Please join us for our second annual

Ho Ho Hokies Holiday Party.

Casa de Adair

Thursday, December 10, 2009

7:00 p.m. until 10 p.m.

‘Tis the season to celebrate friends, family,

and especially Hokie fans!

Contact  colahokies@gmail.com for address or more information.

If you being reading my blog for a long time, you know I oppose giving gift cards to anyone.  Over the few years, I have kind of soften my stance.   The only time you allow to gift cards is if you’re a boss of over 50 employees.  Other than that, BE THOUGHTFUL!

Here are gift cards really are: plastic money from any specific or general sector. 
Here’s what organizations should do with the dollar amount in those gift cards: donate money to the employee’s charity of choice or give them money as a small bonus. 

For employees who want to give something for the holidays, have the instincts and feel of what the employee wants.  If you got nothing from the employee, just Google your employee’s name.  It will prop up the many different profiles of your employees if they existed.  Now, I know what you’re thinking: is this an invasion of privacy?  Yes, but I will counter why did you create your profile and did you check your privacy settings?  In most cases, they won’t notice, but if they ask, just say you’re a psychic.

Anyway, try to get your employee’s information of their favorites and hobbies.  Accumulate from various profiles and find your gift for each employee.

There are guidelines of buying a gift to your employee:

1. The maximum budget for a gift should be $25. Anything over will show favoritism to an employee to your co-workers.
2. The more thought toward the gift, the better.

If you are really inexpensive, there are many ways to show it without spending money:

• Photoshop into a  picture
• Send a story or poem
• Video of yourself or something else.
• Holiday Mixtape

Simply put, what employees want for the holidays is a token of appreciation for the past year and how you genuinely show it.  That’s what the holidays should be about…

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

in addition, employees want their holiday bonuses, but I’ll leave that to you. :)

Its the infamous month of holiday parties, cocktails, and cookies. Appropriately so, its December 1st,  and today was my first holiday party. Rather than tell you what I ate today, let me start with what I did not eat:

There were bacon wrapped scallops, spanakopita, asparagus wrapped with prosciutto, and a peanut butter chocolate ice cream cake. Those are just the highlights! Its no wonder people gain weight during the holiday season. My strategy was to eat a few skewers of grilled chicken, a few pieces of lox, 1 glass of wine, and then to put gum in my mouth.

Other than the beautiful food at this party, my eats were uneventful. Greek yogurt with grapes and cereal for breakfast, sans the almonds, and I felt like I got hungrier earlier than usual with no fat in my breakfast. The rest of the day followed the fat free plan. It was weight training day – no impact from the lack of fat…yet? Lunch and Dinner were about as exciting as this:

I’m not sure if everyone is like this, but I can eat the same thing for lunch and dinner…is that weird?

How do you handle all the temptations of holiday parties?

Join Public Citizen Texas December 15th at Barr Mansion (we just can’t get enough) for the Second Annual Austin Green Holiday Social! This event will be co-hosted by seven of Austin’s best and brightest green groups.

Join us again at the beautiful Barr Mansion, the first certified organic events facility in the nation, as we bring together seven great organizations for one great evening. We are coming together to celebrate the holidays, bring our groups closer together, network and prepare for a great and productive 2010.

Enjoy great live Latin/World Fusion music by Nelson Saga. Delicious organic foods, beer, wine and teas will be provided.

Please bring a canned food item for a needy family over the holidays. We will also have several great raffle items with all proceeds to benefit Mobile Loaves & Fishes.

Co-Hosted by:

Texas Green Network • Austin EcoNetwork • Eco Series • NetImpact • Public Citizen • Sierra Club • Design Build Live

Tuesday, December 15th 6-10pm
Barr Mansion and Artisan Ballroom
10463 Sprinkle Road

For directions and information, click HERE.

Admission: $22 in advance / $30 at door

Please REGISTER in advance here. If you plan on joining us and paying at the door, you can also rsvp at rsvp@TexasGreenNetwork.org to make sure plenty of food and beverage is on hand.

Stay with us after the jump to learn more about the event hosts!

About the Event Hosts:

Texas Green Network

The First Green Chamber-of-Commerce in Texas

Advancing the Green Business Economy and the Adoption of Sustainable Business Practices

Austin EcoNetwork

Helping Austinites lead the way as stewards of the planet’s resources, creating healthy home and work environments and contributing to a thriving local economy.

