Theme Idea 2: The Desktop Shower: Coffee Break Contractions
You can have a shower in 15 minutes. That’s what makes this idea perfect for the workplace, where fifteen minutes is about all the time you can spare. Commandeer a break room or meeting room to set up this speed shower, assign and delegate details and responsibilities, and send out an email blast with date, place, and time.
Invitation Ideas and Script
Send an e-mail or e-mail blast to those who will be invited to the 15-minute break. Here’s a script:
Attention F.O.M. (Friend of Mother)! As you can see, Haley is going to be a mom! We’re going to celebrate at “Coffee-Break Contractions” on Tuesday, February 16th, at 10:15 A.M. in Room 216. Your department should bring a coffee cake for 10 people, and we are chipping in $10 each for a baby stroller. Call or e-mail Beth with questions. See you Tuesday!
Essential
A workplace e-mail invitation might be the easiest way to get everyone on board for a shower, but check your office’s policy regarding personal e-mails sent from work. It is also important to consider proper office etiquette — include the entire team and avoid the hurt feelings that come from being excluded, especially if the party will take place at work.
The Ultimate Coffee Break
Make the coffee break special by adding a touch of class to the regular brews and ordering in some fancy scones and biscotti to complete this morning break. If you can coordinate a coffee specialist or cart, this is the occasion for it; if not, bring in a custom-roasted blend from your local coffee company.
For an afternoon breaktime shower, you could set up a “milk and cookies” bar. Give attendees a box of animal crackers with a tag that says “thank you” to take back to their desks.
Essential
In larger offices, there is a continuous need to celebrate occasions— from birthdays to weddings to promotions to impending births. Sometimes it’s hard to fit a workday into the mix! Get together with fellow workers and management to determine how these important, but often endless, celebrations will be handled. Some corporate cultures are tolerant of workplace parties, and others prefer that parties be held off-premise.
Another option for the Ultimate Coffee Break is to rent a cappuccino cart. They can be rented by the hour and include a barista, coffee supplies, cleanup, and all drinks made-to-order during the hour. They can also provide breakfast pastries for an additional fee. Many companies that offer coffee carts also can make smoothies and other frozen concoctions, which are a great treat for the workplace in warm-weather months.
Setting It Up
When planning the coffee-break shower, the idea is to come in with display-ready items, rather than having to open bags and packages of supplies for complicated and time-consuming arrangements. Have an at-home run-through to avoid leaving behind a critical piece.
Organize what you need by category — table décor, food service, liquids, favors, and so on — and place in separate boxes or handled bags. Number the boxes (or bags) according to which should be used first. Table décor should be set up first, then food trays, beverage supplies, and, finally, gifts and favors. Enlist the help of coworkers to stage the party with speed and efficiency. Setup should take about fifteen minutes.
Many coffee-roasting companies have burlap bags that the raw beans come in that they sell or give away. These lend the right flavor to the table.
Scrunch them up under trays or lay them over a tablecloth to add another layer. Coffee cans can be used to house a potted geranium or a bunch of colorful flowers (silk or fresh). If you are giving coffee-mug favors have them displayed as part of the décor—either in rows or on a mug tree.
Menu Ideas and Options
Here’s one idea for an ultimate coffee-break menu:
The Desktop Shower Menu
- Fresh Scones with Fruit Jam and Lemon Curd
- Handmade Biscotti
- Coffee Cake
- Chocolate Yummies for an Afternoon Break
Or you can tap your local coffee-roasting company for drink and food ideas or use the ideas listed here:
Breakfast fare. Cream scones, handmade biscotti, and cinnamon coffee cake are easy to make and delicioso!
Syrups. Torani syrups, a favorite beverage flavoring used at coffee houses, is available in most grocery stores. Choose three flavors from the most popular syrups, such as Amaretto, French Vanilla, Chocolate Milano, Almond Roca, Caramel, Hazelnut, and Irish Cream.
Toppers and touches. Have a selection of toppers and touches including items like ground cinnamon, whole cloves, orange peel, cocoa powder, half-and-half, whipped cream, shaved chocolate, and nutmeg.
Novelty stirrers. Dip plastic spoons in several coats of melted chocolate— dark, milk, and white. The chocolate melts in the coffee to create a delicious mocha confection. Substitute a peppermint stick submerged in milk chocolate to make the holiday season extra bright. Cinnamon sticks, sans chocolate, also make great stirrers and add a hint of European panache to the beverage.
Gifts that Work with This Theme
The workplace shower is the perfect place for a group gift. You can use the mom’s gift registry as a guide for presents in your price range or purchase a gift certificate. Gift credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are all available at the grocery store) are also options for giving a group gift that she can spend on the item she needs.
Jogging stroller. For the athletic coworker mom.
Desk or “work” table. Help mom create a “work” space for baby to play, draw, and create.
Photo printer. These printers are exclusively for photos. They are small, relatively inexpensive, and portable.
Favors
Customized coffee mugs can be ordered in small batches or larger quantities if the workforce warrants it. Have some printed with a phrase or clip art or use the art work shown. Complete the favor with a themed message by attaching a shipping tag with a “Thanks a Latte” label.
If the custom coffee mugs aren’t your cup of tea, how about giving demitasse cups filled with chocolate-covered coffee beans? Tie the “Thanks a Latte” shipping tag to the top of the bean bag or on the handle of these tiny treats.
