• Cut flowers make a beautiful appreciation award.Carin Krasner/Pixland/Getty Images
  
  Choosing a meaningful appreciation award for a teacher, volunteer, employee or supervisor can be tough. However, taking the extra time to give a thoughtful gift improves personal relationships, raises company morale and motivates people to continue working hard. Showing your appreciation doesn't have to be expensive--many awards, such as handwritten thank you notes, are inexpensive or free. Careful planning often makes awards more successful.
  
  

Thank You Note

• A handwritten thank you note or card costs practically nothing, but is an award that recipients will cherish. If possible, don't just sign your name. Instead, write a few sentences about what you most appreciate about the recipient. Home-made cards are great gifts for teachers, too. If the award is given from a group of people, like a team of supervisors or a classroom, have everyone sign the card.
  
  

Gift Cards

• Everyone loves getting gift cards. Gift cards to restaurants, spas, movie theaters or malls are simple to buy, but recipients enjoy getting to choose what they want. If possible, include a handwritten thank-you note with the gift card to make it more personal.
  
  

Fruit, Plants or Flowers

• Fruit arrangements, potted plants and flower arrangements represent time-honored appreciation awards. Everyone enjoys the sight of an attractive vase of flowers or small potted plant on their desk or in their home. Fruit arrangements not only make a good decoration, but are also delicious. Include a small note or gift-card in a flower or fruit arrangement, too.
  
  

Treat Mug

• Filling a mug with candy and small trinkets is thoughtful and inexpensive. If possible, use company or personalized mugs. Photo mugs offer a personalization option. In the summer, fill a frosted drink glass instead. Put together a large amount of treat mugs to give to many recipients.
  
  

Group Gifts

• If you have a large group contributing to an award, such as a class creating an award for a teacher, make a quilt, signed tote or photo scrapbook. Each person contributes a square of fabric, a signature or a photograph, and a volunteer collects the items into the final product.