Christmas Office Party Themes

Corporate comedian Larry Weaver outlines a very inexpensive and memorable Christmas office party theme in his newly updated book "Funny Employee Awards: Your Complete Guide to Organizing a Humorous, Entertaining, and Rewarding Recognition Ceremony." Weaver recommends an office “Awards Show” theme to maximize impact with a limited budget.

Employee awards ceremonies are nothing new, but Weaver has added a humorous twist with funny award certificates designed especially for the office.

Sure, you could gather everyone together and hand out plaques reading “Best Salesman” or “Most Valuable Worker,” but where’s the fun in that? “Your employees don’t want to sit through a dry presentation any more than you want to give one,” advises Weaver. 

Weaver's book gives tips on how to organize a corporate event to show gratitude and motivate staff. He suggests many low-cost touches to make your awards show special:

• Set up a red carpet outside the meeting space (check your local remnant store for deals).
• Station a photographer to pose as paparazzi as guests arrive.
• Serve “mocktails” to make the evening festive.
• Have a professional comedian or someone funny serve as the emcee for the event.
• Hand out funny certificates to the winners.

"Very few company awards shows make employees feel special.  But a little creativity in your awards shows your staff that you really put some thought into it this year," Weaver said. 

Weaver has employee award categories for teamwork, leadership, appreciation, achievement and excellence. Most of the awards "poke light fun." He encourages companies to only give those awards to employees with a sense of humor. For more sensitive types, the book contains a selection of "job well done" awards that range from congratulatory to silly.

"Funny Employee Awards" by comedian Larry Weaver contains everything you need to know about organizing a humorous employee recognition ceremony. And most important, you’ll get 101 printable certificates and templates that are appropriate for everyone around the office, no matter the type of business. 

About Larry Weaver:

Larry Weaver is a professional comedian and creator of the Funny Office Awards Show. With nearly 20 years as both a corporate comedian and office worker, Larry brings a humorous perspective to corporate events. His Fun Awards blog has free printable awards, office Christmas party games, and staff appreciation ideas from successful office parties around the world.

To order the funny office certificates, visit http://www.funawards.com

Funny Office Awards - 101 Funny Award Ideas for Employees, Volunteers or Staff

Looking for low-cost office party ideas? Comedian Larry Weaver has expert advice, funny office awards and printable certificates in his newly updated book "Funny Employee Awards: Your Complete Guide to Organizing a Humorous, Entertaining, and Rewarding Recognition Ceremony."

DURHAM, NC, USA - Company Christmas parties are coming and businesses are looking for office party ideas to fit their budget. Comedian Larry Weaver reveals how to plan a fun and entertaining corporate event in the Third Edition of his book "Funny Employee Awards: Your Complete Guide to Organizing a Humorous, Entertaining, and Rewarding Recognition Ceremony."

"Giving out funny office awards can be part entertainment, part morale booster at your holiday party. It gives employees a chance to get to know each other better, and it keeps the mood light. My book is full of gag awards and fun ideas for businesses to make the most of their holiday party," says Weaver.

Funny certificates can bring laughter long after the company office party ends. Just don’t take your inspiration from The Dundies that Michael Scott handed out on NBC's The Office. His selection ranged from boring (Pam won the "Whitest Sneakers Award") to the inappropriate (Kevin took home the "Don't Go in There After Me Award").

For work settings, Weaver recommends creating funny awards for employees that focus on humorous situations common to the workplace. Avoid references to personal appearance or character traits that could potentially embarrass the recipient.

Anyone who's tried to create their own funny awards knows that coming up with ideas is the toughest part. Weaver enlisted an A-list team of professional comedians and comedy writers to help, including an Emmy-nominated writer from Saturday Night Live and an editor from the New York Post. With their ideas anyone can put on a successful awards ceremony.

A few example funny award ideas include:

• Bermuda Triangle Award - for the desk where things go in but never come out 
•  Running with the Bulls Award - for the biggest risk taker 
• Room Service Award - for showing up sometime before lunch 
• Houdini Award - for being able to escape from any bind 
• Loch Ness Award - for least likely to be found

Most of the awards "poke light fun." Weaver encourages companies to only give those awards to employees with a sense of humor. For more sensitive types, the book contains a selection of "job well done" awards that range from congratulatory to silly.

The awards reference pop culture, world history, classic literature, children's characters, and more. There are humorous awards for teamwork, leadership, appreciation, achievement and excellence.

