Would this be tacky? -Work Christmas Party related

[PigletsMommy]

My husband's employer is having a Christmas party in a few weeks. We also have a DJ/Karaoke business on the side. They asked him to donate his services for the entertainment (because they are non-profit). He agreed.

Here is my question...would it be tacky to set a tip jar out?

Running the Karaoke program can be a lot of work. We have to get there an hour before the party starts to set up and stay an hour after to tear down & repack everything into the car. It makes for a long night. Its also on a Friday night, which means we were not able to accept paying jobs for that night.

Plus, we will have to hire a sitter for longer. We would normally stay an hour or so and now we will have to be there 4-5 hours.

I was thinking of putting a small jar out with a sign that says "Entertainment donated for your enjoyment...tips accepted".

I realize we may get $0, even if we set a tip jar out. My question is...would you find it tacky. I don't want to offend anyone.

 

[jaminmd]

My husband's employer is having a Christmas party in a few weeks. We also have a DJ/Karaoke business on the side. They asked him to donate his services for the entertainment (because they are non-profit). He agreed.

Here is my question...would it be tacky to set a tip jar out?

Running the Karaoke program can be a lot of work. We have to get there an hour before the party starts to set up and stay an hour after to tear down & repack everything into the car. It makes for a long night. Its also on a Friday night, which means we were not able to accept paying jobs for that night.

Plus, we will have to hire a sitter for longer. We would normally stay an hour or so and now we will have to be there 4-5 hours.

I was thinking of putting a small jar out with a sign that says "Entertainment donated for your enjoyment...tips accepted".

I realize we may get $0, even if we set a tip jar out. My question is...would you find it tacky. I don't want to offend anyone.

I would, especially since it's for a non-profit & it's your husband's employer. Sorry, just being honest.

 

[woodkins]

I personally think it is tacky, especially since your dh works for them. I wouldn't do it.

 

[Darcy03231]

I think its tacky. I would look into seeing if your DH could get something from the company to write what you would have charged for a paying job off your taxes as a donation seeing as he's donating time for a non-profit.

 

[Minnie]

Not just tacky..... but also since it's your DH's employer I wouldn't take the chance of offending them - not worth it

 

[*love*2*shop]

I would say no.....thinking honestly that you all should have discussed your issues before saying yes ( ie hiring a sitter etc) and if you were going to lose money, you might have said no. *IF* they want to tip you they will, bit I say NO to the tip jar , you offered to do this...sorry.......

My husband's employer is having a Christmas party in a few weeks. We also have a DJ/Karaoke business on the side. They asked him to donate his services for the entertainment (because they are non-profit). He agreed.

Here is my question...would it be tacky to set a tip jar out?

Running the Karaoke program can be a lot of work. We have to get there an hour before the party starts to set up and stay an hour after to tear down & repack everything into the car. It makes for a long night. Its also on a Friday night, which means we were not able to accept paying jobs for that night.

Plus, we will have to hire a sitter for longer. We would normally stay an hour or so and now we will have to be there 4-5 hours.

I was thinking of putting a small jar out with a sign that says "Entertainment donated for your enjoyment...tips accepted".

I realize we may get $0, even if we set a tip jar out. My question is...would you find it tacky. I don't want to offend anyone.

 

[Cruise]

Have to agree with the others... I'd see it and think it was a bit off.

The letter for the write off for your business taxes is a very good idea though. That is something that would be kept private between your husband and his employer - as should the fact that he's donating his services. It's not really his place or his employer's place to share that information with the party-goers.

Good luck!

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

wouldn't bother me if I saw the cup.

But it may bother your employer.

 

[PigletsMommy]

ya... that was my feeling. DH doesn't think it would be a problem...and yes he would have cleared it through his employer before doing it.

I wish he would have talked to me before agreeing to do this for free. Thats a whole other thread tho

I'm upset about turning down business that we could use.

 

[Hannathy]

I would find it very tacky.

