Christmas cheer ?

Just as I was beginning to feel festive - I started reading Christmas press releases

A sign that Christmas is here is the number of festive emails that are pouring into my inbox - clearly ones that have had a bit of a wash and brush up from last year and the resend button has been pressed.

However two grabbed my attention this week so I decided to save them until Friday to share them with you, my loyal fan. Yes, fan.

Serviced office space providers Business Environment questioned 3,000 UK workers on their working habits, but the bits I'm going to pick out are their attitudes to Christmas.

A total of 4.5 per cent would spend over £15 on the office ‘Secret Santa' - wow that is generous - we at CRN have a £5 limit and stick to it religiously - £15 is a lot of money to spend on a novelty gift. Plus it wastes valuable drinking money!

Interestingly 38.7 spend an hour a week Christmas shopping online at this time of year - as long as it is during their lunch-breaks what does it matter?

And 21.6 avoid attending the office Christmas party, claiming that working 9-5 with people every day is enough. Those lucky enough to have a Christmas party that is. Many firms are still not holding a Christmas party for their employees.

This fits nicely into a release from those party poopers themselves - the Forum of Private Business - which got into Scrooge mode nicely this week with its guide to Christmas party problems.

Some of the dos and don'ts include: avoid pressurising staff to attend, let staff know in advance what behaviour is acceptable (I guess stripping naked, jumping on tables and dancing with the boss is out of the question then?) and watch out for drug use.

They are also advised to make sure staff know they are expected to turn up for work as normal the following day and to avoid saucy gifts and games because they could lead to a tribunal.

Too much alcohol can also cause arguments and fights, leaving disciplinary action hanging over their heads once the Christmas season is over.

So if after reading that lot anyone feeling like either attending a Christmas party or throwing one, do let me know.

I'm off to stick my head in a bucket of water to dampen any inkling of Christmas cheer I was beginning to feel.