Work Christmas Parties

[MarkBarbieri]

Our party was fantastic. The company rented out the local Marriott. We got rooms for very discounted prices. We had a casino where people could gamble for "money" used to buy raffle tickets for things like iPads. We had a room set up to watch the OU vs Nebraska game. We also had a karaoke room and a disco. Another room was set aside for a comedy act (Jake J[FONT=&quot]ohannsen). The main ballroom had two bands - one I can't remember and Clint Black. There was a ton of food, drinks, and deserts. Later in the party they brought out huge tables of ice cream with sundae fixings. My only complaint was that it was too crowded.
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[dicar123]

Both dh and I have Christmas parties. Last year mine was employees only, but this year they included families.

Last year dh had no party at all. This year he was able to swing enough to cover dinner for employees, guests are allowed but there is a fee for each. He hated doing that, so he sent out an e-mail asking the guys which they would prefer (no party vs paying for guests).

They are all field service employees, so they don't see each other often during work time and getting them together for a lunch during the week is impossible.

 

[Kimberly]

The office building I'm in had a holiday luncheon happy hour/dinner the other day. 6 floor office building, about 4 offices per floor, and I think just about everyone in the building showed up. There was an organizer who arranged a space in the local Marriott hotel, and food, music, and drinks were all catered in.

I don't think I've seen more drunk people since the last wedding I went to. Fun, but wild...

 

[Took]

THe party for faculty and staff, hosted at a local facility, is still on this year. There's an open bar, appetizers, desserts, and a band. It's all paid for by private donations from the college's foundation, and it's truly well attended and appreciated every year. No gifts or bonuses (of course), but a nice party.

 

[momof5boys]

The hospital I work for stopped the xmas party a few years ago, however last year the doctors for our department paid for a party for us. A couple hours at a local restaurant and open bar! This year we get 2 drink tickets then cash bar (we cost them ALOt of money in alcohol last year, what did they expect with a bunch of ER nurses?!)(Oh and yes we all car pooled and had designated drivers!)

 

[minniecarousel]

We just got back from DH's office party. It was held at a restaurant here in town. It was the restaurant that was featured in the movie "Mrs. Doubtfire". Robin Williams had two dinners that night, switchong from Mrs. Doubtfire with the family and then in a job interview as "the guy".

Dinner was very good and it was nice meeting everyone he works with.

My "company" party is tomorrow night. I work at a school and we're having a potluck at the Principal's home. We're not going because my older son's birthday party is at the same time at his in-law's.

 

[crazelion]

My last employer now. You had to pay out pocket to go. She was wondering why no one show up. We all realize that get our 10.00 dollars the company give us and be with people we actually like. Also I did not like that pick weird restaurants to eat at. Everyone does not eat sushi, Chinese, Mexican, Japanese and Indian food.

My new employer I have no clue yet. It has not been mention at the daycare I cook at.

 

[Planogirl]

My employer doesn't even bother to send an email. They aren't interested in nonsense such as parties.

I used to work for a company that rented the whole Museum of Science in Houston and offered a lavish buffet and several open bars. People dressed up and it was quite nice. I wonder if they still do that?

 

[maslex]

My husband's company did not have a party this year. They usually do, but it was cancelled due to the fact that nobody signed up (no raises, no bonuses, layoffs, etc) So people were upset and didn't bother going. It's usually a decent night out though (it's $10/head which includes 2 drink tickets per person) a nice buffet meal, desserts, DJ, raffle prizes (last year I won a nice Kahlua gift pack)

My company (school bus drivers) do have parties each year. We have the usual potluck luncheon on the last day of school before Christmas break (which is always a half day). Everyone signs up to bring a dish and then it's party time from 9am until the end of the day. Whenever you get off the road from your run, you punch out, stop by, eat, chat, eat some more, etc. Then back on the road again, then back to the office and eat again, chat again, etc. It goes on like that all day!!! There's usually some really good food too!!!

