As 2024 draws to its conclusion the question of appropriate and proportional festive hospitality comes to the fore.
During my career I have worked for a number of organisations and enjoyed their festive hospitality some of which I'll share with you;
Back in the 1970s I worked for a very large practice in central London - one of the perks of my job was LVs or lunch vouchers for 15p a day - tax free. LVs finally disappeared in 2018 and for those who don't know, you set them against the cost of your lunch or other food.
On the last day before the office shut for Christmas, for some years that was Christmas eve, the practice held a drinks party in the working up department for which you were asked to contribute - yes, you've guessed it - a 15p Luncheon Voucher!
In another practice the senior partners called all the staff into their office just prior to Christmas on an individual basis and handed them some 'Turkey money.' In the summer prior to your summer holiday the same process but with 'Ice cream' money.
The first practice I worked for, again in the 1970s, gave everyone, irrespective of whether the needed one or not, a large, fresh free range turkey. As I was single at the time I handed mine over to the Salvation Army several days after I received it - just before it started to walk out of the door as I didn't have a fridge.
And finally, the 1970s were dominated by the Poulson / T Dan Smith scandal, but even so I recall a contractor taking me for a very long lunch in the revolving restaurant at the top of the Post Office Tower in London before loading me with whiskey and cognac - happy days.
Wishing you all a very happy festive season and a prosperous 2025.
Duncan Cartlidge
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