Weaver's book gives tips on how to organize a corporate event to show gratitude and motivate employees. There are 101 professionally designed and funny award certificates that can be printed, framed, and presented plus 6 awards template for creating your own employee awards.

About Larry Weaver:
Larry Weaver is a professional comedian and creator of the Funny Office Awards Show: the company party where your employees are the stars. With nearly 20 years as both a corporate comedian and office worker, Larry brings a unique and refreshing perspective to workplace humor. His Funny Awards blog has free funny award ideas and stories from successful office parties around the world.

To see samples of funny office awards or to order the certificates, visit http://www.funawards.com

Funny Employee Awards Certificates - Updated for 2010!

I've just released an upgrade to my best-selling eBook, Funny Employee Awards: Your Complete Guide to Organizing a Humorous, Entertaining and Rewarding Recognition Ceremony  (version 3.01), on Saturday, October 30, 2010.

The new version updates last year's "3rd Edition" release with a new certificate seal design. The certificates seal formerly read "FunnyEmployeeAwards.com". The new seal reads "FunAwards.com". This change reflects the gradual shift to our newest website, http://www.funawards.com

The new seal design also makes the awards more versatile. Even though the collection is entitled "Funny Employee Awards", many of the individual certificates are appropriate for volunteers, coworkers, staff, teachers, athletics, fantasy sports teams, groups, organizations, kids, adults - really any purpose you can imagine. As always, you'll get 101 funny printable certificates plus 6 awards templates for creating your own funny awards.

The certificates are in use around the World, including sales to the United States, Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and South Africa. This new edition is guaranteed to bring more Worldwide popularity!

These awards are perfect for office parties, staff recognition, year-end celebrations, company meetings, work appreciation, and any employee, organization or type of business.
Order your copy online today!

Funny Employee Awards for CoWorkers on CNN

Thanks to CNN.com for naming "Funny Employee Awards" one of 10 Fun Gifts for Co-Workers in a recent news item.

#9 Funny Employee Awards
Bring your office holiday party to life by presenting your co-workers with funny employee awards. With 101 different categories ranging from a job well done to poking fun at each other, there's sure to be an award for everyone. ($29.99) - Source: cnn.com

The article by Rachel Zupek originally appeared on Careerbuilder.com before CNN picked up the story. She encourages you to forgo predictable gifts like coffee mugs for your boss, a gift card for your co-worker, or fruit baskets for clients. Instead, give something fun like Funny Awards for Coworkers.

Gag Gifts for Under $10

A new book has fun awards to give out to the office staff and laugh at the funny things that happen around the office. Written by corporate comedian Larry Weaver, the book, "Funny Employee Awards: Your Complete Guide to Organizing a Humorous, Entertaining, and Rewarding Recognition Ceremony", lightens up the workplace whether for a holiday party or just for fun.

Enjoy Some FREE Printable Certificates
The toughest part of giving out funny office awards is coming up with ideas. Weaver has been through it and made the planning painless. As a comedian he knows how to make a crowd laugh, he's helping out struggling office workers by giving away free printable awards. Just add an inexpensive frame (think dollar store) and it's ready to present. The free printable certificates make a great gag gift for under $10.


"Funny how humor, applied in the right way, can really help the workplace. Humor can motivate people to work harder and increase teamwork. Or, it can get people in trouble with human resources. I tell you how to avoid that," says Weaver.

Here are some examples of funny awards:

• Selective Hearing Impairment Award - For Only Hearing What You Want to Hear.
• Baryshnikov Award - For Most Skill in Dancing Around the Issues.
• Raisin Pay Award - For Most Deserving of a "Raisin" Pay.
• Kool and the Gang Award - For Excellence in Group Work.

The book has 101 professionally designed awards in PDF format that can be easily printed on the office printer. The awards poke fun, recognize accomplishments, and make reference to pop culture and cartoon characters.

About Larry Weaver:
Larry Weaver is a professional comedian and creator of the Funny Employee Awards Show - the company party where your employees are the stars. With nearly 20 years as both a corporate comedian and office worker, Larry brings a unique and refreshing perspective to workplace humor.

Download 101 Funny Employee Awards Certificates! If you like these free funny awards, be sure to pick up our 101 funny award certificates eBook. These awards are perfect for every worker at any type of business. Download now and start using right away!

Funny Employee Awards Has Office Party Ideas for Tighter Holiday Budgets

With businesses cutting back on budgets - the office holiday party could be the next cut. Rather than canceling the party, a humorous employee awards ceremony could lighten the mood this year - and save money. A new book by corporate comedian Larry Weaver tells how.


