Join & Connect

The office Christmas party is as much of a British tradition as roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, gin and tonic, and ridiculous sunburn at the first sign of good weather. One sniff of the mulled wine as early as November and we’re off planning where to hang the tinsel.

When we started thinking about our own Christmas party this year, we wanted it to be a party everyone felt was their own – particularly those who don’t actually work in an office every day. And we wanted it to be really special. After all, it’s experiences, not material things, that make people happy – according to 20 years of scientific research.

So when Jane Whitfield, with an incredible act of kindness, had the idea to host 60 strangers in her own beautiful home, we knew it would be just right. A Christmas-themed flash mob from the Treblemakers choir, raised the curtain and brought a huge smile to everyone’s faces, fuelling our festive spirits. Our storytellers were given a break from being interrupted by our usual ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ music, as we were lucky to have Connie Marshall on hand to play piano, helping keep everyone on track.

It was a magical evening, full of stories on the theme of ‘make someone happy’, that made us laugh, cry, share jokes, and join in some spontaneous singing. And finally, some very good advice for even the most excellent of domestic goddesses on making Christmas dinner, from Jen of The Dinner Set, who said it’s ALWAYS okay to buy dessert…

So as we swing on to the end of the year, we’ll be continuing with our campaign to Make Someone Happy, looking to create Alchemy on the Piazza and our social media channels. Keep sending us your stories, keep your alchemy requests coming, and don’t forget to set up your profile so Duygu can work her magic behind the scenes.

Happy Christmas from all of us!

#MakeSomeoneHappy #FindYourAlchemy

Our Make Someone Happy storytellers were:

Jane – The Chamomile Suite

“If you want to give a friend, colleague, partner, child, whoever, a precious gift this Christmas, lend them your ear, your time, your heart, and listen.”

Lynn – The Treblemakers

“We see people’s faces light up when we sing.”

Dominie – The Return Hub

“35 is the average age when many women have a second child and often take time out of their careers. Roll forward 2 years, let alone 10 years, and it is very difficult for these women to re-launch their careers.”

Connie – Singer / songwriter

“By focusing on positive or negative thoughts, a person brings positive or negative experiences into their life. At university I was sad all the time, perpetually thinking about all the ways I wasn’t as good as I ought to be. 4 years later and I look around me at all the people who make me happy – is that the law of attraction? If it is, they should teach it in schools!”

Fabiola – volunteer with The Marylebone Project

“We can all make someone else happy. We can all make magic happen and change someone else’s life and in the process you may just find yourself”.

Katherine

 “The world does not seem a happy place. I feel the need to take some action – small or large - but I am at a loss as to what that action should be.”

Ros

“A year ago, at the Hub Dot Christmas party, I found my Alchemy with someone who helped me realise my potential”

Nancy – Link UP Battersea

“Over 15 million people in the UK volunteer at least once a month. Volunteering is scientifically proven to make people happy!”  

Cosima – Circles

“It's not altruism. Making other people happy, makes me happy. It gives me a purpose. It provides me with an outlet for which I have a natural feel - where the results are real, immediate and self-validating.”

Alix – The Glebe House London

“Last year I had the magical experience of hosting the Hub Dot Make Someone Happy Christmas party at my home, that I had renovated and launched as an inspiring events space. All sorts of connections sprang from that one evening, leading to ideas and events, including a supper club night a few months later to launch a new foodie App."