A Little Decorating At Work...And What It Means

I didn't even realize it was December when I came to work this morning. You'd think the snowy roads would have given me a hint. Many of my co-workers welcomed the new month while at work last Friday. I did not, so it wasn't until a co-worker tossed me a Christmas stocking to hang in my cubicle that I realized it was time to decorate.

Just like Halloween, I know there are others in my building that will go all out. Downstairs they have a completely decorated Christmas tree and a fake fireplace with stockings hanging over wood logs covered with Christmas lights. There's no way I'm doing that. My small knick-knacks will have to do.

I almost forgot that last year, after the holidays, I packed up my items--including the wrapping paper--and put them in a drawer. It made it easy to put things up this year.

No, my little displays will not win any awards, but it will allow me to remember what's really important, that there's a season of the year that should bring out the best in us, a time when we do tings for others first, and the world becomes a better place.

If only we could keep doing it all year long. Maybe, after the time off, the food, the presents, the hanging out with friends and family, I didn't put things in a drawer for next year. I know I'd get some strange looks, but to keep that message going, it just might be worth it.

More Work Creativity...For Halloween!

Last Halloween I was blown away with the way my building looked. The employees went out of their minds decorating their cubicles, their walls, their ceilings--everything.

Apparently, they went a little too far.

This year, we were told to tone it down. And being good employees, we obeyed. Today I walked around the building and took some photos of the various departments. There's a contest for the best decorated space. I'm not sure who I would pick, but it's a visual treat to just walk up and down the cubicle rows to see what people will do if you give them a theme and a chance to win something.

Like last year, I won't be at work for the festivities. I'm sure they added more to their creations after I left. Still, even though I enjoy what they do, I'll be glad to be home with the family doing our own decorating. They won't be as elaborate, or possibly creative, but I'll enjoy them more because I'll be with my family. Happy Halloween, everyone!

Trimming The...Cubicle For Christmas

I won't be back to work until after Christmas, but before I left, I did a little decorating. Last week I came to work and someone brought Christmas lights and stockings to hang. I went to town. I strung lights around my cubicle and connected them to the lights from my cubicle neighbor's already strung lights. It made for quite a display.

And since I wanted to add even more festivity to the whole decor, I put in the blinkers. Sometimes I really like the blinking lights, sometimes, not so much. But, for my workspace, it looks good. Before I left work, I unplugged the lights and my little Christmas tree. When I return there will be no more anticipation for the holiday for it will have passed. I'm sure we'll keep up the lights until after New Years, at least, I will.

So, while we gather with family and friends to exchange gifts, watch football (and Hallmark movies...), and eat way too much, there'll be a lonely cubicle all decorated for Christmas, waiting for us to return. So, please enjoy the festive lights that will be silent until next week. It's sped up for your viewing pleasure. Merry Christmas cubicle!

Halloween Decorating...At Work

I moved to my new building last spring. I knew many people who have worked there; I'd heard the stories. Not that they were bad--it's just I had no connection to it. That changed a few months ago. Being in a new building brings many new things. There's a feeling in a building, a spirit, a way it operates. I'm getting used to it.

But since I've not been there a full year, it still surprises me. The biggest surprise so far is the lengths the employees will go to decorate their work spaces for Halloween. There's even a decorating contest. I work upstairs and I've seen some of what was going on. Things have accelerated the last week or so. Many are taking this whole contest very seriously. Last Thursday I decided to check out all the other departments to see just how far they've done.

Turns out, pretty far.

I took a ton of pictures, but I'm only including a few so you can get a taste of what the place will look like come Halloween day.

There's bound to be more surprises as the days and weeks go by. I doubt, however, that any future surprises will be this big.