Perhaps he felt he needed to do this when they asked and didn't feel he could turn down their request. If he had turned it down then things may have been uncomfortable at work and he felt in this economy it was more important to keep his main employer happy than his part time job?


Couldn't you go home after an hour or so? Why do you have to stay the whole time. doesn't he do it by himself on other jobs?
Don't see why this would be any different.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I would definitely NOT set out a tip jar. He either volunteers his services or he does not. If he cannot afford to volunteer his services, he apologizes and says that he is unable to do that.

My mom bakes cakes as a hobby but is a trained culinary chef. Folks are constantly asking her to donate cakes for fundraisers and she does so willingly. She does take the tax deduction on supply costs, but it still costs her actual money to do this donation. And we are sensing that folks are taking advantage of that, so she is having to consider if she can afford to be so generous. But once she commits herself, she doesn't ask for money. She learns from it and remembers to not be as generous the next time.

In the future--offering services for a deep discount would be preferred. Don't let folks walk all over you and get a free ride.

But don't set out the tip jar.

 

[allison443]

I agree with the other posters who said no on the tip jar.
However, what about having your business cards available for anyone who might be interested?

 

[disneyhand]

I don't think you should mention money now. Perhaps the company will find a way to tip or reimburse you something. If not and you are out money, say no to them next year. I think it's good he said yes this time and the company knows it's your side business at a busy party time of year.

Don't put out a tip jar. Do have a discreet sign with your business name and or business cards.

I don't think the entertainment always has to stay for the whole party. Yes, set up before it starts, but you can always close up and take down the equipment before the party is over.

Can you get a family member or friend to watch your child instead of a babysitter?

Good luck!

 

[jgates]

I'm one of the only two that doesn't think it is tacky I guess. I don't know how much you would get but probably more if you did requests for a donation, etc. I would consider it like the piano bars where they take your requests for a donation.

That being said, I don't know how it would conflict with your employer, but is there another group or activity in town that the donations could go to? It doesn't help you out - it would still be free on your part, but it might make a big difference to a food bank, animal shelter, etc. A sign with 'All donations for requests will be given to.....'. As well as promoting the group beforehand & asking for cans of food, or pet food, etc. depending on what you are collecting for.

 

[dreamin_disney]

I wouldnt do a tip jar but I would use that time for advertising. He can put some business cards/fliers out by the equipment and do an anouncement the name of the company. I've seen D.J. do that but never the tip jars

 

[mafibisha]

Here is my question...would it be tacky to set a tip jar out?.

I wouldn't set out a tip jar but I'd set out flyers of your business.

 

[onyx8]

100% tacky.

 

[DisneyScraps]

I would think it's tacky.

Lisa

 

[clh2]

I agree, yes it would be tacky.

I also don't think you are "losing" money - unless you had to cancel another job to do this job.

I would have, however asked for comp time. "Hey - I would be happy to provide this service at the party, however, could I get an afternoon off to compensate for my time that I will be essentially working while the rest of the staff if enjoying themselves."

Another thing you could do - set out some business cards for you business. You just never know when a friend of a friend will need a dj for a party.

 

[Jaklackus]

Bring your tip jar but keep it packed away until there is a need for it...i.e. the boss asks where it is or so many people try to tip you you have to ask the boss if you can place a jar out to keep your hands free(highly unlikely because they'll be saving their cash for the bar...but you never know)

MOST DEFINITELY put out flyers or business cards.

Brownie points are always good...but I don't know their value at a non-profit...I have always found that good deeds above and beyond job descriptions extend to better reviews and better raises in January working for for-profit companies.

Your husband has already agreed to this ...might as well look at the positive...he can write it off, he gets some brownie points, he will be displaying his service to a new group of people(co-worker spouses)...

Was he going to attend the party anyway and block out the date on the booking calendar for sake of office politics? Start training your husband to lie....when the boss asks if he can do it again next year...your hubby needs to say.. "I'm booked already, sorry." And then remember to stay away from the office Xmas party.