As a company, we had a Secret Santa exchange. Unfortunately, we got our act together so late that we didn't feel we had enough time to reveal ourselves before our Christmas break, so we decided to do our final gifts on New Years Eve. The company gave us a budget for a party, and Darrel, myself, and some others got to work. We ordered party trays from the grocery store, went to Trader Joe's for wine, and some massive liquor store for huge amounts of beer. The hotel had a tent set up outside, and a few people spent a lot of time decorating it and cleaning it up, to give it a "party feel".
The way we did Secret Santa was that you had to give at least two $5.00 gifts leading up to the big party, and then a $20 gift as the final. Once you opened your final gift at the party, you had two guesses as to who had you. It was so fun, and I would say about half of us got our person right. The person who had me for Secret Santa was great! She gave me lots of fun things, and a purple purse that you will surely see me using (which I had to go on a kissing of the cheek scavenger hunt for)! I was lucky and picked my friend Amber's name (who happens to be from Cleveland). The only bad thing about it was that every time I bought her something, I wanted to buy a duplicate for myself!
Darrel and Ray with our small amount of beer for the party.
Matthew showing off his creative Wal Mart decorating skills.
Amber and I under the beautiful chandelier (I had her for Secret Santa)!
Our Secret Santa gift table- there was some good stuff in there!
Everyone happy drinking, eating and opening gifts.
We had our party early, because someone found a great party for us to all go to at the Hotel Congress, just a mile or so up the street. They had a circus themed night. We didn't know what the heck that meant, but after talking to some local people, we found out this was the place to go for the night, so we didn't really care. It was about $15 to get in (we pre-bought tickets) and they had at least six or seven different bars, and outside tent with a band, a DJ in another room... it was awesome. There were probably a couple thousand people there. It was just a huge space. The ad for the party we went to at Hotel Congress
At midnight, they had a champagne table set up outside, and had a huge ball drop from the top of the hotel. After celebrating at our party since 6:30 with an open bar, you can imagine the spirits the 30 of us were in!
Happy 2009!!
The weird Cirque-type people hanging from the hotel at the party.
Ras and I after a few glasses of champagne!
**Yes, Darrel and I were out together, but the only picture of the two of us from the night is blurry! Bummer!
The weird Cirque-type people hanging from the hotel at the party.
Ras and I after a few glasses of champagne!
**Yes, Darrel and I were out together, but the only picture of the two of us from the night is blurry! Bummer!
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