’tis the season…

…for work holiday parties! I unfortunately had to miss mine, as it was last week when I was frantically packing up my apartment. Also, it was during the week and we weren’t able to invite a “plus one”, so I don’t know how much fun it could possibly have been anyway 😉

Last weekend though, J’s company had it’s holiday party – it was actually the first holiday party they’ve ever had in the U.S., since the bulk of their employees work out of their European hub. The party was at their office, which I couldn’t wait to see, since J had told me a lot about it. It’s not a traditional office at all, it’s an old house that has been repurposed. It’s even in a residential area. Since it’s a small company and the office here is even smaller, they operate it almost like a group house. (Whose turn is it to take out the trash, recycling comes on Wednesday, someone needs to change the bulb in the hallway light, etc.)

However, I was not expecting this:

Yes, that’s a real fire in the fireplace. This is their main conference room, obviously decked out for the party, but still! The architecture and the decoration was fantastic. The CEO’s fiancee found all of the furniture at antique or thrift stores or flea markets. I’ve got to start shopping with her! This is what was on the other side of the room:

You can actually go out on that little balcony. And they play Wii on the monstrous flat screen! I love the benefits and security that come with my big corporate job, but a small firm definitely has its own perks. Here’s a view of the room from the balcony:

The boss and his fiancee threw the whole thing themselves, and they are quite the hosts. They also have two adorable little dogs, who were extremely well behaved. And definitely in the holiday spirit!