Eco Series

Eco Series is a grass-roots effort that stemmed from our passion for enhanced understanding and the search for solutions to some of mankind’s most pressing issues: climate change, energy independence and sustainability.

NetImpact

Net Impact Austin is the action-based organization of professionals and entrepreneurs working directly with Austin businesses and non-profits to further social and environmental sustainability.

Public Citizen

By promoting cleaner energy, cleaner government, cleaner cars, and cleaner air for all Texans, we hope to provide for a healthy place to live and prosper. We are Public Citizen Texas.

Sierra Club

To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; To practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources; To educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.

Design Build Live

“a sustainable learning center”

…to share, practice, promote and nurture Natural Building and living. Visit us online at designBuildLive.org.

I am loving surfing the net for cool Holiday ideas to share…SO fun!!! Looks like we have four Cyber Tuesdays during New in the Kitchen’s “25 Days of Holiday Ideas” special. So…we’ll break them down like we did for our “Thanksgiving Countdown”.

This week I’m going to focus on Holiday Appetizers. Fun, fun!! Be sure to stay tuned to our blog for other great Holiday recipes, including our own appetizers!

1. Za’atar Bread with Feta and Parsley – This looks AMAZING!  If you are planning a party or other get together this Holiday season and would like to serve a few items that will really fill your guests up, this would be a great option! Yum.

2. Cheesy Christmas Tree – I’ve seen this recipe before and think it is really cute. You basically make a triangle shape out of a block of cream cheese and then spoon fresh pesto over the top and decorate with bits of roasted red bell pepper. A pretzel rod becomes the trunk of the tree. Very cute and very festive!

3.  Cranberry-Turkey Canapes – This is another recipe using cream cheese. It really looks tasty! I like the idea of combining the cranberry sauce and the cream cheese…sweet and salty…Yummm.

4. Crowd Pleasing Holiday Appetizers – This blog has several great appetizer options that would work well for any occasion during the Holidays.

5. Herbed Cheese Stuffed Tomatoes – A wonderful appetizer with many of the season’s colors right on the plate – red, white and green! These little treats look like they’ll be really delicious for all of you tomato lovers out there!

This weekend La Superette pops up again for two fun filled days of holiday shopping, music, and art!  La Superette will open this Friday December 4th for musical performances (no shopping) and will continue on Saturday December 5th from noon-8pm and Sunday December 6th from noon-6pm at 210 Front St. New York, NY 10038 in the South Street Seaport.  It looks like two art mag / art zines will be sold this year: Threads and How to Stay Warm in the Winter.  Secret Project Robot will have an art installation in the space and I will be selling goods from Edible Winter: Snowballs, Walnuts, Icicles, Coal, and Pine Cones next to some rad new friends from Supercore who will be selling chili and cider.  So stop by for some artist made presents, great music, and delicious food this weekend!

The annual Giftland gift sale at Printed Matter begins this weekend.  Originally conceived in the 1980s by CoLab/Collaborative Projects,  this years event will be curated by Denise Kumpferschmidt and Joshua Smith of Apartment Show.  You can shop for goods beginning this Friday December 4th through December 24th.  The Holiday Party is on Saturday December 19th from 5-7pm.  Check the Printed Matter website for a list of participating artists.

December at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates is highlighted with Edison & Ford Holiday Nights, the return of Creative Cottage, and Artists and Authors Night as well as a variety of other special programs throughout the month of December.  The December schedule of programs and events include:

Home Schoolers: “Experiments for the Holidays,” December 4, 1 PM – 3 PM

Home schooled students and their parents will study the science of the holidays, learning how a jolly chubby man can fit down a chimney, how reindeer fly and how a spinning dreidel keeps from falling.  The half day curriculum follows the Florida Sunshine objectives for learning.  The programs follow the Lee County mandated program and addresses environmental science, history and reading SOLS.  Pre-visit curriculum materials will be mailed to registered families.  Registration required. Estates Members $5; non members $15 (one adult, one child) additional $5 per child. 

Wild Wizard Lab Show, “Experiments for the Holidays,” December 6, 2 PM

The Estates Wild Wizards present a series of lab experiments exploring some of Mr. Edison’s and Mr. Ford’s illuminating inventions.  Join the Wizards and explore how a jolly chubby man can fit down a chimney, how reindeer fly and how a spinning dreidel keeps from falling.  Fun for all ages.  Estates Members are FREE, non members: $10 adults, $5 children and includes Estates Lab and Museum admission.

