Company holiday parties

[WYRD]

With the holidays fast approaching its that time of year where the eggnog starts flowing and the ugly sweaters make their annual appearance. For those of you that are business owners and those of you that are employees what are the new Norms nowadays

Are white elephants/ secret Santa's still a thing?

Do you give /get bonuses?

Are holiday parties a big event anymore?

Share some of the best and the worst experiences you've had at your holiday party.

 

[paradise]

We are small so we have a dinner, not a party. We give bonuses. No gift exchange.

 

[C_J_J_C]

I hate holiday parties.
When we were small we had a nice dinner, gave bonuses, and even knew who uad kids and gave kids presents. As we grew people complained they felt obligated to go to get bonuses and then complained they would rather have larger bonuses then an expensive party. So another change happened and we gave out the bonuses before the party and then less than 50% showed.

My recommendation... small companies go big. Party, bonus, involve employees families and kids. Big companies give them a bonus and a handshake.

 

[Singleton]

Met my wife at the company holiday party 2005.
She showed up with a co-worker who thought he had a chance, left with me

 

[grumpy88]

I work for a big company and they have a larger party . 25 percent of the company are mormon so I get more then enough drink tickets ! Small raffle with nice prizes. We usually have a summer lake party too . This year with the new boss we had no lake party so we shall see about the Christmas party .

 

[Boatymcboatface]

Met my wife at the company holiday party 2005.
She showed up with a co-worker who thought he had a chance, left with me

I’m been meaning to thank you.

 

[Done-it-again]

Skipped going out to dinner (for many years private room at Flemings).

Now we have it at our house (this is the 2nd year), not talking alot of people ,around 20 as the field guys that do not live in CA stay home. I do fly in my PM and a Engineer with their spouses that live out of state. People can hang out longer and drink what they want.

Last year was a ugly sweater, this year is Flannel and Fizz. Didn't want anyone needing to buy something to wear, and most people already have a flannel. I hate dressing up in any type of formalwear so stopped the stuffy dinner. We pretty much have a motley crew.

I buy gifts and do stupid games to win them.
I give out bonuses but not at the party
I also shut down between Christmas and New Years paid. ( if not salary)

 

[DLC]

My boss is an ass !

no party, no bonus & no Hand shake …. I swear he would rather go to Havasu and hang out in his garage!!


oh by the way …. I’m self employed !!

 

[DoughBallin14]

Small enough business staff wise, Boss puts on a party at his house with a classic rock cover band, food, bonuses, and bartender with a waitress. Used to be anthonys italian in old town murrieta but i think this is year 5 for the house party.
Probably a good 30-40 people with techs and kids and a few neighbors

 

[PDQH2O]

Worked for a major aerospace company. What’s a holiday party?

 

[ltbaney1]

our company is around 20 people. we used to shut down early on a friday and all go to nicer place for lunch. boss gave bonuses out and cut us loose. last year he wanted to do it at the office on a saturday night and have it catered and be able to invite spouses / significant others. it flopped, not even half showed up. they all said we work here 40+ hours a week and now you want me to come back on a saturday night? and wear formal type clothes (boss requested no jeans and button downs, normal attire here is jeans and polos) for a dinner in the warehouse? most of the guys who didnt show were the younger warehouse guys, 1 of my peers was out of town but myself, the 2 other technical guys and the 2 sales guys showed up. boss was pretty bummed and understandably so. i actually enjoyed the lunch better anyway, there is only 2 guys here i would hang out with outside of work and 1 is the boss. im not sure what is going to happen this year. if he asks for my input, it will be some sort of lunch on a friday.

 

[Done-it-again]

our company is around 20 people. we used to shut down early on a friday and all go to nicer place for lunch. boss gave bonuses out and cut us loose. last year he wanted to do it at the office on a saturday night and have it catered and be able to invite spouses / significant others. it flopped, not even half showed up. they all said we work here 40+ hours a week and now you want me to come back on a saturday night? and wear formal type clothes (boss requested no jeans and button downs, normal attire here is jeans and polos) for a dinner in the warehouse? most of the guys who didnt show were the younger warehouse guys, 1 of my peers was out of town but myself, the 2 other technical guys and the 2 sales guys showed up. boss was pretty bummed and understandably so. i actually enjoyed the lunch better anyway, there is only 2 guys here i would hang out with outside of work and 1 is the boss. im not sure what is going to happen this year. if he asks for my input, it will be some sort of lunch on a friday.

I would do it again and only give the bonuses to the people who showed up.... But I would be surprised if he does anything at all based on last year. Keep us posted!

