The Holiday Rush

Every year since I can remember, my family has had its own unique Christmas tradition (one of many unique traditions in my religiously-confused family — including Christmas tree ornaments as Hanukkah gifts, but I digress). My dad, who avoids malls and crowds like the plague for 364 days out of the year, has always enjoyed waiting until the last minute and getting all of his Christmas shopping done in one shot. It is quite the experience.

If I remember correctly, we actually used to wait until December 24 for our big trip, but now we usually save it for the Sunday closest to Christmas day, which would be this upcoming weekend. When my brother, sister and I were little, my dad would wake us up before sunrise and take us to Toys R’ Us, where we would pick out our own Christmas gifts (he’s not one for surprises). There were always theme gifts as well, including Nerf blaster guns and bows and arrows for everyone (the fight had to be fair, of course), and usually some sort of gross gag gift, like Nickelodeon “slime” or something called “Gak,” which I remember for some strange reason.

We would then end up at the mall, where my Mom would meet up with us to do a few more things, including solo trips with each parent to buy things for the other parent and kids. My dad would make a solo stop in the bookstore for at least one funny or meaningful book per person. When it was all over, we’d get lunch, then head home to wrap and (sometimes) play with our new toys, even if it wasn’t Christmas day yet.

It may seem crazy to wait until the last minute, but it’s something that I’ve grown to enjoy every holiday season, especially since I’ve been old enough to have my own shopping list. And here at DDA, the holiday rush appears to be no different.

While other businesses are struggling to keep busy in this tough economic period (especially just before the holidays, when business slows even in the best of times), things are hectic here at DDA, and that’s just the way we like it. We have a few complex website projects just inches away from launch, an incredible virtual trade show that is almost ready to go, and a very cool internal project that may be launching as we speak: Coffee With DDA.

We also have a few clients — who may have been busy with other things over recent weeks — asking for projects to be completed in time for the holidays or new year. All of that makes for lengthy task lists across the board here at DDA, including the copywriters typing away upstairs, the videographers plugging away in the back, the programmers agonizing over lines of Coldfusion code, and the graphic designers designing websites, brochures, and trade show banners. But we like it that way here at DDA. It makes for days that fly by, projects that keep getting better, and a few laughs to brush aside the stress that inevitably builds up.

So while I’m checking off my Christmas list this weekend amid the chaos at the mall, I will have the feeling of accomplishment from a busy week at work, and the anticipation of a hectic few days when I return next Monday for a short two-day holiday week (I’ll provide a full shopping recap in Monday’s blog). And unlike the mall, I shouldn’t have a problem finding a parking spot when I return to work Monday morning.

Entry by: Steve