New Volunteer Orientation, December 8, 10 AM

Join Estates staff to learn about volunteer opportunities, Estates policies and general Museum information.  This is a mandatory training for all new Estates volunteers but potential volunteers are welcome.

Edison & Ford Holiday Nights, Holiday Party, December 10, 6 PM                                               

Kick off the holiday season with the first annual holiday party at the gloriously decorated homes and gardens of the Estates.  Guests will enjoy a special preview of the Estates annual event, food and beverages by the river, live music and much more.  Estates members, $50; non members $60.  To RSVP call 239-334-7419.

Edison & Ford Holiday Nights, December 11 – January 2, 5:30 PM – 9 PM

The Estates holiday tradition continues with “Edison & Ford Holiday Nights,” southwest Florida’s 34 year annual event.  The winter homes of the Edison and Ford families will be seasonally decorated with the “favorite things” of the Edison and Ford families.  The Edison Botanic Lab and Estates Museum will be open every evening with special exhibits as well as nightly holiday performances by area students and groups.  Special discount nights available to Lee County Residents opening weekend (December 11 &12).  Group rates are available to groups of 20 or more people with advance reservations.  For more information call 239-334-7419. 

Estates Artists & Authors Night, December 20, 4 PM – 7 PM

Looking for the perfect gift for the person on your list who has everything?  Estates Creative Cottage Artists and Authors will personalize artwork and books for a one of a kind gift. Estates Members are FREE; shoppers passes will be issued at the Estates ticket counter for non-members.

Holiday Schedule

The Estates will close at 2 PM on December 24th and be closed December 25th.   Holiday Nights is open nightly from 5:30 PM- 9 PM thru January 2 (closed December 24 & 25).  The Estates will be open December 31st and January 1 from 9AM – 9PM.

The Estates is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  The Estates is the winner of the 2009 National Stewardship Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation  and is an official project of “Save America’s Treasures” at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a Florida Historic Landmark and a National Register Historic Site.  For additional information call 239-334-7419 or visit the web site at www.efwefla.org.

The Thanksgiving holiday is over – but now we have Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s on the horizon.

Typically, that means parties (professional and personal) – which, in turn, means more opportunities for creating conversations.

For some of us, it is an easy task — we like small talk, meeting new people and socializing in general. But, for others it is a chore.

It doesn’t have to be …

What are some techniques to make mingling and conversation easy and enjoyable for all parties concerned?

Here’s my list of seven strategies:

Whenever possible, do your “homework.” Know who is coming, and a little bit about the people. What are their interests? Where do they work? What do they do in their free time?

Ask questions – not to be intrusive, but to find areas of mutual interest. Be interested in what they have to say.

Share something about yourself – not to brag, but again, something that the others may find interesting.

Be comfortable with silence. You don’t need to rush the conversation.

Be up to date with current events and best-selling books – they make great conversation starters.

Look for ways to help others. That may mean introducing them to other people at the event.

Know when to exit the conversation. Avoid monopolizing one person for the whole event.

If you follow these seven guidelines, you not only will have great conversations and build relationships, but, perhaps more importantly, a great time!

“Here Comes Santa Claus!!”

Santa is returning to The Ebell of Los Angeles for his annual festive dinner with children of all ages!!

Come join us (and bring the kids!) as we enjoy performance by the legendary Bob Baker Marionettes, balloon animals, stocking stuffers, a delicious holiday buffet presented by our Executive Chef Louis Pechan, and keepsake picture with our guest of honor, Santa!

Supper with Santa will be Friday, December 4th, 2009 from 5pm – 7pm at the historic Ebell of Los Angeles, 741 S. Lucerne Blvd, Los Angeles.

Ebell President Kelley Nelson is the chair woman for this event, and she has it on good authority that Santa is looking forward to this celebration.  We hope you will join us in launching the festivities of the holiday season!

Ticket for Supper With Santa are $35 for adults, $20 for children ages 2 to 12 years.  Call 323-931-1277 x131 to reserve your tickets, or email tickets@ebellla.com

North Georgia House Rabbit Society
Open House and Holiday Party

A Historic Celebration!
Sunday, December 6th
1:00 – 5:00 pm.

Join us as we
“Deck the Halls and the Paws”
At the New Rabbit Center!

