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The Dreaded Company Christmas Party
by Camerin Courtney
December 15, 1999
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Philippians 4:6 NIV
I have a confession to make: Every year starting in
about August, I begin stressing out about my company's Christmas party. Yes,
August. Why so early, you may ask. It's got nothing to do with the dinner and
play we see every year, the what-to-wear dilemma, or even some of the silly
traditions a few of our company's VPs put us through. No, it's the date part
that puts a knot in my stomach five months prior to the Big Event.
I've tried nearly every imaginable scenario. A couple of years
I actually timed it right and was dating someone at Christmastime. Those years
it wasn't so much the who-am-I-going-to-take-with-me question as the post-party
interrogation by coworkers that stressed me out: "So, that guy you were with
at the Christmas party, is it anything serious?" "He was cute, what's the scoop?"
"I didn't know you were seeing anyone. Tell me everything!" Ahhhh!
One year I took a good guy friend of mine. I didn't have the
heart—nor any pride left at that point—to tell him he was the third guy
I'd asked.
Another year, I went stag. Well, actually I went with a coworker
and her husband. I wore my Favorite Dress of All Time and sat on the side of
the table that put my back to a majority of the crowd. I didn't have the guts
to face any quizzical "where's her date?" glances or stare at a room full of
happy couples all night.
Still another year I let a coworker set me up with someone.
Boy, did that make for interesting conversation when others at our table asked
innocent small talk questions like, "So when did you two meet?" Uh, a half-hour
ago!
This year, in the spirit of Philippians 4:6, I decided to just
not go to the Christmas party. Who needs anxiety in a season that has absolutely
nothing to do with me and my dating dilemmas. This year I planned to spend the
emotional energy I'd wasted in previous years on something much more worthwhile
— celebrating the birth of the greatest companion I'll ever know, Jesus.
And wouldn't you know it, two weeks before the big day, a coworker
of mine—a dear friend and sister in singlehood—found herself dateless
for the party. "Wanna be my 'date'?" she asked with a laugh. So this year I'm
going to my own company Christmas party as someone else's 'date.' And a backup
date for a female friend at that. But you know what, somehow I think this year
will be the most fun yet!
Blessings!
Camerin Courtney
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Copyright © 1999 ChristianityToday.com
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