Take the Stress out of the Holidays; Work Addition
With the holiday season in full swing, it’s time to get ready for those company parties, pot lucks, and gift exchanges. Some people find this time of year fun (like me), while others get pretty stressed out over how to act, what to wear, who to buy gifts for, and how much to spend. Take a look below and some tips that can hopefully ease away the stress and help you enjoy this time of year at work.
Holiday Party Etiquette
It is important to remember that even though this is a party and a time to celebrate, less loose, and have fun, it is still a work event and your behavior should reflect that.
- Dress appropriately: Unless you are told to wear a specific dress code, dress like you are going to work, or on a fancy date with your significant other. It’s okay to get festive, after all it is the holidays, but try and keep it as classy as possible.
- Don’t drink too much: Limiting yourself to about 2 drinks (depending on your weight and tolerance of course) is usually best. This way you can relax without making a fool of yourself and regretting something on Monday morning when you have to go back to work.
- Say thank you: Whether it is one person or a team of people, be sure to thank them before the end of the night. They worked hard to make sure you and all the other employees had a great time and it’s always nice to feel appreciated.
Planning the Office Pot Luck?
Pot lucks can be a great way to get the whole office together, try some new and exciting food, and celebrate the holidays! There’s no set “rules” when it comes to this, just make it your own and have some fun with it.
- Create a sign-up sheet: Especially with a larger group of people, this is a very important part to make sure there is a variety of options. You can put some items on there that you would like people to bring as well as leave some black spaces for people to add new ideas. Don’t forget the drinks, paper wear, and utensils too!
- Allergies: Many people these days chose to eat gluten free, vegan, or just have certain food allergies. If there any employees like that in your office, make sure to include food that they can enjoy as well. As far as food allergies, if somethings contains nuts or dairy, just mark it so that all employees know (just in case).
Gift Giving Guidelines
Who do I buy gifts for? What do I get them? How much money do I spend? What if I don’t want to get everyone in my office a gift? Those are questions that you probably ask yourself every year.
- Who to buy for (as an employee): It’s always nice to get something for your boss to show your appreciation for all they do for you throughout the year. As far as your co-workers, I feel that it is an all or nothing type of thing. You either have to get for everybody or nobody. However, if you find yourself extremely close to one or two collages, I would do a gift exchange off-site. This way you are able to show gratitude to your friends without making anyone feel excluded.
- Who to buy for (as a boss/owner): As a leader it is important to say thank you to all of our employees this time of year. Whether you give out big cash bonuses, take them out to lunch, or a box of chocolate, you should do it for all of the employees in your team.
- What to buy: Not getting too personal with the gifts should help take away a lot of the gift-giving stress. Get everyone the same thing, and hand it out with ease knowing nothing is going to get mixed up. Check out my Top 20 Gifts for Under $20
- How much to spend: Spend what you can afford, plain and simple. Personally, I spend a little more on my boss then my co-workers, but that is my choice. Many people still have to buy gifts for family as well, so don’t go crazy because in the end it’s always the thought that counts.
- Secret Santa: This is always a fun way to get the whole office involved, while only having to buy a gift for one person. Set a limit that the employees can afford and have each employee pick a name. This way everyone will get one very nice gift and it will take away the guessing game of who to buy for.
Please comment below with any fun holiday party stories you have! May you have a joyful holiday season and a happy and healthy 2018!
By: Laura Sanchez
