Holiday Morale Boosters

Maybe this year the company gala event is canceled because of tight budgets, but don’t cut out all of the fun. It is possible to have holiday festivities on a smaller scale with your employees. They need to know that, in spite of economic cut backs, their employers still acknowledge the season to boost team morale.

Hot Chocolate or Coffee Bar:

Break up the team’s day with a hot chocolate or coffee bar in the lobby that can be shared with your clients and walk-in customers, too. Be creative with the variety of goodies that can be added to these warm winter beverages. Complete the hot chocolate with white chocolate shavings, marshmallows, peppermint sticks and cinnamon. Add some delectable treats such as cookies or dessert bars for dunking. Coffee bars with flavored syrups and biscotti cookies will also hit the spot.

Rob Your Neighbor Gift Exchange:

The gift exchange game called Rob Your Neighbor is always a holiday hit. Set a price limit for each player’s gift at $10 to $20. Each gift should be wrapped and put on a table. Each player draws a number. Player No. 1 selects a gift. Player No. 2 selects a gift or takes Player No. 1’s gift and so on. For a complete list of rules: www.online-game-rules.com/8g-rob-your-neighbor-orwhite-elephant-rules.html

After-Hours Cheer:

Use the conference room or lobby area for a champagne party (also offer a non-alcoholic drink) complete with strawberries and a chocolate bar. A chocolate bar can be very festive complete with all types of chocolate goodies such as truffles, chocolate covered pretzels, Oreo cookies and M&Ms. Set the mood by playing holiday tunes with the house sound, portable iPod or laptop. This, combined with an “early dismissal,” is a great way to start the holiday weekend.

Preview

“We Always Swing” Jazz Series 15th Anniversary Celebration & Holiday Open House Kick-off.

Details: The 15th anniversary merchandise includes raffles, tickets from events over the years, limited edition posters, photography books, autographed items and more. Select the concert tickets of your choice, gift certificates, CDs and a host of other items for “design your own” tote bag gift baskets. Executive Director Jon Poses has unearthed some Jazz Series gems from seasons past — all that will make great gifts — including limited edition autographed posters and photography books from Herman Leonard, William Claxton, Carol Friedman and William Gottlieb. There are also signed baseballs and other items from the now-legendary “A Night of Jazz & Baseball.”

When: Thursday, Dec.10, 5 – 10 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 12, noon – 6 p.m.

Where: “We Always Swing” Jazz Series office, 218 N. Eighth St., just north of the courthouse in downtown Columbia.

Anticipated Rating: 7/10

HIT LIST

1. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Swing Big Band Swing Party – Jesse Auditorium – Dec. 2
2. EOTC – The Blue Note – Dec. 3
3. Living Windows Festival – The District – Dec. 4
4. St. Louis Ballet’s The Nutcracker – Jesse Auditorium- Dec. 5
5. Wyonna Judd, A Classic Christmas – Jesse Auditorium- Dec. 9