Recognition is an action it reinforces behaviors you want repeated. A reward or an award is an item that is a tangible reminder of achievement.

Informal recognition is simply what you do regularly to let employees know when you notice and appreciate their work.

These days, gift cards are as good as giving someone a fat wad of cash and who doesn't want that? Gift cards not only take the pressure off the gift-giver to become a seasonal mind-reader but also prevent those awkward moments we've all had opening gifts we hate from the people we love.