Q: I have too much to do this Christmas and not enough time, so I’ve been ordering some of my gifts online and having them delivered to my office. Is this bad to do?

A: It completely depends on your organization’s management. Check with your supervisor or manager. For many organizations, allowing employees to conduct personal business at scheduled breaks, and to receive deliveries, is no problem. There is a belief that as long as employees are getting their work done and there’s little workplace disruption, Web surfing or gift ordering is no problem. For others, there are strict rules regarding Internet use. You don’t want to be pulled into your supervisor’s office at a later date and asked about various Web site visits. At work, deliveries will probably depend on the size of staff and convenience or inconvenience of accepting deliveries.

The best advice overall, is to make sure you have approval from the powers that be.

You can also help each other in your workplace. I have heard of employees keeping an eye out for hard to find items, sales and even picking up items for co-workers.

Q: Work is stressful at this time of year. When you add trying to shop, send Christmas cards, and keep up with the kids’ needs, actually enjoying this time of year feels out of reach for me. Do you have any suggestions?

A: Make a map of the holidays for yourself. You need paper, pen and a blank December calendar.

• Write down everything you want to do. (For example, maybe bake cookies with the kids, look at Christmas lights, go caroling, invite friends, and spend special time with your partner.)
• Write down everything you can think of that you need to do.
• Write down your Christmas gift/card list. Put down everyone’s name and ideas for gifts for each including how much you can spend.
• Write down the gifts you will need to mail and the date by which you need to mail them.

Now you’re ready for your private holiday calendar. It may be easiest to start with a blank month at a glance.

• First, fill in your calendar with what you want to do with friends and family.
• Second, fill in your calendar with what you have to get done. (Remember, don’t be a superman or woman. You can delegate some of the shopping, cards, mailing or household chores if you have an able partner or older child.)
• Fill in the names of the people for whom you need to purchase gifts. For example, where you write the person’s name, that is the date you will purchase or order their gift.
• Fill in the dates you need to mail items.
• Copy the calendar and highlight some of the items if you have a partner who can handle them.
• STICK TO IT! You will be much more likely to fit in the events and special moments that make memories if you make this kind of plan for the holidays.

Q: I’m a supervisor and we lost a co-worker this year. No one seems in the mood to decorate or celebrate Christmas. Should I decorate and plan something to cheer them up, or just let it go this year?

A: Ask them. In a confidential e-mail or handout, ask them what they think about you decorating. Also ask them to indicate what they would like to do as a group for the holidays, if anything. Be sure and include a vote for NOTHING, because sometimes that’s just what people need.


By Rebecca R. Mild-Williams
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified Employee Assistance Professional
INTEGRIS Corporate Assistance Program