Party, Just Not Too Hardy

Folio: The Magazine for Magazine Management, Nov 1, 2002 by Liz Lash

Byline: Liz Lash

Etiquette

In the shadow of September 11, holiday shindigs were a little short on tidings of joy last year. Office festivities generally went for a minimalist feel. And from the looks of things - the economy is still in the dumpster, the threat of another war looms large - this year's holiday season won't be mega-merry, either. Still, the party must go on. Here's some advice on how publishing companies can spread some tasteful, much-needed cheer:

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Watch the budget: We certainly have taken a much more careful look at how we're going to spend money. Being together at holiday times is not always about spending a lot. That said, it's also nice to be able to say thank-you to your staff and show that you care about them and the work they do year-round. - MAURIE PERL, SVP OF CORPORATE PUBLIC RELATIONS, CONDE NAST PUBLISHING

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Watch the booze: Book a place that most people like. If you're having liquor at the party, make sure you have enough food so that people don't end up having too much of a good thing. - CAROLE WILLCOCKS, L.A. BUREAU OPERATIONS MANAGER, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

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Send kinder, gentler reminders: People often forget to RSVP because they don't pay attention to e-mail from HR unless it reads 'You're fired.' You also don't want to hound them; it's not an obligation. - FRANCIS NEWBURG, VP ADMINISTRATION AND HR FOR SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN

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Leave the family at home: Spouses are usually not invited; our CEO thinks it's very important for company employees to come together as a family at this time of year. - ELISA SHEVITZ, DIRECTOR OF PR, AMERICAN EXPRESS PUBLISHING

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Start a tradition staffers will appreciate: We do the same thing every year because people appreciate tradition. We give out a week's pay to everyone who's not in the bonus program. And employees really like that tradition! - CAMILLE JOHNSTON, VP OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, RODALE

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Keep it simple: It's nice to have food more like the kind you would serve in your home rather than anything exotic. Think pasta, shrimp, hors d'oeuvres, and chocolate-chip cookies. - LESLIE MILK, LIFESTYLE EDITOR, WASHINGTONIAN MAGAZINE

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Bid for your meal: You can have a "box social." Buy a bunch of boxes, decorate them with velvet or satin, put food in them, and then have an auction. This way you can donate money to a cause. You can go to a social afterward, your partner being whoever bought your box. - PATTI COONS, AUTHOR OF GALA: THE SPECIAL EVENT PLANNER FOR PROFESSIONALS AND VOLUNTEERS

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Hold an open house: In the past I always gave a party at my home for family, but now I'm doing the same for my staff. You work so closely with your staff, they often become like family. - PEGGY KENNEDY, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, VICTORIA MAGAZINE

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Go for potluck: We eat out very often, sometimes two or three times a day, and we're also involved with catering and entertainment throughout the year. So it's nice to have an office party where everyone has cooked for it. That way we can cater to ourselves and be less formal. - PEGGY POSNER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, HOME AND DESIGN MAGAZINE

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Hold a start-of-the-year party: In past years, we had our celebration in December, but now we have it in January. It's much more sane and peaceful, and it's an excuse to get all dolled up and put on a black dress one more time after all the festivities are over. - ELIZABETH CAREY, PUBLISHER AND OWNER, WHERE MAGAZINE

Who Did What Last Year

CONDE NAST: Bon Appetit threw a cocktail party after work in L.A; the New York office also hosted an after-hours bash. Self magazine went bowling.

FORTUNE AND FORTUNE SMALL BUSINESS: The magazines hired a deejay and took over John's Pizzeria on West 44 [superscript]th Street in New York.

WENNER MEDIA: There was no official party, but employees jammed with their own bands at the office and went out to a bar afterward. We hear, however, that everyone had to ante up for their own beverages.

RODALE: The New York office attended a bash at the Tuscan Square restaurant at Rockefeller Center, which featured an Italian buffet and an open bar. No spouses were allowed. The Emmaus, Pennsylvania, office threw a country-club dinner dance hosted by the company chairman Arty Rodale. Spouses were permitted.

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN: The company held the festivities in the office because everyone wanted to be close to home.

THE ECONOMIST GROUP: Each department had an intimate, low-key buffet at nearby restaurants.

WASHINGTONIAN MAGAZINE: The company invited two classes from Headstart, a program for preschoolers to the party and asked employees to bring gifts for the kids.

WHERE MAGAZINE: Hosted a "Yankee swap" - each staffer brought a gift, traded it for a neighbor's, then opened the present, and swapped it again.

HEARST CORPORATION: The company held a "spirit-of-giving" party at The Tavern on the Green restaurant. Everyone brought one new children's book, the collection was donated to the charity First Book.