Ideas for C'mas party at work
dlail
106 Posts
We're planning a catered lunch and prize drawings in lieu of an evening C'mas party (surveyed preference). We'd like to include some "game" type events that would be minimally disruptive, where ees can participate and return to work. Something along the lines of a poker run (walk), etc. Any and all ideas considered.
Thnx,
Debbie
Thnx,
Debbie
Comments
Here are the rules:
When you arrive at the party:
Put wrapped mug on table
Pick one symbol – red heart, green tree, blue star - and one number
When it’s time to play:
Choose any wrapped mug from table – DO NOT UNWRAP IT!
Sit down
Pass wrapped mug to person on your left
UPWRAP THE MUGS
Round 1: people with red hearts can exchange their mug with anyone in the room. The mug can only move one time during this round.
Round 2: people with green trees can exchange their mug with anyone in the room. The mug can only move one time during this round.
Round 3: people with blue stars can exchange their mug with anyone in the room. The mug can only move one time during this round.
Party Chairperson chooses a number and asks the person with that number if they want to exchange their mug for one of three wrapped packages.(Always include a gag gift as one of the wrapped packages).
Party Chairperson continues to choose numbers until all the wrapped packages have been given out.
Everyone who chose a wrapped package can then open their package and see what’s inside.
First, our CFO hosts a party for all of the employees in our building (we have many individual groups in our organization)
Second, each group or division have their go out for Christmas Lunch or Dinner and exchange gifts. Some divisions have potluck lunches and gifts exchanges. Our department have our potluck lunch and gift exchange on the same day. In addition, our department director takes us out for Christmas dinner on another night.
Some of our fundraising groups and our schools will have Christmas fair sales. (Each year I look forward to buying those chocolate bars with almonds).
I work for a Catholic organization and to round out the Christmas Season, there's a special Mass around mid-day followed by a party. Those of us who attend use this time to reconnect with each other, since we are spread out within the company.
Happy Holidays to all.
G
>drawings in lieu of an evening C'mas party
>(surveyed preference). We'd like to include some
>"game" type events that would be minimally
>disruptive, where ees can participate and return
>to work. Something along the lines of a poker
>run (walk), etc. Any and all ideas considered.
>
>Thnx,
>Debbie
I will probably get some flack from other Forumites for this, but I have to get my 2 cents worth in. C'mas is not the correct spelling for Christmas. Why do we continually want to take Christ out of the spelling of Christmas, when after all, it is His birth we are celebrating. Would you send out invitations to D'bie's birthday celebration? Maybe not! Please keep Christ in Christmas, for without it, there wouldn't be anything to celebrate. Thank You.
There is a second Christmas for Christians. Its a deeper experience. A celebration of the birth of the Savior of the world, the Prince of Peace.
I guess am not looking forward to another year of "happy holidays vs merry christmas". I dont expect Walmart to share my personal faith. Happy holidays is just fine.
In the immortal words of Ricky Bobby, "Dear Lord Baby Jesus, I want to thank you for this wonderful meal, my two beautiful son's, Walker and Texas Ranger, and my Red-Hot Smokin' Wife, Carley"
-Debbie
Paul's response was good. Christmas has become a secular holiday that actually begins in September with the advent of the store ads and ends Jan. 2nd when we return to work. There still exists a religious holiday called Christmas. One can choose to celebrate as they wish or even ignore it. Doesn't matter to me as long as I am allowed to celebrate it as I wish.
Anyone that didn't want to participate didn't have too, but most everyone did.
I am just documenting that Ray actually said that.
December 1st
TO: ALL EMPLOYEES
I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23rd at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue. There will be lots of spiked eggnog and a small band playing traditional carols...feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus to light the Christmas tree! Exchange of gifts among employees can be done at that time; however, no gift should be
over $10.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Patty Lewis
Human Resources Director
[NO OFFENSE INTENDED TO ANYONE AT ALL! But please, let the games begin.]
TO: ALL EMPLOYEES
In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday that often coincides with Christmas (though unfortunately not this year).
However, from now on we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to employees who are celebrating Kwanzaa at this time. There will be no Christmas tree and no Christmas carols sung.
Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Patty Lewis
Human Resources Director
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December 3rd
TO: ALL EMPLOYEES
Regarding the anonymous note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table, I'm happy to accommodate this request, but, don't forget, if I put a sign on the table that reads, "AA Only," you won't be anonymous anymore.
In addition, forget about the gifts exchange-- no gifts will be allowed since the union members feel that $10 is too much money.
Patty Lewis
Human Resources Director
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December 7th
TO: ALL EMPLOYEES
I've arranged for members of Overeaters Anonymous to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women closest to the restrooms. Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with the gay men; each will have their table. Yes, there will be a flower arrangement for the gay men's table.
Happy now?
Patty Lewis
Human Resources Director
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December 9th
TO: ALL EMPLOYEES
People, people -- nothing sinister was intended by wanting our CEO to play Santa Claus! Even if the anagram of "Santa" does happen to be "Satan," there is no evil connotation to our own "little man in a red suit."
Patty Lewis
Human Resources Director
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December 10th
TO: ALL EMPLOYEES
Vegetarians -- I've had it with you people!! We're going to hold this party at Luigi's Open Pit whether you
like it or not, you can just sit at the table farthest from the "grill of death," as you put it, and you'll get salad bar only, including hydroponic tomatoes. But, you know, tomatoes have feelings, too. They scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them right now... Ha!
I hope you all have a rotten holiday! Drive drunk and die, you hear me?
The Bitch from Hell
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December 14th
TO: ALL EMPLOYEES
I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery from her stress-related illness. I'll continue to forward your cards to her at the sanitarium. In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.
Happy Holidays!
Terri Bishop
Acting Human Resources Director"
In case anyone was wondering where I've been the last month or so... x:'(
You may note on the HR & Employment Law forum there was a topic started by WO from WA called Holiday Tree. If you haven’t read the links, please see it. After waiting awhile I added to her post “I hope I am not spoiling it by posting the emails but since it’s been a month and this fits in so well with Lori’s “Holiday Tree” situation, I will post a couple of the emails now and continue through next week.”
I noticed there are differences and a couple typos in my version (I just cut and pasted without editing) then saw Hanukkah spelled Chanukkah (gasp) x:'( I wonder why no one made any comments?? Anyway, it was kind of fun doing them on a daily basis but again I was surprised there were no comments. Also, my version had “The Shining” memo in mine. Wonder how many of the younger HR viewers will understand that one? x:-/ I was going to ask WO next week if it helped relieve the stress she was having about the Christmas Trees and also if she had seen the recent tree incident in the airport. Can’t remember, was it in NY?
Anyway, Open1, thanks for starting this. I think of Pat every year at this time but could not lay my hands on the version I had until your post; then I kept looking till I found it. Hope you and everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season. We are having our dinner today, then I will be visiting family tomorrow out of state and was going to post the final email in the Holiday Tree link on Monday.
Our holiday party is during operating hours, since most of them are women with children and spouses at home, therefore quite busy at night. We meet them in the food court of a large mall.
The CEO (we call him "dad") hands everyone $50 cash.
The rules:
- you have 2 1/2 hours to shop
- you can shop only for yourself, not anyone else, no gift cards
- try to spend it all
- beware that you have to show everyone what you bought, so maybe avoid Fredericks of Hollywood, unless you are not shy x;-)
After shopping, we meet at a restaurant for lunch, and the VP helps everyone show, one person at a time, what they bought. Extra $20 bills are handed out as prizes: who spent exactly $50, who spent the most on one item, who bought the most items totalling $50, etc.
We've done this 5 years in a row, and have unanimous agreement not to change it.
This is getting long, so I'll post hte other idea separately.
- Department managers paired up and were in charge of setting up carnival-style booths
- Each team had a budget and created a game that is holiday-themed
- games were
* ornament fishing
* coin toss (in a holiday mug)
* snowball "hoops" (basketball game)
* marshmallow relay (like the egg-in-a-spoon race)
* elf toss (toss velcro-covered elf toys at a felt target hung on the wall)
- game prizes were inexpesive Dollar Store stuff.
- another team was in charge of home-cooked food
The non-management staff came in small shifts to play games, eat, etc.
It's hard to please everyone, but this was (relatively) inexpensive, everyone could show off their creativity, and every staff member walked away with a small gift and at least a few prizes.