By Jan Walker

Traditions have to start somewhere. Every country has its own Christmas traditions and why, on a smaller scale, should Lincolns be any different?

Christmas decorations in the office

Ours began in November of 2001. Jan and Liz who were (and still are) complete Christmas maniacs, decided it would be a great idea to decorate their work areas for Christmas. This quickly escalated to a decision that it would be great to have the whole office participate and an incentive of a competition was added to the mix.

A trophy was made and called the Ho Ho Ho Christmas Trophy and I can assure you it is much coveted by all.

Judging is carried out by two independent judges and on judging day the team are encouraged to compliment their decorations by dressing up in theme themselves if they wish.

This tradition was initially taken up slowly, and by some reluctantly, but the response from clients and families visiting our offices is amazing, and it is lovely to work in such a festive atmosphere for a month.

The bar has been well and truly lifted over the years and it is amazing to see the ingenuity of all to come up with something new and exciting each year. There is no limit to the imagination of our team.

Here are some highlights …

1st year winners, “The Beach”, was designed by six team members, Helen, Lynn, Suzanne, Natalie, Jeanette and Hudson at the back of the office. It was amazing, just like being at the beach, with towels, sun screen, fly swatters, fly spray, a BBQ loaded with goodies, sand, snorkels and lots of Aussie bush and native animals.

In 2002 Liz, Kelly and Jan turned their work area into father Christmas’ workshop with a life size Santa sitting at his office desk, reading letters and surrounded by elves making presents for those children who were not naughty but of course nice.

Paul’s office was magically turned into a Ginger Bread house in 2017. The tiny door through which we all had to enter for the month of December also revealed lots of treats and delights.

Check out this year's creations in this short video.

Christmas morning tea for our families and clients

From our office decorations another Lincolns tradition was born. On the last Friday of our working week in December we invite children, grandchildren and family members of the team to come in and walk through our offices to look at all the decorations and enjoy a morning tea with the team. Of course, clients are also very welcome to join us for this.

Elf on the shelf

A further tradition was instigated 4 years ago with our own Lincolns Elf on the Shelf called ”Gimli”.

He is hidden in a different location every day of December in some amazing situations and dressed up in all sorts of hilarious ways.

Who says accountants are boring…….

Kris Kringle at our Christmas lunch

Lincolns Partners traditionally provide the team with a Christmas lunch. Always well received and great fun over the years at many and varied locations.

At this lunch we have our Kris Kringle gift presentation. All team members provide a wrapped secret gift to an agreed value and great hilarity is had with the distribution of these gifts.

So thank you ...

To the Partners for allowing these Lincolns traditions to keep rolling on.

We wish all of our clients and friends a happy and safe Christmas and new year.

Lincolns office hours this Christmas

The Lincolns team in 2019

We are almost at the end of another busy year.

Check out this short video to see what the Lincolns team has been up to in 2019.

Helping people in need

By Ligaya Ninte

It is almost two months since the first strong earthquake hit Southern Mindanao (in the Philippines) which devastated my hometown, destroying my own home where my brother and his family live and my sister’s home where my parents live. Together these powerful quakes killed at least 20 people.

Another strong 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck my hometown again, Matanao Davao del Sur Philippines for the fourth time on Sunday 15 December, killing a child, damaging buildings and structures and causing numerous injuries. Several strong aftershocks have been recorded after the main tremor. Most residents remain outside in the cold because their homes have been damaged. This is the latest in a series of tremors to strike the southern part of the country in recent months. The roads and buildings were damaged and power was out in the town. They need water, food, tarpaulins, blankets and other basic necessities.

I’m reaching out to you because I have started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to help my hometown including my family who were devastated by 6.6, 6.3 and 6.5 magnitude earthquakes in just a couple of weeks and a big one (6.9 magnitude) which made my hometown the epicentre this time. As of today I have raised $2,400. This has been used to buy relief goods and materials for temporary shelter for the community there.

The people in my community would like to extend their sincerest thanks to Lincolns and to all who donated for their generous financial support. Your help has alleviated their immediate suffering and they will be forever grateful for your support.

There are many people who are displaced and still in need of temporary shelter, water and food. But the money I have raised so far is not enough to support them. I am asking once again to help me reach my goal of $5,000 by donating via my GoFundMe account. I know that money can be tight, so please know that even $5 helps me get closer to my goal. You can read the full story and donate via the link below. Afterall, Christmas is the season of giving, and there’s no better place to put generosity into action than giving to those in need.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/more-devastating-earthquakes-hit-southern-phils

Christmas Traditions at Lincolns