For ALL of you, my wishes for the Christmas and the coming year:  abundant blessings, the wishes you wish for yourselves I wish for you, increased success in your choice of service, prosperity and rewards for what you do on a daily basis, but always...joy and laughter, giggles and hugs, all the good stuff that memories are made of. I wish for you a year of satisfaction and rewards for all you do. I wish time with your families and time for yourselves, because in our crazy, daily hustle and bustle, time is fleeting. I wish you peace of mind and heart.  

Christmas brings out the child in us, I think, because it is a time of anticipation. We never know who'll remember to send us a card or indeed who might come calling to share the festivities with us. The Corporate world is no different. Over the Festive season we may bump into an old colleague or be invited to share a get-together with a business associate. In a festival dating back to pagan times we shatter the darkness of winter with glowing candles, roaring fires and fairy lights on the tree.

It's a time for remembering your own growing up years, the family customs. It's a time when we share with others some of our hopes and dreams. Above all, it's a time when we eat and drink together. Breaking bread has always been a sign of good fellowship and certainly at a groaning Christmas table good fellowship should be assured.

If Santa came to adults we would all have our own list of goodies. Some of us may fantasize about owning our own private jets or our own islands in the sun. Most of us would settle for being loved, good health and enough money to get by. Although we probably wouldn't ask for parties or functions on that list we are all human enough to be glad when an invitation arrives in the post. It's nice to know others want to share the party spirit with you.

Christmas is a time for laughter and fun and shared stories of Christmas long ago. It's a time for dressing up and festive fare. Wherever in the world we may be there will probably be a Christmastree.

Whatever form the gathering takes, though, it is for and about a season that adds to our lives. It isfor and about a season that is different to the rest of the year. It is about being happy amongst friends. Naturally such a season calls for a very short speech and an appropriate toast.