Happy holidays! It’s time for most businesses to close down in observance of Christmas and the New Year. But when we’re constantly caught up in the fast pace of the office, it can be hard to stop working entirely and to enjoy the time off. A few extra days without constant meetings and incoming requests: it seems like the perfect opportunity to catch up on forgotten emails and unfinished to-do lists, or to start on projects planned for next year. Feel free to get a head start on January, but be aware that over-working – especially during the holidays – could have negative effects on family and friends, colleagues, and yourself.

A work-life balance is essential for every professional. Here are a few points to consider if you plan to keep your BlackBerry or laptop running throughout the holidays:

Out of respect to your employees or colleagues, don’t send them emails or assign them tasks on the holidays.

If you are a director or supervisor in your company, do not email your employees on Christmas or New Year’s with assignments. It could be detrimental to the morale of your staff. Your colleagues have the right to the extra time off, and if they choose to check their email and see a new to-do, they may feel frustrated at the level of work expected of them over the holidays.

Instead, if you have a question or a task for an employee, write it down in an email – but save it as a draft rather than immediately sending. Choose to send during business hours, or at least when it is not Christmas Day.

Out of respect to your family and friends, put away any devices at holiday functions.

Wherever you spend the holidays, no one will appreciate constant glances to the BlackBerry or a distracted guest still in the midst of work mode. Do a favour to your guests or hosts and turn off your cell phone or PDA while attending a holiday function.

Instead, plan in advance for the best times to work on your assignments or emails when you are not around others. If you are traveling, use the time waiting in the airport or sitting on the plane to catch up. Still have work to do when you arrive? Try to work mornings before family or guests get out of bed, so that your work does not appear to be more important than spending quality time with people that you may not be able to see throughout the year.

Out of respect to yourself, try to monitor your level of work on the holidays.

Even if you find time to courteously and discreetly work during the holidays, it could still add great pressure and stress on yourself. You might return to the office feeling like you had no vacation at all, and may have less energy to begin all the new tasks and projects that January will bring. Keep in mind that, while work is important, it is also crucial to find a proper balance that will not wear you out.

Of course, setting work aside is often easier said than done. While on holiday, set a few simple rules or guidelines to help monitor your workload. For example, decide that you will only check email two times per day, and set a time limit for each session. If you host or attend a holiday dinner, leave your phone on silent in another room, so that you are not tempted to glance down at it. Finally, try to relax and enjoy yourself! It will help you to feel refreshed and ready to return to the office and take on all your professional goals for the New Year.

Other Holiday Tips…

• Sparkle and shine – dressing for the office holiday party
• Navigate corporate gift giving with style

Are you vacationing this Christmas on a sunny beach or in a faraway romantic city? Or will the New Year bring business travels to out-of-town meetings or conferences? Wherever your travels take you, most likely you will choose to stay in a hotel as your accommodation. There’s nothing new about a weekend in a standard hotel – we’ve been checking in and out of them since our childhood vacations and continue to frequent them on our business trips. Even so, a reminder of the protocol for hotel visits is always beneficial when packing up to leave home. Whether on holiday or business, one must remember that staying in a hotel does not allow for the same privacy and personal space as being at home – and must be aware of how to act accordingly.

For either vacation or a business trip, here are a few tips for a courteous and appropriate hotel stay:

• Always acknowledge that a hotel is a public space. Dress accordingly when in the common areas such as the restaurant, lobby, and hallways. Even your private room is not necessarily your personal space – out of respect to the guests staying in adjacent rooms, control the noise levels of your TV, radio, and voice, especially at night and in the early morning.
• It is important to treat the hotel staff with consideration as well. Demonstrate kindness to those assisting you simply by thanking them for their help, as well as remaining calm and level when ordering or discussing reservations. In addition, even though a housekeeper will tidy up your room, clean up your own garbage and keep your laundry clearly separate from the hotel linens.
• Be sure to tip the hotel staff appropriately. Tip anyone who handles your luggage, including the bellhop, doorman, or valet. Leave a tip for the housekeeper on every morning of your stay. If you order room service, tip the waiter or delivery person accordingly.

