Whether it’s a mid-year stock-up of your child’s school supplies, a cool surprise for your kids when they come home from school or a stress-reliever for your office break room, you’ll find that art supplies go a long way toward putting smiles on people’s faces. Maybe you never thought of art supplies as office supplies, but happy people are willing workers who tend to be more productive.

• Crayons. Everybody loves to doodle or draw with crayons. You’re never too old to create something bright and fun. Any child will be happy to receive a box of fresh new crayons — and they love the package that comes with a crayon sharpener! At the office, keep the break room supplied with box or two so that workers can unwind by doodling for a few minutes while they sit with their coffee.
• Drawing paper. If you’re buying crayons, keep drawing paper on hand so that people don’t use printer/copier paper and other office supplies you need for other purposes.
• Scented markers. These are easy to keep on hand with your other office supplies, and they give your workers a happy little boost back to childhood for just a moment. Nobody but th ande presenter needs to know that the sales figures he’s writing on the easel smell like licorice!
• Dry-erase board and markers. You might reasonably expect to have these installed in your meeting rooms, but consider putting them in the break room as well – everybody loves to doodle on white boards. And white boards can also be used for real messaging. Just remember that you need dry-erase markers – not any other type — for use with a white board.