Saxum|PR

It was predictable. The economy went south, the government started to bailout banks and stock prices hit the floor. Letters went out from every non-profit I’m a part of trying to raise some extra dollars in fear of a 2009 shortfall. Next? Holiday parties across corporate America were scrapped. From Washington, D.C. to Arizona to San Francisco the elaborate parties that traditionally celebrate the successes of the year were scaled back or eliminated all together.

My best friend is a district manager for Pfizer in Sacramento. At the beginning of next year, the company will face another workforce reduction while the stock continues to struggle without a strong forecast for a new blockbuster drug. Word came down that there would be no company sponsored holiday party for drug reps who are about to endure their second round of layoffs in the last four years. My friend, who took over a terrible territory about a year ago, is paying for the holiday party himself.

His logic?

He asked for a lot from his team this year and the ones who are still around gave him all they had. This may be a down economy, but my friend thought no holiday party was the wrong message to send.

We agree. Celebrating success is one of the most important things you can do for your employees, clients and friends. Without celebration, the motivation to work is reduced.

Intuitive, right? Hardly.

It is a tight economy and we, too, are concerned about the unknown 2009 forecast. We have two constituencies we want to celebrate at the end of the year. Our clients and our team.

For our clients, we eliminated our traditional gift basket and holiday card in favor of a new, creative approach. We have designed a singing e-mail card from our in-house viral media experts at Maxus Creative. Next, we sent a letter to all of clients with a note that we would make a donation to the non-profit of their choice in their name. It is extra work to make a donation to a non-profit of their choice, but we felt it was important to spread our support around.

For our employees and their dates/spouses, we are having our holiday party at McNellie’s Public House, a restaurant client we helped open earlier this year. The Tuesday party will feature heavy appetizers and beer and we will celebrate our successes. Our budget is very reasonable and less than in previous years. The important thing is we are getting together to celebrate our year, together.

Public relations professionals in corporate America need to speak up in board meetings when decisions are being made about small things like holiday parties. Celebration is important and actually becomes a big deal when eliminated.