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Ensuring Ho, Ho Ho, NOT No, No, No

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Every year across South Africa offices have a go at making the workplace Christmassy often with chringeworthy results. But help is at hand.

Linda Trim, Director at Giant Leap, office architects who consult across Africa, said there are few simple rules to follow that will give offices a warm, Christmas atmosphere rather than make people want to reassess their lives and run screaming never to return.

Latex Glove Christmas TreeDo: Install an eco friendly Christmas tree with lights. “Artificial ones are a good option as they won’t shed needles all over the floor and are very easy maintain,” said Trim. “Remember to add some decorations. No-one wants a naked tree.”
Don’t: Install a weird ‘conceptual’ tree. These trees that are that just arrive in the office and no-one knows what they are. “For example I once saw a blue tree comprised entirely of blown up latex gloves. It creates no no no instead of ho ho ho.”

Do: If you want to have a Santa Claus picture or doll on the office, make it a regular one. Santa is a non-threatening fellow.
Don’t: Install a creepy Santa Claus. “No Santa dolls with pants slipping down expositing pale buttocks to the whole office for a month. It happens.”

Do: Give a little, useful gift to everyone at the office chosen by the same person of equal value. And wrapped gifts can be displayed in the office as part of the decorations.
Don’t: Ask people to play Secret Santa. There is a very wide interpretation of what represents a ‘useful gift of up to R100.’ “It puts pressure on people and creates dissent when one person gets a Woolies gift voucher and another novelty antlers,”  said Trim.

Do: Set up a small bowl of Christmas sweets. “Set aside a small bowl and fill it up with Christmas treats. Just about everyone loves these treats and it makes people visiting your office and staff them feel spoiled and in tune with the yuletide spirit,” Trim advised.
Don’t: Skimp on the quality of the sweets or let the bowl get empty. “It’s important to have quality choccies and sweets in the bowl and not something from a discount store you bought by the kilogram and almost tastes like chocolate. And keep the bowl full.”

Do: Use your face as a decoration by smiling more and greeting your officemates. “It’s one of the best Christmas decorations you have at your disposal,” Said Trim.
Don’t: Use the grin you use when you’re at the urologist. Practice in the mirror if you have to.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.