My staff are fighting about the Christmas party plans. Help!

Dear Aunty B,

A few weeks ago I gave the responsibility of organising the office Christmas party to two of my staff and it’s turned out to be a disaster.

One of them wants to have a fancy dinner where we all invite our partners, while the other wants to have a BBQ and use the rest of the budget on Christmas hampers.

I couldn’t really care less, but it’s become such a big issue that I am now being called on to decide what to do. Which way should I go?

TP,
Bunbury

Dear TP,

Staff get worked up about the most ridiculous things, don’t they? Don’t they know Christmas is still three months away? Don’t they know there are budgets to be met and sales to be made over the next 10 weeks or so?

But you’ve got to act before this ridiculous issue becomes any more of a distraction – and of course you are already late booking the bloody thing so you won’t get first choice of venue.

Your two options sound awful. Bringing partners to the Christmas party is a big no-no in my book – I am sure you don’t want to get stuck talking to a drippy girlfriend of three weeks or a deadbeat husband who has been out of work for the past decade and has a great idea for your next business.

The hamper idea should also be thrown out. Those things are always overpriced and full of terrible food that only six people over the age of 40 actually eat.

So here is what you need to do. Put your foot down and come up with your own idea.

Find a reasonably priced venue for lunch, not dinner (who wants to give up their evening for work? Not you I bet) and tell your staff you are not expecting them to come back to work after the party.

Then keep the whole thing light-hearted and informal. Perhaps chuck in something fun to do, like a company sponsored lucky dip for novelty gifts (who doesn’t like pair of Groucho Marx glasses) and finish with a (quick) thank you speech.

If you want to give your team a small gift, try movie tickets that they will be able to use with their partner.

Remember, some people dread Christmas party, so something fun, informal and low-key is generally a great idea.

Good luck,
Your Aunty B

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