Back to the Holidays

by keith grossman, esq.

holiday parties are a tradition for as long as we can all remember. Some memorable holiday parties have been featured in classic movies such as “When Harry Met Sally”, “A Christmas Story” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

Other classic movies have given us inspiration, such as hot chocolate, candy canes and big marshmallows, as featured in “Polar Express”. Some parties didn’t go so well, like in “Die Hard”. But we’re not talking about those parties because it’s time to plug in the flux capacitor, get this baby up to 88 miles per hour, and go Back to the Parties! People are craving the fun and frivolity of a good holiday party. Companies host parties to show employees they value their hard work and celebrate their company’s accomplishments. According to Erica Sklarek, Assistant Director of Sales for the Glasshouses, a New York event space, holiday parties are a priority in 2021. According to a recent survey from consulting firm PwC, most consumers will spend an average of $218 on holiday activities and entertainment in 2021, which is an increase in past spending. Jeannie Cummings, a Southwest Florida event planner for both corporations and charities is seeing parties and events return to the area. “My clients are wanting to reconnect this holiday season in new and festive ways. House parties and celebrity appearances are popular, and ‘giving back’ is often a component. Hotels I’m working with are also seeing solid bookings straight through the holiday season.”

This is all setting a positive note to begin 2022. Attorney James Kelleher says, “We are so very happy to be able to again have our Annual Holiday Party this December after a years’ absence. Getting together with our friends, co-workers and fellow Bar members to celebrate this wonderful season is what it’s all about!”

Kelleher Law is having their firm party in the courtyard of a local restaurant. They are sending out invitations.

Party themes are always popular this time of year, like a winter wonderland or a favorite decade. New York event planner Courtney Armbrust says, “I think we’ve seen this quite a bit, but the Roaring ‘20s theme is becoming very popular for obvious reasons!” LCBA Executive Director Lauren Baugh says, “The LCBA party is one to celebrate the end of another very successful year of comradery, membership growth, sponsor appreciation and a new wave of board members. An event where there are no expectations or rules, we just want to celebrate people and enjoy our time before we pack our lunch and launch forward into another year—so to speak. YLD is collecting toys in exchange for raffle tickets. The toys are being donated to ACT. They will also be getting together to celebrate

It's not about your

PRESENTS But it is about your

PRESENCE Therein lies the spirit of the holiday season

the same as us ‘vintage’ folks, but with a YLD twist. We are celebrating the success of growth, and the hopes to continue the trend. Members, CLEs, Events, Sponsors and the like. I am looking forward to seeing those in a casual light, rather than a formal event with expectations and structure. AKA fun!”

LCBA President Blake Hampton says, “Both the LCBA and YLD events should be a lot of fun. We’re excited for the Edison to host the LCBA party and we will be presenting the Liberty Bell for the first time at the holiday party. The award honors someone who isn’t an attorney but has given a lot back to the legal community. In addition, Millennial Brewing Company is hosting the YLD holiday party for the first time, and we’re grateful for their hospitality.” Hampton continues, “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished this year. We have been able to offer virtual meetings and CLE seminars for our sections and committees. We expanded the LCBA board and now have two non-voting judicial liaisons. The Diversity and Inclusion committee has quadrupled in size. We opened up the membership to include paralegals and friends of the Bar as a way of recognizing their impact on the profession. We created new, modern, and cohesive logos for the LCBA and The Foundation. We offered inspired programming for our monthly luncheons focused on topical issues like sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and clean water. And, we’re continuing to look ahead and make changes that are beneficial for our members and our organization as a whole. As my last event as the LCBA president, the holiday parties will be a bittersweet send-off for me, but they’re a nice ending to the year.” Henderson Franklin is holding their holiday party at the Luminary. Gail Lamarche says, “All attorneys and staff, and their guests, are invited.” Some law firms, such as Dal Lago Law and Boy Agnew Potanovic, are having a small dinner for just their employees and spouses. Amy McQuagge with Sanibel Captiva Community Bank says, “We are planning on hosting a bank holiday party. We always have ours at Doc Ford (Fort Myers Beach) in the middle of December. It’s a typical holiday party with a full dinner and drinks.” The winter holidays are also a popular time to give back to the community. Typical traditions are donating food and volunteering at homeless shelters. The LCBA has always supported the Hispanic Bar Association’s annual Turkey Drive. Law firms are also part of the charitable donations. Kelleher Law has sponsored the annual Holiday “Hoopfest”, a festive high school basketball tournament. The Spivey Law Firm continues to be the main sponsor of the ABATE of Florida, Inc. Southwest Chapter’s Annual Christmas Run to the Douglas T. Jacobson Veterans Home. This annual motorcycle run brings stockings stuffed with gifts to veterans.

And, of course, beyond the parties and community service, there are family holiday traditions that will continue. Noelle Branning shares that her husband, Judge Robert Branning will be continuing the family tradition of making peppermint bark. Judge Branning’s peppermint bark recipe was featured in the December 2019 issue of Res Gestae. At the time, Judge Branning paraphrased Terrence Mann from “Field of Dreams” and explained, “Peppermint bark is all that is good, and it’s only three ingredients. For me, simple is better.” Judge Archie Hayward says, “In my household these are the most important traditions: 1) Never to be notified late as to when and where dinner will be served; 2) Never to be late for the holiday dinner prayer; 3) Never to not eat too much; and 4) And bless the cook and the dishwasher!”

Other places can have the snow. In Southwest Florida, we still have seasonal cheer without the cold. Whether you’re the cook, the dishwasher, or both, have a joyous and merry holiday season and a Happy New Year!