The New Year is the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation for your employees. If you are involved with Food and Wood, you know that a strong team spirit is essential to the success of your organisation. Personal New Year gifts can be a powerful way to strengthen this bond and make your employees feel that their efforts are being recognised. In this blog post, we present the top 5 personal New Year gifts that are not only practical, but also send a message of appreciation and support. Be inspired to start the New Year on a positive note!

What are personalized cookbooks?

Personalized cookbooks are specially designed books that not only feature the recipient’s name on the cover, but also recipes tailored to their personal tastes. This makes them a unique and sentimental gift, ideal for employees who love to cook. When creating a personalized cookbook, you can choose from a variety of recipes, from simple weeknight meals to sophisticated dishes for special occasions.

Why choose a personalized cookbook?

There are several reasons why a personalized cookbook is an excellent gift for your employees:

• Personal touch: Using the recipient's name on the cover and selecting recipes that suit their tastes creates a special feeling.
• Uniqueness: Each cookbook is different and can be customized to the employee's preferences, unlike standard cookbooks that are the same for everyone.
• Motivation to cook: A personalized cookbook can encourage employees to get into the kitchen more often and try out new recipes.

Examples of Personalized Cookbooks

There are several options for designing personalized cookbooks. Here are some popular choices:

1. Blurb Cookbooks

• Features:
  • Easy to use online tool
  • Option to add personal recipes and photos
  • Various sizes and bindings available
• Why choose?: Blurb offers extensive creative freedom when designing a cookbook. It allows you to customize the book entirely to your liking.

2. Your Recipe Book

• Features:
  • Predefined templates
  • Collaboration opportunities between multiple family members or friends
  • Space for personal notes
• Why choose?: This platform makes it easy to pool recipes from different people, perfect for creating a cookbook that reflects a community.

3. Cookbook Personal

• Features:
  • Choose from hundreds of recipes
  • Possibility to add your own recipes
  • Sales of printed versions and digital downloads
• Why choose?: Cookbook Personal allows users to create a book that connects them to their culinary past by integrating personal recipes.

Tips for Creating a Personalized Cookbook

When creating a personalized cookbook, it is useful to keep a few tips in mind:

• Identify preferences: Find out what the employee's favorite ingredients, dishes and cooking styles are.
• Vary in genres: Combine different types of recipes, such as starters, main courses, desserts and snacks.
• Add personal stories: Short anecdotes or memories with each recipe can make the book even more special.

Examples of Recipe Categories

Here are some categories of recipes you can include in a personalized cookbook:

• Healthy Meals
  • Salads
  • Smoothies
• Comfort Food
  • Pasta dishes
  • Casseroles
• Desserts
  • Cakes
  • Cookies
• International Cuisine
  • Asian dishes
  • Mediterranean recipes

Sustainable Reusable Lunch Boxes: A Practical Choice for the Environmentally Conscious Employee

Sustainable reusable lunch boxes are becoming increasingly popular these days and for good reason. They offer numerous benefits for both the user and the environment. In this article, you will find more information about the benefits of reusable lunch boxes, some recommended products and practical tips.

Benefits of Sustainable Reusable Lunch Boxes

There are several advantages to using reusable lunch boxes:

• Environmental benefit: By choosing a reusable lunch box instead of disposable alternatives, you reduce the amount of waste you generate. Disposable lunch packaging contributes significantly to the pollution of our oceans and the environment.
• Cost effective: You save money in the long run. Single-use packaging for your lunch can quickly add up over the course of a year. Investing in a quality, reusable lunch box will save you money in the long run.
• Healthier choices: Bringing your own lunch in a reusable container makes it easier to prepare healthier meals for yourself. You have full control over the ingredients and portion size, which contributes to a healthier lifestyle.
• Personalization: Many brands offer the option to personalize lunch boxes with a name or logo. This makes it not only a practical item, but also a personal and unique gift for employees.

