Our Blog: where do you stand?

Kicking the Grinch Out of the Holiday Office Party

By: Mistie Thompson | 11/17/2008

There’s no joy in Whoville this year, according to the AP. Company holiday parties are being slashed faster than victims in “Saw V,” and the bloodletting appears to be happening at companies large and small. I’m sure the Grinch is dancing with glee in his gloomy little cave somewhere.

In an effort to thwart the Grinch’s attempts to train for the next “Dancing With The Stars,” Standing Partnership is doing something a little different with its holiday party this year. We are downsizing - instead of an elegant lunch at a St. Louis hotspot, we’re throwing a potluck at the home of Standing’s “grandparents” (aka Cathy Dunkin’s parents). But, the money we save is being given to help those served by two of our favorite charities – the St. Louis Area Foodbank and Stray Rescue.

Yes, we could squirrel the all money away for a rainy day (which actually looks like it may turn into a hailstorm), but we also realize that there are many out there – human and furry friends alike – who are in desperate straits right now. Standing has had a very good year, we have great clients that inspire and challenge us to do our best work every day, and we have the most amazing staff with hearts just as big as their intellect. We have been blessed, and we know that sharing our good fortune with others – especially at a time when charities need support more than ever – is more rewarding than a fancy lunch or a beautifully wrapped gift.

So come Dec. 5, we’ll all be sampling our co-workers’ yummiest holiday dishes, and we’ll all be gathered around Lois Standing’s piano singing and laughing well into the night - mostly laughing, because while we may be the best reputation management team around, we are really bad singers.

What are your company’s plans for a holiday party this year? If you’re downsizing your party, would you be able to donate even a portion of the savings to charity? And can anyone provide singing lessons – or earplugs – to the Standing staff ASAP?

Posted in Community Assistance