We think not!
And apparently neither do a lot of our clients ‘cause we’re already getting calls. Which was jarring at first. Especially the first week of September.
It’s crazy enough to be seeing pictures of Pumpkin Spice Lattes on billboards, but I even heard an ad recently with that New Year’s Eve Auld Lang Syne classic playing in the background. It became an ear worm for half the day, especially because I couldn’t remember the exact name or how to spell it. Looking it up I found this rendition sung by Rod Stewart. It’s performed in a real candlelit castle and he gets the whole audience engaged in some Scottish arm-linking ritual that made me laugh out loud.
Personally, I have no shame about embracing any holiday celebrations that make us laugh. Even if it does involve twinkling lights and egg nog before Halloween - in fact especially if it involves egg nog.
And why not focus on celebrations this year? It’s not like we can’t all use a little stress relief STAT. From the National Guard showing up in shall we say, unlikely places, to dictators hanging out together swapping stories about the joy of authoritarian rule, to incessant ads on Hulu even with a paid subscription. No thank you, I don’t want a low cost Ozempic, or a SAATVA mattress- even with a $650 dollar coupon.
For all the above challenges and more I can’t think of a better time than Q4 of 2025 to plan some good old fashioned fun for you, your family and all the people who bring love, or at least reliable support, to your life.
That’s why at Laughter On Call we offer…
Oh dear… what if I really finished that sentence sincerely? I mean I should. But, alas, I can’t.
However, what I can do is give you five reasons why planning an end of year festivity right now is a good idea:
- It’s more fun to do than worry about getting, or giving, a performance review!
- You can use it as an excuse to taste food at a lot of different restaurants.
- It’s a great opportunity to create playlists that make you want to get up and dance. And then actually get up and dance.
- You can go “ugly sweater” shopping, decide that’s a waste of hard earned money and buy yourself something you like instead.
- You’ll get the best locations and services so you won’t end up in the hallway of your office with a popcorn cart and an accordion player ‘cause everything else is booked!
Full disclosure, I’ve already planned my LOC celebratory lunch. I’m mulling over the corny awards for each person that I love to write and have printed on certificates. It’s a lot more fun than trying to book flights for four different cities or stand at the DMV for three hours to finally get a Real ID.
I don’t have Martha Stewart instincts for crafting and basting, so I find other people to do that and I use the holidays as an excuse to say thanks the best way I know how. Right before dessert, I present annual awards that are specific, personal and hopefully funny. Then we all eat as many desserts as we want: cakes covered in gooey fudge, slathered with fresh whipped cream and as many LeVain cookies as we want.
Now maybe, unlike me who now has a lot more hours in the evening as the wind whips through our empty nest, you don’t have time or energy to iron out and execute everything needed for an end of year blow out that brings joy and laughter to your people.
This is where we can help. We’ll bring your people together with just enough structure to make sure everyone - even the introverts in the room - have a wonderful time. Just this morning we ran a very celebratory event for a new team of 100 at Pepsi. Fourteen LOC folks came together to get everyone connected, expressing appreciation, and of course laughing. This original style “Happier Hour,” held on ZOOM reminded me yet again how much we LOVE making people laugh - that unique kind of laughter that makes you feel good about each other.
So go head and make your playlists and your wishlists, and if “make people laugh” shows up in any of it, we’re just a phone call away.
(We know, Dani, we know… it’s in your name).
