I am not sure if it was stupidity, greed or just insensitivity on the part of companies like AIG and the Big Three auto companies but we all know now what happens when you spend money foolishly while begging for more.
Can you short Christmas parties? I predict there will be Christmas party cancellations all over about now.
Here in town, Target has let it be known that there will be no Christmas parties at the corporate, department or even office level. It might seem drastic but smart. The last thing a major retailer needs today is a negative article on partying and drinking at company headquarters.
Most employees understand and support such moves, even if their companies are doing great. Now is not the time to be flaunting much of anything.
Here at JobDig, we are simply going to grill hamburgers outside for everyone..and we are all hoping that Steve, our master griller, doesn’t freeze…but it is quite the site. We will also have an ugly sweater contest and some other fun things.
It will be fun, easy….and inexpensive. And I am betting people will still have a great time.
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I work for a public agency. We’re having our “usual” holiday party (we can’t call it a Christmas party any more) at a local restaurant. The money to pay for it doesn’t come from tax dollars (we have employee fund-raisers all year just for this party)… but I wonder about public perception (which is more powerful than reality). Even in good times, for people to see 150+ government employees all out to lunch is never a good thing. And now, with so many people in financial trouble, it seems like we’re “flaunting” ourselves and begging for trouble. A simpler (and safer) solution would’ve been to do what you’re doing, GL — celebrate at work, out of the public eye. (Cool flyer, BTW. Love the “Ugly Sweater” contest idea!)
Bonnie
We always give out a generous bonus check along with their normal paycheck. We also have food catered in and have about 5 people make up games, etc for all the employees and families to do. The kids guessing how many green m and m in the jar (you could use orange). We did the cutest Xmas sock and jammies one year. That was fun. We also did a scavanger hunt and gave away a tv. Anything you do should be a good time.
Have a small tree for the kids to decorate with whatever they want.
GL,
If I had known abou the ugly sweater contest I would not have given away one of my gifts from last year!
We do plan to have our annual holiday luncheon (actually will be at the same time yours is). We just try to relax and have a good time, also to rememmber why it is that we are taking the time in the first place.
We don’t do ugly sweater contests (but a great idea for sure) but we do give out some of the wackiest awards you’ll ever see. I’d give you an example but they are all inside stuff which wouldn’t mean anything to anyone other than us.
However, one of the other highlights is always the charity drawing. Everyone who wants to can submit the name of a charity they would like to support and we have a drawing in which there are 4 “winners” and the company makes a contribution in the name of the employee to their charity.
Bonnie, Lucinda and Dave…all good ideas. I am going to pass these ideas along to our ‘committee.’
Dave…i like your charity gift idea a lot.
gl