Avoiding a Griswold Christmas Party: What Dental Offices Should Know Before December Hits

Every dental practice has a Christmas party story — the sweet ones, the funny ones, and the ones everyone silently agrees never to speak of again.

Sometimes it's wholesome: potlucks, ornament swaps, and thoughtful surprise gifts left on desks.
Other times… it’s chaos:
?? a table centerpiece catching fire,
?? haunted hotel hallway drama,
?? an Uber driver who was also under the influence,
?? party buses with stripper poles and dental professionals twirling in heels.

On the latest episode of Dental Drill Bits, Sandy and Dana break down Christmas parties of Christmas past — the wins, the missteps, the liability nightmares, and the moments that still make them laugh.

But they also dig into something deeper:

Your Christmas party isn’t just a party — it’s a reflection of your leadership and culture.

Teams remember how you make them feel during the holidays.
And they talk about it at real family gatherings:

“Tell your mom what your boss did for Christmas this year…”

This is how reputations are built — and sometimes repaired.

Top Lessons From the Episode

1. Your team needs acknowledgment — not extravagance.

Whether it’s a catered dinner or a simple office potluck, the impact comes from the gesture, not the price tag.

2. Alcohol changes everything.

From drink tickets to transportation arrangements, a little planning goes a long way toward keeping things festive instead of risky.

3. Small surprises create big memories.

A gift on each desk.
An early dismissal before Thanksgiving.
A $20 ornament exchange.
Even tiny touches feel significant during the holiday rush.

4. Gifts don’t have to be complicated.

Teams love money.
They also love thoughtful, personal tokens.
The best approach is choosing something meaningful — and consistent.

5. Party structure matters.

Lunches with games, spouse-included dinners, mystery outings, painting nights, shopping trips, or even a simple extended break all work.
What matters is intentionality.

6. Appreciation fuels retention.

Team members repeat positive experiences at local hygiene meetings, CE events, and family dinners.
This builds loyalty faster than any policy ever could.

Episode Stories You Don’t Want to Miss

    
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  The gift-wrapping tissue that burst into flames at a restaurant

      
    
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  The haunted hotel hallway argument that kept half the group awake

      
    
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  The well-meaning but impaired Uber driver

      
    
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  The daiquiri-loaded party bus adventure

      
    
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  The shopping-spree Christmas where everyone got cash

      
    
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  The “we’re going on a mystery trip” tradition

      
    
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  The moment team members started planning outfits months in advance

      

These stories are hilarious, but they also highlight what every practice should consider when planning a holiday celebration.

Want Ideas, Warnings, and Inspiration?

Listen to the full episode for tips, traditions, and the kind of real-world stories only dental teams can appreciate.

?? Listen now:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dental-drills-bits/id1193269670