By SaucyScribe.
So, I take holidays a little too far. I call my Thanksgiving meal a feast; others call it an unsightly horror of gluttony. During Christmas, I put up four trees . . . and the Christmas cactus (don’t ask). How else will all my decorations get the face time they deserve?
I have, however, learned to navigate around the delicate sensibilities of fellow office revelers during the aforementioned holidays. But Halloween . . . well, that’s where things get tricky. What I find delightful in an artfully designed trail of faux blood is my co-worker’s cue to sprinkle holy water at my office doorway. But smiley pumpkins and cutesy scarecrows aren’t my idea of Halloween.
In 2007, I started at a new company and learned a few tricks to make sure my Halloween decorations inspired spirit instead dismay, and possessed just the right amount of the macabre:
1) Prepare the Masses.
I hinted early on that I was a holiday nut to the entire office. A good way to start the conversation is to inquire as to the decorating policy. At my company, there was no set policy. If there is one, respect it—sometimes the best decorating ideas are borne of a need to work around a restriction. This also gave co-workers ample time to digest that there would be cobwebs in their future. You might be surprised at how many will enthusiastically cheer you on as a refreshing morale booster.
2) Walk Down Memory Lane
I casually asked a few co-workers if anyone had decorated before, what props were used, and how it faired with the office. This is a good time to find out what attracted admiration, what turned stomachs (in a good way), and what actually led to throwing up (a bad sign, and will most likely come to a sordid conclusion in the HR office). Nix ideas that were badly received. Learn from fallen heroes before you!
3) Note Phobias and Managerial Preferences
One co-worker shared she had a deep fear of snakes. I resigned myself to leaving the fake python at home. Another had clown fear. Respected! Whether this information comes to you as a direct result of Halloween talk or over lunch in April, take mental note. By the time fall rolled around, I pinpointed two agreeable decorating themes: cemeteries and spiders.
4) Even When They Insist, Don’t!
Plenty of people insisted I could decorate during work hours. It’s hard, but try to refrain. Use lunch hour or stay late or come early. Don’t give anyone ammunition why you can’t decorate next year (shudder).
In the end, people loved my decorated office, and not a single person was offended, despite creepy scene setters bought at BuyCostumes.com. They even loved my skeletal heads. It just takes a little time to learn what you can get away with this Halloween at the office!
