Help! Holiday party for work

[irishgirl]

Help! I am part of the committee that is organizing the holiday party at work this year. We took a vote and 2 to 1 they want to have an offsite party. That being said we are very tight with funds (who isn't) and we have pretty strict rules to follow. No alcohol(sp?), has to be pretty close to work and it has to be a Sunday night from say 7p-11p. We are trying to come up with cost effective ways to throw this party! Any ideas?

I want to get as much of this done now so it doesn't impede on my Christmas (that is the other thing.. it has to be non denominational.. no christmas uggg)

Thanks everyone!! I appreciate any advice or ideas you might have!!!:cry:

[Maureen]

This totally won't be any help whatsoever except to remind you to keep your perspective!!!


xxxx



FROM: Patty Lewis, Head of HR
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 01, 2005
RE: Christmas Party
I'm happy to inform you that the office Christmas Party will take place on December 23, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols...feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if the Chief shows up dressed as Santa Claus!
A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00pm. Exchange of gifts among employees can be done at that time; however, no gift should be over £5 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pockets. This gathering is only for Chester House! The Chief will make a special announcement at that time!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Patty
******************************
FROM: Patty Lewis, Head of HR
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 02, 2005
RE: Holiday Party
In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognise that Chanukah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas. However, from now on we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians or those still celebrating Reconciliation Day. There will be no Christmas tree present. No Christmas carols sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment.
Happy now?
Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Patty
******************************
FROM: Patty Lewis, Head of HR
TO: All Employees
DATE: October 03, 2005
RE: Holiday Party
Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table. You didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only"; you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this? Somebody?
Forget about the gifts exchange, no gifts exchange are allowed since the union members feel that £5 is too much money and executives believe £5 is a little chintzy. NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.
Patty
******************************
FROM: Patty Lewis, Head of HR
To: All Employees
DATE: October 04, 2005
RE: Holiday Party
What a diverse group we are! I had no idea about the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party - or else package everything for you to take it home in little foil doggy baggy. Will that work?
Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms. Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with Gay men, each will have their own table. Yes, there will be flower arrangement for the Gay men's table. To the person asking permission to cross dress, yes, this is allowed.
We will have booster seats for short people. Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet. We cannot control the salt used in the food we suggest for those people with high blood pressure to taste first. There will be fresh fruits as dessert for Diabetics, the restaurant cannot supply "No Sugar" desserts. Sorry!
Did I miss anything?!?!?
Patty
******************************
FROM: Patty Lewis, Head of HR
TO: All ******* Employees
DATE: October 05, 2005
RE: The ******* Holiday Party
Vegetarian ******- I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it, and you'll get your ******* salad bar, including organic tomatoes.
But you know, tomatoes have feelings, too. They scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right NOW! I hope you all have a rotten holiday! ***** ***** *** *** !!!!!!!!,
The B**** from H***!!!!!!!!
******************************
FROM: Joan Bishop, Acting Head of HR
DATE: October 06, 2005
RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party
I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery and I'll continue to forward your cards to her. In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.
Happy Holidays!

[irishgirl]

Maureen,

Actually that did help as it made me laugh!! I think I will print that our and tape it into the front of my Holiday Party folder to assist in "keeping perspective"!

Thanks again!!

PS.. how did you know that is what it is like where I work???? Are you spying?:hello:

[Maureen]

Isn't it brilliant?!!!!

I don't need to spy on your office - it's an office, like my office, with people and people with opinions and ideas and suggestions. I hate opinions, ideas and suggestions especially when I'm trying to organise a party nobody else will touch. If you can do it better, you do it - if not, leave me alone to get on with the job you gave me to do!!!!!!!!!

Here endeth my rant!!!!!

cheesy

[kerst]

That's very funny Maureen !

This is not an easy one Irishgirl ! Am trying to come up with solutions and suggestions but other than making some nice "virgin" coctails for the non-alcoholic problem I can't come up with much. You can find plenty of coctails on "google"

[kelly ann]

Oh that was hilarious Maureen!!!

[George Broderick, Jr.]

I'm guessing that "keeping it non-denominational" would exclude getting the use of a church hall... maybe a VFW or American Legion hall..? Poll your fellow employees to see if any have a connection to these types of organizations and can get you the hall cheaply (or free)...

Not knowing where your office is, I can't advise on a venue that's close enough, but, being in the Philadelphia area gives you access to several "country" and/or Amish locations and these tend to be nice for alcohol free gatherings and they're usually decorated "to the nines"...

Catering is a nightmare... barring a "pot luck" dinner scenario, you're on your own...

Just my two cents worth...

Hope this helps... :rudolph:

[whychristmas]

LOL that's brilliant Maureen!!! It's funny because it's (sadly) true...

[SparkleNana]

That was so funny, Maureen! And the idea of giving an afternoon off with full pay instad of the party sounds pretty good!

Are spouses/significant others included in the invitation? I think you are really smart to try to organize this early, irishgirl! You will have many more options.

[Minta]

have you checked out Dave and Busters?? They do have banquet rooms that they do rent out although I am not sure what the price is though. It is fun there.

[George Broderick, Jr.]

Last time my wife's family got together at Dave and Buster's for "Grandkids Night" between Christmas and New Years, the cost for the room was minimal but you had to spend a certain dollar amount for food and "Buster Bucks" to play at the video games... if your thing is mingling, though, you'll pretty much have to stay in the dining banquet room... once you get into the arcade section, forget it... the sound is downright deafening...

Good suggestion, though... cheesy

[irishgirl]

Dave and Busters would be too far and they serve alchohol (sp?) and that is strictly forbidden..

Good News is... I think I found a venue.. a local fire house has a full size banquet facility.. up to 550 people!! Cool.. we are going to look at it this week and put down a deposit.. now if I can earn enough $$$$$

Thankyou everyone for your suggestions.. I really appreciate it.. it is keeping me from pulling my hair out!!!!

Enjoy your Saturday:hello:

[SparkleNana]

Please keep us posted on the party developments, Irishgirl! We are cheering for you! :tree:

[emski4379]

Is there any type of local food that would cater cheaply? I know here in NC you can have NC BBQ catered pretty inexpensively.

[irishgirl]

I want to thank all of you for your support!! It just makes me SMILE!cheesy

The hall that we are thinking about renting said they could do a family style or buffet dinner with 2 hot dishes, potatoes and veggies for $16/pp. This would include coffee, tea and dessert. As I am new to this I don't know if this is a good price or not. Some of the other quotes I have gotten have been in the $30 range.
I will have to see if we have a local BBQ place that caters.. That could be fun!!!

[Maureen]

Remember and sit the vegetarians away from the "grill of death"!!!!!!!!

[irishgirl]

Maureen.. LOL!!!! I am going to make everyone wear color coded name tags so I can keep track of them.. If they don't like it they can bugger off!!!!