Bringing Christmas to the Office

When Halloween is over and Americans begin to look towards the holiday season, Christmas decorations, gifts and traditional food items begin to crop up everywhere. TV commercials have more sleigh bells, stores have huge Christmas candy displays and trees and wreaths are abundant. But despite the fact that we are surrounded by Christmas, many of us spend the majority of our days hidden away from the season while we're at the office. Sure, some places have a tree or some garland strung up, but most cubicle farms are barren wastelands with little to no holiday magic. So assuming your office has no policies against celebrating the season, here are a few things you can do to bring a little Christmas to the office.

Switch out your coffee creamer. Set aside the French Vanilla and Almond Mocha and bring in some of the limited edition flavors. Eggnog, Pumpkin Spice, Vanilla Rum Cake, and Peppermint are available right before Halloween and can add a festive little flavor to your day. If you prefer your coffee without creamer or sugar, check out some of the holiday flavored blends. And at the very least, bring in a holiday mug!

Fragrance your desk. Inexpensive gel air fresheners in apple cinnamon or winter pine scents are a great way to have a little Christmas fragrance in your area. They are relatively unobtrusive and will not bother your neighbors, or cause allergy issues. Yankee Candle makes some small air fresheners as well, with a myriad of holiday fragrances. The car jars, meant to hang around your rear view mirror, also add a nice ambiance to your cube when tacked to the wall.

Host a cookie exchange. Cut your baking time in half by hosting a cookie exchange. Check for interest from your coworkers and then set up groups for the exchange. Keep it as simple or elaborate as you like. Have the exchange take place over a potluck lunch or simply drop off the cookies at each other's desks. A cookie exchange is a great way to expand your own cookie stash at home, enjoy a holiday event with your coworkers, and get a glimpse into other's cookie traditions.

Have an office supply ornament contest. If there is one thing offices don't lack, it's supplies. Paper clips, post its, highlighters, staplers, are all common items. Bring out the creative in your coworkers by challenging everyone to design and create the best Christmas ornament made entirely out of office supplies. Hang up the finished items and put it to a vote. Reward the winner with a box of chocolates or a Starbucks gift card.

Keep it sweet at your desk. Bring in a pretty candy dish or basket and keep them filled with foil wrapped Christmas candies or winter fruits, such as oranges. If you usually have M&M's or Hershey Kisses, switch them out with the Christmas kind. It's a little thing, but festive.

Christmas packaging for lunch. Pick up a box of holiday Ziploc bags or disposable Tupperware containers and use them to pack your lunches. Christmas napkins add another holiday touch to an otherwise ordinary meal

Decorate your desk. Add a tiny tree with some miniature ornaments to your desk and switch out your regular Kleenex box for a holiday design. You can usually find these items for a very reasonable price at most discount stores. Small poinsettia plants are also available everywhere and make a bright and merry addition to your desk.

The holidays will be over before you know it, and bringing the spirit into the workplace keeps them around for more than just the time you spend at home or at the stores. Add a few touches to your ordinary day and watch your mood lift!