2280 Shallowford Road
Marietta GA 30066

You will be one of the first to preview what is in “Store” for both the foster buns and your buns! While we will still be a work in progress and it will be “cozy,” we want everyone to come and enjoy this celebration of what your support has created for Rabbit Rescue in Georgia! We will be decking our very own “Halls” for the first time and your presence will make the best present of all! While we always love to see your buns, at this event we are only able to accommodate just a few in pens and your buns may have to stay in their carriers. Our future plans call for the expansion of the deck and other areas that will accommodate them in the future!

Please make plans to join us December 6th. We can’t wait to show you around the new Rabbit Center!

Edie Sayeg, Ronda Churchwell, Nancy McConville
North Georgia House Rabbit Society

Santa will be making an appearance for pictures!

If you would like to contribute food, drinks (canned soda or bottled water), or help decorate Friday and Saturday, please contact Megan Rockwell at 404-454-3216 or mrockwell79@yahoo.com. Thank you!

Parking is available on the side street next to the house and in the shopping center across the street. Please cross at the light for your safety. There is NO PARKING IN THE DRIVEWAY for this event.

Madd Bananaz is one of the sponsors who have partnered with Urban Navigator to support their Holiday Celebration party.

The party is a FREE party to all guest and clients of Madd Bananaz and Urban Navigator. We are celebrating the Holidays and Urban Navigators award winning year. Urban Navigator received 2 awards from Travel Weekly Magellan Awards 2009. Gold Award for BEST Individual Print Advertisement by Individual Travel Agent and Silver Award for Best Client Newsletter by Individual Travel Agent. We are also, throwing the party to raise awareness for THE RAINBOW HOUSE non-profit organization based out of Cape Town, South Africa which Urban Navigator is very actively involved.

LOCATION:

@ HOUSE OF BLUES in the BRONZE PEACOCK ROOM

click link to get directions

(3rd Floor across from LUCKY STRIKE)

Date & Time:

December 26th, 2009

9pm – 2am

Make sure you also RSVP to get in. THANK YOU

RSVP Click HERE

]]> http://efcteam.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/jobead-3/ Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:00:32 +0000 ciaohound http://efcteam.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/jobead-3/

Lady in Red Ring

Notes from the Artist:

A cherry red Swarovski colored crystal looks absolutely stunning on this adjustable silver toned band. The crystal measures 3/8 of an inch – perfect for every day wear, but so sparkly, it calls attention to itself all the time. The band adjusts on top of the finger for a comfortable fit – no pinching! Nice and sturdy, these stack well. See the last photo for other color choices.

This listing is for 1 red ring. Convo me if you’d like your own custom listing.

Please shop generously – for you and for them! With this purchase you could help provide provide foster care for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Cape Town, South Africa.

Historic West End and Westview Community are having the party of the year!

This year West End and Westview have teamed up to bring a grand day of celebrations and activities to kick off the holiday season!  Please see below for the details for the four events.  When responding to your attendance, please indicate which events you plan to attend.

For the holiday party, be sure to also select the items you would like to bring.

Thanks!

- Scott, Patrick, Ayana, and Carl

5K WALK FOR KIPP STRIVE, 1444 Lucile Avenue, 9:30 am
Get your exercise on before the parties later!  Meet at KIPP STRIVE, 1444 Lucile Avenue.  Proceeds will go towards the school.  To register for the walk or to help with planning, please contact Scott Shepherd at 404-277-5970.

BELTLINE GROUND BREAKING, Corner of Lucile and Muse, 12:00 pm
Meet at Muse Street and Lucile Avenue at high noon to celebrate the ground breaking for the next leg of the Beltline Trail.  Special guests from the city will be in attendance!  For more information or to help with planning please contact Patrick Berry at 404-755-1255.

WESTVIEW HOLIDAY PARTY, 1489 R.D. Abernathy, 12:15 pm
Immediately after the Beltline Ground Breaking Ceremony join the Westview Community Organization and the firefighters for a traditional holiday lunch at Fire Station #17, 1489 R.D. Abernathy Boulevard.  Please select from this evite the dish you can bring.  For more information or to help with planning please contact Ayana Gabriel at 404-345-3209.

