Holiday Spirit

Whatever you celebrate, be it a Christian Christmas, Jewish Hanukkah or the secular holidays of African-American Kwanzaa or Festivus (highlighted by the popular sitcom Seinfeld,) it’s undeniably a special time of year. A time when petty politics, disagreements and neighborly squabbles are set aside and replaced by a desire to do better and be better for each other. It is truly my favorite time of year.

Recently, my company Holiday party was a wonderful example of just how giving people can be. It was a great party, catered by Longhorn BBQ. The food was great and there was plenty of it. We enjoyed door prizes given out; games played - like guessing how many candies are in the basket (in which a gift card was secreted,) miniature corn hole and a disk toss game for kids.

We also had the Silly Santa gift exchange where participants brought either a silly or serious gift to exchange. Our rules were pretty basic, pick a number out of a hat and choose either a gift from the table or steal a gift from someone else, no gift can be stolen more than twice and the first person to go had the option to steal a gift after the last person played. It went along fairly quickly, with some players disappointed and others ecstatic with their chosen present. Some gifts were more coveted than others and were stolen once or twice. At the end of the game, our first player stole a set of coffee mugs from another player. When player one saw player X’s crestfallen face, she immediately offered to share the mugs. Player 1’s spouse had a children’s toy but no young children. Player X didn’t want the toy that was player 1’s original prize. Both players happily donated their gifts to the only small child present at the party. He was so happy with his new toys. At another table, two players swapped gifts as one received something she absolutely didn’t want and the other was touched by the disappointed countenance on her face. Finally, there was a door prize swap of a beautiful landscape photograph shot by one of our own photographers with an elegant wrought iron reindeer decoration. The person who proudly owned the photo knew that the young man who had the decoration would probably appreciate the framed print more than home décor. She reluctantly but lovingly offered her print to the man. His grateful smile made it worthwhile.

These are just a few kindnesses displayed that day. I’m so proud to be a part of my work family. This time of year truly brings out the best in people and gives us opportunities to express our caring and giving side. The holiday spirit guides us and allows us to be more vulnerable with one another. And that is the true gift of the season. My wish for all is the opportunity to give and to receive, because both are gifts of the heart.