We then have TWO parties outside of the workplace. We just had ours last Saturday night. It was at a really nice upscale reception type hall. They hold different parties throughout the year and many people have their weddings there also. It was $35 a head with a GREAT band, exellent soup (LOL) and really nice buffet, then desserts. No drinks were included. This is the 2nd time we've done one of our parties here (1st time back in 07) Not many people go to this one, I think because of the price (this year, only 7 employees along with their spouses went) But the place has many companies that hold their party there on the same night, so the place was pretty packed.

Even though we had a great time last weekend and the place is beautiful, I actually prefered the last couple of years better. The company rents out a hall (well, we actually pay $20 per couple I think) and then they put on a really delicious buffet & desserts. There's also a DJ, a lot of people do karaoke, there's games that we play, raffles (again, I've won a Kahlua gift pack a couple of years ago and last year I won a decorative Christmas tree that had 30 $1 coins on it as decorations!!! It was really cool. This one just seems to be more of a "let loose, have fun" kind of party, where as the one we had last week, while really nice was more of a "dressy...formal" type of party. Most people will go to the "let loose, have fun" type of party.

Otherwise, we still have the set of people who prefer NOT to get dressed up but still want to party, so they set up to have a Christmas party at the local VFW. I think they have a buffet (actually might be a potluck). I haven't been to one of these, so I'm not sure how actually goes. That one is tonight.

 

[luvsJack]

Our college president has a huge open house party at his home each year. Its employees only and in the middle of the day but really nice, huge amounts of all kinds of food and no alcohol. Its great for getting the different campuses together.

Dh's company doesn't have a party. They have had "driver's appreciation" cook out between Christmas and New Years but not every year. But they do a lot during the year of dh to show their appreciation of his hard work.

 

[Fintastic]

My company's holiday party was cut this year. No big deal to me because it's adults only and on a weekend and honestly I'd rather spend weekends with my family. I wouldn't mind if they did a holiday lunch during the work week or a pot luck the Friday before Christmas or whatever, but I'm just not a fan of work functions on weekends.

I don't know what DH's company does as far as parties go.

 

[Minnie]

Unfortunately yes they are still having it.......

 

[IDoDis]

We always have one at work (teachers) -- pot luck style with white elephant gifts or something else fun.

This year we are having an ugly Christmas sweater party. Everyone has to wear their ugliest Christmas sweater. We'll have a contest to see who has the ulgiest sweater. You know teachers have closets full of gaudy Christmas sweaters with little jingle bells all over them. The the more jingly, the better!

I had to buy the prize gag gift for the winner. I picked up a copy of the book, "Awkward Family Photos" at Borders with a 40% off coupon. I thought that book would fit the bill!

 

[cassiez76]

my work is having the xmas party at the bosses house fri. nite. i won't be going because my son's party is on that sunda and i need to prep. i know there were no bonuses last year, so i'm guessing none this year. cheap s.o.b.'s. we all bust our butts and there's never a you did good compliment.

i also hate to socialize with people from a small office, they really can be obnoxious! LOL i also wouldn't be going because i'm a NOLA hornets basketball season ticket holder and it's on a game night. never miss a game!

my hubby's company use to have awesome parties, i'd go just cause they were catered, paid for spouse parking and gave away prizes. the food was always so good (we still talk about the marinated crab claws from 3 years ago!)

but last year they downsized to a party during work hours, not catered and no spouses. they got a little bonus and a coupon for a honeybaked ham. the coupon only covered a little bit of the ham

thinking back, i've worked a ton of different places and i think i've only attended one xmas party. they rented out the museum, catered...whole 9 yards and it was during the annual xmas lights event nightly at the park around the museum. i guess being stuck in the same traffic forever really turned me off to the parties.

 

[palavra]

We always have one at work (teachers) -- pot luck style with white elephant gifts or something else fun.

This year we are having an ugly Christmas sweater party. Everyone has to wear their ugliest Christmas sweater. We'll have a contest to see who has the ulgiest sweater. You know teachers have closets full of gaudy Christmas sweaters with little jingle bells all over them. The the more jingly, the better!

I had to buy the prize gag gift for the winner. I picked up a copy of the book, "Awkward Family Photos" at Borders with a 40% off coupon. I thought that book would fit the bill!

This is exactly what we teachers did at our party! It was so much fun .
The "winner" of our ugly Christmas sweater contest got fruitcake.