.bodytext {float: left; } .floatimg-left-hort { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right: 10px; width:300px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-caption-hort { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:300px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatimg-left-vert { float:left; margin-top:10px; margin-right:15px; width:200px;} .floatimg-left-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; font-size: 10px; width:200px;} .floatimg-right-hort { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px;} .floatimg-right-caption-hort { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 300px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimg-right-vert { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px;} .floatimg-right-caption-vert { float:left; margin-right:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; font-size: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 200px; border-top-style: double; border-top-color: black; border-bottom-style: double; border-bottom-color: black;} .floatimgright-sidebar p { line-height: 115%; text-indent: 10px; } .floatimgright-sidebar h4 { font-variant:small-caps; } .pullquote { float:right; margin-top:10px; margin-left:10px; margin-bottom:10px; width: 150px; background: url(http://www.dmbusinessdaily.com/DAILY/editorial/extras/closequote.gif) no-repeat bottom right !important ; line-height: 150%; font-size: 125%; border-top: 1px solid; border-bottom: 1px solid;} .floatvidleft { float:left; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} .floatvidright { float:right; margin-bottom:10px; width:325px; margin-right:10px; clear:left;} More than greenery and lights decorate workplaces in Greater Des Moines during the holiday season.

Over the past four years, hundreds of unexpected and quite cuddly objects have made up a significant part of NCMIC Group Inc.’s holiday decorations at its building in Clive. Teddy bears can be found under, in between and around the four Christmas trees, garlands and poinsettias adorning the entryway and office space.

“Having the bears displayed all around the building before they are donated is a great reminder of giving,” said Julie Weber, a human resources generalist for NCMIC.

After being used as decorations, the stuffed animals will serve their intended purpose when NCMIC employees bag up them up and deliver them to children spending the holidays at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines.

Crystal ornaments are given to employees every year and they add some sparkle to employees’ workstations as they are hung and displayed on desks, said Judy Bohrofen, vice president of human resources for NCMIC. One employee has been with the company 21 years and has an ornament from each year lining her desk.

McGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith P.C., a West Des Moines accounting firm, decided to add a twist to its annual holiday service project. This year, employees are collecting and donating food to the Food Bank of Iowa. Rather than filling a basket or barrel, the McGowen Hurst employees added some competition and creativity.

The company’s building resembles three diamond-shaped structures that are all connected. The firm divided its employees into two teams, one on the north side of the building and the other on the south, to “rev up the competitive spirit,” and they have made a “food chain” with their donations.

The food chain twists and turns along the maze of hallways, measuring approximately 900 feet.

“Watching the food chain grow has been a good feeling,” said Rose Breuss, director of marketing for McGowen Hurst. “It’s like those MasterCard commercials; a can of corn 50 cents, a bag of spaghetti 75 cents, but the feeling is priceless.”

The visibility of the project and its progress have motivated more than the participating employees to contribute.

“We started collecting after Thanksgiving, and as clients and vendors come in and see the food chain, they remember and return and bring donations themselves,” Breuss said.

U.S. Bank held a decorating competition between its 15 local branches, in addition to trimming the offices with Angel Trees to collect donations for the Iowa Homeless Youth Centers.

The bank tries to keep the corporate “thou shalt mandate” structure out of the holiday fun, said Michael Helak, U.S. Bank regional president for the Des Moines area.

Employees designed most of their holiday programs and used their creativity to decorate the offices in a contest for accolades such as the “most unique” and “best decorated.” Present swaps and luncheons also add to the holiday fun.

“It creates visibility and fun for the holidays,” Helak said. “(Employees) can have fun and continue with their important jobs.”

The holiday season marks a time for local businesses to give back to the community and show appreciation to employees and customers. Many spice up the winter season with open houses and holiday parties.

A 42-year tradition

From flipbooks and yearbooks to this year’s mock-gossip magazines, RDG Planning & Design’s annual holiday open-house invitations exemplify the creativity and thoughtfulness put into a tradition continuing over 42 years.

“It is getting more and more creative each year,” said Phil Hodgin, a principal architect for RDG. “The invitations seem to take more work than the event.”

Ken Bussard, co-founder of Wilkens, Bussard and Dikis, RDG’s predecessor, which held its first open house in 1966, said, “There is fun in creating these things and in having a creation to exhibit our talent.”

The open-house committee and employee volunteers begin planning for the December event in August or September, said Cindi Michelsen, a marketing coordinator and member of the committee. Employees are left wondering, “How are we going to top that?”

The first open house helped to create a “sense of belonging in the community,” Bussard said. As the firm has grown, the community has continued to support and attend the events; Hodgin said some guests have attended nearly every open house.

“In 1966 … they made their own hors d’oeuvres and punch,” Hodgin said. “That is really what the open house still is. It is a little big to make our own food now, but employees volunteer to help with name tags and pour wine.”

The downtown U.S. Bank office on Walnut Street holds a holiday reception for clients “across all lines of business” in its building, Helak said. In addition to holding the reception, this year U.S. Bank bought tickets for clients to see the Rockettes at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. Helak also purchased $2,000 worth of Rockettes tickets show to donate to United Way of Central Iowa so that those who are less fortunate have a chance to see the show.

“I like getting people downtown… and supporting its great attractions,” Helak said.

Alternative celebrations

In the magazine world, the holiday season comes twice a year. Meredith Corp.’s Better Homes and Gardens staff members begin working on their holiday issues during the summer, just as they work on all issues several months prior to the publication date.

“There are two nice things,” said Oma Blaise Ford, senior deputy editor of home design at Better Homes and Gardens. “We get to celebrate twice, and we are experimenting with holiday decorating ideas … seen in homes across the country or that were created by our producers. I get to pick and choose those ideas, and I am ready for decorating my own home in July.”

However, it can be hard to imagine snow during summer heat waves.

Ford said: “It is hard to think about holidays and hard to get in the mood during the hottest time of year. But during the holidays when there are ice storms, and you are working on the spring and summer issues, looking at warm places, it is a break from the reality of being in winter season. It can also be disconcerting to think, ‘Wait, haven’t I already done this?'”

Some companies are choosing to have a general celebration at different times of the year to include traditions of people in their work force, said Deborah Rinner, director of international protocol and corporate etiquette programs at Tero International Inc. Companies might have parties during the summer or attend sporting events as a group.

As companies become more intercultural and have a stronger international presence, consideration of all employees and their traditions is important. “Be holiday, not Christmas,” Rinner said.

Holiday cutbacks?

Mounting inflation, tight credit markets and large losses in financial services have diminished lavish holiday parties this year, USA Today reported. Gifts are being eliminated to cut costs for smaller companies. Year-end bonus programs for 2007 were ended by 10 percent of employers, making the total number fall to 35 percent of businesses.

NCMIC, which holds annual holiday parties for employees and their children that help with attraction and retention of new employees, did not join that trend, said human resources director Liz Hatfield.

“We would not cut back during the holidays,” Bohrofen said. “We are committed to our families and their children. We want to show appreciation to those that work with and for us. It has not crossed our minds to cut traditions.”