Most Wonderful Time of the Year?
Maryanne Robertson, whom we interviewed last month, was sipping a glass of wine while waiting for Allison Walters to join her for an after-work drink at Frontera Grill, their favorite meeting place in Chicago. Their relationship grew from being respected colleagues to friends. We interviewed Allison last week.
After a hug, Allison laughed and said, “I know everyone thinks this is a great time of the year, but I am up to my ears in holiday party planning. How are you celebrating this year?”
“Wish I had some magic to share but, we’re sticking with a holiday lunch at the corporate office. We’ve done this for years and it seems to work well for us.”
Allison smiled, “Lucky you. Doing a catered lunch avoids many of the potential crazy behavioral issues I am wanting to avoid. We’re doing an offsite after-work party with drinks and dancing. And to make it worse, we’ve added a secret Santa gift exchange to the mix. I have nightmares about what inappropriate gifts might appear.”
Allison’s wine arrived, they toasted and wished each other a happy holiday, which reminded Maryanne of another issue related to the “most wonderful time of the year.”
“Don’t forget that not everyone celebrates the same holiday, so consider how to decorate and what do we call events? We’re using traditional wreaths and trees, but also including a menorah in honor of Hanukkah and a harvest basket for Kwanzaa.”
“Thanks, that is helpful, and I’ll take that back to our committee. Our event is called a Holiday Celebration, which we hope is as inclusive as possible. But where I really need your help is around the evening event we will be hosting. How can we avoid as many pitfalls as possible”?
Maryanne responded, “Since you have a committee, I’d suggest they share some information before the event, including:
Attendance is voluntary
Dress code guidelines
Reminder that your harassment policies apply at the event
Suggested guidelines on appropriate and inappropriate gifts
Attendees will get two drink tickets
Vouchers will be available for Uber rides home”
Maryanne continued, “If you need a good example of why you need a dress code, get a copy of They Did What? and use the code TWW 2022 for 15% off the print and ebook before December 17, 2022. Good luck and fill me in the next time we meet. Happy Holidays.”
ICYMI: Read prior interviews with the cast of They Did What? including Maryanne Robertson, Allison Walters, Kyle Greene, Judy Marshall and Jason Edison.