(non disney) Let's talk about... Office Parties

[daisyduck123]

So...
What is your typical office party like?
How much does your company spend per person?
If you could do anything - what would you WANT to do?

I'm a public school teacher...our company spends NADA on us. Honestly, we don't get anything.

We don't even get a party in our classrooms. The county ended winter holiday parties over a dozen years ago.

 

[Cindy B]

I'm a public school teacher...our company spends NADA on us. Honestly, we don't get anything.

We don't even get a party in our classrooms. The county ended winter holiday parties over a dozen years ago.

Public school teacher here as well. The week off between Christmas and New Years is enough of a gift !

 

[daisyduck123]

Public school teacher here as well. The week off between Christmas and New Years is enough of a gift !

It's nice to have off, but remember, as with ALL days off, we're not paid on those days anyway, so I don't see it as much of a gift. No paid day offs in the public school system...at least not here.

 

[NotUrsula]

Right now I work in a place with a very multinational staff, and at least half of the people who work there do not celebrate any "holidays" at that time of year, so they totally do not get the point.

Many of the places where I have worked over the past 30 years have ended up doing a poll about what would be the preferred "gift" from the company for the holidays: the winner in all cases, hands down, was a company-wide paid afternoon off some time in December.

I've worked in places with big parties, and places with potlucks, and places where there is not so much as a Xmas tree, and overall, it has been my experience that more people seem to dislike workplace holiday parties than like them. It is a very common trend these days for companies to drop the party in favor of using the money to make a charitable donation on behalf of the staff.

 

[furb & dez]

Many of the places where I have worked over the past 30 years have ended up doing a poll about what would be the preferred "gift" from the company for the holidays: the winner in all cases, hands down, was a company-wide paid afternoon off some time in December.

I would completely agree with this, as long as it was announced well enough in advance (so you could make plans!).

 

[SDSorority]

At our last meeting I was picked (yay me) to plan our Holiday party. I know it's kinda early, but I'd rather get the jump on this and get everything in place asap. The season is starting and the snowbirds are starting to show up. Which means I won't have time to plan too much longer, because I will be WAY too busy.

I have worked in retail until now. So there either wasn't a party, because we didn't have the time or the energy for one. Or it was all day event because there were 200+ people and the break room was set up with food that everyone could have on their 1/2. Honestly I have no idea what a "normal" office does. My co-workers are open to ideas, it could be anything from going out to dinner to going paintballing. Here's a little more background info on us;

The People:
We are a young crowd. Our store manager is in her early 40's, I am the next eldest at 33, and everyone else is mid to late 20's. There are 10 (6 women, 4 men) of us total, not including spouses/partners/dates/whatever the kids are into these days.

Date/Time/Location:
We work for an extended hour open 361 days of the year bank. Our hours are shortest on the weekends, but it still has to be after 4pm. It has also been unanimously voted (more like demanded) to be outside of the office.

The Budget:
$500, supplied mostly by my store manager. Our company gives us $100. (ETA - $50 per person, guests are extra) Since she was so generous to fork over her own money I want to make sure to stretch it as much as possible.



So...
What is your typical office party like?
How much does your company spend per person?
If you could do anything - what would you WANT to do?

Looks like we're going here this year:

http://www.worthingtoninn.com/

Paying $25 per person.

 

[Suz D]

So it looks like you've already got a plan, but I wanted to throw this out there just for fun.

Back when I was working, one holiday season we did something completely different. One of our co-workers had an RV. She decorated it with Christmas lights. We all met at her house. Then we piled in the RV, listened to Christmas carols while we drove around for a progressive dinner. One house we had appetizers, one house we had main course (pizza and salad), and one house we had dessert. The main dish was purchased and then everyone brought either an appetizer or dessert.

Then we drove around the neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights. It was one of the neatest parties ever.

 

[Cindy B]

It's nice to have off, but remember, as with ALL days off, we're not paid on those days anyway, so I don't see it as much of a gift. No paid day offs in the public school system...at least not here.

I know.. but it if you know my district.. time off -- even unpaid is a HUGE gift.

 

[lizabu]

I think the comedy club idea sounds fun. With a big group you're likely to get a lot of attention. Just don't sit right up front unless you want to get teased by the comic

 

[enchantingodin]

I haven't been on this Dis in a while - but I wanted to update.

Everyone had a BLAST! My District Manager even came along and had an awesome time. Thanks for all your suggestions everyone!