from soups and casseroles, to enchiladas and chili.
And although it may seem to some of the pickier eaters in the family that leftover Holiday turkey lasts forever, alas, it is not so. According to food safety experts, you have a relatively short window to enjoy the best of the rest of your bird.
Basically, from the time you take the turkey out of the oven, you have 2 hours to serve it, eat it, and then refrigerate or freeze the leftovers – the turkey, stuffing and gravy. Why just two hours? Because bacteria that cause food poisoning can multiply to dangerous levels on perishable food left longer than 2 hours at room temperature.
To preserve the Holiday Turkey flavor safely, do not dawdle. After dinner and before dessert you should remove the meat from the bones, cut large pieces into small pieces, and store in airtight containers. (That’s because food in small amounts will get cold more quickly.) Leftover turkey will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Stuffing and gravy should be used within 1 or 2 days. Just to be on the safe side, you should reheat leftover gravy to a rolling boil before serving.
If you’d like to extend your turkey leftover experience into the new year, put your airtight packages of cooked turkey goodness in the freezer, with the date clearly marked. That will give you up to 6 months to find just the right recipe. . . and May is a lovely time for turkey tetrazzini.
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

According to Mike McCullough, Director of the Evolution and Human Behavior Laboratory at the University of Miami, it seems gratitude soothes the savage beast in all of us.  Not that anyone is actually a beast, but research supports that by showing your employees gratitude, not only does it help them – it also helps you feel happier and remarkably, sleep better.

“Cultivating an ‘attitude of gratitude’ links to better health, sounder sleep, less anxiety and depression, higher long-term satisfaction with life and kinder behavior toward others, including romantic partners. A new study shows that feeling grateful makes people less likely to turn aggressive when provoked.”

Show Gratitude During the Holidays
A Clinical Psychology Review study by Alex Wood et.al lays out the details if you are interested.  So if you missed the opportunity to show employees your appreciation at Thanksgiving, the upcoming Holiday season gives you a second chance.
Gratitude Lite
Not feeling it? The Times quotes the University of California, Davis’ Robert Emmons , author of Thanks! and other books on gratitude. Emmons recommends starting out with “gratitude lite.” He and colleague Michael E. McCullough of the University of Miami conducted experiments, asking people to keep a brief, weekly “gratitude journal” listing five things they felt thankful for, like a beautiful sunset or a friend’s kindness.
After two months, the journalers were more optimistic, felt happier, reported fewer physical problems and spent more time working out, than control group members . They also fell asleep more quickly at night, slept longer and woke up feeling more refreshed.  Wow!
Five Ways to Feel Grateful
The New York Times article includes five tips experts offer for getting in the spirit:

1. Do something nice for a family member:
   Do one small kindness for a relative at your holiday celebration – listen attentively to yawn-worthy recollections, say thank you for a thoughtful gesture, or express admiration for a talent.

2. Turn the other cheek:
   If you count your blessings, you’ll be less likely to retaliate if a coworker or family member delivers a typically snarky comment. Say something positive instead and awaken that person’s empathy—they’ll pass the gratitude along.

3. Share the wealth:
   When you show gratitude, people realize they mean a lot to you, perhaps more than they thought. It’s a great way to uplift yourself and others.

4. Pay a gratitude visit:
   Write a very specific 300-word letter to someone who has changed your life for the better. Deliver it in person and read it aloud. “You’ll be happier in one month,” guarantees University of Pennsylvania’s Martin Seligman in a New York Times quote from his book, Flourish.

5. Seek “deep gratitude”:
   The New York Times quotes Emmons:  “As a culture, we have lost a deep sense of gratefulness about the freedoms we enjoy, a lack of gratitude toward those who lost their lives in the fight for freedom, a lack of gratitude for all the material advantages we have. The focus of [the holidays] should be a reflection of how our lives have been made so much more comfortable by the sacrifices of those who have come before us.”

