'Tis the Season

A few years ago, the company held its last Christmas Luncheon, ending a tradition that began I don't know how long ago. If I remember correctly, there was a Christmas tree and other seasonal decorations. They served eggnog and somebody played Christmas CDs.

The following year, the event became the Holiday Luncheon to be sensitive to those who don't celebrate Christmas. Despite being a more generic celebration, they still went heavy on the red and green, served eggnog and continued to play Christmas music.

This year, the event became the Winter Luncheon to be sensitive to those who don't celebrate holidays of any kind. The green and red color scheme became a purple, violet and silver color scheme. Decorations took the form of penguins and snowflakes because penguins and snowflakes aren't offensive (to most people) and everybody, in general, believes in them. Soda and water replaced eggnog and this year's musical line-up was a combination of world, dance club and jazz music.

Now, I'm not saying that the company should return to the exclusionary days of only celebrating Christmas. And I'm not saying they're wrong for deciding to exclude all holidays as a way of including everybody (as opposed to including all holidays to include everybody).

I'm just worried that by celebrating winter, they're showing seasonal favoritism. It's unfair. If they're going to do that, they should also hold luncheons celebrating spring, summer and fall. And to show their commitment to equal treatment of all four seasons, they should also include additional days off each quarter. I'm just saying.