If you are traveling on business and staying in a hotel among colleagues, maintaining a level of professionalism and formality in your accommodation is especially key. A few more points to keep in mind when you take business on the road:

• It is best to assemble with your co-workers in the common spaces of the hotel. However, you should still keep your room clean and tidy, as your colleagues may come directly to your room to meet. Make sure luggage stowed and out of sight. Put your clothes in the drawers and closet provided by the hotel, or leave them neatly in your suitcases. Do not scatter your personal belongings and toiletries across the counters.
• Limit your drinking at dinner or in the hotel bar. When you return to the office, the last thing you want to bring back is an embarrassing story or any awkwardness between colleagues.
• If your company is covering the expenses of the trip, maintain a modest budget on meals and extra hotel fees.

In a hotel setting, it can be easy to let down your hair and relax as if you are at home – forgetting that in fact you are surrounded by strangers or even important stakeholders, colleagues, or supervisors. Reminding yourself that a hotel is a public place will help you to be aware of your behaviour within it.

Other Holiday Tips…

• Sparkle and shine – dressing for the office holiday party
• Navigate corporate gift giving with style

It’s December 23^rd, and all you want is to be home with your family in time for Christmas. Instead, you are stuck in an airport with thousands of other stranded travelers. Weather delays, crowded airports and planes, the potential of missing Christmas altogether – there are many reasons why travel can be the least desirable part of the holiday season. Fuses are short and tension is running high, often leading to conflict or rudeness between stressed travelers. But there is no reason for disrespectful behaviour; the holiday season should be a time to show extra kindness and joy. Here are few tips for traveling with courtesy and with style – certainly a wonderful holiday gift to your fellow travelers!

To begin, recognize that everyone around you is in the same situation. Everyone is in a rush to get home or to visit loved ones – and everyone has to handle the same crowds and the same bouts of ice and snow on the runway. So, don’t get flustered or angry with others in line in front of you, cramped next to you on a plane, or in your way as you try to speed-walk down the concourse. Take a breath and appreciate that all the other passengers have to undergo the same anxiety.

Be as efficient as possible when moving through lines and security screenings. Have your tickets and passport out of your bag and ready to present in advance, so that you don’t have to dig for your documents when it is your turn. Likewise, pack your laptop and electronics in a convenient place so that you can quickly remove them from your luggage when it is time to go through baggage checks. Wear jewelry and shoes that are easy to slip on and off for the security screening. After passing through security, gather your belongings and move to the side. Once you are out of the way, then you can organize your luggage and possessions. It is not helpful or courteous to stand in the way and repack while others are trying to get through security.

While it is important to be kind to fellow travelers, it is equally as important to be polite and respectful toward airport staff and flight crew. When flights don’t run as planned, frazzled passengers often take their frustration out on staff members. Yet airport personnel and flight crew are there to help out, and passengers need to remember this. Even if you seem to be stuck en route or need to rebook your flight quickly, do not raise your voice or use curt language with the employee assisting you. Keep in mind that the staff and crew are handling hundreds of anxious passengers and navigating all kinds of delays and disturbances. Pay them respect by acknowledging that they are working hard to help you along your way.

Finally, even though you are on holiday, it is still important to dress for success! Looking stylish and professional while en route is essential: airports are very public spaces, and travelers should dress appropriately and respectfully. Yet there is no reason why comfort and style can’t go together, especially in the face of long hours in the airport and on the plane. Low-slung heels or sleek black shoes with padding or in-soles are good choices for striding down the concourse. This sweater blazer from Banana Republic is just one option for a comfortable garment that still retains an air of business class. Pair it with your favourite set of professional black slacks that you know you can wear all day in comfort.

Travel is certainly a stressful part of the holiday rush. But if you begin to feel the stress, keep these tips for smooth travel in mind – and take comfort in the fact that you are almost with your loved ones and that the holiday is just around the corner.

Other Holiday Tips…

• Sparkle and shine – dressing for the office holiday party
• Navigate corporate gift giving with style

Consider your usual written correspondences: most likely you write and receive dozens of emails every day, and text messages fly in and out of your cell phone. Concise and rapid messages are ideal on busy workdays when there are plenty of proposals, meetings, and follow-ups to fill up your schedule, not to mention your inbox – and now, PDAs and tablets have made written communication more efficient than ever. Of course, when we are so accustomed to quickly skimming messages on a screen, receiving a classic handwritten card or note is a special occasion. This is why writing Christmas cards is one of my favourite holiday traditions – it is a wonderful yet extremely simple gesture that sustains personal connections not only between loved ones at the holiday season, but also between business contacts and partners.

