Everyone in the office knows how much I look forward to the pork shank that I get once a year at our company Christmas dinner. This is my sixth Christmas with Indian River Networks along with my sixth pork shank, and every year Christmas time is a wonderful time in our office. But there is one thing that has become increasingly more difficult each Christmas season, I call it the “Christmas Gift for the Boss Challenge”.
There has been the couple’s massage, the wine subscription, the gift cards basket, the date night basket, and the professional photo session. One year we had a staff member’s mother, who is an artist, paint a picture of the ocean view from our old office. That gift turned out beautiful and is hanging in our current office today.
Then came Christmas 2017….
This year was more challenging than ever before as we were running out of ideas. My partner in this challenge, Amanda, and I where racking our brains trying to think of something special. We wanted it to be personal and to express to our bosses how much we appreciate them. They really are two very special people.
Then an idea arose!
We put each of our staff members on the spot and ask them privately: “If you had to go out tonight and buy something for Eric and Amy to let them know how much you appreciate them, what would you buy?” We did not give them much time to think, we were looking for the first thing that came to their mind because many times that is the best thing.
Each one gave their answer and we now had our list. This was such fun! My personal favorite answer was from one of our Engineers, he said he would buy them a wooden bowl.
Amanda and I searched, found, and purchased all the items on the list. Then they were wrapped and displayed beautifully in a large wooden bowl.
At our Christmas dinner, we presented the gift to Eric and Amy. After opening each gift, we had them guess which staff member had picked that gift for them.
What a fun time, filled with laughter and love!
Now for Christmas 2018, the challenge is real, the pork shank is awesome, and our bosses are the best!
-Katy Gower
One team member suggested matching clothing items…enter crazy Christmas shirts.