 

[Shady]

I work for a company of about 30 people. We have a pretty nice company party most years. Bonuses and raffles are the norm. I would rather not have a party, the owner of the company pretty much makes it known that attending the party is mandatory. I think this years party is supposed to be a little more low key, maybe that means better bonuses.

 

[Bpracing1127]

I work remote for a major defense contractor. No party, no bonus, nothing for us.

In fact they want us to work.

Wife is in retail. They don’t shut down. My wife will be working x mas for payroll

 

[ltbaney1]

I would do it again and only give the bonuses to the people who showed up.... But I would be surprised if he does anything at all based on last year. Keep us posted!

exactly what I would do, but most of the guys who no showed last year are no longer work here. I am interested to see what happens this year. im fine either way.

 

[HTTP404]

Ugh our company xmas parties were the worst. About the only good thing to come from covid was the xmas party was over.

 

[jet496]

Thanks for reminding me. We just booked our restaurant for us all.

 

[Sharky]

I don't do company parties. Why would I go to a party when I work with those same assholes all day.

 

[Luvnlife]

I don’t do them. I don’t want to be those fucks during the week let alone on a Saturday evening

 

[SpeedyWho]

I skip them a together as well. I see those people all year long dont need another day with them. Suppose that sounds a little grinch like, it probably is, oh well

 

[Ziggy]

I’m been meaning to thank you.

He says "Back at ya".

 

[WYRD]

I don't do company parties. Why would I go to a party when I work with those same assholes all day.

I don’t do them. I don’t want to be those fucks during the week let alone on a Saturday evening

I skip them a together as well. I see those people all year long dont need another day with them. Suppose that sounds a little grinch like, it probably is, oh well

So for all those that say they don't attend them I'm assuming you are employees. Let's just say median cost per employee on a small size company is $500. If the company didn't have a party and put the additional $500 as added bonus, how would you react to that?

 

[Luvnlife]

So for all those that say they don't attend them I'm assuming you are employees. Let's just say median cost per employee on a small size company is $500. If the company didn't have a party and put the additional $500 as added bonus, how would you react to that?

I know they do it as a thank you, but put $500 in an envelope for me instead.

 

[WYRD]

I know they do it as a thank you, but put $500 in an envelope for me instead.

I will say part of it is to build camaraderie as well but that Dynamic has shifted since 2020

 

[boatpi]

It will be our second year. We have six employee in Las Vegas, but we have a few from California show up too. We have to remember the six people work sometimes inside and off outside loading material at temperatures up to 110° in the afternoon in direct sunlight.

We have a room assigned at the Italian American club in Las Vegas it one over a great last year family style. I told him don’t eat for a week ahead of time. The food is a 10!

The day before Friday they get their bonuses for every month at work throughout the year or a small company and no one expects it but they know it’s coming so they’re all smiles
Management gets an extra of course open bar everybody’s advise ahead of time if they’re going to drink heavy we comp all of the Uber no issue.
Everyone dresses up because there’s a little bit of dancing the live music to. It always turns out fabulous and I talk about it afterwards.

 

[Bobby V]

So for all those that say they don't attend them I'm assuming you are employees. Let's just say median cost per employee on a small size company is $500. If the company didn't have a party and put the additional $500 as added bonus, how would you react to that?

When I was still working we did a lunch at Yard House for the sales guys. Didn’t have to meet up after work.

 

[Done-it-again]

So for all those that say they don't attend them I'm assuming you are employees. Let's just say median cost per employee on a small size company is $500. If the company didn't have a party and put the additional $500 as added bonus, how would you react to that?

The guys that don’t show are the same ones that bitch about their company not doing anything besides work.

You said you already give out bonus’s, if you give more vs a party then they always expect more.

Throw a party, buy some good booze and whatever is left you drink in the new year.

Then write it all off. Can’t write off the extra $500 for each employee. Will cost you even more if you cover the taxes on the bonus.

 

[grumpy88]

So for all those that say they don't attend them I'm assuming you are employees. Let's just say median cost per employee on a small size company is $500. If the company didn't have a party and put the additional $500 as added bonus, how would you react to that?

No thanks . I spend more hours awake with those i work with then my family . I feel it gives a chance to mend the hard feeling and start new again . It cost me money to go since it's in a casino and i need a Uber but we have enjoyed it.

 

[crzy2bealive]

The early years of SpaceX were wild. Open bar, buffet style food, entertainment. In-N-Out truck on the way out. As the company grew they got bigger and more expensive. One year they rented out the entire MGM studios….after that we didn’t have one for a while since the company got too big.

