What Does Your Company Do For Christmas? Views From An Event Planner…

Posted on October 28th, 2012 by admin

Christmas parties have evolved over the years. There used to be a time where it was free for staff and guests to attend a grand event, typically at a banquet hall. The women would buy a new gown and get their hair done while the guys broke out their irons and removed creases from their best dress shirt. Meals and alcoholic drinks were free. That was then.

Then cutbacks happened and there was a charge for guests to attend. Fewer people attended the holiday parties. Many people that had children would rather stay home than to pay a babysitter and attend a paid function. Then, more budget cutbacks happened and there was a charge for the staff also. Costs were scaled, smaller portions of meat served and drinks were expensive. Attendance numbers diminished.

Guess what happened next? That’s right, more cutbacks. The ‘once upon a time’ banquet hall turned into a restaurant or a more modest gathering. Fewer and fewer staff members attended. Many companies realized the importance of a company family Christmas party – one where the children could attend also.

Organizations today realize the importance of having a Kids Christmas Party during the holidays. This allows staff members a chance to bond, meet each other’s families and be a kid again too. Let’s face it…to obtain the ‘wow’ factor in a kids Christmas party, there are many activities that need to be included in the event such as pictures with Santa Claus, rides, crafts, entertainment and more.

Family Jingle & Mingle (also known as FJAM) allows those companies to have a kids Christmas party without the associated costs. FJAM will have a huge space at the International Centre that will include carnival rides, bouncy castles, a Christmas shopping area and more. It’s an event you don’t want to miss! Dec. 16, 10am – 2pm.

Tell us what your company does for Christmas.

By Gaby Mammone

Featured Company – Senso 3C

Posted on October 27th, 2012 by admin

Senso 3C

Why They Started
Senso 3C (the host company bringing you Family Jingle & Mingle) surveyed many business professionals from around the country. They talked to people at all levels (individuals, management, leaders, and owners) about the challenges their businesses face. Originally, they thought they would be able to offer recruitment and staffing services to businesses as many others do…but just do things that much better.

Relationships
After just a few conversations – Senso 3C realized that there are huge relationship gaps in today’s business world. They found that organizations generally want to build employer /employee relations yet some struggle to execute for various reasons. Many times their intentions and attempts are there, with varying level of effectiveness. Furthermore, many business owners already know this is a major problem, but don’t have time to fix it, let alone research the latest programs, events, exercises that will build and foster sustainable results in motivating, developing, and rewarding their teams.

Reflection
Through years of experience, Senso 3C’s founders have come to realize that the difference in companies is that many successful people and organizations had the good fortune of having guidance and innovative input that brings forward what works and/or what is different. These can be total new ideas and concepts or simply the things that are just barely out of sight – those “ah-ha!” moments when you really get the trick of how something works- and everything else comes into focus. These are the things that teams and individuals alike want to be part of.

Opportunity Knocks
Senso 3C answered with excitement and their business model was born. They will not only help businesses find stellar people, but also help people find gainful careers. Senso 3C’s Business Resources division channels creative minds in providing solutions that develop and retain sound relationships within teams.

Hence Senso 3C brings you … Family Jingle & Mingle (a fabulous event that will give you something to talk about at the water cooler the next day!)

Join us on Sunday, December 16th form 10am – 5pm.

Written by Nelson Inacio

Santa Around The World

Posted on October 17th, 2012 by admin

It may only be October but Santa & his team of Guru’s are well underway planning and preparing to make this year’s Family Jingle & Mingle event something truly magical.

One element of our big event will of course be visits and photographs with Santa Claus – he will be on site Sunday December 16^th from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm and he just can’t wait to see all the good girls and boys who are ready to share their Christmas wishes with him!

Families around the world will be preparing for their special visit from Santa Claus this year in many unique ways, incorporating a range of different traditions. Here in Canada, many of us like to make sure we leave Santa a midnight snack of milk and cookies to help him on his busy night. In other parts of the world Santa is welcomed and celebrated in different ways – like in Ireland where the tradition is to leave out mince pies and a bottle of Guinness!

In Brazil people wait for Papi Noel (or Father Noel) who, according to legend, lives in Greenland. When he arrives to bring gifts he wears silk clothing because of the heat. In Australia people do their Christmas shopping in shorts & t-shirts due to the heat, and Santa has been known to arrive on beaches on a surf board. In Germany, where little dolls of fruit are traditionally given as Christmas toys, winged figures called Christkind dressed in white robes and golden crowns distribute gifts and children leave letters on their windowsills instead of treats.

Italy is visited by a witch called Befana who rides a broomstick. She slides down chimneys and fills stockings and shoes with good things for well behaved little girls and boys. In modern times, Italy has adopted Babbo Natale, Father Christmas. In Finland the children do not hang up stockings, but Santa Claus comes to visit them in person, sometimes with as many as half a dozen of his elves. Children in France also leave shoes out by the fireplace. They fill their shoes with carrots and treats for Pere Noel’s donkey and then he re-fills them with gifts. In the mornings children will find things like toys, sweets, fruit and nuts hung on the tree.

In Japan there is a Buddhist monk called Hotei-osho who acts like Santa Claus, bringing presents to each house and leaving them for the children. Children try to behave when Hotei-osho is nearby because some say he has eyes in the back of his head.

There are so many traditions all around the world involving Santa –writing letters, visiting, and of course behaving all year long! Do you have any special traditions in your family when you are planning for Santa’s visit? Share your traditions with us here below.

