Just weeks away

 With Christmas day just a few weeks away, many companies have decided to start early and have started hosting Christmas parties for clients and public partners. Business establishments, buildings and even homes are already decorated with lanterns, colorful lights and the nativity scene as well as greeting for the Yuletide season.

 I just came from one such Christmas party and it’s “funny” or weird, how this year end activity can rekindle or revive thoughts and memories about an earlier time of the year or of Christmases of long ago.

 Maybe it’s because Christmas is still a few weeks away and I have not gotten into the Christmas spirit because very few radio stations play Christmas carols and I resent the social pressure of gift giving out of social obligation.

 Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate Christmas for what it truly means: That God gave us his son as the gift of redemption. I love Christmas traditions and I especially love hearing about or being part of a Christmas act of kindness to people who are truly in need, not just financially but emotionally. I love Christmas for the right reasons, but the season of giving also resurrects the ghosts of Christmas past.

 Today while having the first of several Christmas party lunches, a former schoolmate who has climbed up in the corporate world came from behind me and gave me a stinging slap on the back as a way of greeting me. I was not amused.

 Not only did it sting, realizing who had done it and being reminded that he was the same character who promised to give me a “hosting job” and that we would soon do lunch but never did, simply ruined part of the Christmas lunch. That’s one of the drawbacks to being in an annual gathering. It almost insures that you will be meeting people you never wanted to meet the whole year.

 Whether it’s the office party, some private event or a family reunion, some gremlin or goblin pops out of place and out of context to spoil the fun! It can be an obnoxious relative or some snob in a business suit, but if you come close enough you will certainly smell their cheap cologne or perfume called “Eau de Annoy”.

 Yes, Christmas is a time of forgiving and considering how small the offense is; I should find it fairly easy and simple to forgive. I have forgiven but I have not forgotten. Biblically speaking we are not supposed to keep a record of offenses, partly true, if your intention is not to forgive or to get even. I have no such intentions. I don’t forget just to make sure that I never get suckered into a promise and expectation, by the same Jerk.

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 Christmas also tends to remind of lessons from Christmas past.

 Back in the days when I was considered a popular TV host of “Straight Talk”, I regularly received so many gifts from companies and guests during Christmas. In fact the gifts got out of hand that I simply gave many things away to our staff or fellow employees. We even received so many bottles of wine that our small wine rack would be filled for the whole year.

 When I finally left the show to seek out new things, our first Christmas of not being on TV showed us who were real friends and who were simply there for the connection or for the ride. After 5 years of plenty, even the Barangay Christmas tree had more gifts under it. Except for what we bought for each other in the family, the gifts we had under the tree were from a few close friends.

 Rather than be disappointed or bitter, we took it as a life lesson on friendship. It was also a great way of determining who deserved to stay in our contacts lists and who needed to be deleted.

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 Finally just a few tips if you’re planning Christmas parties.

 Please don’t do it out of obligation. Make sure your staff, your family and your guests will actually get a chance to know or enjoy each other’s company. Don’t invite and “entire” barangay of strangers and expect people to have a good time. It defeats the purpose.

 It’s not just about the food, raffles and giveaways. If you’re going to have games make sure everybody gets a chance to participate. And if you’re going to give away gigantic prizes, make sure everybody else goes home a winner and not feeling like losers.

 If you’re concerned with costs then limit your guests, or focus on what is essential. Don’t give out cheap giveaways that people won’t keep, don’t hire entertainers when you should be the one entertaining. Good food, good company and feeling like a welcomed guest. That’s the goal, not compliance!

 Christmas is a time of thanksgiving, of showing our appreciation. It should also be a time of prayer. Most company parties I’ve been to have lost the “Christ” in Christmas.

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