WEST END COCKTAIL PARTY, 503 Peeples St., 7:00 – 11:00 pm
Join West End, Westview, and the West End Merchants Coalition at the Hammonds House for a gala to celebrate our historic past, our delightful present, and our fantastic future.  There will be pot luck Hor d’Oevres with a cash bar and live music.  Please bring friends interested in our neighborhoods!  For more information or to help with planning please contact Carl Nes at 404-755-2000.

What Gives

“In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it ‘Christmas’ and went to church; the Jews called it ‘Hanukka’ and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say ‘Merry Christmas!’ or ‘Happy Hanukka!’ or (to the atheists) ‘Look out for the wall!’”
–Dave Berry

“Yule” spread good cheer if you use these unique ideas for exchanging holiday cards with…

…Your Customers

 As customers check out, ask them to pick a card – any card – from the many hanging sealed in envelopes near your register. If you do not have a storefront, visit your customers with a mail sack of holiday cards in envelopes and invite each customer to pick a card. Inside each card is a holiday message and a gift – a discount off their next purchase. But, inside a few there are instant win slips for a special holiday prize.

…Your Employees

Looking for an entertaining way to give presents out at your office holiday party? From the stage, call out a common article that people may be wearing, or have in their purse or wallet, such as a red sock or a receipt for a holiday purchase. The first person to get the article in your hand gets to choose a holiday card in a sealed envelope. Make sure you move around the room a lot as you call out each article to give everyone a fair chance to get the article in your hands, no matter where they are sitting. Inside some cards there may be a slip of paper stating they’ve instantly won a special gift. Inside others are challenges the person must complete, such as naming all of Santa’s reindeer or singing the next line of a holiday song. Upon the successful completion of the challenge, the person gets to choose a wrapped present from the stage. If they are not successful, they get a consolation prize.

…Your Friends & Family

Once all of your guests are gathered at your party, hand each a holiday card. Every card should be different because the object of the activity is to have guests mix and mingle to sign next to an item on a list, placed inside the card’s envelope, stating how their holiday card is similar to other guest’s cards. They must find a different person for each match. For instance – find someone who has:

Award a prize to the first person to find all of the matches. Or, give everyone a set amount of time to complete the activity and place everyone who completed it in a drawing for a holiday-themed prize.

Looking for a way to break up the cliques at your office party, but don’t think you’ll have a snowball’s chance? This holiday mixer activity will thaw out your colleagues -http://www.wildlydifferent.com/wildly-different-diy-activity.php. Or, if you’re hunting for a way to inject even more holiday cheer to your party, consider purchasing one of the holiday treasure and scavenger hunts from our sister company, Masters of the Hunt, at this link – http://mastersofthehunt.com/holiday-scavenger-hunts.php.

It’s amazing how quickly the summer has past by. I have just finished editing my last wedding and we are already into the holiday swing of things.

I was happy to be called back by Solutions 2 Go to capture there Holiday party…and this weekend there children’s party. It was an amazing event complete with very talented trapeze artists. The event was held downtown at the famous Fermenting Cellar and once again, Terra Restaurant & Catering did a superb job with the decor, table setting and food. – take a look…

Thanksgiving traditions vary widely. In the Rocky Humbert family, the tradition includes an emergency call to the Butterball Turkey Hotline.

From the ButterBall Website: “No question is too tough for these turkey talkers, and they are ready and excited to tackle any challenge you throw at them. Give them a call at 1-800-BUTTERBALL.”

2008: While reaching inside the bird to remove the gizzards, Trophy Wife’s hand becomes stuck. She twists. She turns. And despite agility acquired during years of Pilates training, her hand remains jammed inside of the avian cavity.  The Butterball Hotline Expert solution: “Cook the bird with the oven door open, and leave Trophy Wife’s hand inside. However, be sure that the internal temperature reaches 190 degrees before removing from the oven.” 

2007: While eating the bird, Rocky swallows the Butterball’s plastic pop-up timer (which had not popped-up during cooking.)  The Butterball Hotline Expert advice: “Butterball pop-up timers contain non-toxic ink. If you feel a poking sensation, it probably means you have a fever. Take two aspirin.”

2006: It’s always a challenge to lift a fully-cooked 25 lb turkey. Rocky was responsible for this year’s roast, and he cooks the bird with the plastic webbing intact. He thought this would make lifting easier.  He was right. It made the lifting easier. It also resulted in a plastic-covered turkey. The Butterball Hotline Expert advice: “Sir, there are several hundred callers on hold with genuine emergencies. I don’t have time for a crank caller.” Click.

