Christmas Joys

Just because you’re stuck in an office all day doesn’t mean Christmas fun can’t extend to your workplace. Depending on the environment at your work, it’s definitely possible to mix holiday fun with work.

One obvious choice for some fun at the office during the holidays is to have a party. You could have several, in fact. How about a cookie exchange party? Plan to do this at lunchtime one day, and during that block of time, everyone brings several dozen cookies they have made. You have to set a particular number of cookies everyone brings. Because once everyone has an empty plate, they go around the table picking up cookies that look good to them and place them on their empty paper plate. If everyone brought 3 dozen cookies, say, then everyone gets to take home 3 dozen cookies. This is not a particularly unique idea, but one that brings a bit of fun into the workplace.

Keeping in mind whether or not the public visits your workplace, you might choose to decorate. Why not have a Christmas tree decorating event? Everyone brings 6 ornaments and as a group activity, everyone decorates the tree. This is a good way to build team spirit and decorate your workplace at the same time.

Don’t forget to institute a “secret Santa” event at work, where you secretly buy gifts for someone and have some type of gift exchange. But what about a “Santa’s helper” activity? Someone in the group has to begin this on the sly. Essentially, this first person (the only one in the know about how the whole thing began) puts together a little gift. Ideally, it’s a basket with a few gift items in it. They might be decorative items, or baked goods or even bath items. Attach a card saying that “Santa’s helper” dropped by and brought these items. Now the person who received the “helper’s” gift must put together a little something for someone else and - again on the sly - deliver it to the next person. It continues until everyone has received a visit from “Santa’s helper”.

Nothing brings people together like a group activity designed to help others. What if your officemates came up with an activity designed to help people less fortunate at the holidays? You might adopt a local family and everyone in the office purchases items for that family. You might choose to purchase Christmas trees for needy families. If the public visits your office often, you might even begin a “sharing” tree and people can bring items to put under the tree for needy families or children. As a group activity, the office workers can then deliver these items to the needy.

The particularly festive office might want to have someone come in and do a cooking demonstration. If there are enough people interested, you can hire a cook or baker to come into your office on your lunch hour and do a demonstration or class. Say you want to bake but don’t know what to bake this year. A baker can come in and demonstrate cookies or other goodies you might not have thought to make. Or someone can come in with ideas and samples for the perfect Christmas meal. These ideas are perfect for the environment where people work many hours and are quite busy but still want to do their regular cooking and baking each year.

Everyone knows someone with a dog that is part of their family. This holiday season, why not give a Christmas Dog Basket? It is perfect for the dog and the owner will certainly appreciate that you remembered their little one during the special time of year. So often, during the holidays everyone rushes out to buy everyone gifts, but sometimes we fail to truly take the time to buy something that is meaningful for the receiver. By including the dog with a gift, you are making a huge impression on the owner. Of course, the dog will also be impressed with the abundance or treats and chews that await him or her inside the basket.

Many dog owners also buy their own pooch a Christmas Dog Basket because they know what their dogs love and opening the basket, and then showing the dog what’s inside is thrilling for any canine. Of course, you can add anything you want to the basket and then give it to your pooch on Christmas, and yummy treats are always a hit with dogs as is pure meat items such as freeze-dried treats. Dogs will go wild over their baskets and next year for Christmas, they may even begin expecting their present each year!

You have a long list of people to buy presents for, but don’t forget about your little four-legged friend, he or she will appreciate receiving a Christmas Gift Basket. Moreover, you can get the gift baskets in many sizes, designs, colors, and with anything you want it them. Many clever dogs baskets rather than having the stuffing that typically comes in many human gift baskets, will have a dog bowl as the bottom part of the basket. You can be as creative as you want, and many companies together produce very stunning gift baskets for dogs. Of course, you do not just have to give your dogs treats in his or her basket, you can fill it with toys, new clothes, and even a new collar and leash.

One of the greatest aspects to the Christmas Dog Basket, is it allows you to be as creative as you wish. This is why gift baskets in general are one of the hottest selling items around the holidays. It allows the gift-giver to add as many items as they wish and the price among dog baskets vary as greatly as they do for people baskets. Obviously, the bigger the basket and the more expensive items you have in the basket, the more it will cost.

Finally, dog owners all over are discovering that dog Christmas baskets are not only popular but they are a way for owners to give their pooch something special for the holiday, and of course, the gratitude you get for the basket it is all the thanks you need.

It is the time of year for holiday decorating, but are you ready? Do you hate the idea of the hassle, the mess, and the expense? Enjoy the holidays again with these fun ideas for Christmas decorating.

Christmas Trees: Are you tired of those boring glass balls? For a new look, consider decorating with candy canes and matching ribbon only. In place of a star, why not use a cluster of candy canes at the top. If you are really creative, use sheer wrapping paper to cover Styrofoam balls so that they resemble candy pieces and create a garland of goodies.

Fireplaces: Often a centerpiece of holiday scenes, decorating the fireplace can seem overwhelming. Keep it simple by hanging stockings on the mantel. Even if you never place anything inside of them, just by hanging there they will add a sense of holiday festivity. This is easily one of the most traditional ideas for Christmas decorating, but still just as effective as it was in years past.

Dining Room: To add some sparkle to your dining room table, fill a simple glass bowl with colorful glass ornaments. (If you followed the tips above, you should have plenty left over!) This adds a decorative Christmas touch without the predictable poinsettias. If you prefer not to use glass balls, why not use tinsel and candy canes?

Windows: Give a festive look to your windows by making large bows from holiday themed ribbon and attaching them as tie backs to your window treatments. This unexpected splash of Christmas color adds a new twist to decorating for the season.

Now that you have a few ideas for Christmas decorating, why not get started and actually try enjoying it this year?