Mrs. Claus is Mean

Tonight was my work Christmas Party that I've planned and organized over the past three years [maybe four, I've lost track]. It's usually a lot of work, but very rewarding to see everyone's excitement. This year I could tell the thrill of it all had waned quite a bit.


Every year we host a party for all of our facility's [currently three, soon to be five]. We invite employees and all their families [apparently to some this means extended because people showed up with their in laws, their cousins, etc] to come and enjoy a nice meal. But the highlight of the evening is a giant raffle we have. From October to December I go shopping for a bunch of big ticket gifts that we display on tables and raffle off. Instead of raffling one item at a time, we raffle the chance to take a pick. The first ticket called gets the lay of the land. They are the first one's to choose their favorite item out of the whole lot. It's funny to watch grown adults clamoring as the person choosing their gift nears the item they are secretly coveting. Towards the end [we make sure everyone leaves with something], it's funny to see what people end up with. Like a male employee with all sons ending up with a Barbie Playhouse. Classic.


Here's a couple pics of the loot:



It's a lot of fun shopping for all the stuff. I usually go to Costco, and Jeff and I just load up on everything in sight. Wouldn't it be great to really be able to walk through the store and just be able to throw anything you even kind of wanted into the cart? When our carts [the big long ones] are so full that we can barely maneuver them or see over them, we head over to check out. It's funny to see the other shoppers look at us and wonder how we could be buying so much. We always get kids just staring at all the toys [I buy a bunch of higher end kids toys because we employ a lot of lower income workers who probably can't afford a large Christmas for their children]. They usually tug at their parents shirt, point, and say, "Look Mom. They have lucky kids." It was even more funny when we did it before Kaeden was born and we didn't even have kids.

I usually put together a photo montage of the employee's with pics taken in their facilities at different events throughout the year. This year I didn't do it because of time, and feeling like it was something that perhaps the employees dreaded sitting through. It warmed my heart when one of the employees [male at that!] came to me and asked if we were going to watch the video. He told me that it was his favorite part of the parties because it brought everyone together. *tear* He didn't even realize I was the one who did them. I felt totally guilty that I didn't put in the extra effort to get one done. At least one person would have enjoyed it.

Back to the raffle. It's insane how selfish grown adults can be. I constantly have to remind everyone to allow the people in the back to make their way to the front. They will literally crowd the tables so much, people cannot even get through. This year we actually roped of the gifts, and I recruited three co-workers to help "keep the peace." It worked out better, but still....

My own ticket was actually one of the first ones called. I had told Jeff for months [he holds my ticket for me while I run the raffle], that if my number is called, and the digital picture frame is still available, I WANTED it. And that's good because I never want anything [seriously makes gift shopping for Jeff somewhat of a challenge]. So my number gets called, and from across the room Jeff asked what I wanted. I was in the middle of running the raffle, got flustered, and grabbed this huge RC car. Later he asks me, "Why didn't you get the photo frame?" I was like, "What?!? That was still there? Why didn't you grab it?!?" He replies, "Yeah, I thought it was weird you went for the RC car." Boys. Like I wanted an RC car. Why couldn't he have just followed instruction and grabbed the frame? Oh Well. I just plan to return the car to Costco to get a couple of big boy toys for Kaeden. Can't wait until he can play with them!

The highlight of the evening [for me] was when Santa finally arrived. It was touch and go for awhile. We heard he had a heart attack and stroke and was cancelling his gigs, but we had never received a call and figured he'd still come. At one point I had to go the mic and explain to the kids that Santa probably wasn't coming [he was actually just late] because "he was too busy making the toys." Genius. But he did arrive, along with Mrs. Claus. Now, these two seriously believe they are the true Mr. and Mrs Claus. Santa is sweet, but you don't cross Mrs. Claus. I saw them come it from across the room, but they just hung out in our lobby. I sent a co-worker over to get them situated, but apparently Mrs. Claus was refusing to talk to anyone but Ashley or Traci [since we were the one's who made the reservation]. Apparently Santa can't speak for himself. I remember from prior years that she was a testy little woman. Last year she was upset because the chair we had for Santa wasn't right [seriously, when is a large wingback not right?]. I'm surprised she doesn't send ahead a list of approved cookies to have available upon his arrival too. Ha, ha! What kind of rider would Santa have?

Anyhow, my mom told me that she heard one of the kids sitting in Santa's lap tell him that she was really hoping for a Wii this Christmas. A little pricey, but whatever, right? Let the kid dream. Not Mrs. Claus, she huffs over and angrily says, "Well we'll see what we can do, but don't get your hopes up. We're running low on those things and won't be giving many out." Seriously? Can't you just live in their fantasy [something we have to do with our residents all the time, but that's a different story]? Apparently she's been stung before by not getting what she wished for on Christmas morning. Bah Humbug Mrs. Claus, Bah Humbug.

All in all everything turned out alright. I just wasn't feeling it this year. Everyone came in and ate and the atmosphere was somber. As if they were all just getting through this part so that they could claim a prize, get their bonus check and go home. A lot of people just took off after they did get their raffle prize. The raffle went off, and it was rather uneventful. It seem like it's come down to when the iPod's gone, the whole thing is basically over. Lame. I think that I am going to pass on doing it again next year. I used to always love planning it because it felt good to put some much time and effort into doing something special for others who might not be as privileged as others. I really just wanted to get something that would help each person have a happier Christmas [either for themselves or someone they love]. Maybe it's just the scrooge in me this year, but I feel like the annual party has lost it's meaning. It's become just a time to get, get, get, rather than enjoy each other's company and camaraderie. I'm over it.