Recognize Your Employees
Got your gratitude on?  This holiday season, thank your employees for their diligence. Be specific about how their efforts have fostered your organization’s growth and success in 2011. We’ve said it before, but a holiday Turkey Or Ham Certificate of Gratitude from gThankYou says “We appreciate all you do for us”.  Pass along the gratitude – you and your recipient will both benefit.
Happy Holidays!
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog –  “Celebrating Work”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

gThankYou announces new festive Enclosure Cards for the Winter Holidays.   These fun seasonal Winter and Holiday themed Enclosure Cards can be customized with your personal message and Company Logo, making them the perfect addition to your holiday gThankYou! Certificate of Gratitude Gift.

“It’s the season of gratitude and the perfect time to recognize and reward employee’s hard work and contributions over this past year”, says Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer of gThankYou.  “A gift of a whole turkey or ham, groceries or even holiday pie can brighten someone’s day this time of year and for many, may be an important contribution to a holiday meal celebration for their family.  A thoughtful gift of food at the holidays is appreciated by all.”
gThankYou! Gift Certificates offer company leaders a convenient way to recognize and reward workplace success, holiday time or anytime.   gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude come in a variety of meaningful yet affordable varieties including: Turkey Gift Certificates, Ham Gift Certificates, Turkey or Ham Gift Certificates, and Grocery Gift Certificates, as well as, Other Popular Varieties   (such as Pie, Ice Cream, Pizza and Fruit & Vegetables).  Recipients choose any Brand and can shop at virtually any Grocery store nationwide.
gThankYou! Enclosure Cards are provided free with purchase of any variety of gThankYou! Gift Certificates.  What’s more, gThankYou! Enclosure Cards can be customized with your personal message and company logo.  And, nearly all orders still ship same day.  You’ll find these new Enclosure Card designs plus other Winter Holiday favorites on the gThankYou! website.
New Winter Holiday Enclosure Cards:
gThankYou! Enclosure Cards are available for all seasons and variety of occasions; gThankYou also offers Autumn and Thanksgiving Enclosure Cards,  Spring and Summer Enclosure Cards, and many More Enclosure Cards.
gThankYou! Gift Certificates are the ideal workplace gift and appreciated by all.  Share your gratitude today!
About gThankYou

gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts.  gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the company blog – “Celebrating Work”.
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

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Thanksgiving may be the only time of year when the entire U.S. orders dinner off the same menu. Everyone knows the basics ingredients for a successful turkey day – mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and cranberries. These are tried and true side dishes that are as American as the Norman Rockwell painting that codified their place at the table. But, like the Volkswagen Beetle, even the classics can benefit from some updating! Try these twists on the standard fare and liven up your Thanksgiving table this year.
Mashed Potatoes
Why not add a little spice? After the potatoes are boiled and mashed (we use lots of butter and heart-clogging half & half), add one of these combinations for a delicious update to a traditional favorite. 
* Bacon, cheddar cheese, and caramelized onions
* Pureed fennel and rosemary
* Half and half, basil, and Parmesan cheese
* Canned pumpkin, sage, and nutmeg
* Leeks, chives, and crème fraiche
Stuffing
Stuffing is the ultimate blank canvas – dried bread cubes and broth — so add lots of color and flavor with these tasty variations:
* Apple, bacon, and onion
* Wild mushrooms and leeks
* Wild rice, dried cranberries, and pecans
* Andouille sausage and green and red peppers
Cranberries
If Aunt Sally just has to have cranberries in jellied form, oozed out of the can and cut in rounds, fine. But why not serve one of these cranberry dishes alongside for everyone else to enjoy?

* Mix raw cranberries with apples and orange in this refreshing Cranberry Relish by Simply Recipes.
* Or on a salad!
After all, we should be thankful for a variety of creative food on our table this Thanksgiving!
Happy cooking!
About gThankYou, LLC
gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificates are one of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand whole Turkey, at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.
gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime.  gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo, and ship same day.
gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin.  Contact:  Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.  Follow the company blog “Celebrating Work” at www.gthankyou.com/blog.
“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.