The email and digital age certainly has not done away with the classic holiday card. Sending seasonal greetings to family and friends the traditional way – with a handwritten note, or a family picture sent in the mail with the yearly Christmas letter – has endured: every year, the average Canadian sends out 50 holiday cards to personal contacts. Receiving a card in the mail creates a moment of close connection between people who may be hundreds of miles apart. Writing cards, too, is a heartfelt occasion – taking the time to consider your addressee and to compose a few words is the perfect way to reflect and remember those near and far to you. Setting aside a few hours to write notes at the holidays is certainly worth the time and effort.

Not only are holiday cards a great means for keeping in touch with family and friends, but they are also an effective relationship builder between business contacts. Sending a card to former employers or past business partners indicates that you still value their connection, and it helps to sustain your professional relationship – keeping options open for new business or employment in the future. Including current clients, partners, or prospects on your list of holiday card recipients shows them that you are willing to give them your time and effort, and that they are an important part of your network. A small yet kind gesture can go a long way in business.

When writing a holiday card to a professional contact, the message should be friendly but not overly personal. A short message wishing the best in the holiday season or a brief reflection on your work together in the previous year will suffice. If you are not certain that the recipient celebrates Christmas, keep your message and choice of card general and non-denominational, such as a New Year greeting or a seasonal image.

There are many wonderful styles of paper and pattern to choose from. Here in Toronto, stores like The Papery and Essence du Papier offer a wide variety of holiday cards, from the classic to the creative. And a timely card in December is always better than a late one that arrives after the New Year, so be sure to write and send them soon – the holiday season is already here!

Other Holiday Tips…

• Sparkle and shine – dressing for the office holiday party
• Navigate corporate gift giving with style

When it comes to corporate gift giving, many people tell me they feel they are navigating a mine field.  Spend too little and you risk seeming unappreciative; too much and you risk embarrassing both your client and yourself.

As the holidays approach, rather than feeling anxiety over what to give, look at this as an opportunity to strengthen the bond with your clients, and express how you appreciate working with them.  It isn’t hard if you follow few simple do’s and don’ts.

Don’t assume that the more expensive a gift, the better.  Many companies will have a policy around the maximum value of gift employees are permitted to receive.  It would be a disservice to put your client in the awkward position of having to return  it.

Do think back to conversations you’ve had with your client about weekend hobbies, special activities with the kids, new homes, or favourite restaurants when deciding on a gift.  They will be so much more impressed receiving something personal, than say, a generic gift such as a bottle of wine or a gift basket. It will reinforce their opinion of you as a good listener.

Do go for quality over quantity.  Here is where I received some good advice from Isabelle Fish, owner of Rue Pigalle, a Yorkville boutique that carries elegant gifts and décor items.  Isabelle had a career as a corporate lawyer before following her dream to open her boutique, so is well versed in the etiquette of corporate gift giving.

“I spend a lot of time searching for reasonably priced home and décor items  of exceptional pedigree” explains Isabelle.  “The Ercuis and Raynaud collections are a perfect examples: both family owned companies  create exquisite decorative items in silver and Limoges porcelain.  A set of silver place card holders, or a hand painted porcelain dish in a smart fitted case would impress anyone as a very tasteful and useful gift -  pretty flower arrangement delivered in one of our vases that could be used again and again is another good example of a unique gift – it demonstrate the extra time and care put into the gift selection.  Italian glass is another timeless gift – the kind where the quality won’t go unnoticed.”

Feel free to contact Isabelle for more advice and ideas at (647) 352-8115, or info@ruepigalle.ca.

Don’t forget to ensure your offering is gift wrapped elegantly, and that it is labelled such that it will reach its intended recipient – as in all other areas of presentation, first impressions matter. It would be equally embarrassing if it was discovered that a curious person opened it mistakenly, and worse still if the recipients never found out that it was you who gave the perfect gift!

www.ruepigalle.ca|@ruepigalle

Let the festivities begin! It’s time to celebrate the season at the office holiday party. Where are you headed – to an after-work cocktail, to a semi-formal party or dinner, or to a full-out formal gala? And, have you decided what you’re going to wear? Planning your office Christmas party attire can prove to be more of a holiday chore than holiday cheer – especially if you need a quick office-to-party switch, or if you are trying to balance a fair share of seasonal expenses. Here are a few suggestions that can help you choose a festive and original outfit, perfectly matched to the occasion (and to your budget).

