Christmas

  • 07 Dec 2011 at 5:44 PM

We’ve Got Your Office Holiday Party Right Here

By Bess Levin

Are you employed by an organization that jumped on the Holiday Party Ban bandwagon back in ’08 and never got off, or chose to downsize what were once magical affairs where anything could happen to a bunch of people milling around in the lobby? This year, do you want all that to change? Do you want to be able to go hog wild and eat more than the one bag of chips allotted per employee? Do you want to propose paying a senior staffer for a lap dance and not have it be grounds for dismissal this time? You’ve come to the right place. Continue reading »

  • 31 Oct 2011 at 11:20 AM

Lynn Tilton: Ask And Ye Shall Receive

By Bess Levin

“For many years I had men asking me on the phone each day what I was wearing and what color my underwear was,” Tilton said. “And so I sent out a Christmas card with me in a red lace sort of teddy, and red cowboy boots and a Santa hat, wishing them a Merry Christmas.” [ABC, earlier]

  • 14 Oct 2011 at 10:47 AM
  • Banks

RBS Cancels Merriment Of Any Kind

By Bess Levin

As you may have heard, the last several years have not been so hot for RBS. In the last 12 months alone, the bank beat expectation by posting “a bigger-than-estimated first quarter loss” (with a loss of 1.4 billion pounds for the first half), employees have gotten canned, management has already informed staff that 2011 bonuses will be less than 2010′s, you can’t say “ABN Amro” without getting tased, they’re still mopping up the mess from ToiletGate, they just got downgraded by Fitch, and the Queen is riding all their asses. What was left to look forward to? Not much at all but at least there was the annual Christmas party which, since 2008 has amounted to one bag of (fun size) chips per head. It wasn’t a lot but it was something and now? It’s gone.

RBS is canceling Christmas for its investment bankers this year as the government-owned lender tries to reduce costs.

Okay, so, no Christmas party seems a bit harsh but employees can still get into the holiday spirit with non-Christ-based soirées, right? WRONG! There will be no Halloween parties, no pre-Thanksgiving raves, no New Year’s bashes, no Beamer’s Appreciation Day on RBS’s watch. Continue reading »

  • 14 Dec 2010 at 1:04 PM

Caption Contest Tuesday: You’re Going To Have To Come Up With Another Christmas Card Idea For Warren Buffett

By Bess Levin


Because Boston College business student Kira Vassar already got him to do the reindeer thing. You snooze you lose! Best get working on those matching elf outfits or adult-size baby Jesus getup. [DJ]

  • 07 Dec 2010 at 10:30 AM

Greenwich Selectman Asks Paul Tudor Jones To Bail Out Christmas

By Bess Levin

Each year at Christmas, Paul Tudor Jones orchestrates a holiday spectacular on his front lawn, spreading cheer far and wide. People travel from all over to see the display (set to music) and the tradition, which last two full weeks, is much cherished among the residents of Greenwich. As discussed last week, Jones-A-Palooza 2010 is expected to “rival those of past years,” with the possibility for Rockettes, chicken and PTJ dressed as the big man. Anyone who goes will surely have their mind blown and all are welcome, free of charge because Tudor is a very generous man. And yet, according to one Greenwich elected official, he’s not giving enough when it comes to celebrating the birth of Christ. Continue reading »

  • 02 Dec 2010 at 12:11 PM

What Could Paul Tudor Jones Possibly Have Planned For His Christmas Spectacular This Year?

By Bess Levin

As many of you may be aware, some of us intimately, each year Paul Tudor Jones holds a Christmas spectacular on his front lawn in Greenwich, Connecticut. Open to the public, it’s become a favorite event for children and adults of all ages, far and wide. After being forced to cancel his Halloween extravaganza this year, as a result of neighbors who lack any heart, some worried that PTJ’s Christmas show would suffer the same fate. Well worry no longer. This thing is on, and that’s not all. Continue reading »

  • 29 Nov 2010 at 1:10 PM

David Rosenberg: Your Loved Ones Might Buy You Gifts This Year But They Can’t Be Bothered To Put Any Effort Into The Presentation

By Bess Levin

This year, you might be getting an i-Pad but it’ll be handed to you in a plastic bag or not wrapped at all. Rosenberg doesn’t want people jump to conclusions or freak out but this news could indicate several things and the neurotics among us should feel free to read into it meaning:

a) You significant other (mother, father, brother, sister, work BFF) doesn’t know where to buy tape.

b) Your significant other wanted to wrap your gift but freaked out when he/she couldn’t find the perfect paper, had a meltdown in the middle of the store and screamed “fuck it! I can’t even do this!” and decided to go bare.

c) Your significant other (mom, dad, brother or work BFF) is a cheap bastard.

d) Your significant other knows how much you like prettily wrapped gifts (bows especially) and is doing this to send a message that he/she can no longer stand the sight of you, and it’s over. Continue reading »