Recommended Products

There are many brands and models available that offer high-quality, durable reusable lunch boxes. Here are some top picks:

• Bentgo Fusion: This lunch box is perfect for separate meals and has multiple compartments. It is made of BPA-free plastic and is easy to clean.
• Lifefactory Glass Food Storage: For those who prefer glass to plastic, this lunch box offers a stylish and safe solution. The glass is oven and freezer safe and comes with a protective silicone sleeve.
• ECOlunchbox: This stainless steel lunch box is an excellent choice for those who choose sustainability. It is completely plastic-free and dishwasher safe, perfect for everyday use.
• Yumbox Original: With a handy layout and colourful designs, this lunch box is ideal for adults and children alike. It's also leak-proof, making it perfect for sauces and dips.

Tips for Using Reusable Lunch Boxes Effectively

• Choose good planning: Preparing a healthy lunch is easier when you plan ahead. Make a menu for the week and prepare a few meals in bulk to fill your lunch boxes.
• Use reusable bags: Combine your lunch box with reusable snack bags for smaller snacks such as nuts or fruit. Brands such as Snack Bags by Reusable Revolution are perfect for this purpose.
• Invest in a water bottle: Don't forget to bring a reusable water bottle to avoid dehydration and reduce plastic waste. Brands like Kleankanteen and Hydro Flask offer sturdily designed bottles.
• Personalize your lunch box: Advanced customization can ensure that your lunch box is not only functional but also attractive. Companies such as Stuck on You offer personalization options for lunch boxes.

By choosing a sustainable reusable lunch box, you are not only making a smart choice for your health, but you are also contributing to a cleaner and more environmentally friendly world. It is a simple but effective way to change daily habits and create awareness about waste reduction.

3. Luxury handmade candles

Luxury handmade candles are not only a beautiful decorative element in any space, but they also provide an incredible sense of relaxation and comfort. Giving a handmade candle to an employee or colleague can be a warm gesture that shows that you care about their well-being. In this section, we delve deeper into the benefits of luxury handmade candles and provide some practical examples of brands and products that meet this need.

Why Choose Luxury Handmade Candles?

Luxury handmade candles are distinguished from regular candles by the attention to detail and the choice of high-quality ingredients. They are often made from natural soy or beeswax, which burn cleaner and have a better fragrance release. This makes them not only better for the environment, but also healthier for the air quality in your home.

Benefits of Luxury Handmade Candles:

• Natural ingredients: Usually made from soy or beeswax, which provides a cleaner burn.
• Beautiful packaging: Luxury handmade candles often come in beautiful, reusable packaging that can be an aesthetic addition to any interior.
• Unique scents: Handmade candles often offer a wide variety of unique and sophisticated scents not found in regular candles.

A Personal Gesture With Scents

When choosing a luxury handmade candle it is important to consider the preferences of the recipient. Different scents can evoke different moods and can contribute to the overall ambiance of your home.

Specific Examples of Luxury Handmade Candles

Here are some brands and products known for their quality and unique fragrance compositions:

Tips for Choosing the Right Candle

When choosing a luxury handmade candle, there are some important factors to consider:

• Fragrance type: Choose a scent that suits the recipient's preferences – floral, woody or spicy.
• Burning time: Ask about the candle's burning time. Some handmade candles burn longer than others due to the use of high-quality wax.
• Packaging: Pay attention to the packaging, this not only adds aesthetic value, but is also important when it comes to reuse.

Some popular scent profiles:

• Spring flowers: A fresh scent that is perfect for spring.
• Cedarwood and Sandalwood: Woody scents that have a calming effect.
• Spicy Spices: Ideal for the winter months, with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.

By choosing luxury handmade candles, you can give a unique and personal gift that promotes the well-being and contentment of the recipient. These candles are not only an aesthetic statement, but also an invitation to relax and enjoy the moment.

A token of appreciation and solidarity for a successful new year

In conclusion, the five discussed personal New Year's gifts for Food and Wood employees are not only symbols of appreciation, but also means to stimulate motivation and involvement. By taking into account the individual preferences of your employees, you can ensure that your gift leaves a lasting impression. Investing in personality and recognition will undoubtedly contribute to a positive working environment and a strong team spirit.