Happy Monday!
Christmas is getting closer, and we’re entering Office Holiday Party territory! I realized I have barely anything to say to my colleagues outside of work, and even less to their spouses. It’s not them, it’s me. I’m sure you feel similarly.
But fear not! I’ve been doing some research, and I have some helpful topics and links you can use to impress your boss’s spouse, so they suggest to your boss that you may be due for a promotion.
At holiday parties, it’s important to keep the conversation light and general interest, I realize. That stuff is hard! The general suggestion is to ask people questions and let them talk about themselves, but people run out of things to say to you, and you need some interesting catalysts to keep the conversation going.
Star Wars is always a safe topic of conversation. The movies come up around Christmas, and everyone’s going to be seeing them. Turns out, the official site has a bunch of obscure trivia questions (and answers). Show that showoff nerd at work who’s boss. Oh, the showoff nerd IS your boss? Welp.
A piece of advice I got was to ask people what podcasts they were listening to. I don’t listen to podcasts all that much anymore, but here’s three lists of the best podcasts of 2019, and it’s a sure bet someone’s listening to something from on here. One, Two, Three.
The no-fee stock trading app RobinHood now allows you to invest with as little as $1, because you can now buy partial shares! Ask everyone for stock tips. Or better still, read financial news on Robinhood Snacks, and GIVE everyone stock tips, and pepper your speech with things like ‘I’m bullish on Bitcoin’, like the up-and-comer you are.
Travel is another safe topic. An interesting new trend is furniture companies (which are calling themselves ‘homeware’ companies now) are opening hotels which are furnished top to bottom with their furniture. They probably are hoping you’ll steal the bathrobes and pillowcases. I only hope West Elm doesn’t furnish their hotels with this nightmare of a couch.
Gifts are another holiday topic that can stay light and fun. I’m seeing this burrito blanket pop up on all the ‘best gifts to give’ lists. It’s a giant, circular blanket, that looks like a tortilla, and when you wrap yourself in it, you look like a tight little burrito. I personally prefer my blankets rectangular, but I do also like to lean into the whole ‘burrito’ feeling when I wrap myself up to brave the cold.
GIF of the week: How to decorate your Christmas tree in 12 seconds.