
Happy New Year, one and all! Many of you probably enjoyed some great office parties over the holidays. The best part for me includes the reports of all the holiday pranks and cranks. These are the best stories I heard this party season. Now that 2009 has had the mercy to end, we are ushering in a hopeful New Year…but some of the folks in these stories will be living down 2009 until NEXT January rolls around.
The Deranged Exchange:
At one party in West Hollywood, gifts were exchanged. Unfortunately, the host accidentally placed a few of the adult gag gifts in the children’s gift bag. One confused young boy received a glamorous doll from Santa. Unfortunately, it was actually a man-doll…in drag.
In spite of the parents’ coaxing, the child refused to trade the gift for another – he loved his new he-she, complete with removable wig and glittering eye shadow. The parents, who were usually very good natured, demanded a check for damages from the host. The host, embarrassed and apologetic, was at a loss for words. After an awkward moment, the father grinned and explained that the cash was to ensure the child’s recovery from the trauma – either therapy…or make-up lessons.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Another West Hollywood party-goer reportedly parked at a curb in a red zone…close to a hydrant. He left a note on his windshield that said, “If you are thinking of writing a ticket, please have some holiday cheer. It’s Christmas, and there is no place to park anywhere within walking distance.” An hour later, someone ran into the party and yelled, “Patrick, you’re getting a ticket.”
Patrick ran out to confront the West Hollywood Parking Gestapo. “Come on, man,” he moaned. “Don’t you have any holiday spirit? I guess you didn’t read my message.”
“Of course I read it,” replied the Parking Officer. “I found the note, but I couldn’t find a gift from you anywhere. It seems to me that you are the one with no Christmas spirit. I, on the other hand, have a gift for you.” With that, he tore the ticket off the pad and handed Patrick the ticket. He then climbed into his vehicle and yelled, “Merry Christmas, man – and thanks for the cheer!”
Spicy and Dicey
One Beverly Hills hostess was throwing a party for her real estate office. She was running late, so she asked her husband to set out the egg nog, add some nutmeg, and set out the punch cups. The party was in full swing when she heard whispers from the patio. “Don’t drink the egg nog,” someone whispered, “you’ll gag.”
Horrified, she ran to the punch bowl, poured a glass of egg nog and took a swallow.
Immediately she spit it back into the glass. She hurried to the kitchen to question her husband. There on the counter was the empty carton of egg nog. Next to it were the spices and the Southern Comfort her husband had used for flavoring. She couldn’t find the nutmeg…but she did find a large jar of Trader Joe’s Ground Paprika.
Her “Gag Nog” has been the office joke all week. She is now offering to write down the recipe on an airsick bag for all those who want to add some spice to their holidays.
Those Who Boast Are Toast
I heard a satisfying story about a guy in a different office who was bragging about his fabulous earnings in 2009 with no regard to those who fared less successfully. I was told that the more he drank, the more boastful he became. When he was in full gear, he announced his purchase of a new Porsche which he had parked outside on the street. Several agents dutifully went out to admire it, although his boasting had become thicker than a porterhouse, but a lot less palatable.
They all admired the car of course, but they were offended that he was taking two spots in an area near the beach where there is very limited parking. When someone subtly suggested that he move over, he refused, pointing out that his car was nicer than the other cars and he didn’t want his doors dinged.
Later that night when he left the party, he received his comeuppance. His car had been moved and was now horizontally parked across the two spots, with cars closely parked on each side blocking him in. The group of guys had actually LIFTED his car to turn it sideways. They were standing behind a wall howling with laughter when one called out, “Hey Barry, next year you better make enough money to buy a Hummer – they ‘re too heavy to move!”
Quick Quip and Guacamole Dip
My favorite tale occurred when a friend of mine named Jan went to a party hosted by another agent. Mexican food was being served, and apparently the home was very crowded. She was trying to slip past a group of guests when she lost her balance and fell backwards onto a chair. Unfortunately, a male co-worker was sitting in the chair holding a full plate of food.
When she struggled to her feet, she realized she had a Mexican buffet on her booty. As she wiped the mashed food off with her hand, she noticed the mess on the front of the gentleman’s pants. She also noticed his shocked expression. Gesturing to the remainder of the dinner in his lap, Jan smiled and said, “Is that a burrito in your lap… or are you just happy to see me?”
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Matt Stigliano
December 24, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Teresa – I’m just as bad at wrapping. I love the idea of what you do, both from a not wasting standpoint and the game of trying to think of who’s it was last time. I may just try that. My grandfather used to pass a can of Heinz beans around the family for some odd reason. I was very young and didn’t understand it fully, but the same can had been with him for years. I think it had to do with the Depression (and they were from Pittsburgh where Heinz got his start during the Depression). It always fascinated me as a kid though.
Brian Brady
December 24, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Merry Christmas, Teresa.
My new Christmas tradition is to look at your St Paul pics on Facebook.
Bridget Magnus
December 24, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Merry Christmas to you too.
Our “unwrapping game” is that all the gift tags have clues on them. Instead of “To Joe From Jane,” it’s “To Joe from China,” and perhaps it will have a tea set inside. Or this year, maybe something made of melamine! Part of the game is you have to guess what’s inside before unwrapping it.
Teresa Boardman
December 24, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Matt – my brother and I had a tradition involving a large candy cane he gave my daughter when she was 2. I wouldn’t let her have it but sent it to him as a gift the next year. It was passed back and forth. It was broken and just a bag of powder with tape all over it after 10 years. We kept adding to it and putting notes on it until one year it got lost in the mail between St. Paul and Chicago. Neither of us has seen it in years but we are never entirely sure that the other doesn’t have it and keep waiting to see it again. He thinks I have it and I just might. 🙂
Monika
December 24, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Merry Christmas Teresa I hope you and your family have a great holiday season.
Missy Caulk
December 24, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I hate wrapping gifts too. For a few years I went to the bags…that did not go over for the kids, they missed all the boxes.
So mom did what they wanted.
Merry Christmas!!
Bill Lublin
December 24, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Teresa you always make me smile – Merry Christmas to you and Boomerjack – and my sincerest wishes that the holidays are everything you want them to be –
Jonathan Dalton
December 25, 2008 at 1:06 am
I’ve been receiving Christmas gifts (long story) in the same box for more than three decades. The box is mostly tape at this late date.
My dad recently converted some Super 8s onto DVD … and the box made a cameo some 35 years ago.
I really like the box. Just don’t tell my mom since I’ve tried lighting it on fire for the last 10 years running.
Steve Simon
December 25, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Health and Happiness to you and yours:)