2005: Trophy Wife loves to make sweet potato casserole with a coating of mini-marshmellows. The challenge is to get the marshmellows perfectly brown (but not blackened.)  Trophy Wife  places the casserole under the broiler and walks away. Four minutes later flames are visible. Rocky doesn’t call the Butterball Hotline. He calls the fire department.

[Disclosure: Let's talk turkey. Rocky wishes his blog readers a Happy Thanksgiving. And in the words of Norman Bates, (a carving expert,) please be careful with your ccc-ccc-cutlery!]

A catered party at a country club…very nice, very expensive.

A rented room at a function hall again with a catered dinner…very nice, very expensive.

Cocktails at an open bar event……nice, expensive, and dangerous.

No, none of the above, not that they do not work, they do as any gesture of goodwill and a willingness to spend money is perceived as respectful and yes, very nice. But is this the best you have to offer?

You are missing a golden opportunity to make a presentation that will last all year long and will positively affect your employees, meaningfully, dramatically, with great impact.

Simple, direct and inspirational….

Entertain your employees in your home. If possible cook the meal for them, yourself or with the help of your spouse. If impossible then have it catered, but the best of all is for you to cook, slice and serve…even with help but the vision is with rolled up sleeves and an apron on giving to your employees, meaningfully, respectfully and sincerely.

That works. That spells out I care, that says I respect you, I thank you and I care about you.

Inviting your workers into your home is a very symbolic representation of respect and personal giving, It is true a man’s home is his castle, is his fortress, is his most personal of all representations…it is your home.

Caring enough to invite your employees in represents a very meaningful and personal gesture. It is not about how much money you spend, it is about how sincere the demonstration of respect and thanks it is. If it’s just about a dinner at a restaurant, then it is really only about the fact you spent some money. If you bring your people into your home and cook for them it demonstrates how much you care about them and it will have enormous impact, long lasting enormous impact. You are opening up your personal life to them and bringing them in embracing them with your hospitality and personal effort…for them.

It is a huge demonstration of sincerity, and for one evening, the roles are reversed, the boss serves the employees.

It is beautiful gestures…..do it if you can.

The holidays are the time of year to pull together your friends, family, neighbors, and other important people in your life. Having the right location for your event makes for a great event. Your home is a warm place to have the folks over, but at times it can be a challenge with size of the home, clean up duties, coordinating food and beverage, rental of needed chairs and tables, inconvenient location and more. There are options…

At Pogby, we’re looking to provide alternatives with venues in your area eager for your business and to share their facility. We’re making it easy to bring events out of your home at affordable prices.

An event on Sunday in Dayton, OH at Hope Hotel and Conference Center is $5/per person minimum guarantee. In San Francisco, you can do an open bar event for $26/per person for 2 hours at Element Lounge. In Washington, DC, look at the Textile Museum for extremely reasonable flat fee rentals (from $250/flat fee for 2 hours) in a historic facility that will absolutely leave a wonderful memory. Add a caterer, or bring some of your favorite dishes, and you’re set for a great celebration! In New York, for an event between Sun-Wed, you can rent out Sullivan Hall for $1000/flat fee. An incredible music venue that won’t disappoint you.

Our goal is to provide alternatives for your event or meeting needs. We are here to show you pricing, availability and the key areas you need to understand when booking your event. Most importantly, Pogby is the first, and biggest, website providing you the ability to Book Your Event. Today.

Check out these venues and many more at Pogby.com!

– Josh

Thanksgiving is in two days and if you are hosting a dinner and have just realized the little time you have to plan, never fear!  The Vibe Agency is here to give you a few quick tips to add to your festive dinner.

Each year on the fourth Thursday of November, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day.  It is a time for families, friends and relatives to gather for a grand dinner and give thanks for all of their blessings.  

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies.   

Here are some last minute ideas:

Thanksgiving should reflect elegance.  Show off your style by adding arts and crafts to your table.  Print out these place cards and add a rustic touch by cutting slits into wine corks and wedging the place card into place.

For center pieces think autumn colors; orange, yellow, and brown.  Use whatever orange vegetables or fruits you can find; pumpkins, carrots, persimmons, oranges etc. Use a basket to hold fruits and veggies then add pinecones to complete rustic look.  Combine all elements and play with arrangement until you find the perfect fit for your center piece.  Add pumkin colored candles into a clear candle holder and place around your center piece.

