The Mad Men Christmas office party in season 4 offered up a conga line for which I wrote “Christmas Conga”. Who doesn’t love Joan in this dance?
And notice all the small details! Bar carts – love ’em.
Surely, holiday office parties are nothing like this one here at Sterling-Cooper,
but if you could, wouldn’t you go back just to have a drink with them?
It’s easy to get caught up in the nostalgia of television shows, but the truth is, workplace holiday parties have changed over the years. The stiff, formal affairs of the past have given way to more relaxed and inclusive celebrations. While the idea of a conga line might seem cringeworthy to some, it’s worth remembering that the most important part of any holiday office party is not the specific activities or even the drinks, but the chance to bring people together and celebrate the season.
That being said, there’s no denying that Mad Men did a great job of capturing the festive spirit of the holidays. From the kitschy decorations to the festive outfits, it’s hard not to feel a twinge of envy for those long-ago office parties. But even as we look back on the past, it’s important to remember that the present is pretty great too.
So cheers to all the holiday office parties, past, present, and future!
And here’s to you Joan Holloway!
Check out more Mad Men Music:
