The holiday office party, where cringe meets opportunity
It's the season that makes legal advisers cringe and work gossips thrive: Office holiday parties are back … and maybe more awkward than before. This year, the festivities unfold as major companies are enforcing return-to-office mandates and the congeniality many of us shared with coworkers pre-COVID doesn’t feel the same. So what’s the best approach to the office party?
In a recent survey, 95% of 18-to-34 year old participants said that holiday parties boost engagement. That can be true for elder millennials, too, if we can move past our collective cringe. These gatherings aren’t just about lukewarm catering and small talk. They’re strategic moments disguised as social ones. At the holiday party you can:
Get face time beyond the screen: You spend all day Slacking, emailing, and Teams-ing — this is your shot to connect as actual humans.
Shift the narrative: A party can reset dynamics. That colleague you thought hated you? Turns out they’re just bad at emojis.
Show off the un-Googleable: Whether you’re schmoozing with leadership or calmly, competently putting out a Sterno fire, you have a chance to showcase those soft skills that don’t show up in the decks you build.
Important: Stay long enough to make an impression, but not long enough to make headlines. After all, you’re likely going to be seeing a lot of these folks in the New Year.
— Quietly hiding the karaoke mic, Anna Davies, writer
Need a gift for the sister or friend who never gets anything for herself? We love this strut-your-stuff surprise from Trader Joe's — and it's under $20.
The shopping holidays keep coming. Tomorrow is “Travel Tuesday,”and with one-way fares as low as $85, may we suggest booking a “shoulder season” Disney vacation?
Even if you feel you must do all of the holiday labor yourself, you might want to peek at this guide to outsourcing absolutely everything.
Boeing execs have reportedly been told to quit taking private jets and fly commercial economy instead. Maybe once they’ve experienced those pesky “possible maintenance” issues firsthand, they’ll fast-track solutions.
Yet another difference between Boomers and Gen Z: the astronomical amount of money Gen Z says they'd need to feel financially successful. Tell me you're a child of inflation without telling me you're a child of inflation.
Q&A: Avoiding Debt-cember
Q: We always overspend on the holidays, and it's always on stuff like extras at the grocery store, stocking stuffers, Santa meet and greets …. little things that add up to hundreds of dollars. Advice for staying on track and still having room for spontaneity?
— Watching my holiday spirit compete with my self-control
Here’s the hard truth about the holidays: most of us are feeling stretched thin — financially, emotionally, all of it. Acknowledging that? It’s not just OK; it’s freeing. The problem is, we dive headfirst into the frenzy without asking the bigger question: “Does this actually match the kind of holiday we want?” asks Kerry Keihn, partner and financial advisor at Earth Equity Advisors in Asheville, NC. “Before making a purchase, consider whether it aligns with your values and enhances your holiday experience.” (Related: Steal These Money Tips to Cut Down on Holiday Costs)
This also means rallying your family and friends. Still haven’t set plans? It’s time to send the WhatsApp: White Elephant or Secret Santa, here we come. Set price caps. Brainstorm themes. Keep it creative but doable. (Related: Entitled Friend Doesn’t Understand the Point of White Elephant Exchanges)
One more thing: Stay realistic. A $25 reindeer cocktail or three-figure wreath will catch your eye. And guess what? That’s fine. Keihn recommends building a “spontaneity fund” into your holiday budget so you can lean into those small indulgences guilt-free. Because what would the holidays be without at least one overpriced snow globe on the mantle?
Use the letters below to identify the word or phrase. Then, click to reveal the answer.
Clue: The total value of a company's outstanding shares of stock, calculated by multiplying share price by the number of shares. Think of it as the company's overall price tag.
Wealth Builder
An online shopping hack that's all about location
What it is: Using a VPN to shop online
Why we love it: There’s a TikTok hack gaining traction: Use a virtual private network (VPN) to browse from another location, and you might see lower prices. In practice, mileage may vary, but I once scored $40 off an expensive gift by using a VPN to shop as if I were in Canada instead of the US. Here’s why: retailers and travel companies (hotels are especially guilty) use “algorithmic pricing,” which adjusts prices based on factors like your location. A VPN hides your location and lets you browse as if you’re somewhere else, and could potentially unlock better deals. Curious? Here’s a guide to the best VPNs available.
Skimm Picks
Trending products and brands our shopping team has been loving recently.
Not a stretch to say that Cyber Monday is our Super Bowl. So we put together a cheat sheet of all the sales worth your time and money. (And it's alphabetized.)
