During Luc's thread I was hoping some of the members might touch on what they actually do for the staff at Christmas. We are needing some fresh ideas this year. What do you do?????
Staff Party Ideas....general
- Thread starter Missy
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Connie
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This won't really answer your question, but we don't do staff parties. We also do not exchange gifts. I'm not really a Scrooge, but my employees are single moms. They need every cent that they can get, so they don't need to be buying gifts for me or for the other ladies here. In fact, I prohibit gift-giving, and they have thanked me for that. I try to give a $$ bonus instead.
Most places I've worked, the boss would have us over to their house and we'd have a nice dinner. It was pretty fun. Oddly enough, a couple of my bosses over the years happened to be piano players so they'd play piano for us. Usually there was wine and it was pretty relaxed.
One place gave us a bonus at the end of the year and some did gifts.
When I have employees I think I'm gonna do the bonus thing (if it's a good year) and take them out to a really nice non-everyday restaurant. (I don't wanna cook, heh). Maybe a small gift. I would maybe try to put a $ limit on work gifts for each other or make it a game like Secret Santa. I know the boss always has to do more, that is the nature of the beast.
One place gave us a bonus at the end of the year and some did gifts.
When I have employees I think I'm gonna do the bonus thing (if it's a good year) and take them out to a really nice non-everyday restaurant. (I don't wanna cook, heh). Maybe a small gift. I would maybe try to put a $ limit on work gifts for each other or make it a game like Secret Santa. I know the boss always has to do more, that is the nature of the beast.
Missy,
Check Around London and see if there is a show where you can all attend that is reasonably price. I would maybe suggest diner before hand and then the show after. Of course you may want to consider the cost of the diner at their expense.
I also have done the home thing like this year. It is reasonably price, we get lots of fun and laugh but it is a lot of work for one person to do.
Potluck would be an alternative to this diner.
You can have themes for your dinners...Like a casino.
Or with the bonus game i will be giving out, one of the bonus game is the first one to sing a christmas song...the other first one to offer to read a christmas story (book supplied) Charades could be names of song and movies to do with christmas, first one to share one of their christmas pass story.
How about you all share a nice diner at a nice restaurant and after go to one of the senior lodge and sing them carrolls.
Every year I usually give something to the lodges. We got three. THis year I have a fiber optic musical house going to them for their decoration.
I am not all bad.. I do have some good place in my heart.
Contrary to what people think....
Sorry Missy,
Luc
Check Around London and see if there is a show where you can all attend that is reasonably price. I would maybe suggest diner before hand and then the show after. Of course you may want to consider the cost of the diner at their expense.
I also have done the home thing like this year. It is reasonably price, we get lots of fun and laugh but it is a lot of work for one person to do.
Potluck would be an alternative to this diner.
You can have themes for your dinners...Like a casino.
Or with the bonus game i will be giving out, one of the bonus game is the first one to sing a christmas song...the other first one to offer to read a christmas story (book supplied) Charades could be names of song and movies to do with christmas, first one to share one of their christmas pass story.
How about you all share a nice diner at a nice restaurant and after go to one of the senior lodge and sing them carrolls.
Every year I usually give something to the lodges. We got three. THis year I have a fiber optic musical house going to them for their decoration.
I am not all bad.. I do have some good place in my heart.
Contrary to what people think....
Sorry Missy,
Luc
I am in the same boat as Connie all but one of my employees are single through divorce. They all struggle financially in thier own ways trying to give the best to their families.
We have a party at my house with no gifts exchanged, we give bonus ($) gift in with the Chritmas payday check. Last year we started handing out donations cards, that informed them donations had been made in their name to www.heifer.org there was ALOT of crying. It was the best thing we have ever done. Families struggling really understand the concept of helping other families become self reliant.
Two of my employees are changing their entire family gift giving this year. One to include heifer intenational as part of their Chistmas, the other is doing away with gifts for anyone over 10 and they will be donating to heifer instead. In such hard times giving to others can really lift spirits.
We have a party at my house with no gifts exchanged, we give bonus ($) gift in with the Chritmas payday check. Last year we started handing out donations cards, that informed them donations had been made in their name to www.heifer.org there was ALOT of crying. It was the best thing we have ever done. Families struggling really understand the concept of helping other families become self reliant.
Two of my employees are changing their entire family gift giving this year. One to include heifer intenational as part of their Chistmas, the other is doing away with gifts for anyone over 10 and they will be donating to heifer instead. In such hard times giving to others can really lift spirits.
Thanks for the ideas. Not for one minute do I think you are a bad person Luc! I was just looking for some general ideas. I think it is very important at this time of year to bring the staff together for some good fun. The weeks ahead have everyone on edge and we all need to laugh!!!
We always celebrate in January. Everyone is less tired and enjoys it more. We usually do it at a bar/restaurant since a lot of our staff are in their twenties. It works better if they have a private room of course. The secret santa gift thing is fun, if everyone gets into it.... some gag gifts, no more than $20. We foot the bill for all food, beer and wine. Would love to do bonus' too, but haven't been able to the last three years or so. We do offer bonus' each month based on how many of our monthly feature they sell (per item). For our best two salespeople that's usually $250 if they sell it well, $50-$100 for others than sell well, but are not taking the bulk of the orders. That way we are still bonusing, but they earn if themselves by saving us by selling an item we can produce in mulitples and the profit is higher, b/c the labor is less and COGS is low on that feature. We offer similar bonus' at holidays too, so between that and overtime, they are compensated well for their hard work.
Last year's Xmas party also was our 25th anniversary party, so that was at a nicer venue, and we had a trivia game, karoake, etc. it was a lot of fun. It also marked 20 years employment for three of our staff and they were surprised with certificates, flowers (of course), and $500 each.
Last year's Xmas party also was our 25th anniversary party, so that was at a nicer venue, and we had a trivia game, karoake, etc. it was a lot of fun. It also marked 20 years employment for three of our staff and they were surprised with certificates, flowers (of course), and $500 each.
Christmas Party
We will take the employees and a guest to dinner at a nice restaurant, anyone who wants to participate in a gift exchange is welcome to do so but it is not mandatory. We will do a gift card exchange too, if anyone wants to do so. That one is a draw - you bring a card for $10 and you leave with a card for $10 but it is fun to see which ones you go home with!
We give Christmas bonuses as gift certificates for our shop and this year we will give each employee a certificate to purchase one or two items at half price.
One idea from another place where I worked, we got together and had a nice dinner, then the management had rented a little trolley looking bus (I have even heard of using limos - maybe trade for flowers?) and went around looking at Christmas lights together.
Donna
We will take the employees and a guest to dinner at a nice restaurant, anyone who wants to participate in a gift exchange is welcome to do so but it is not mandatory. We will do a gift card exchange too, if anyone wants to do so. That one is a draw - you bring a card for $10 and you leave with a card for $10 but it is fun to see which ones you go home with!
We give Christmas bonuses as gift certificates for our shop and this year we will give each employee a certificate to purchase one or two items at half price.
One idea from another place where I worked, we got together and had a nice dinner, then the management had rented a little trolley looking bus (I have even heard of using limos - maybe trade for flowers?) and went around looking at Christmas lights together.
Donna
That's a really good idea!! Another great idea we did - not for Xmas, but once the day before VD and once around MD, we had a masseuse come in and give 15 minute massages to everyone. They LOVED it. You may even be able to do it in trade for flowers in their spa / location.
I did that a couple years ago at Valentines or Mother's Day (can't remember which). My best friend had just graduated from Massage School. She brought in her chair and everyone took turns getting massages. It was a wonderful break and treat for an otherwise long holiday.
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