Fast recipes:

Corn Bread Stuffing with Shrimp and Andouille

 50 Ways to make mashed potatoes!

Best wishes and a Happy Thanksgiving to all of our clients, friends and readers.

The group will meet Wednesday, December 2nd at Saya Lounge.  Great drink specials, munchies on the house, and lots of creative folks to mix and mingle with.  You’re encouraged to dress festively, your goofy holiday sweaters are encouraged!  5:30-7:30pm, 109 W. Broughton St.

Following our previous post, ” Holiday Party? Do Not Forget Your Hard Workers This Holiday Season,” we recieved several requests for ideas under $5,000. 

As I researched ideas over the weekend I found a great article to include on our blog full of small incentives and rewards for staff members.

The workforce is usually a second home for many, which also creates a family enviornment.  Remind your staff that your company appreciates their hard work and dedication.  Read on for more ideas in this great article:

In a year of cutbacks and salary freezes, perhaps now more than ever, hard-working employees need to feel valued, even in small ways. Jennifer Savica, TD Bank’s vice president of event management, rewards her staff with little perks throughout the year, like taking everyone out for ice cream in the summer, treating people to their favorite drinks at Starbucks on a cold day, and occasionally allowing casual Fridays. “I try to show appreciation for my team every day by creating a true democracy—asking their opinions, including them in many of the department decisions, and empowering them to do their job,” she says.

Boston Beer Company has a gift policy that prevents employees from keeping items valued over $10 given to them by clients and event sponsors. “If someone gets something over that amount, we raffle it off to the office as a thank you,” says Kristen Smith, the company’s travel and event planner. Past items have included tickets to charity events the company has sponsored, movie screenings, and Red Sox tickets. “It’s nice to raffle these things off and make them available to anyone—and at no cost to the company,” says Smith.

Twice a year, Hillary Harris, director of special events for Warner Brothers, holds “PJ Friday,” when staffers can come to work in sweats or flannel pajamas. She has lunch delivered to the office, and everyone gathers in the conference room at 3:00 p.m. to watch a classic Warner Brothers movie. “My staff loves it, but they always bring work clothes as a back-up in case we need to take a meeting,” says Harris. “Believe it or not, we get a lot of work accomplished on PJ Friday. Everyone is in a great mood, laughing throughout the day.”

Advertising agency Leo Burnett is big on employee perks. In addition to rooms with Ping-Pong tables and popcorn machines, chair massages, and many other freebies, the company has an employee-only art gallery on the 21st floor of its Chicago headquarters. During a three-day exhibit called Gallery 21, Leo Burnett employees get to exhibit their work, which ranges from photography to glass sculptures to video art. “We do an open call throughout the agency and employees submit what they would like to exhibit. There are typically 20 artists represented, and gallery pieces are chosen based on their medium. We try to create a balanced selection of art work,” says Michelle Mahoney, Leo Burnett’s director of worklife. “The wine and cheese closing reception is always a hit. They get to mingle with the artists, learn something new about their co-workers and, most importantly, become inspired.”

Employee appreciation doesn’t have to cost any money at all. To celebrate promotions, corporate anniversaries, or even customer praise, employees at Lakeland, Florida-based Publix Super Markets, get letters of appreciation from company heads, including the president. This practice also extends to important happenings beyond the workplace. Employees can post messages on the company intranet to congratulate new parents or announce that an associate or associate’s family member has passed away or is ill. Maria Brous, Publix’s director of media and community relations says, “Our company has a family feel even at 139,000 associates.”

  —Lisa Cericola
Gallery 21, Leo Burnett’s employee art gallery
Photo: Courtesy of Leo Burnett

  This is a reprint  of my very popular post about how to have a cookie exchange.

  How do you have a cookie exchange?   Invite 6 or more friends to bring 2-4 dozen Christmas cookies each for an evening of conversation, cider and carols.  Put all cookie plates on a table or kitchen island.   O-o-o and A-w-e-e over all the cookies.   Sit and visit for a while enjoying your cider or other beverage and just before it is time to go home, each guest chooses her cookies to take home.   In the interest of fairness, each person takes home as many cookies as she brought.  As the hostess, I usually make extras so everyone goes home with some cookies even if they don’t have time to bake.   The event is as much about sharing our lives as it is about taking home cookies so I encourage my non-bakers to attend!