No matter what your family’s special traditions are, everyone can be sure they’ll see Santa this year at our Family Jingle & Mingle celebration – maybe it can become a new family tradition! Join us on Sunday, December 16^th from 10:00-5:00 at the International Centre and visit with Santa, share your wishes and have your picture taken!

By Dominique Mazzuca

Supporting The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada

Posted on September 21st, 2012 by admin

This year, everyone at Family Jingle & Mingle has made a commitment to support The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.

In the last nearly 30 years, Children’s Wish has worked together with various communities to grant more than 18,000 wishes to children between the ages of 3-17 who are coping with life threatening illnesses. Last year alone Children’s Wish was able to grant 1,123 wishes – which breaks down to almost 3 wishes every single day! Each fulfilled wish is unique to the child recipient chosen – children who are referred by medical staff, social workers, friends and family. Their website [www.childrenswish.ca] is full of touching stories of wishes that have been granted.

What is the impact of a granted wish? The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada explains – “For a child whose wish is about to be granted the pain and discomfort of the illness and often harsh treatment regimes somehow become more bearable. For many, the excitement of planning and anticipating their dream has a dramatic effect on their healing. These courageous youngsters often experience a renewed sense of energy and hope as they see a different kind of light at the end of the tunnel.”

Children’s Wish is currently ready to grant any approved wish within the matter of a few weeks, depending on logistics and coordination – in urgent cases, they can grant wishes within days. With continued community support, Children’s Wish will be able to remain true to their claim of never having to turn down a single eligible wish.

At Christmas time, when we gather to celebrate and give gifts to those we love, we are especially reminded of our blessings, and how important it is to share those blessings with others.

Christmastime is a perfect opportunity to teach the children we know lessons about the importance of giving to others and being community minded – whether they are our own children, nieces, nephews, or any other little ones in our lives. While they anticipate the holidays with glee, it’s a wonderful chance to teach children to think about others they are capable of helping. As adults, we have to remind ourselves of these lessons and always remember to lead by example. The truth is that we can all, as individuals and a community, make a difference –as more individuals join together to help and donate we are able to make a bigger and bigger impact.

Family Jingle & Mingle truly believes in The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, and we hope to make a significant contribution to their efforts this Christmas season. We are so excited to see what we can do together as a community!

Please join us on Sunday December 16^th, where The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada will be on site at the First Annual Family Jingle & Mingle event to collect donations.

If you have any questions about making a contribution this year as an individual, or as a group, please click on this donor link.

(Posted by Dominique Mazzuca)

The Evolution of a Company Christmas Celebration

Posted on August 27th, 2012 by admin

Envision the classic Office Christmas Party. Do you picture elegant banquet halls, maybe a cruise ship? Do you see couples dressed in their holiday best; lines of children in their party clothes waiting to sit on Santa’s knee? Activities, entertainment, festive decor and a turkey feast?

Have you mentally revised this image in the last few years? You’re not the only one!

After years of rising costs and economic uncertainty, many companies are finding it necessary to scale back on Christmas luxuries. It has been reported that of nearly 900 employed Canadians polled, 39% were not expecting any seasonal party or celebration at their workplace. [Survey conducted by the Human Resources Professionals Association].

You might have seen it within your own workplace. Year by year, budgets are scaled back. The venues become less spectacular, decor might diminish. Children’s activities disappear, or maybe families are no longer included in the celebration at all. Employees sometimes need to supplement the cost of their meals or admission. While we can all understand the reason for the changes, a year-end event can be an important way to recognize the hard work of employees. Due to the financial downturn, many staff members are working harder, putting in extra hours to compensate for cut backs. For many employees, office Christmas parties are a welcome show of appreciation, not to mention a rare opportunity to get to know co-workers on a more personal level and build stronger relationships. When HR Professionals were polled by the HRPA, 81% agreed that a holiday celebration was important to the morale of any organization. People are the best assets of any company, so it is important to remind staff that they are valued and to keep morale high. A motivated work force can make the difference between a company that prospers, and one that falls.

There is a new and exciting trend that provides a wonderful alternative to the traditional Christmas celebration: the Shared Christmas Party (also known as a “Joiner Party”). A Shared Christmas Party is a large scale festival event which puts even small and medium sized companies in the position to enjoy a large extravaganza at an incredibly affordable price. An event complete with food, beverages, and activities for all ages; live entertainment, a large venue and stunning décor is part of the package as well. These parties are hugely price competitive because the expense is shared by joining together with other companies while celebrating the season. A Shared Christmas Party eliminates the cost of purchases and rentals, not to mention the time spent organizing and booking venues, entertainment and caterers.

We introduce to you the First Annual Family Jingle & Mingle. Family Jingle & Mingle is a Christmas celebration for all ages. We honour working people that want their families to enjoy a festive celebration consisting of entertainment, pictures with Santa, bouncy castles, carnival rides, cupcake decorating, activities, shopping, animals, photo ops and more!

You can opt for your own private dining area with VIP amenities for your group, and have the luxury of participating in the many other activities available throughout the venue.

This is a great for opportunity for your company to make some personalized touches to your group or corporate Christmas party, while remaining budget friendly – and to show your staff what appreciation really means this Christmas season!

Join us on Sunday December 16th, from 10:00am-5:00pm and experience Christmas in a dynamic and engaging way.

Posted by Dominique Mazzuca

Family Jingle & Mingle

Family Jingle & Mingle is a Christmas celebration for all ages.

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