A Diet Coke and Seven Straws Please

A dilemma; Imagine’s Xmas party. How do I show my appreciation for all my team’s efforts during the roughest year on record for Estate Agents, when I don’t exactly have money burning a hole in my pocket?

My first idea was to host the lavish Imagine Xmas party at my own place with cheese on sticks, panda pops and a karaoke machine. The price worked for me but I didn’t have the heart to do that to my neighbours. Plus I was a little concerned the gang may think me a little bit of a cheapskate.

Option 2 was to take in the new nightclub in Watford and strut my funky stuff for the night. However, realising that even saying the phrase  'strut my funky stuff' dates me well past the age of a clubber and knowing my idea of doing so is more akin to the movement of a constipated chicken, I quickly shelved that plan.

Paintballing came and went when I realised that letting a highly frustrated team of sales people loose with a weapon could end in something very unpleasant. Casino night was out because we haven’t got any money. Something more classical like a trip to the theatre wouldn’t have gone down well with anyone but me. Although I love my team, most of them think 'culture' is a scavenging bird of prey, not a way to appreciate the arts!

So I've plumped for a Treasure Hunt. The 'Monopoly' styled event has us searching for clues, on foot, for 3 hours around London with the objective of winning property with each clue we solve. There is a method to this plan! Not only do they get into the habit of securing lots of properties again, a skill that has been all too tricky to acquire this year, but after 3 hours of hiking round the City, they’re unlikely to have any energy left to run up a large drinks tab.

That's all six weeks away though and while you'll forgive me for being glad to see the back of this year from a business perspective, we do still have 3 or 4 weeks to make some bits happen before then. If you are selling or letting you need to instruct us quickly before things finally die off for 2008. The number for Watford’s best located agent is 01923 630844.