Costs of the Holidays

Even during the most wonderful time of the year we are bombarded with costs and the bottom line. But that’s no reason not to spread the usual holiday cheer, or is it? How much should a company that has just downsized, laid off employees, or scraped money together through this recession shell out in client gifts, or holiday office parties?

Clients are a companies’ livelihood. Investing in them is vital to future prosperity and success. Despite these troubling economic times, going out of your way to show clients how much you appreciate their business is always acceptable, in fact it’s just good business. As hard as it is to let employees go, guilt should not infiltrate current business activities. With this being said the gift to clients should not be so extravagant to slap ex-employees in the face by any means, but client relations should not be compromised if possible.

Many companies are scaling back their traditional Christmas parties that were once fully equipped with songs, brandy filled eggnog, and employees enjoyment for that “other” use for the copy machine. Yes, sadly it’s true. This once glorious evening of office drinking and randomly awkward romantic affairs has been snuffed out by the bottom line Gestapo. Many employers have instead minimized this occasion to a tame and controlled afternoon lunch. But the reality is that the old holiday company party isn’t free—or cheap. The lunch option cuts back on these holiday costs by over 50%. These savings can be pumped back into the company to create more business, more jobs and more money.

But, despite the alluring savings I am a firm believer in employee moral. I think it is vital to take care of the ones who take care of you. If costs are too high there are still ways to creatively pay for a social gathering. A potluck gets everyone involved and interested in the party and is sure to create a good office atmosphere. Having the party at a bar where maybe every employee gets two drink tickets but then has to buy anything beyond that. I actually think the recession has been good for a lot of companies because it has forced them to get smart with how they spend their money, whether that means how many employees they have, or how they pay for a company event. I say do not let the holiday office party fade into the night! Get resourceful and figure out how to do it for less.

In the end remember to keep client gifts and or relations up and running even through tough times and keep those employees cheery with some form of social event for the holidays.