There may be as many reasons to honor special people, as there are people to honor. Yet, have you ever wondered why we honor people in the first place? Why do we pause every so often to acknowledge and honor special efforts by special people with an appreciation award? Or milestones in people's lives? After all, life would go on without special occasions. We'd still get up in the morning, go to work, care for our kids, They'd go to school, grow up, get their own jobs (hopefully!), maybe have a family of their own. Life does its thing. Perhaps we honor people with recognition programs because, sooner or later, we realize that we don't know how much time we've got here and every day becomes a little more precious. So too, the people we admire become a more appreciated. Well, things have gotten a bit sentimental. And, we still haven't figured out a slick way to sell you on a Bulova watch for your event. So, here's the pitch. {Commercial?} How can you possibly go wrong selecting a Bulova watch ? You really can't; Bulova's been in business since 1875, over130 years, and is famous for the Accutron and Caravelle watches. No matter the price, Bulova watches look great!

How to Get Started >

If you'll help us out by telling us a bit about yourself, your organization and your needs, a real person will respond in the way you choose.

Here You Can Cover a Wide Range of Situations

Perhaps a colleague is retiring - you'll find gifts for retirement.

On the other hand, are you looking for a retirement gift for a friend? We most likely have what you want.

Maybe someone you have served with on your Police Force or Fire Department is leaving. You can select a service award recognition program.

It could be a special birthday or anniversary. A recognition gift is perfect!

Is someone being promoted? Try an employee recognition program here.

Do you have a team of workers who went beyond what's expected. . .
beyond the call of duty? Thank them with a staff achievement recognition
program.

Would you like to rally a team around a goal? Create a custom employee appreciation gift - have us put your logo on the face of a watch.

Is a favorite teacher moving on? Shop here for a teacher retirement gift idea.

Have a friend or relative retiring from military service? Why not look here for a military gift idea?

Get Help In Writing Your Tribute Top of Page

It is beyond our ability to write tributes for all of our customers. However we have found there is one key, that if you use it, will make every tribute a success:

Personalize Your Speech or Presentation

You're probably saying to yourself something like "Well duh, that's no big secret. II or "Sure, never heard that before! II or "Gee, how original - give me a break. II

But it's true. Just recall one or two times when this person impacted your life, or your friends or colleagues lives. Then relate the experience in your own words you'll be a hit. And you'll be a hero to everyone, especially the honoree.

It really is that simple. And simple is better. A simple recollection and telling of your experience far surpasses flowery words, trite phrases, and worn-out BS we've all heard too many times.

More Help Writing Your Tribute Top of Page

To help you along and stimulate your imagination here is what we found when we searched for a history of people honoring people.

Actually, we found no definitive history of paying tribute. However we did find that we honor, recognize, or pay tribute to people for many reasons. Among them:

They posess Virtue defined as "habitual excellence". . . something practiced at all times. (From the Greeks).

They exhibit Success and Excellence often both! But what is the difference? Success often means exceeding the achievements of other people.

Excellence means being better tomorrow than you were yesterday; matching your practice with your potential.

In any event we recognize and applaud both!

acter is an evaluation of moral and mental qualities. It's subjective – one person may evaluate character on the basis of virtue, another may consider fortitude, courage, loyalty, or honesty. True character happens when we focus on qualities such as: truthfulness, diligence, obedience, loyalty and courage.

Heroes exhibit traits such as self sacrifice, bravery, and commitment to doing the right thing regardless of the personal cost.

Everyday Heroes are men and women of special character - often our moms and dads.

Courage is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation. It is both physical courage (facing physical pain, hardship, and threat of death) and moral courage (facing shame, scandal, and discouragement.) Courage is also known as fortitude.

Loyalty, (English derived) came into use in the early part of the 15th century meaning fidelity to one's oath or in service. Today it is used to describe employee satisfaction with their organization, and whether or not they exit or stay

Honesty is the quality of communicating and acting truthfully and with fairness, as best one is able. It is related to truth as a value. Superficially, honesty means simply, stating facts and views as best one truly believes them to be

Buddist version: Real honesty is being honest about what your potentials are. True honesty stretches us from where we are to what our possibilities are.

Honor comprises the reputation, self-perception or moral identity of an individual or of a group.

Diligence - the state or quality of pursuing goals with conviction, persistence and dedication - sometimes refusing to give up under trying circumstances.

Four Definitions Top of Page

Awards are something given to a person or group of people to recognize excellence in a certain field.

A ceremony is an activity, containing ritual significance, performed on a special occasion. Often ceremonies have a physical display or theatrical component.

A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value, which is prescribed by the traditions of a community or a religion.

A tribute is wealth given as a sign of respect.