Today’s Machining World Archive: December 2006, Vol. 2, Issue 12
A guide for the partiers and the perplexed
It’s getting to be that time of year again – bad karaoke, lampshade hats, scandalous flirting and John Travolta imitations on the dance floor – also known as the annual holiday party. As party seasons go, December produces an inordinate amount of blackmail-worthy moments. My advice? If you’re going to do the party scene at all (and there’s something to be said for canceling the party and rerouting those funds into bonuses or giving additional time off) do it well.
Selecting the party mode that works – one that allows people to have fun without sacrificing reputations or sanity – is problematic. Although people within a company spend an incredible amount of time together – around 2000 hours a year – throw office workers, shop foremen, operators and CEOs together into a social setting and they freeze, having absolutely no clue what to say to each other. Add spouses, dates and a hearty dose of liquor to the mix, and all kinds of awkwardness and/or mayhem can ensue. Most of you probably have that “moment to remember” from a past holiday party; and when you behave badly, people love to remember .
In a recent survey on bad company party behavior, readers of BizBash Style Reporter (a New York publication serving the event planning industry) reported the following infractions sighted:
Taking more than one gift bag: 86%
Showing up at event without an RSVP: 82%
Getting over-intoxicated: 79%
Stuffing yourself with hors d’oeuvres: 79%
Talking through a speech: 73%
Showing up with uninvited guests: 71%
Taking centerpieces without permission: 69%
Having a loud cell phone conversation during the party: 68%
Dressing inappropriately: 62%
Moving a place card for a better seat: 54%
Dancing provocatively with random people: 42%
Smoking anyway at a non-smoking event: 32%
Having sex at an event: 16%
Gulp. And there’s more trouble. Lloyd Graff remembers his father’s holiday party gone wrong: Leonard Graff threw an end of year party in 1943, but it turned out his employees attempted a coup to unionize his shop the next day, resulting in an immediate cessation of what was once a lovely holiday party tradition (it was the first and last).
But there’s hope. There’s a slew of websites out there dispensing office party advice, and while they vary in ideas and execution, they are united in some basic office party rules.
Hilka Kinkenberg, founder of Etiquette International, a firm which specializes in domestic and international business etiquette, says to remember that “no matter how festive the occasion, it’s still about business.” She reminds you to never risk damaging your personal reputation with one party filled with blunders, innuendos, off-color humor and/or sexist, racist or inappropriate jokes. Which brings me to rule number 1:
Eat, drink and be merry – but not too merry! It’s been said “In wine, truth” (oh, Mel, I shudder) but alcohol loosens not just the tongue, but inhibitions as well. You don’t want to be breaking it to the CEO and the mailroom clerk that their paths “intertwined” that evening! Even worse, you don’t want to be one whose behavior is water cooler fodder Monday morning. Repeat after me, “I will not get drunk at the office party, I will not get drunk…”
Before asking your date or spouse to accompany you to your office party, remember to ask who is invited to the event. Some companies allow spouses and guests, others don’t. Check this out before you bring your “others” – it’s uncomfortable for everyone involved to have to say “no” to someone – especially if they are at the party door.
Knowing that the majority of our readers are male, I won’t admonish you about not wearing your mini skirt and feather boa. This is a simple rule to follow: ask what the dress code is. If you’re treated to a cocktail/dinner party on a yacht, it’s a good bet it’s black tie. Likewise, a restaurant party across the street is code for business casual. The office party is still a business-related event, so dress appropriately. Save the boa for later.
When deciding what to call your event, consider your employees’ diversity. While you may feel slighted about not using the word “Christmas” for your holiday party, the greater joy is for everyone to feel included. Promoting a “holiday party” is the very best way to be all-inclusive. As someone who does not celebrate Christmas but is told to have a merry Christmas for a month straight every year, I can vouch that it’s important to be culturally sensitive. If you know someone celebrates Christmas, by all means, wish them a Merry Christmas! But if you’re unsure, a neutral “happy holidays” fits the bill.
