Labor Day

I hope you guys are worth it. I just spent 1/2 hour on the WWW trying to find out about Labor Day and if anyone else out there had any ideas on how to celebrate--and zero, zilch, nada, nothing!

But I did get a history lesson. In short (very short), "Labor Day...is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contribution workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country."

That said...I'll say this-- finally, a holiday not created by Hallmark or American Greetings to sell cards. Now that is something to celebrate!

What to do? Well, Mother's Day you had a picnic. Memorial Day you had a picnic. July 4th you had a picnic. It's time for a change. However, I can't make up my mind, so here are several choices (excuse my weirdness, but weird makes good parties, trust me).

Hold a STRIKE. Invite co-workers and/or friends and relations to a strike at your house. You've wanted to get it off your chest about how hard you work; here's your chance. Your friends can help you let off steam, and let some off themselves. And won't they think you are the creative one.

Stage games like Beat the (Time)Clock; replace the sack race with an office chair race; have people stare at a computer screen for 30 minutes and then try and read an eye chart 20 feet away...things like that.

Have a SEARCH FOR JIMMY HOFFA party. Yeah. That's the ticket. Who else do you think about when you think about labor? Jimmy, that's who. In fact, Jimmy Hoffa is the subject of one of my favorite jokes. Q: what did they find when they took off Tammy Faye Bakker's make-up? A: Jimmy Hoffa! (Don't forget to give me credit.)

What is it? A scavenger hunt, a trivia contest, a consortium of things if you so wish. People can come up with their own conclusions and share them with the group. It's just a fun theme that you can flush out or don't have to. Just the idea of it is funny. And everyone will want to attend.

Instead of a Ticker Tape Parade, have a PICKET LINE PARADE. Give everyone a blank piece of tag board, a stick, a stapler, some magic markers, crepe paper streamers and stand back. Let them create a picket line (another "get it off your chest" project), and march around your back yard (or if you have the nerve, your front yard). Guaranteed great time. Until the police come.

Meanwhile, I found a couple of cool links while searching-- my favorite? http://www.xroads.com/~tcs/hotdog/hotdog.html (a very funny site about hotdogs). And what would have been my favorite? How Much Beef Will Satisfy Americans on Labor Day (gone but not forgotten).

If I get it, the purpose of Labor Day is not to labor; and not to be-labor the point, enjoy yourself to the fullest. Because before you know it, it's Columbus Day (or the High Holy Days--whichever comes first).

For help with these ideas, contact us by e-mail at mail@party411.com.

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