Durham, NC (PRWEB) November 6, 2008 -- The holidays are coming and businesses are looking for office party ideas to fit their budget. In addition, with a tighter economy, employees may need some cheering up. While some opt to cancel the party, comedian Larry Weaver invites people to lighten up instead. His new book, "Funny Employee Awards: Your Complete Guide to Organizing a Humorous, Entertaining, and Rewarding Recognition Ceremony," tells how to plan a fun and entertaining party.

As a professional comedian, Weaver has seen way too many holiday parties serious - and boring company parties. He has vowed to prevent employees all over the country from going to yet another boring party out of sheer obligation. Instead, giving out funny awards certificates recognizes the unique personalities and contributions of each employee.

"At most office parties there is a supervisor who rattles off a laundry list of people who have won awards. There is polite applause and everyone is wondering how when they can leave without looking bad," he said.
Another thing, no one feels special. "Very few company awards shows make employees feel good. That's why I wrote this book. I knew with a little creativity awards ceremonies could make people laugh. They can bring people together during what is for many, a stressful year," Weaver said.

Anyone who's tried to come up with their own funny awards knows that coming up with ideas and making them look good is the toughest part. Weaver once got assigned the task to come up with them for a company he worked for. With his ideas anyone can put on a successful awards ceremony.

The awards have references to pop culture, world history, classic literature, children's characters, and more. There are awards for teamwork, leadership, departments, and for a job well done. They range from the congratulatory to the silly or clever.

Examples include:

• Bermuda Triangle Award - for the desk where things go in but never come out
• The Deer in the Headlights Award - for the most confused
• The Room Service Award - for showing up sometime before lunch
• The Houdini Award - for being able to escape from any bind
• Loch Ness Award - for the worker who is least likely to be found

Most of the awards "poke light fun." Weaver encourages companies to only give those awards to the employees with a sense of humor. "Funny employee awards are meant to entertain people, not embarrass them. I explain how to use humor that will even make human resources smile," he said. These awards are meant to take any manager and make them look like a pro on stage.

"Funny Employee Awards" includes 101 professionally designed printable award certificates that can be downloaded and printed at the office. As a bonus, there are six blank award templates that can be turned into custom awards.

About Larry Weaver: Larry Weaver is a professional comedian and creator of the Funny Employee Awards Show - the company party where your employees are the stars. With nearly 20 years as both a corporate comedian and office worker, Larry brings a unique and refreshing perspective to workplace humor. The Funny Employee Awards blog has stories from successful or humorous office parties around the world.

To see samples of funny employee awards or to order the book, visit http://www.funawards.com

Funny Employee Awards in the News

As Christmas office party planning kicks into high gear, the elite main stream media knows where to turn for accurate and insightful commentary. When that doesn't work, they turn to me. Here are a few articles out this week:
Cut the Budget (but not the Humor) at Your Holiday Party
Incentive Magazine - November 04, 2008 This article is especially good, probably because I wrote it. Read about choosing employee award recipients, presenting the awards, and hiring a comedian to host the ceremony...

Sure, you could gather everyone together in some conference room and hand out plaques reading "Best Salesman" or "MVW" (Most Valuable Worker), but where's the fun in that? Funny awards give thanks while simultaneously making sure everyone has a good time. Your employees don't want to sit through a dry presentation any more than you want to give one. We all suffer enough at our jobs without the supposedly "fun" times adding to the misery.

How to party without usual holiday office party
Associated Press - November 04, 2008 This article includes some office Christmas party cost-cutting tips from yours truly...

Many companies are also moving the party to January, when the holiday rush has passed and planners can negotiate better rates, says Larry Weaver, who runs a Durham, N.C., entertainment agency that books talent for corporate functions.

"You're already over the stress of the holiday and it gives you something do after the holiday. And the restaurants and catering companies are willing to make a deal," says Weaver.

Personalized Recognition Is ‘Priceless’
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - November 2008 You'll need to be a SHRM member to access this article, but it's a fantastic article on presenting employee awards...

Unfortunately, many companies lump length of service awards with all of the other awards given during an end-of-year celebration, says Larry Weaver, a Durham, N.C.-based professional comedian who has hosted many awards shows. “When you're just rattling off a laundry list of award recipients, it loses the effect of making anyone feel special.”

Weaver’s advice: “If you're going to give out length of service pins or other gifts, give them on the anniversary date and let the entire company know. You can then acknowledge those people again at the end of (the) year.”

