giftguide
metronews.ca
gg11
WEEKEND, DECEMBER 9-11, 2011
Tips to simplify your holiday shopping Are you overwhelmed at the prospect of tackling your holiday gift list? Here are a few tips to help put your fears to rest and conquer that list like a pro:
a list. Write down who you are shopping for and then list their interests. This will help you narrow down gift ideas and ensure success.
Get gifts that are personal. Start by making
Avoid spending time on wasteful items,
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Getting drunk, acting silly or any other non-professional behaviour should be avoided at your office holiday party. Being known as the office clown is never a good thing, particularly at promotion time next year.
Don’t be the talk of your office party CHARLES THE BUTLER ASKCHARLES THEBUTLER@ METRONEWS.CA FOR MORE, VISIT CHARLES MACPHERSON.COM
Oh, yes, the annual office holiday party! This can either be a disaster waiting to happen or an opportunity for business success. First and foremost, despite the name, a holiday party is still a business function and getting drunk, acting silly or any other non-professional behaviour is out. Remember, these are your working peers and bosses, and being known as the office clown from the annual holiday party is never a good thing, particularly at promotion time the following year! So keep the number of alcoholic drinks under control. I like the rule of
two alcoholic drinks at a cocktail party and three alcoholic drinks for a sitdown dinner. Try to pace these out by having a nonalcoholic drink between each alcoholic beverage. Keep your conversation pleasant. You can talk about a large number of items and, in fact, the best lesson to learn if you are nervous about what to talk about is to read Metro from cover to cover the morning of your party. Why you ask? Because this gives you a bunch of topics to talk about that are all current and relevant. What not to talk about always remains the same in a professional environment. Never talk about politics or religion. It is important to make a point and mingle, greet and acknowledge all of the senior members of your company at the party. Finally, last but never least, have a good time and enjoy yourself; this will be evident to everyone around you.
such as a card for every present. Print personalized labels at stickeryou.com and put them on everything from presents to wine bottles to your holiday baking. This will save you both time and money.
Find gifts that can be enjoyed by the whole 3 family. If you have four family members on your list, cut it down by settling on one gift they can all enjoy together. This can include a board game, a DVD set, even a craft. For exam-
ple, StickerYou.com has a product called Make + Print Your Own Stickers. It offers packages of 40 to 110 stickers that make for a fun craft project. Mom can make family address labels, dad can come up with funny bumper stickers, and
the kids can design name stickers for all their gear. Order online. Avoid lineups at the mall, let 4 the gifts come to you. Or better yet — have it shipped directly to them. NEWS CANADA