Christmas, for some people, is a bit like nostalgia — it’s not what it used to be.

If you’re not surrounded by kids, especially young kids, it can be a little empty. It’s not hard for some people to find Christmas too commercial. After all, it’s been going on for a couple of months now.

No doubt it’s hard work. Negotiating the Yuletide campaign of office parties, client knees-ups, annual get-togethers and family gatherings can mean a solid workout for the liver and waistline.

But planning and managing kids’ presents, dinners, barbecues and backyard cricket matches is fun. Especially if you approach it all the right way, with a touch of creativity. It’s good for the soul.

Of course, all this busyness can mean your eye is a little off the ball with your business and your clients. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Not if you share a little Christmas largesse with them.

Want to throw a Christmas party? Sure. But make sure everyone’s free to get there, and help get them home too. They’ll love you for it.

Too expensive? Don’t fuss. Everyone knows business is doing it pretty tough right now. But remember, it’s the thought that counts.

A lucky dip of kids’ toys for your workers to take home might be the thing. Maybe you could try something a bit different; like a whip-around for clothes, toys and foodstuffs you can donate to charity.

Christmas cards to your clients, dancing elf videos of your staff with thank-you and Merry Chrissie messages, or just a straight-up emails, texts, Facebook posts or Tweets … make sure you do something to  engage with your most important asset — your people — at Christmas.

From this bloke’s perspective, Christmas is another year older. That’s the joy of being born on December 25.

And yep, birthdays are a bit like nostalgia, too — they’re not what they used to be.

 

PS: What do you think of this blog post? Email me @ info@noelmurphy.com.au.