Funny Awards for Employees

Larry Weaver is a professional comedian and author of "Funny Employee Awards, Your Complete Guide to Organizing a Humorous, Entertaining and Rewarding Recognition Ceremony." The book offers 101 printable awards certificates along with tips on throwing an economical and motivating company party. Weaver drew from his nearly 20 years experience as a corporate comedian to create the awards. Visit www.FunAwards.com

Funny Teacher Awards

We all know that school teachers are underpaid and under appreciated. While we can't count on the government to approve pay increases, we can do our part to give recognition and help our teachers feel appreciated. Why not reward school teachers at your next end of year awards ceremony with the gift of laughter? These funny teachers awards are sure to put a smile on everyone's face.

	Bermuda Triangle Award Is there a teacher at your school who just can't seem to get their stuff together? Would they lose their head if it wasn't attached? Celebrate the person who is always losing paperwork with this fun certificate. Download free Printable Certificate
	Kool and the Gang Teamwork Award When it's time to say well done to a group of teachers, single out the team that has shown excellence in Group Work. Celebrate their outstanding Teamwork with this funny gag certificate. Download Free Certificate
	Baryshnikov Award Navigating the education system takes great skill and prowess - especially in the public school sector. Celebrate a teacher's mastery of dancing around the issues with this fun award certificate. Download Free Printable Certificate
	Running with the Bulls Leadership Award Teaching kids takes courage and boldness. Within every school there is one fearless leader - a bold risk taker who isn't afraid to step out of the pack and take on new challenges. Celebrate their Fearless Leadership with this funny gag certificate. Download Free Printable Certificate
	Raisin Pay Appreciation Award Every teacher deserves a raise in pay - or maybe they just think they do. Show them you care without breaking the bank with this funny gag certificate of appreciation. Download free Certificate of Appreciation
	Download 101 Funny Awards Certificates! PDF download includes 101 Hilarious Printable Certificates + 6 Award Templates for making up your own Funny Teacher Awards! Download now and start using right away!

The Company Christmas Party - Another Casualty of a Tough Economy

DURHAM, N.C./PRNewswire -- Small businesses are looking for ways to cut their budgets and one of the first things to go is the holiday party. According to one expert, that's a bad idea. Trim the budget, but don't cut the humor, says corporate comedian Larry Weaver, author of the new eBook, Funny Employee Awards, Your Complete Guide to Organizing a Humorous, Entertaining and Rewarding Recognition Ceremony.

As a comedian who spends the bulk of November through January performing at corporate events, Weaver has seen an alarming trend of corporate party cancellations this year. But if there was ever a time our country needed laughter in the workplace, it's now. Layoffs and bankruptcies are hurting companies and taking morale down with them. Like the country, workers need assurances that we can recover. Rather than canceling the party, Weaver suggests something fun, low-cost, and creative. Recognition is free, and can be more valuable and motivating than money.

"For a company with a history of lavish year-end celebrations, the first impulse during a downturn is to cut the company party altogether," reports Weaver. "This is a mistake. It sends a strong message that the company isn't doing well. Your top performers may already be doing their own year-end introspection. By cutting the celebration, you may be sending a signal that it's time to start sending out resumes."

Weaver's eBook gives tips on how to organize an event to show gratitude and motivate employees. There are 101 professionally designed and funny awards that can be printed, framed, and presented. Award categories range from Job Well Done to Poking Light Fun, and Weaver reveals how to pull off the party without embarrassing anyone or getting in trouble with human resources.

For further information visit: http://www.funawards.com

SOURCE Larry Weaver Entertainment

101 Funny Employee Awards

I'm pleased to announce that the new, improved, Second Edition of Funny Employee Awards: Your Complete Guide to Organizing a Humorous, Entertaining and Rewarding Recognition Ceremony, is now on sale!

The new version is bursting at the seams with 101 funny printable certificates plus 6 awards templates for creating your own funny awards.

More Funny Than Ever.
Over 40 new funny awards. We've taken out some older awards, and added hilarious new ones.

Better Looking Design.
New certificate design looks more professional and prints better!

Written by Comedians for Non-Comedians.
Writers from Saturday Night Live, the New York Post, and top professional touring comedians bring you the funniest awards yet!
The first edition delighted readers in the United States, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Mexico, The Netherlands, and South Africa. This new edition is guaranteed to be a Worldwide phenomenon!

These awards are perfect for office parties, staff recognition, year-end celebrations, company meetings, work appreciation, and any employee or type of business.

Order your copy online today!