| The winter holiday season can be a great | | | | source of heat. Also, do not cover exit signs with |
| opportunity for employees to share in the joy of | | | | any decorations or block pathways. Any holiday |
| the season. First, it's important to note that there | | | | lights should be turned off while the office is |
| are several winter holidays, and focusing on one in | | | | unoccupied. Balloons are generally not a great idea, |
| particular may alienate or discriminate. It's a good | | | | as many people are allergic to latex. |
| idea to include a variety of decorations and | | | | Gift exchanges are a great way to celebrate and |
| festivities that speak to winter in general, or that | | | | spread cheer among office workers. Have |
| includes all winter holidays. | | | | interested people sign up, agreeing on a price limit. |
| For decorations, a general winter theme can suit | | | | Exchange names and gifts. Be sure to explain that |
| all winter holidays. Focus on snowflakes, icicles and | | | | appropriate, inoffensive gifts are to be expected. |
| snowmen to celebrate the winter season. Try | | | | Holiday decorations and parties can be a great |
| color schemes like white and silver (Think "Winter | | | | way to keep up morale during the winter season. |
| Wonderland") or the traditional red and green. | | | | Some safety tips for parties include keeping only |
| If decorating a Christmas or holiday tree, be sure | | | | fresh food in a fridge before the party, using |
| to spray it with a flame retardant to keep within | | | | paper cups and plastic utensils, and avoiding |
| fire safety standards and make sure the tree is | | | | candles or smoking inside the office. |
| firmly secure and sturdy. Tinsel can be messy to | | | | An important thing to note is to let each individual |
| clean up, and should not be near any source of | | | | decorate in their own style, with their own beliefs |
| heat, so it may be best to be avoided. | | | | in mind. Instead of stifling religion altogether, let |
| Wreaths or winter season plants may be a good | | | | each person decorate their own area to their own |
| idea, though artificial ones are much neater (no | | | | taste. It can be an opportunity to learn more |
| dropping needles), and can be safer in case any | | | | about the people you work with. If the office |
| coworkers have allergies. Avoid glass decorations, | | | | puts up a communal holiday tree, let each person |
| particularly hanging ones. | | | | choose an ornament for the tree, or use a |
| A few other safety precautions include not | | | | general non-religious theme. |
| hanging tinsel from computers or around any | | | | |