The holiday office party: Four words that are enough to drive otherwise decent human beings to deception.

From feigned illness to make-believe trips out of town, the excuses not to go can be longer than a string of tangled Christmas lights.

But not everyone dreads the company party. For some, it can be the highlight of the year. This is especially true when the party isn't a run of the mill dinner-and-drinks affair.

In an effort to boost morale, not to mention attendance at the office party, more and more companies are looking for something different.

Photo courtesy of Lucky Strike
Upscale bowling alleys such as Lucky Strike have become favoured venues for company parties.

As a result, a new breed of Christmas party has surfaced, one where just dinner and drinks doesn't cut it.

This new type of holiday party is all about entertaining and engaging employees in a fun setting. Whether it's at a bowling alley, an Imax theatre or a luxury spa, boredom is not an option.

Linda Brigley, owner of Spirit Spa in Halifax, N.S., says an increasing number of companies are having parties at her spa because they want something other than the traditional office party.

"There seems to be a big trend for something different than dinner and drinks - for something that's during the work week and not taking time away from family," she says.

According to Brigley, spa parties give companies a chance to indulge their employees and make them feel recognized for their efforts.

"There is such a focus on corporate wellness now, as well as giving back to employees and making sure they are well appreciated," she says.

Companies generally book an afternoon or evening during the work week at the spa. The event lasts from two to four hours and is usually catered with appetizers as well as non-alcoholic beverages.

When guests aren't busy getting an individual spa treatment such as a massage, facial or pedicure, they mingle in the lounge with co-workers.

"Everyone has their guard down. They are so relaxed," she says.

And men love it just as much as women. "Last year we had a party with a bunch of male high-tech programmers who had never walked into a spa before. They loved it," she says.

Companies pay for the services and the catering. The use of the facility is included in the price.

"Surprisingly, when you compare it to a sit-down dinner with drink tickets, it's almost the same price," says Brigley.

Another type of party that indulges employees in the finer things in life is a wine-tasting holiday party.

Wine expert Edward Finstein, a.k.a The Wine Doctor, who is the author of several wine books including Ask the Wine Doctor, is one of many wine professionals who offer their services to corporations wanting to include wine-tastings as part of their holiday festivities.

The Toronto-based Finstein customizes each tasting to suit his clients, basing each tasting on a chosen theme.

Themes can include a specific grape variety with samples from around the world, a specific wine region, or dessert wine.

Some companies include dinner, pairing each course with a different type of wine, while others simply serve wine and appetizers.

"Usually the (wine-tastings) are somewhat structured, but they're always entertaining and a lot of fun. You don't want to get too technical with people, especially when they are all at different levels," he says.

Companies are responsible for booking the venue, catering and buying the wine, all under the consultation of Finstein.

He says tastings really help to turn people on to wine.

"The amount of questions that come back are astonishing. You turn people on and all of a sudden they want to know all about it," says Finstein, who charges $385 for a 60- to 90- minute wine session, not including the price of the wine.

For companies that want their employees to get interactive, there's always the option of taking them bowling. But not just to any old bowling alley.

Lucky Strike, an upscale bowling venue just outside Toronto, has reinvented 10-pin bowling.

Gone are the dingy lanes and concession-style food of many old-style bowling alleys. Gone are the hard plastic seats and bland walls. Leather couches, upscale food, fine art and killer martinis are part of this new breed of bowling - so is a dress code.

Lucky Strike is all the rage for companies wanting something fun and hands-on for their holiday parties.

"Bowling is totally coming back. It's such a fun sport," says event sales manager Jessica Zakus.

Companies have the option of booking a private room at the venue, which includes six lanes.

"It's great for team-building," says Zakus. "Instead of just sitting there, you're interacting and you're building team spirit."

Trophies are often awarded during the parties, with one of the most popular being a bowling pin signed by co-workers.

Companies with a spirit of adventure can book a 'CSI: Christmas' party with Vancouver's Canadian Outback Adventures.

CSI: Christmas emulates the popular television show, allowing partygoers to experience the excitement of solving a mock-homicide.

The parties are held at the company's venue of choice, which could include a hotel, warehouse, or the company's office.

"We will go there and set up crime scenes within the venue," says corporate sales director Rob Holden.

Employees are each assigned a role, which could be anything from a forensic photographer to an evidence collector.

The employees work as a group to collect evidence, and when they are finished they interpret it and solve the crime.

Dinner is usually included as part of a "CSI: Christmas" party, with companies having the option of hiring their own caterer.

For an additional fee, the crime and evidence can be custom-designed to relate directly to the client's industry.

Canadian Outback Adventures also offers a casino-themed party, as well as a pirate-themed event held at The Jericho Sailing Club in Vancouver.

The top floor of the club has been transformed to look like the inside of a pirate ship for the holiday season.

Casino parties and CSI: Christmas parties are also held at the venue.

Holden says an increasing number of companies are abandoning the traditional holiday party for an interactive event such as the CSI: Christmas party or the pirate-themed event.

"They want to get away from the usual boring Christmas party. That's what we are hearing. People often don't want to go to it if they think it's just going to be a meal and a cheesy DJ," says Holden.


Nine rules for the annual company celebration

Barbara Pachter, business etiquette specialist and author of the new book NewsRules@Work: 79 Etiquette Tips, Tools, and Techniques to Get Ahead and Stay Ahead, recommends that employees view the holiday party as they would any other business event.

Pachter reminds partygoers that it is not the time to let it all hang out.

Here are Pachter’s nine guidelines for holiday success:

- MAKE SURE YOU ATTEND. Attendance at the company holiday party isn’t optional. Your absence will be noticed, and most likely, noted by your boss and other higher-ups.

- PREPARE CONVERSATION AHEAD OF TIME. Don’t just talk
business. Be up to date on current events, happenings in your community.

- STAY SOBER. Set a limit for yourself before you go to the party. It is much easier to limit your intake that way.

- MINGLE.
Talk to people you know and don’t know. This is an opportunity to meet new people. Don’t just stay with your group.

- PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY LANGUAGE.
Even if the party is dull, it’s bad manners to let others see how bored you are.

- DRESS APPROPRIATELY.
It may be a party, but it’s still business. Nothing too short, too low, or too anything.

- PREPARE YOUR SPOUSE.
If you’re attending the party with your spouse or significant other, prepare him or her in advance on appropriate dress and topics of conversation. Remember, his or her behaviour will reflect on you.

- DON’T FORGET THAT YOUR BEHAVIOUR ALWAYS MATTERS.
Have a good time but . . . don’t make major personal revelations or gossip.

- SAY “THANK-YOU.” Be sure to send a thank-you note to the party’s
organizer.


(Christina Friedrichsen can be reached at friedrichsen@businessedge.ca)