First, because of the current economy, it isn't considered prudent for my company to give out budgets to sponsor holiday parties. So, we improvised. One co-worker managed to get a whopping $50 of company money to sponsor a party for about 20 people...if you do the math, it is very impressive that she pulled something off that we all loved...a cookie swap. Every participant brought in 2-3 dozen cookies. Some people made them from scratch, some made them semi-homemade, and some people bought them from the store or their favorite bakery. We all gathered for about 45 minutes and sampled each other's cookies and shared recipes. The $50 went to supply decorative tins to every team member, and we each got to fill our tins with our favorites and bring them home. We got to enjoy a great time together and take something with us, and it cost the giant conglomerate I work for $50, and each of us just a few bucks and a little bit of our free time. The fact that all of these busy people were not only willing but excited to make that small effort and get together is something I have so rarely experienced in my short tenure in Corporate America.
After work, I met up with two of my old college pals, who each have birthdays during the holiday season when we will all be in different cities spending time with our respective families. So, we met up to have an inexpensive, vegan-friendly restaurant (Galaxy Global Eatery, E. 15th St. at Irving Place) and catch up with each other. I treated them to dinner, which was my birthday/ holiday gift to both of them.
One friend continued a Christmas tradition she has been carrying out for probably almost 10 years now, a little less time than I've known her. She gives each of her friends an inexpensive gift (less than $5, I might venture to say), and a very personal, very sincere card. I look forward to this every year. I have saved every letter she has ever written me, and I truly appreciate the thought that she puts into writing one for each of us.
The other friend is just a constant joy. She is that friend who loves to encourage us to experience things that have been positive in her own life. For example, she meets with one of our friends on an almost weekly basis, teaching her how to swim at the Y. A couple of years ago, she is the person that got me into yoga by practicing it with me once a week at one of our apartments and attending a great class at a local studio with me on the weekends. She has a way of helping us to find things to fill our lives that are not only enjoyable, but in most cases, actually good for us. And she always does it with a smile.
Well, it's time for me to sign off. Another of my life's simple pleasures is gently reminding me to make some time for it - my lovable pooch.
