Happy Holidays!

We want to let you in on a great tradition that the Giants do for their employees.  Around this time every year, the Giants front office puts on an event called the Giants Children’s/Toddlers Reception.  The reception started 5 years ago because employees wanted a chance to meet all of the babies that were born that year in the Giants front office.   Throughout the years, the party has evolved into somewhat of a social reunion, allowing fellow coworkers (with and without children) to not only gather and spend quality time together, but to watch each other’s kids grow up.  Some employees have witness infants turn into 5 and 6 year olds, which is a pretty cool thing.  On average, the 2-hour reception is attended by 60 adults and 30-35 kids.  Needless to say, the clubhouse at times can feel like a daycare center. 

One of the great aspects of the party is that it has no budget and is totally put on by donations made by the employees.  The party is located in the Giants Clubhouse (which is donated by Clubhouse Manager Mike Murphy), and is dressed with holiday décor (borrowed from the ballpark).  The children are given lockers (same lockers the players use during the season) with personalized name plates and small gift bags.  The small committee of Giants staff that “run the show” make sure to know exactly what foods, games, and other donations employees are offering so that there isn’t too much or too little of everything.  Some of the yummy “potluck style” snacks are animal crackers, fruit, juice boxes, crackers, chicken wings, veggie platters, M&M‘s, rice crispy treats, snowmen cookies, Capri Suns, lumpia, raisin boxes, small milks, and reindeer cookies.  Murph also donates the player’s hot dog machine from the clubhouse kitchen, a favorite among both kids and adults.  The event offers activities such as a crafts table, balloon sculptures, bounce house, Lou Seal appearance, ring toss, bean bag toss, and even a Wii.  There are also things for the kids to do as well….jk=)

 

Does your work do something similar?  How about a company BBQ?  Tell us your stories!