Getting Your Jollies Without All the Holly

If you're reading this, chances are you live in a part of the world where the second half of December is a Big Deal. Religious and civic holidays pepper those last two weeks, and the manic rush of the festive season invades every facet of daily life until January arrives to deliver the collective hangover.

With so much good cheer - or at least a fair bit of marketing and several great reasons to party - it's inevitable that some of this excitement should find its way into the workplace. After all, days are short, nights are long, and most of us are coming and going to work in time with the sun. Why not set a few hours aside and have a good time?

Still, office parties can be a drag. There's only so much a bundle of lights and some sparkly garland can do for a cube farm. Plus, ours is a culture of plurality. Christmas may be the most pervasive (or at least best advertised) of the festive winter holidays, but there's also Rohatsu, Hanukkah, Yule, and Kwanzaa to name only a few. We live in a plural world. There's no excuse to send our Jewish coworkers off with poinsettias, or to subject our atheist colleagues to a sing-along for a holiday they might sincerely object to celebrating. Why not take this opportunity to party and stretch out a little, get creative?

Here's a handful of suggestions to get you started. Some may work better for small office units than larger departments , so be sure to consider the logistical angle when you plan your get-together.

Idea #1: Indoor Cook-Out

Everybody loves a good grill-up. With a broad assortment of portable electric grills on the market, it's never been easier to get your barbecue on wherever you like. An indoor cook-out combines the best elements of a potluck (variety, quantity) with the fun of communal preparation and, of course, the great taste of fresh, hot food. Kebabs, chicken breast, and even grilled portabella and asparagus are delicious and easy to make.

However, be sure that the space you choose for your cookout is appropriate. You'll need an area that's large enough for the grills, and is cooking and food safety friendly. Also, be sure that you have enough outlets, and that your power supply is up to the demand. After all, nothing kills an electric cook-out like a tripped breaker.

Want to pull out all the stops? Cap your event off with a round of S'mores by roasting marshmallows over Sterno. Just be sure to check up on fire code first.

Idea #2: Fun And Games

Under normal circumstances, it's inappropriate (not to mention messy and illegal) to shoot your colleagues. However, given the proper equipment - say, a laser tag range - and suddenly the potential is endless.

Chains like Dave & Buster's and TK Brothers cater to adults who want the full Chuck E. Cheese experience, but in a grown-up setting, and with a grown-up menu. Most locations offer event planning services to advise you on how many of your nearest and dearest colleagues can attend, information on menu and gaming options, and all the other sundry details of your office party experience. Most locations also have a variety of activities available, from skee ball and coin machines to shooting galleries and video games.

Not up for the full burgers-and-beer experience? Check around for local options like bowling, or organize your own in-office funfair with games and activities staff bring from home.

Idea #3: Take In a Show

Got a comedy club or a local theater? Treat your colleagues to a bit of fun by organizing a trip out.

The trick, of course, is to find something with broad enough appeal that the bulk of the invitees will enjoy it. Try asking for favorites from a list, or organizing two or three groups (works better in larger offices). Unless you've got a small, homogenous group, this will mean something more along the lines of Improv comedy and dinner theatre than a trip to the cinema or a music club. Whatever you decide, be sure to call ahead. Many venues have group rates, but also require reservations for groups above a certain size.

Also, remember that going out for a show will probably prove more popular with your workmates than bringing the show to the office. Most conference rooms aren't designed with performers in mind, having a show at work will probably give staff flashbacks to high school skits, or raise suspicions that you've brought a motivational speaker in disguise.

Adding Festivity to the Festivities

Obviously, any of the above suggestions could easily fit in any time of year. To an extent, that's rather the point. However, chances are that at least part of the point of the party is to celebrate the festive season (whichever particular season that may be), or to at least enjoy the company of others while acknowledging the season itself.

Unless you work for a religious institution, try to minimize religious references, or to be broadly inclusive. This includes secular Christmas imagery too, as individuals who practice other faiths (or no faith at all) often don't celebrate the holiday at all. Focus instead on more generic motifs and decorations that make reference to the season. If you do wish to include a Christmas tree or a crèche, be sure to include other symbols, like a menorah and a Kwanzaa cup, and to ensure that they are both visible and equal to the others.

Gift exchanges are traditional, but don't feel pressured to include one. If you do choose to have one, be sure to set a low maximum cost. "White elephant" exchanges are a great way to take the pressure off and keep the whole thing fun. Again, remember to make it clear that gifts geared toward a specific celebration aren't appropriate. My boyfriend and I still have a fiber optic Santa sitting in our garage from just such an exchange. Our family does not celebrate Christmas.

In the end, while planning your event, remember that fun is the most important thing. Even the most elaborate or well-planned party will be a downer if it's the wrong function for the invitees. Be creative, experiment, and enjoy the festive season!