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Friday
Oct302009

Happy Halloween!

We celebrated Halloween at the home office yesterday—the first Halloween festivities I’ve been able to attend in I don’t know how long. And all I can say is I hope to never miss another one. It was so much fun!

We have all kinds of activities, including a coloring contest for employees’ children, a pumpkin carving contest, a baking contest, and—of course—the traditional costume contests. We shake it up a bit, however, by having individual costume contests as well as department.

I love it when people get into it. And this year there were plenty of people who took things seriously—very seriously! We had several departments who worked together as a team, coming up with incredible ideas. The first-place winner was our product design and illustrators team, who dressed up as characters from Alice in Wonderland, complete with a full-scale flower garden and tea party!

Second place was our design department, which featured a Zoolander theme; they even put on a complete fashion show for us. (And can I just say there are a few of our photographers who have no shame! You know who you are! I couldn’t pay my husband a million bucks to put on the show you did!)

Third place was our marketing department, who entertained us all with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, complete with a chocolate fountain and an Oompa dance. Wonderful!

And get this. Our finance team even participated, complete with tattoos and full biker attire! Loved seeing these people, who are so often perceived as boring and a little strait-laced, get into the act.

We also had a group of Mac make-up artists (our concept artists) and food icons (our electronic demonstrator support, who dressed up  the Jolly Green Giant, Tony the Tiger, the Morton Salt girl, the Pillsbury Dough Boy, the Honey Nut Cheerioo Bee, and the Sun Maid Raisin girl).

And a lot of other employees dressed up individually as well--I can't even begin to name them all. I didn't get pictures of everyone, but I got a good sampling.

We also invite employees to bring their kids for an early trick-or-treat experience. The mostly younger children (dressed in their costumes, of course) wander from cubicle to cubicle, and many of the employees have candy to give them. It’s delightful to see these youngsters so enthralled with everything they see going on around them.

Most of the festivities took place around lunchtime, when we also hosted a soup bar (nothing is better when the weather is cold outside than soup, right?) and provided other tasty treats.

I realize it probably wasn’t our most productive day in terms of work done, but I did see people eventually settle down and I know deadlines were met and things were accomplished. And I’m a firm believer in working hard—and playing hard. We don’t play a lot around here, but when we do, we do it right!

I ran an errand this morning, and went to a store where a sister of one of our employees works. She told me that her sister had taken a lot of pictures yesterday, and she was showing them off last night. “I looked at her pictures, and listened to my sister talk about how much fun she had, and I wished I worked at a place like that!” this girl said.

Now that’s what I like to hear!

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Reader Comments (16)

Wow, looks like everyone had a fun time. I wish I worked there and I've been retired for 15 years! I don't count Stampin Up as work, I have too much fun doing what I love.
October 30, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterCandy Diaz
It was the best day ever! Thanks for all you do Shelli the Ghost!
October 30, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterCasey
Shelli - I've said from my first Convention (2002!) that I would LOVE to work in the office! After hearing you on stage at Awards Night at that very same Convention, my husband even said, "Now I know why you get excited when you talk about Stampin' Up! I would work for that woman in a heartbeat!" I love reading about the festivities at the home office (although I know there is a LOT of working going on as well)!

Casey - Do you by chance have pictures of "Shelli the Ghost"? You should post those so we can see her! ;o)
October 31, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAngie Page
It DOES sound like a great place to work - every day, not just on Halloween! Fun stuff & I LOVE the creativity & awesome costumes!
October 31, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterStaci Miserlian
Shelli-
These are fantastic! Kudos to the whole SU Family! What a great time! I am very thankful that I get to represent a great bunch of people. I think you get out of your employees what you put into them, and this PROVES IT! You guys ROCK!
October 31, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterSharon Wren
Angie,
There is a picture of Shelli....look at the pics again, bottom, middle pic :)
October 31, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMaxine Conrad
WOW! Thanks Maxine! I didn't recognize her the first time around (obviously!) but when I read your message & looked I could totally see it in the smile! :o)
October 31, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAngie Page
That looks like so much fun.....I just love hearing about what goes on around you at home and work! Beautiful costume!
October 31, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterDeb
I love the to see organizations do activities like Halloween which for me it helps morale and productivity. In these economic times when business owners can participate and encourage employees to have a good time, one knows that employer intends to look out for their employees.
October 31, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMelia Trost
My son attended a private, prep high school run by an order of Catholic priests. Their mantra was "work hard, play hard, pray hard". I applaud SU for encouraging this sort of "play" as it's all part of a healthy balance.
November 1, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterStella MacKay
Shelli I say it every time and I'll say it again....if you ever have an opening in the Home Office, please call or email. I WANT TO WORK THERE! LOL I am not kidding though I would move to Utah in a nanno second!!! so really keep me in mind and since I am a demonstrator for you also I get first dibs right? LOL

I love hearing your stories. These pictures are awesome and what fun must have been had by all. You are a great employer and no one wonder everyone does a great job in DS for one, shpg, etc etc....it's not only a job but a fun place to work and that means everything. Getting up in the morning and going to a job you LOVE!

Thanks for being YOU!

Inky Hugs,
Terry~~
November 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterTerry Molineux
Thanks for sharing the excitement with all of us. FYI...there are lots of us out here that have job envy when we see how much fun all of you have every day at "work". Thanks to all of you for sharing your creativity and inspiration with all of us!
November 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterDale Abraham
WOW, what a fun time!
November 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterNickole Chiasson
This looks like such fun! What a great group :o)
November 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterKathyC
Oh My Goodness! You guys sure know how to have fun! Thanks for sharing the wonderful costumes! What a creative bunch of people!
November 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAnn
Well, I'm a little partial to the photography department, since my brother in law was "Hansel". But I look forward to the Halloween festivities at SU every year - even before I became a demo, because of the crazy fun you guys have!
November 4, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterSarah Widdison

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