We’re having a holiday party at work on Thursday, and I am unreasonably stressed out about it. It is just a stupid party, but they really expect a lot out of us for this damn thing. For example:
- Each group (I’m in programming) has to create a “centerpiece” that incorporates elements of our group (programming) and the holidays. And then we’ll be judged on this. I am in charge, and besides the fact that I don’t care, no one seems to be getting the ideas that I’m putting forward. They are more in the “lets throw shiny things in a box” camp while I’m more on the “lets make ours an ironic take on the flaws of programming and the holidays”.
- Potluck. I think I’m expected to bring in some sort of dish. And also sign up on the web what I’m bringing in. This is just not going to happen, I think. I definitely do not feel like cooking something. But if I don’t there is a good chance that the only food there will be will be the gross things that other people decide to bring in. I love dishes that consist of 3 food groups tied together with cool whip as much as the next guy, but come on. 14 different versions of the same theme?
- Reindeer games. We’ve got two sessions of reindeer games. Morning and afternoon. In the morning session there will be “a series of mentally and physically challenging games.” The afternoon session will be geared more towards card games and board games. I can’t get past the fact that they are called “Reindeer” games to actually imagine what it is going to be like hopping around the halls of the office to Christmas carols.
- White Elephant gift exchange. I’m just not going to do that. I think it is dumb, and I refuse to participate.
These are the plans for the whole day. Oh yeah, and then each group has to select a “cleanup” person, which will surely be me, since I’m the new guy.
This is all just ridiculous. Maybe I’ll just call in sick.
6 Comments
I take back all of my complaints about getting an extra hour for lunch.
ugh. Damn holidays. Forced fratinization with coworkers is bad enough, but organized fratinization with rules and demands and crap should be forbidden. When will companies understand that making people do things together isn’t going to double production and increase teamwork? Just let everyone off an extra day or something and then not penalize them by forcing them to make an unreasonable deadline in spite of the day off. That would be a great holiday present. Heck, I haven’t been in corporate world for over a year, and the holidays corporate style still gives me the shivers…. Then again, I saw a man and woman get in a fist fight yeasterday at Walmart, so I learned two things–why I never go to Walmart and holidays suck no matter where you are ‘forced’ to be a part of the ‘celebration’.
have fun!
White elephant gift exchanges are awesome. Last year I gave this extremely tacky and ugly ashtray with a World of Warcraft-esque dragon on it and ended up getting a satellite radio.
by the way, I apologize for not being able to spell.
There was an article in the Post Dispatch about how to behave at office parties, and I think there was a follow-on article about how to behave at your spouse’s party.
These things can be fun I guess.
It is just one of those things that we have to do – like getting our teeth cleaned or an emissions test for the car. So suck it up and make the best of it. Think of it this way, everybody else probably hates it just as much as you do, and if there are those who actually like it, they should stir your compassion for having a life so bad that they actually like office parties. Your Mom has some teriffic recipes for the pot luck, and at least that is one thing you will be able to eat. I offer you my amazing collection of “stuff” for a white elepphant gift. Do you still have that very old computer printout that says Merry Christmas? Years ago we had a wreath made out of punch cards.