If you work within a large company, your company party may be the only, or at least best time to see the president or CEO in person. It’s a great time to introduce yourself, strike up a conversation and work it! If you run into the person responsible for your holiday party, remember your manners and thank them. They’ve probably put in a great deal of time and effort in making the party a success.
And while you’re at it, don’t forget to mingle! I know it’s easy to stay with the familiarity of your compatriots, but it’s a great time to meet colleagues from other departments, put faces to names and branch out from your own division. A holiday party is a great time to network and schmooze – use the time to introduce yourself and build or strengthen business relationships. A word of caution – it’s probably not the best time to get into “shop talk.” Avoid talking about deadlines, agendas or the dreaded office gossip.
And now for the fun!
If you’re doing a theme (and there is a seemingly infinite number to choose from) check out Oriental Trading or Rhode Island Novelty online for fun and inexpensive ways to decorate. From luaus, sports, Hollywood, decades parties, Vegas Night, Westerns, murder mysteries or Mardi Gras, there’s a wealth of cheap and fun products to accessorize your event.
Sebrina Carter, marketing manager of HORN USA, Inc., filled me in on last year’s holiday party there. They went with a “Black and White” holiday event. They had a black and white movie of the original Rat Pack playing behind the open bar. They had their DJ play big band music and lots of Frank Sinatra during dinner. They randomly draped top hats and white feather boas around for the guests to have fun with (guys, it’s ok to wear these boas!). Their centerpieces were glass mirrors with martini glasses filled with pearl necklaces. They had white tablecloths with a shimmery overlay and black velvet ties around the backs of chairs. The buffet table had white tablecloths and black linens, and they entwined the serving trays with glittery lights.
Sebrina hired a photographer to take photos of couples in front of a lighted “cityscape” setting and ordered silver picture frames as giveaways. She said the event was a hit – right down to the boas. They played a couple of team games and made upper management be the guinea pigs – another ice breaker to consider!
Enjoy a few recipes from TMW for your next party – and happy holidays to all!
Jill Sevelow’s Latkes (potato pancakes)
12 medium potatoes
2 onions
4 eggs
3 c flour
2 t salt
Vegetable oil for frying
sour cream or apple sauce – or both!
Pare and grate potatoes into a mixing bowl and squeeze out liquid. Peel and grate onion into potatoes. Add eggs, flour and salt, then stir to make a smooth batter that will drop heavily from the spoon. Pour a good deal of vegetable oil into a heavy frying pan (enough to cover the pancakes amply). Drop the batter from a spoon to form three inch pancakes in the hot oil. Fry over moderate heat until brown on the underside, then turn over to brown. Lift out and drain excess oil onto paper towel. They should be puffed and crisp.
Serve with sour cream or apple sauce on top, or with ketchup (even though everyone in my family makes fun of this option).
Carol Sobecke’s Christmas Bark
1 Cup Crushed Candy Canes
2 Pounds of White Chocolate
2 Teaspoons Peppermint Flavoring
Place candy canes in a plastic bag and hammer into 1/4 inch chunks or smaller.
Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler.
Combine candy cane chunks, white chocolate and peppermint flavoring. Pour mixture onto a cookie sheet layered with parchment or waxed paper and place in the refrigerator for approximately two hours or until firm. Remove from cookie sheet and break into pieces (like peanut brittle).
Cathy Heller’s Raspberry Bars
1 c butter, softened
2 c flour
1/2 c sugar
pinch of salt
Mix by hand. Press down into a 10 x 15 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
While baking, mix the following:
3/4 c flour
1/4 c sugar
1/4 c brown sugar
1/3 c butter
1/4 t salt
When the first pastry is done, spread one can of SOLO raspberry pie filling over pastry. Top with the second mixture. Return to over and bake 25-30 minutes.
Mix 1 c powdered sugar, 2 T milk and 1 t lemon juice together. Drizzle over warm pastry. Cool, and cut into bars.
