Newly Corporate

A colleague and I were talking last week about planning a networking event for some of our co-workers. We also were talking about the new movie Quantum of Solace. Following this discussion I thought about the popular 007 drink, my favorite, the Martini. It is pleasing to the eye, is offered in a wide array of flavors and makes any happy hour simultaneously classy and light-hearted.

With the economic concerns of many businesses like Citi Financial, the big three automakers, and other fortune 500 companies comes the obvious effects of internal business operations like cutting base costs , including holiday parties, out if the company budget. With this internal dilemma comes opportunity knocking at ‘our’ doors.  What a great way for newly corporate employees to make a splash in and out of the office by hosting a simple inexpensive holiday party? Here are some quick and inexpensive ways to host a holiday party for your peers, and still have money to trim the tree, finish your holiday shopping and have enough to put away in your monthly savings plan.

1) Think simple
Eliminate wasted extras, people gather for the company and conversation, not the Martha Stewart style party. Make your menu short and sweet, one or two beverage choices, and pre-made treats like party mixes with peanuts and other salted snacks that go great with happy hour martinis.

2) Get a partner
You already like to gab about last nights Ugly Betty episode over the coffee maker, grab your pop-culture partner-in-crime and co-host the event; by splitting the costs you both can put your personal touches on the party.

3) Pot-luck it
Invite your co-workers to a holiday potluck! Ask each attendee to RSVP with their favorite holiday dish to share, and you can provide the ‘shaken not stirred’ beverages.

4) Keep it short
A happy hour is happy because it is not all night long. You have already had meetings with the team all day, 2 hours is plenty of time to catch up, use the time to discuss topics other than work and share a funny holiday memory, or horrifying shopping experience. It is a great team builder, eliminates unhappy feeling about the cancellation of the company party and causes creative collaboration for you and your co-workers to still make it a fun occasion.

5) Try this Christmas Martini recipe at your party!
3 oz gin
½ oz dry vermouth
1 tsp peppermint schnapps

To a successful and a prosperous new-career! Cheers!

This is a guest (soon to be full time contributor) post from Seth Travis, a Gen Y young professional who is excited to share his experiences in one of the world’s largest corporations. Seth seeks to merge the typical administrative style of leadership with a creative element all his own. He has a B.A. and M.A. in Communications with an emphasis in public relations and advertising. Seth’s proudest accomplishment in graduate school was the creation of the first ever Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Student Philanthropy Council.

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