The
Halloween season inspires most people to decorate their
homes, yards and places of business, but many also decorate their
work spaces as well.
Whether you have a private office or
work in a cubicle, October is a wonderful time to show your love of
Halloween by decorating. Below are some
tips and suggestions to help you celebrate Halloween at
your place of work.
The most
important thing that you must do is get
permission and decorating guidelines from your employer
before decorating. Explain that you want to
celebrate in a small way and that it will not interfere
with your work. Let your boss know that you will
decorate on your own time by coming in early or staying late
to decorate. Again, don’t let your decorating and
celebrating interfere with your work or jeopardize your
job!
Most
coworkers will enjoy your enthusiasm and may be inspired
to decorate their own work areas. But never
underestimate the ability for one person to ruin
something everyone else enjoys. Now days it seems
like there is always one person that hates everything
and will do whatever it takes to stop you from bringing
a little holiday cheer into your life and the lives of
your coworkers. Beware of these hateful types.
Decorating for Halloween
In
general, putting up Halloween decorations a week before October 31st.
is acceptable and gives you a whole week to celebrate. To maximize
your decorating area, start by cleaning and clearing
your desk and workspace. Since you will have limited
space use small decorations. Don't overload your desk,
cubicle, etc. with so many decorations that you can't
work effectively. Remember, if your productively suffers
as a result of your decorations, your employer may take
action.
Never
forget that the office is a place of business. Choose
Halloween decorations that won't be a distraction to
you, your coworkers or clients. Fog machines, bright
flashing lights and music/sound effects should not be
used. Don't use any gross or gory decorations or props.
Decapitated heads and dripping blood is out, unless it
fits with the normal decor of the office of course...
Think
safety! Don't do anything that could be a physical
hazard to you, other employees or the business.
Use
office supplies such as orange colored sticky
notes and printer paper, Halloween themed pens and pencils, etc. Print out
a Halloween Calendar for the month of October and tack
or tape it to the wall. Drop
off a Halloween greeting card to your boss and each of
your coworkers.
A small
plastic Jack O' Lantern, cauldron or festive dish filled with
candy really looks great and can be a tasty treat for your fellow
workers. Place a small Halloween tree on
your desk. These and small decorations can be bought at
a craft store. Small tabletop Halloween decorations such
as a Lemax Spookytown haunted house work great.
Your
computer is another place to spookify, just be sure to
get permission and technical assistance before making
changes to a company computer such as installing
software. If you inadvertently crash your work computer or
unknowingly install a virus, you could get fired. Start by temporarily changing the wallpaper (background)
to a Halloween or Autumn themed picture. Add a Halloween
screensaver. Again, nothing too distracting.
Make or buy a small Halloween wreath and hang it on the
front or side of your desk, or on your cubicle wall.
Surrounding the inside top edge of a cubicle with
lightweight Halloween garland looks festive.
If
the business is considering a company Halloween party,
be sure to check out
www.HalloweenOfficeParty.com for some great ideas
and suggestions.
