Company Holiday Party

[ReneeA]

I'm in a marketing department in the medical field, and we have ridiculous amounts of "parties" this time of year.

Our department is meeting at a high end bar Monday after work for dinner, drinks will be cash since my boss can't expense that. She picks up the first round though. I love my coworkers so it'll be a good time.

The 2 hospitals I work for each do a holiday party where they invite patients and families back for dinner and meet and greets with staff. It's nice since most of our population was ventilator/life support at one time, and they come back walking and talking to interact with staff. However, it's another 2 nights away from my family in December.

Then finally, the Case Managers that I work with in my assigned acute care hospitals have a holiday party amongst themselves at one of their homes. Catered, drinks, gift exchange. That one I like because they are so much fun and I'm very touched that they consider me part of their team, even though I'm just a "vendor". So I don't miss it since they don't invite any other non employees, and they look at me like one of them.

It does end up being way too much though! Too much time from my family, too much food and booze, too much money spent on gifts.

 

[Nancyg56]

Not that I going to go anyway, but I even get madder when they call it a Holiday Party instead of a Christmas Party. I get not everyone a Christian but get over yourself. If they had a great party for Buddha, I would go and not even complain

Why do you get mad? There are something 6 different religious holidays or events that fall around Christmas time, and in the workplace everyone should feel included.

I work at a small firm. The first year he broke off to open his own practice he planned a party in a casino that allowed small businesses to be a part of a "big party." It was fun, he ordered a limo to pick all of us up, employees and plus 1, made sure we not only had drink tickets, but brought us to order whatever we wanted at one of the lounges, added pillows and blankets for the ride home. WE thanked him profusely and asked to never do that again. Now we have a nice luncheon at a nearby restaurant, leave our spouses behind, and then have the rest of the day off. Every year he and his wife offer a variety of "party" ideas, and we all just choose lunch.

 

[Searc]

Not that I going to go anyway, but I even get madder when they call it a Holiday Party instead of a Christmas Party. I get not everyone a Christian but get over yourself. If they had a great party for Buddha, I would go and not even complain

Maybe my husband's company should tell their Indian employees they aren't included in the party, since it is only for Christmas?

 

[disneychrista]

Maybe my husband's company should tell their Indian employees they aren't included in the party, since it is only for Christmas?

My old bosses were from India (as in came to the US to work for our Company) and even they called it a Christmas Party. I honestly think it is more OTHER people trying to make sure that everyone is included that are most offended by calling it a "Christmas" party vs "Holiday" party.

 

[RUDisney]

Maybe my husband's company should tell their Indian employees they aren't included in the party, since it is only for Christmas?

I invited myself to my Indian coworkers' (Testing Team) Christmas luncheon. It is always spectacular food (I'm making a chana curry to share) and it's always a lot of fun. They call it a Christmas party and all of the Hindus, Muslims and Christians exchange Christmas gifts. It's the most inclusive and fun party of the year.

 

[NotUrsula]

Not to hijack someone else's post, but this sentence says it all with regard to holiday parties, IMO:

DH's work parties were quite amazing (until the company filed for bankruptcy). The last two we went to were at the Field Museum in Chicago. Open bar, unlimited desserts, plated dinner, live entertainment, plus we'd get to wander parts of the museum. The last one, there was a live harpist right next to our table!

Anywhere that I have worked that does big staff parties always seems to spend money on them at the expense of practicing a false economy in some aspect of their business operation, and eventually that negligence has a cost. Most people I know would far prefer having the best tools to do their jobs, over the chance to attend fancy parties.

 

[Searc]

My old bosses were from India (as in came to the US to work for our Company) and even they called it a Christmas Party. I honestly think it is more OTHER people trying to make sure that everyone is included that are most offended by calling it a "Christmas" party vs "Holiday" party.

I've never understood why being more inclusive evokes faux outrage in some people.

 

[Colleen27]

Well, we're about to find out how obligatory it is - DH usually goes to his, without me more often than with, but between coaching basketball and DD having a role in her first real play, I can't be everywhere I need to be so he's watching the basketball team while I do DD's hair for showtime. So neither of us are going to make it this year. Unfortunate since for once it actually sounds fun - the restaurant they're going to is one I like, and they're doing an escape room afterwards.

My office, before I left the job, just had a potluck with management-provided pizza in the newsroom on the last work day before the holiday. I didn't go because I worked almost entirely from home and in the field.