Last year they rented out the soccer stadium by the Coliseum.

No Xmas bonuses. Only thing we got was stock during our review.

I’m at a new company and they rented out the bowling alley for us. This year Dave and busters.

 

[Kbach]

I work for a major auto/MC manufacturer and from the early 90’s through the late 2000’s we always had a “Holiday” party. Highlight was around 99/2000 when one of the fabrication shop guys invited the roach coach driver to the party!!!!! She came decked out in a skimpy ass mini skirt and tiny top with her boobs hanging out. Let’s just say the roach coach sales went way up the following quarter

 

[ChumpChange]

A bank I worked at would have the Christmas party in January. It was a lot cheaper that way.

 

[oldboatsrule]

My boss rented out K1 speed one year. Some trampoline joint another year. He rented the Aquarium of the pacific 2 years ago. And last year we got on a shitty little bus with no booze and toured the USS Iowa. Dinner at each party. The last few years we recieved a small bonus for each year worked. It was a nice change to see some of the long time low pay employees actually take home a larger check than the newer higher paid talent!.

And no I'm not that bitter about my bonus





Anymore

 

[hallett21]

Where’s the cocaine fueled orgy stories?

 

[beerrun]

The company i work for used to do a nice Christmas party in fairbanks ranch but COVID came so that stopped last year they rented a place close to the office and had a taco guy come in and said that would be the new normal. And yes we get a nice Christmas bonus

 

[JL95]

bonus shmonus

 

[Singleton]

I skip them a together as well. I see those people all year long dont need another day with them. Suppose that sounds a little grinch like, it probably is, oh well

At my last job, I was told to attend by the CEO. BUT we had rules for senior leadership team members = show up at party, no drinking etc. More or less we had to make an appearance and let team members see us outside the office.

Being Head of Audit, I had the not so fun job of having to conduct an investigation based on a report from the holiday party. Based on that investigation, I had to terminate 3 VP’s for conduct = one of those VP was my mentor. It ruined all future company holiday parties for me.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Where’s the cocaine fueled orgy stories?

That’s not snow!

 

[stephenkatsea]

Knight & Carver Yachts San Diego put on a big Christmas party at their Mission Bay location, under a Big top tent. It was a very nicely done, dress up, family affair. We were living in Carlsbad. We surprised our 8 & 11 yr old daughters with a limo for the night. They shouted, Dad there's a limo in our driveway and it's honking. I said, well then let's go get in it. It totally floored them.

 

[nordictom]

I personally can't stand the x-mas parties. We have an "appreciation" party in a few weeks, I have already told the boss, I can't be there. I will be meeting with a few Labor Law lawyers in LA. He is probably already writing my "bad" performance review for next year.

 

[farmo83]

I work in trading for Chevron.



Normally they rent out a bar near the office and we leave work at 3 and have a big happy hour. They bring all the support groups too so it’s a large group. It’s all the drinks and food you can have so it’s pretty nice.



The nicest xmas party I’ve been to was when I worked at BP in trading and Natural Gas was around 10 bucks an MMBTU. The door prize budget was 50k, they rented out a nice hotel downtown, we all got rooms or they would pay for a cab(pre uber days), tons of booze and food, Ice sculptures everywhere, casino tables, etc.



The cheapest I’ve been to was we went to a lunch and that was it.

 

[DILLIGAF]

When I was running my company I did the gamut over the years. Took a harbor cruise dinner in NB, took em all to see Charlie Murphy in Irvine, hosted a house party, took em all to San Diego....all with the dinners, drinks, hotel rooms, bonuses, etc. Probably the happiest everybody was one year was when I bought all the girls Uggs and the guys new work boots. Also gave out substantial bonues but I gave them out quarterly as well. I tried to be creative with things.

As the company grew it became hard to corral them all into a party type deal. A lot of our guys were all over the states traveling etc so I just started loading up on the bonuses. Most employees appreciated that.

I can tell you this....those fuckers were cheap as hell pitching in getting me a gift.....lol They claimed I would just get what I wanted whenever so they had no idea what to get me. I didn't expect anything but jezzzzzz. Put some thought into it peeps or just a thank you is fine.

Anyhow.....thank goodness those days are behind me now.

 

[jetboatperformance]

Every day is a Party at Jet Boat Performance

 

[Done-it-again]

When I was running my company I did the gamut over the years. Took a harbor cruise dinner in NB, took em all to see Charlie Murphy in Irvine, hosted a house party, took em all to San Diego....all with the dinners, drinks, hotel rooms, bonuses, etc. Probably the happiest everybody was one year was when I bought all the girls Uggs and the guys new work boots. Also gave out substantial bonues but I gave them out quarterly as well. I tried to be creative with things.

