I've been meaning to get around to this one for just over a month now. Each year our company heads out to the Banff Springs hotel for our annual Christmas party, and after attending now for the last 6 years, it's become a staple of the Christmas season for me.
It's nice to work for an employer who makes efforts to be thoughtful to employees. If you've got children, or are an aunt or uncle and want to bring along other little kids, we have a kids party at the zoo each year. Then there's the usual adult trip out to Banff, where we have the option of skiing at Lake Louise for the day (established even before the Murray Edwards connection), or just hanging around and relaxing. For the last few years we've also been lucky enough to get Ogio luggage in various sizes as a little perk... which with my improving travel itinerary, has proven very useful.
This year each managing director provided something along with the usual corporate luggage, and as it turns out, each of the gifts is a predictably fitting token of their giver.
A music fan provided a CD of a distant relative of his who's making progress in a music career, and another music fan gave a gift certificate to the Apple music store online. That way I can have some good tunes pumping when I head out for ski days at Louse and the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies on with the ski discount card. A couple of oenophiles chipped in nice bottles of wine, as well as one bottle of port. Further, a bottle of caramel Bailey's was included, a flavour I never knew existed. Apparently this is a message that I'm supposed to drink lots after my Saturday ski trip. Fortunately, I'll be able to perk up my Sunday morning's with some gourmet coffee (with Bailey's?) while sitting in my chair and reading The 5 People You Meet in Heaven... one of those feel good make you think about life little books, from a guy with a compassionate heart, all while munching on some Bernard Callebeaut chocolates, coming from Mr. Chocoholic himself. After wrapping up the book, I can thumb through the latest issue of National Geographic Traveller with the subscription that we received from a well traveled man... very thoughtful. Now all that's needed is an extended vacation policy... And to tote around on vacation, a small leather organizer for all those little bits of paper you need, but never have a place to keep organized. Finally, a charitable donation to an organization who helps more families experience a Christmas like this who really, really can't otherwise.
I wasn't in town for Christmas this year, so this really was my Christmas this year for the most part. It's not about the items, it's the fact that some people thought it was worth their time and effort to get a handful of thoughtful gifts for 80+ employees. Sure they mean different things to different people, but giving stuff away feels good, and it's nice that the corporate world hasn't forgotten that.
I like the new look of your blog. Your firm certainly does know how to make everyone feel special at Christmas. Every year I'm amazed at the kindness and hospitality that is extended even to significant others. It goes a long way.
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