Decorate a Coworker's Office

Coworkers like knowing that they were missed while they were out during their vacation or remembered on their birthday, and nothing says "we missed you" like decorating their office or cubicle to celebrate. Anything from birthdays to a welcoming party can be reasons to decorate.

Steps

1. Find the cubicle or office of the person you intend to throw a party for.
2. Identify a good way to decorate it, particularly in the most noticeable way possible, so they know you really want to tell them something ("Happy Birthday", "Welcome back", "Congratulations", etc.).
3. Place streamers from the floor or ceiling to the desk, cubicle walls, or furniture.
4. Wrap the desktop in wrapping paper.
5. Wrap any usable items (like the phone, mouse or monitor) in tissue paper.
6. Decorate with fun party items.
7. Rig the area with party poppers that will explode when drawers are opened or chairs are repositioned, if your coworker is good-natured and loves a good laugh.
8. Fill the office with an item that will stop them from getting right to work, like balloons or packing peanuts. This will keep them from getting back to work promptly and will give you enough time to tell them why they are getting a celebration.
9. Take pictures so that you can remember the fun you and your coworkers had for years to come.
10. Be responsible. Tidy up the decorations after the fun is over so that your coworker is not left with a mess and everyone can get back to work.

Tips

• Only use party items that have effects such as loud sounds or are visually poor taste for people who will like them and in workplaces where pulling a bit of fun is not frowned upon. Otherwise, such items don't add to the fun and might end up in management and the coworker lodging complaints.
• If you are good friends with the coworker show him or her through the decorations and give a bit of background.
• If using helium to fill balloons, do that last. Depending on the length of time between when they are filled and the time the coworker see it, the balloons may deflate before the coworker get there.

Warnings

• Don't keep it up all day; there's still work to be done. Always help to tidy up so that everyone can get back to work.
• Make sure that the coworker has a good sense of humor, is tolerant or is easily delighted. If you know the coworker is very territorial and easily ruffled, just don't do this.
• Party poppers can be dangerous. Be very careful not to make any go off into anyone's face.
• Don't decorate for people who won't like it. You might regret it when they decorate your cubicle the same way.
• Make sure that you're decorating the Go About Office Romance because you want to make someone happy, not to aggravate someone.
• Decorating an office can get you Be-Fired-Gracefully! Make sure you get management involved or in agreement before you trash the office.

Things You'll Need

• Streamers
• Balloons
• Gift wrap
• Tissue paper
• Party poppers

Related Articles

• Choose a Good Decorator
• Choose a Good Office Plant
• Customize Your Cubicle at Work
• Make Office Darts
• Cheer up a Grumpy Co Worker

See also

• Build Bridges With a Co Worker You Don't Like
• Survive Sharing an Office Space
• Deal With Difficult People in the Workplace
• Deal with Mean Female Coworkers
• Be Friends with Your Coworkers
• Talk with Coworkers About Your Salaries
• Suspend an Employee
• Tell Coworkers You're Pregnant
• Deal With a Rude, Arrogant and Mean Subordinate
• Develop Positive Work Relationships

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