As the company grew it became hard to corral them all into a party type deal. A lot of our guys were all over the states traveling etc so I just started loading up on the bonuses. Most employees appreciated that.

I can tell you this....those fuckers were cheap as hell pitching in getting me a gift.....lol They claimed I would just get what I wanted whenever so they had no idea what to get me. I didn't expect anything but jezzzzzz. Put some thought into it peeps or just a thank you is fine.

Anyhow.....thank goodness those days are behind me now.

How many even said thank you for the bonus? I might get 3 out of 15-20 people.

But I sure do hear it when nothing is handed out.

 

[C_J_J_C]

How many even said thank you for the bonus? I might get 3 out of 15-20 people.

But I sure do hear it when nothing is handed out.

Not my company but I was the sales manager so I got to hand out the bonuses a few years at the "Holiday" party and I always reminded my people to say thank you to the owner. Less than 50% did and one year my best guy flat out asked why... he said his bonus came every year so it was compensation not a bonus and he earned it. The way he saw it the owner was holding back his pay to prevent him from leaving.

 

[ltbaney1]

When I was running my company I did the gamut over the years. Took a harbor cruise dinner in NB, took em all to see Charlie Murphy in Irvine, hosted a house party, took em all to San Diego....all with the dinners, drinks, hotel rooms, bonuses, etc. Probably the happiest everybody was one year was when I bought all the girls Uggs and the guys new work boots. Also gave out substantial bonues but I gave them out quarterly as well. I tried to be creative with things.

As the company grew it became hard to corral them all into a party type deal. A lot of our guys were all over the states traveling etc so I just started loading up on the bonuses. Most employees appreciated that.

I can tell you this....those fuckers were cheap as hell pitching in getting me a gift.....lol They claimed I would just get what I wanted whenever so they had no idea what to get me. I didn't expect anything but jezzzzzz. Put some thought into it peeps or just a thank you is fine.

Anyhow.....thank goodness those days are behind me now.

i think i might be one of the few here who gets the boss something. Usually a good bottle of bourbon or a gift card for dinner. but i think / hope he appreciates it. i was the 2nd guy he hired 10 years ago and he takes good care of me. 2 weeks off for my wedding (which he attended), and as a surprise wedding gift he called the hotel we were staying at for our honeymoon and payed the whole thing and 2 weeks for both of kids births without hitting my vacation. i think i can atleast kick him a bottle and hand shake at the end of the year. to be honest surprised more dont.

 

[beerrun]

I work for a small construction company back when the original owner still had the company we ran two peterbilt lowbeds they were his pride and joy of the company so I had a replica of my lowbed made out of wood for him it is big and he loved it no one ever did anything for the owners and our bonus was big back then with some guys getting 50-60k and the owners paying all the taxes so you got the whole nut

 

[DILLIGAF]

How many even said thank you for the bonus? I might get 3 out of 15-20 people.

But I sure do hear it when nothing is handed out.

Probably about 50% would thank you.

 

[redone76]

i think i might be one of the few here who gets the boss something. Usually a good bottle of bourbon or a gift card for dinner. but i think / hope he appreciates it. i was the 2nd guy he hired 10 years ago and he takes good care of me. 2 weeks off for my wedding (which he attended), and as a surprise wedding gift he called the hotel we were staying at for our honeymoon and payed the whole thing and 2 weeks for both of kids births without hitting my vacation. i think i can atleast kick him a bottle and hand shake at the end of the year. to be honest surprised more dont.

I get my boss a fresh case of Plineys every year...he always appreciates it! And we have a simple Xmas party in the shop that's usually catered by a local restaurant. Bonuses are handed out before the party.

 

[Laguna]

We had our company for just short of 30 years. We did party and bonus for Xmas. What amazed me was the employees could careless how the business was doing. They always expected more and very few thank yous were said to us. I am so happy I never have to deal with employees ever again.

 

[bowtiejunkie]

There was a big company Christmas party each year back when I joined the company 23 years ago. Employee count was under 700, with 400+ in SF Bay Area. Eventually, they were renamed holiday party and broken into groups to manage size. Later on, they ended and my manager would take our group of 8 out for dinner instead. Nothing fancy. I enjoyed the latter. Never any holiday bonus. White elephant gift parties were a blast too and remained for many years. Most years I’d get my manager a gift card and she’d get me and later wife and I and kids gifts. Same manager for 21 years.