December can be a very busy time of year both personally and professionally. Lots of traditions are linked with festive celebrations, making time for loved ones and the excitement of the imminent new year.
Here are The Lab Factory, our Labbies represent not only different businesses, but different traditions at this time of year and we’d love to share some with you!
Christmas Eve box
This is becoming a very popular tradition for families with young children. Usually given on Christmas eve or 1st December, it contains all sorts of goodies to make Christmas a little bit more magical. Popular items include:
- Christmas themed PJs
- Christmas Movies
- Reindeer food to sprinkle on the grass so they know where to land and can have a quick snack
- Snowman soup, better known as hot chocolate with marshmallows
- Letter writing kits to write all your wish lists to Santa
The possibilities are endless and are completely personal to your family and country. Thick flannel PJs and hot chocolate would be perfect for those in the UK but might be a tad warm for us here in Australia. Shorts and T Shirts and snowman slushies are probably better in our Aussie boxes! Click here for more ideas to help you create the perfect box
Elf on a shelf
Another popular tradition with families is Elf on a Shelf. Swarms of these elves descend upon families on the 1stof December, hell bent on wreaking Christmas havoc on poor parents. Some of them act as spies for Santa so he knows who to put on his naughty or nice list, but many are here just to bring smiles and giggles to the smaller members of the family.
While most have innocent fun, some of them can get up to quite a bit of mischief!
Click Here for more information on the Official Elf on a Shelf.
And Pinterest has plenty of ideas to get you through the 24 days leading to Christmas
Golden ticket to see the Lights
One sweet tradition one of our Labbies started with her niece and nephew when they can to visit was a Golden ticket to see the Christmas lights.
“They thought they were going to bed early on Christmas eve, but instead they were given a sparkly envelope with their golden ticket. We hopped into the car and drove around all the local Christmas light displays. Some had activities for the kids so we would get out the car and play in ‘snow’ or meet Santa. They were so exhausted afterwards they fell asleep in the car on the way home! Bonus!”
Katie Dimario, one of our TLF Community volunteers created these tickets after seeing the huge amount of effort her local community put in to creating these displays. Many have visitors such as Santa, his elves and Olaf the snowman! They raise money for local charities and just help bring the community together.
“This year with my own children, the ticket is for a pirate ship cruise along the local canals to see their amazing displays! I hope they have fun!”
For more info about the pirate ship, click here, otherwise check out your local Facebook pages for information on the closest light displays to you.
Forgotten Santa Gifts
We love new and innovative ideas here at The Lab Factory. One of our Labbies has come up with their own innovative family tradition.
Lou Dunn, Project Manager and Senior graphic Designer with ParkLife has created “Forgotten Santa Gifts”
On New Year’s Eve, as a way of spreading out the gift giving magic between family members, a few of the smaller gifts that where tucked away, suddenly make and appearance under the tree.
“We will be spending Christmas Day at my sister’s house and wanted to avoid having to haul around loads of presents everywhere. It’s also an opportunity of smaller gifts to be bought that may compliment bigger gifts received on Christmas Day. It also keeps the Christmas spirit going for a bit longer.”
One is the loneliest number, especially at a Christmas Work Party
The ultimate Christmas collaboration is the end of year work Christmas party. Office Christmas Party’s offer the perfect opportunity for businesses to let their hair down and enjoy some down time with colleagues. Getting to know people on a more personal level helps boost morale and offers better communication and collaboration throughout the rest of the year.
The Lab Factory is all about business collaboration. When you are self-employed or a small business, the guest list can be pretty small at the office Christmas Party. Being part of The Lab offers all the businesses, big or small, the opportunity to be a part of a Christmas party.
Lavoro Italiano Restaurant was the most amazing venue for The Lab Factory’s Christmas Party, with heavenly food and of course awesome company made up of our awesome Labbies!
Thank you to all of them for making it a splendid party.
For more pictures of the beautiful set up at the restaurant, check out our Facebook page with photos courtesy of Life As Art
If you would like to be part of our business community and become a Labbie, drop us a line and say hi.
Maybe you will be at our Christmas Party for 2019! The more the merrier!