Xmas Party? Is your company having one? What's the best Xmas party you've been to? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Rerun · 11-30-2009, 01:13 PM

Just thought I would start a thread to see if companies are cutting back in these tougher economic times.

The company I work for is having one at the West Edmonton Mall hotel (Edmonton is kind of central to the various company branch offices). We get a paid hotel room for Friday and Saturday nite as well as the company picks up the tab for the party.

On the other hand, my wife, who works for the federal government (Passport Canada) isn't having one.... but then again, Passport Canada never puts on a Christmas party for its employees. Not sure what other federal government departments do, but I wouldn't be surprised if its the same with them too.... when it comes to spending money on their lowly front line employees, the federal government is pretty tight fisted.

Edit: The best party I've been to was put on by the company I used to work for and one of our major clients. We were all flown out to Vancouver and were put up in the Westin Bayshore Inn, which is right on the Burrard Inlet waterfront, for 2 days. Our Christmas party was held on one of those small 100 ft for hire cruise ships/yachts all decorated with Christmas lights. During the party the ship just cruised around Burrard Inlet, at night. It was pretty cool.

tripin_billie · 11-30-2009, 01:16 PM

US federal government here, no party planned, and I don't think our agency has really ever had one.

RW99 · 11-30-2009, 01:18 PM

I got three. One for those in the social club, one from an industry partner that we work hand and hand with and a normal "Holiday Party" for all staff. I'm only going to one of them

Sliver · 11-30-2009, 01:21 PM

I'm taking my employees out for a nice supper and I'll give them all a little something worth ~$50 probably. Most likely gift cards and a Christmas mug or whatever.

FlamesAddiction · 11-30-2009, 01:21 PM

Had mine on Friday... early this year, but it was the only time when all the field people were around.

I was super hung over on Saturday though...

SportsJunky · 11-30-2009, 01:22 PM

Nothing this year and nothing last year either. Our corporate office is in Toronto and I'm told 3 years ago they threw a great Christmas party for everyone from coast to coast. Sadly, I came on board too late. =[

worth · 11-30-2009, 01:36 PM

We had one last weekend. It's always in November.

drewboy12 · 11-30-2009, 01:46 PM

I got one next weekend.

Buff · 11-30-2009, 01:53 PM

Cocktails at 6:00, dinner a 6:30 followed by a short program where some door prizes are given out (provided by the social committee and their limited funds), home by 8:00. Meh, not sure I'm going this year.

My wife's is sorta the same. Less program, more chatting. Its good to get together with some of her coworkers husbands and bs. At least we don't get home until 9:00 or 9:30 from that party.

I must say, I'd rather go to those parties than some of the previous parties from previous work places where it seems it is just a competition to who can make a bigger fool out of themselves, and/or lose their jobs and/or ruin their relationships.

I enjoy the company of people I work with but it is a rather stuffy atmosphere at the Christmas party, at least at my wife's party everybody is loose and chatty and having a great time without the excessive drinking and making fools out of themselves.

Bob · 11-30-2009, 01:56 PM

Ours is unperturbed, as far as I can tell. It might not be as extravagant as it was a few years ago, but it's still at the same locale.

FlamesKickAss · 11-30-2009, 01:56 PM

I chose not to go to mine for the entire company this year and from what I am told its a good thing. I heard the food was ice cold and the prized were brutal and the drinks were 6.50. They charged 10 bucks for employees and 25 for their guests. So happy I decided not to go, plus it was on Friday.

My manager is taking all of us in my department out for dinner for christmas this week, usually thats not to bad.

DrPepper · 11-30-2009, 02:04 PM

Never been to one yet, only because every restaurant that I've worked at ends up being so busy that we just forget about doing it.

TheyCallMeBruce · 11-30-2009, 02:07 PM

Best Christmas party was when I still worked in oil and gas. We had a good year, I was doing great and my performance was looked upon highly by my boss. The company took everyone to kananaskis country (this happens every year) and we got to stay at the delta. While having our christmas dinner I was awarded my 3 year service with a entertainment system, and I got a 5 digit christmas bonus for my performance. Yeah, don't think anything will top that for awhile.

Coys1882 · 11-30-2009, 02:20 PM

Enmax has had the following the last few years:
Blue Rodeo
Great Big Sea
Tom Cochrane
Kim Mitchell

Sliver · 11-30-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coys1882

Enmax has had the following the last few years:
Blue Rodeo
Great Big Sea
Tom Cochrane
Kim Mitchell

Wow, glad I don't work at Enmax.

rubecube · 11-30-2009, 02:26 PM

I've been working "real jobs" for about 5 years now and have only attended 1 Xmas party (last year). It was okay but I didn't really like the people I worked with at the time so it wasn't great. The job I'm at right now doesn't do Xmas parties.

Rerun · 11-30-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coys1882

Enmax has had the following the last few years:
Blue Rodeo
Great Big Sea
Tom Cochrane
Kim Mitchell

These bands played at the Enmax Christmas parties? Do you work for Enmax?

troutman · 11-30-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coys1882

Enmax has had the following the last few years:
Blue Rodeo
Great Big Sea
Tom Cochrane
Kim Mitchell

Xmas Party or Grey Cup half-time show?

Rerun · 11-30-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

I chose not to go to mine for the entire company this year and from what I am told its a good thing. I heard the food was ice cold and the prized were brutal and the drinks were 6.50. They charged 10 bucks for employees and 25 for their guests. So happy I decided not to go, plus it was on Friday.

My manager is taking all of us in my department out for dinner for christmas this week, usually thats not to bad.

I'm not a real big fan of having to dig into my pocket to pay for a company Xmas party but I guess I wouldn't mind too much having to pay $10 for a ticket to the Xmas party and $25 for a guest.... if the party was something special... ie great food, a live band, good fun..... but having to fork out $6.50 all night for every drink? Forget it.

Shazam · 11-30-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coys1882

Enmax has had the following the last few years:
Blue Rodeo
Great Big Sea
Tom Cochrane
Kim Mitchell

Phew, for a moment there I thought my Enmax bills went to pay for electricity.