For those headed to a cocktail party straight from work, you’ll need a quick solution to go from day-to-night attire. You don’t have to lug an entirely new outfit to the office that day: simply dress in your best suit or fine black pants, and just before heading to the party, replace your cotton shirta colourful blouse or a glitzy top. Another way to transform your look with minimal effort is to mix up your accessories. Bring a fun jeweled necklace or bracelet to slip on as you walk out the door, and switch your workbag or briefcase for an elegant clutch. Before you leave the office, take an extra minute to apply a coat of bold lipstick or glimmering eye shadow – just a bit of dramatic colour or seasonal sparkle can make all the difference.

Take your style up another notch for a semi-formal party or dinner. This doesn’t mean, however, that you need to add another holiday expense by purchasing a brand new party dress every year. It’s just as easy to look fabulous by wearing a simple black skirt or evening pants – then pairing your plain bottoms with a stylish blouse or a festive sequined shirt. Or, if you have a go-to black dress, use that as a base – and make it extra special with a lovely silk shawl or scarf, or a sequined cardigan. These practical options will come in handy if you are attending multiple parties and even in preparation for next year’s holiday gatherings. Simply wearing a different top, accessories, and hairstyle can compose a whole new look, despite the same pants or skirt.

If a formal holiday gala is on your schedule, you can use the same trick: balance basic yet elegant black bottoms with a beautiful top and dazzling accessories. On the other hand, a sophisticated evening gown would also be appropriate for this occasion – and if it fits within your budget, go for it! Evening gown or not, take some extra time to create a stunning hairdo or schedule an appointment at your salon to have your hair, makeup, and nails professionally styled. Part of the fun of getting ready for formal holiday gatherings is to primp and pamper beforehand!

For men: a nice black or grey suit with a seasonal touch would be appropriate for semi-formal occasions. Don’t worry – you don’t have to wear a reindeer tie or Santa Claus socks in order to look festive! Subtler details, such as a red pocket square or a simple red tie, will do the trick. Wear a black tuxedo for a formal Christmas gala; this, too, can incorporate a bit of holiday cheer with a holiday-coloured bow tie and cummerbund.

Whether your office chooses to host a casual cocktail or a formal gala to celebrate the holiday season, be sure to choose a look that is tasteful and appropriate both for the occasion and for the crowd. And enjoy the process – getting gussied up for the party is a fun holiday activity in and of itself!

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There’s no doubt about it, Father’s Day is a triumph of commercialization. In fact, back in the 1930’s, it was a New York City association of men’s retailers that successfully lobbied to legitimatize the holiday. Many would credit this group with turning it into the tie-fest we know today.  The bottom line is, Father’s Day falls on a Sunday, and it’s summertime. Who needs any more excuses to celebrate?

Maybe your style is to toast dad with a big-deal brunch or barbeque.  Perhaps it’s a long distance phone call to a father far away, or sometimes a simple e-mail will suffice. Or maybe you’re not quite sure of the protocol when Dimitri, or Tom, or “Dad” – isn’t really your father.

There are no hard and fast rules.  Here are some guidelines to ensure every dad, daughter, son – and mom – has a great day.

• Parents divorced and your mom remarried
  Clearly, your father comes first, but by definition, your mom’s husband is your stepfather.  If you have a strong bond with him, or even a good solid relationship, consider a card.  He’ll be thrilled and your mom will be over the moon.  A card sends a strong message of approval – you’ll make mom’s day, too.
• Your widowed mom remarried
  Circumstance dictates decorum: Great guy, truly enjoy his company, treats you like his own kid?  This calls for a personalized card, perhaps a gift, or even an invitation to your backyard barbeque. Here is a day to truly show your appreciation.
• Your mom has a “partner”
  If no civil or religious marriage ceremony took place, her partner is not your stepfather.  Courtesy and kindness rule; ultimately, it’s up to you.
• Father figures
  Could be your grandfather, godfather, or father-in-law who come to mind on this special Sunday.  Let him know – a call, a card or a coffee, shared.  As the saying goes: presence counts more than presents.

With all this chatter about barbeques, check out these delicious recipes:

Father’s Day Menu

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