 

[Nancyg56]

I've never understood why being more inclusive evokes faux outrage in some people.

Neither have I. I worked in a Chinese restaurant many years ago and the community was multi ethnic. I accepted any holiday greetings I got with the spirit intended, and I wished all my customers and friends a variety of Holiday greetings. I cannot understand why we all must use one specific greeting to make some folks happy, or celebrate only one winter holiday.

 

[disneychrista]

I've never understood why being more inclusive evokes faux outrage in some people.

For me I honestly don't think calling it a "Holiday" party vs a "Christmas" party really makes anyone feel more included or think that there is any other reason than Christmas for the party. If Chanukah or Kwanza or other holiday was in anytime other than Mid-Late December, I don't think this would be an issue. Nor would anyone be OUTRAGED that there isn't a party for the other holidays.

I did however always call it the Company Holiday party when I was the one putting it together/hosting it. As a business it's just what you do.

 

[Nancyg56]

For me I honestly don't think calling it a "Holiday" party vs a "Christmas" party really makes anyone feel more included or think that there is any other reason than Christmas for the party. If Chanukah or Kwanza or other holiday was in anytime other than Mid-Late December, I don't think this would be an issue. Nor would anyone be OUTRAGED that there isn't a party for the other holidays.

I did however always call it the Company Holiday party when I was the one putting it together/hosting it. As a business it's just what you do.

I think that if there is outrage at referring to parties ar "Holiday" rather than "CHristmas" parties, and if we insist everyone use "Merry Christmas" rather than "happy Holiday" as our standard, we need to stop the outrage when we discover that Christmas is now a secular holiday rather than a religious one.
I honestly have no preference what someone says to me in terms of greetings, but there are folks who really get offended. I don't understand that. If you expand on that concept, a person upset because people do not say Merry Christmas, can you understand how offensive that can be to someone who really does not celebrate CHristmas but who still wants to wish you a joyous Holiday, whatever you celebrate?
I am not arguing, and I am really not singling you out, but I truly do not understand why some people are so ready to be mad. I don't see that on this thread, but Holy Moly! You should see some of the Memes on my FB page! And I know these people! SOme of them are the same folks who have not seen the inside of a Church since the birth of TIme, and who could not remember the Christmas story if they were tortured. But they sure are opinionated about greetings! LOL!

 

[Disney Doll]

I think it’s good to make an appearance at a holiday party. Smile and socialize awhile, then slip out quietly if you’re not enjoying yourself.

 

[ronandannette]

I think it’s good to make an appearance at a holiday party. Smile and socialize awhile, then slip out quietly if you’re not enjoying yourself.

That’s our plan for my big corporate one this Friday night. They’ve changed the format this year from dinner-dance to a swanky cocktail reception in a trendy downtown club, which is really not my vibe. Our VP will be giving an address to kick off the evening. I’ll be sure to be close enough to the front of the crowd to make eye-contact and be “counted”. From there it’s slam back a drink while wishing my direct reports a good evening and home in my jammies by 9:00!

 

[leebee]

The small, private University where my husband works has an AMAZING holiday party for faculty and staff. Open bar and the most incredible food stations: Lobster rolls and chilled shrimp galore, Thai station, seafood station, hot things like duck, boar, venison, goose, all kinds of seafood options, Jewish specialty selections, sushi, open grill, an incredible dessert bar. The best food ever! We dress up and go schmooze, but it's mostly for the food. It's SO GOOD... and it's all done by the Dining Services Department, which makes it even more amazing! Once we started going, we realized there was no way we'd miss it!!

The big state university where I work doesn't have a university-wide holiday bash; we do it by departments. There will most likely be lunch provided sometime during finals week, with faculty and staff invited to bring whatever they'd like to bring for side dishes... but the department will probably provide the main dish (which will be pizza or deli trays). It's... meh. It's a potluck with the people I see at work every day. Not sure if DH will make it or not as it's at lunchtime.

