It’s nearly here, it can’t be ignored for much longer, we are a mere five weeks away from the big day. On many different levels the planning for Christmas seems to start earlier each year, and no doubt if you work in an office you’re already started your preparations. We’ve compiled a list of what to expect for your office Christmas, in case you’ve blanked it from your mind or not experienced the festive office joys yet. Our idiots guide to Christmas office survival.
Cards – Chances are if you work for a large organisation your marketing team would have signed off your corporate Christmas cards in July, all that’s up for you to do is decide who to send them to from your department or boss. Getting the right people to sign the cards can be a Herculean task, as can ensuring everyone is on the right list. If you work as a PA you may have the task of sending more personal cards to a list of recipients, and again choosing the right cards, ensuring they are appropriately personalised needs some time allocating in early December (if not before) – and don’t forget to keep a few back in case any are received who you didn’t send one to! Don’t forget your colleagues – if you’re new to a team try and suss out the lie of the land before you invest in any hand crafted cards to send to your colleagues – most offices have unwritten rules on whether cards are sent between colleagues or not, although I personally think a selection of cards on a desk can brighten up the dullest office!
Secret Santa – this can be a source of both fun and stress in many offices. In every office I have worked in there has been a secret Santa, usually with a limit of £5 which is quite hard to stick to. Do you got personal and meaningful or just go for laughs? Although it is ‘secret’ these things do have a habit of revealing themselves so maybe don’t go too risque! If you have the unenviable task of organising the secret Santa a theme may make things easier (a food theme would be a nice and easy one) for your colleagues, and make sure you have a date to open it (the Christmas party is a good one) so people know what to expect.
Finally, don’t forget, dose yourself up with mulitvitamins – ’tis also the season to catch colds so if you want to enjoy it, try and stay healthy. Try and build in some time for your Christmas shopping – either online or after work, you don’t want to be spending Christmas Eve pounding the streets instead of enjoying a nice drink with your colleagues!