 

[disneychrista]

I think that if there is outrage at referring to parties ar "Holiday" rather than "CHristmas" parties, and if we insist everyone use "Merry Christmas" rather than "happy Holiday" as our standard, we need to stop the outrage when we discover that Christmas is now a secular holiday rather than a religious one.
I honestly have no preference what someone says to me in terms of greetings, but there are folks who really get offended. I don't understand that. If you expand on that concept, a person upset because people do not say Merry Christmas, can you understand how offensive that can be to someone who really does not celebrate CHristmas but who still wants to wish you a joyous Holiday, whatever you celebrate?
I am not arguing, and I am really not singling you out, but I truly do not understand why some people are so ready to be mad. I don't see that on this thread, but Holy Moly! You should see some of the Memes on my FB page! And I know these people! SOme of them are the same folks who have not seen the inside of a Church since the birth of TIme, and who could not remember the Christmas story if they were tortured. But they sure are opinionated about greetings! LOL!

I am pretty sure we agree on this topic. I have no outrage one way or the other.

I honestly prefer to ignore most/all holidays. And hate having to put on my happy face and pretend I give a care about them. All they do is make me feel more alone than I do every other day of the year.

 

[Nancyg56]

I am pretty sure we agree on this topic. I have no outrage one way or the other.

I honestly prefer to ignore most/all holidays. And hate having to put on my happy face and pretend I give a care about them. All they do is make me feel more alone than I do every other day of the year.

Yeah, holidays are so darn stressful on a good day, add loneliness, depression, sad memories, etc, and the stress is magnified.

WE do really agree. I see no reason to get upset at any greeting or classification of gathering. I like it when people are nice to me, and try to return the gesture.

 

[mrodgers]

When I was married, we went twice I think. I went once before I was married. Working there 25 years and was married 17 years.

Since divorce, I've gone 3 out of 4. I just go, eat, have a beer, see if I win a prize, and head home. First year with the wife won a $50 gift card to Sheetz, a western PA gas station/store. Last 2 years after divorce I came home with an xBox and last year one of those Little Giant ladder systems. That was great because I needed a ladder and don't have anywhere to store a ladder so this is only 5 feet high I think, but it's 16 feet folded out. Was able to clean out the gutters come spring.

Nice gifts and the last few years they've given 10 or 15 tickets and you could put your tickets towards whatever gift you wanted to try for instead of raffling off to everyone and not knowing what it is until you unwrap it. I was shooting for an xBox for the kids, winner winner chicken dinner. I had a single ticket left last year and thought, hmm, I could use that ladder and there were only 2 tickets for it come time to draw names.

Usually have a 65 inch, 40ish inch, couple 32 inch, couple cheap laptops, ipads and tablets, cheap sound bars, nice tool and garage stuff like battery chargers or tool boxes. If you win a gift and your name is called again, you have the opportunity to trade in and the first gift is called again.

 

[AndreaDM]

About 15 years ago I worked for a small accounting firm for a year, there were maybe 12 staff total. The owner was one of the stingiest people I've ever met, didn't supply coffee or tea for staff or clients, those of us who drank coffee put $5 in a can every month and someone would buy the supplies with that. That's just one example. Anyway, we did go to a nice restaurant for our holiday party and were allowed to bring a plus one, however he only paid for the meal, drinks were on your own. So it was really awkward, the poor server had to keep all these separate tabs with one or two drinks on them.

 

[disneychrista]

The owner was one of the stingiest people I've ever met, didn't supply coffee or tea for staff or clients, those of us who drank coffee put $5 in a can every month and someone would buy the supplies with that. That's just one example. Anyway, we did go to a nice restaurant for our holiday party and were allowed to bring a plus one, however he only paid for the meal, drinks were on your own. So it was really awkward, the poor server had to keep all these separate tabs with one or two drinks on them.

That actually seems pretty normal to me.

I have never worked for a place that provided coffee/tea for staff. Where I work now there is a Keurig (bought & paid for by employees/former employees) and everyone just bring their own.

And other than working for the brewery, alcohol has never been paid for by the company. I am actually curious how it will work this year because the event is being held at a winery that has a minimum purchase requirement as part of the contract.

 

[AndreaDM]

That is the ONLY place I've ever worked that didn't supply coffee/tea for staff and especially for clients! The place I work at now has a regular coffee pot, Keurig, assortment of coffees/teas/cocoa for anyone. We also keep bottled water in the fridge for clients. That's the first thing we ask someone if they come in for a meeting, "can I get you something to drink?".

I know the alcohol is hit or miss on how companies do it, my last job we paid for our own, but we were also a non-profit and high bar tabs would not look good on an audit. My former boss had a very profitable firm and his only reason was that he was cheap. He once took a paper plate from me after I had eaten some pizza and said, hey that's not dirty, I'll use that for my pizza. What??!!