Podcast Summary: "Origins of the Office Christmas Party & Pro Advice for Great Holiday Videos"

Podcast: Something You Should Know
Host: Mike Carruthers
Guest: Steve Stockman (author, How to Shoot Video that Doesn’t Suck)
Date: December 2, 2025
Episode Type: Bonus Holiday Episode

Overview

This special holiday episode dives into two festive topics:

1. The surprising history and evolution of the office Christmas party, tracing its roots from Victorian-era factory floors to the modern workplace gathering.
2. Expert advice for creating compelling holiday videos using just your smartphone, courtesy of Steve Stockman, who shares professional tips to help listeners capture the spirit of their celebrations.

The episode is filled with practical tips, historical insights, and memorable advice packaged in a warm, conversational style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Fascinating Origins of the Office Christmas Party

[04:02 – 07:57]

• Victorian Beginnings:

  • The office Christmas party tradition is over 150 years old.
  • Started in the mid-1800s: Employers began hosting Christmas dinners for factory workers, prompted by Victorian ideals of charity and community during the harsh conditions of the Industrial Revolution.
  • Early events were simple—bread, meat, tea, and a short speech—but meant to show benevolence, boost morale, and ease labor unrest.

• Migration to Offices:

  • As work shifted to clerical environments, holiday gatherings evolved into staff teas, luncheon, and year-end assemblies—modest, formal events to encourage loyalty.

• Roaring Twenties & Postwar Boom:

  • The 1920s saw more socialized office cultures: department parties, gift exchanges, and even dances.
  • The real explosion followed WWII: The booming corporate economy led to lavish annual parties by the 1950s and 60s.

• Modern Times:

  • Today’s events are more inclusive and varied—sometimes smaller, but always rooted in community and appreciation.
  • Key takeaway: Attending your office’s holiday party ties you to a rich tradition of corporate goodwill and evolving social norms.

  "So if there's a holiday celebration at your workplace, remember you're participating in a tradition with roots in industrial hardship, Victorian values, and over a century of corporate evolution."
  — Mike Carruthers (07:36)

2. How to Shoot Holiday Videos That Don’t Suck: With Steve Stockman

[07:57 – 30:51]

Why Most Holiday Videos Miss the Mark

• People often record long, unplanned videos with the intent of editing later, which rarely happens.
• Home videos should capture the spirit of the event, not just the events themselves.

Steve Stockman’s Professional Tips

• Think in Short Shots
  [08:08 – 09:33]

  • Professionals use quick cuts (1–10 seconds). Don’t record non-stop; instead, plan brief, purposeful shots.
  • For kids opening presents: capture the anticipation, the unwrapping, and the reaction—all as separate short clips.

  “If you think in terms of shooting short shots...they’re going to look way, way more interesting than anything else.”
  — Steve Stockman (08:20)

• Curate Like a Photo Album
  [09:53 – 11:56]

  • Be selective—document only the meaningful moments, just as you’d pick the best photos for an album.
  • Over-recording dilutes the impact and creates hours of unwatchable footage.

• Smartphones vs. ‘Real’ Cameras
  [12:03 – 13:10]

  • Modern smartphones are so sophisticated that they outperform mid-century professional setups for most home video needs.

  “You can do things that it took Alfred Hitchcock...100 people and 60 lights to do. And you can do it with that thing in your pocket instantly and beautifully.”
  — Steve Stockman (12:06)

  • Don’t fixate on pro gear—focus on how you shoot.

• Prioritize People and Emotion
  [15:24 – 17:43]

  • The best videos center around people, not landscapes or distant group shots.
  • Move in close—faces are memorable, backgrounds aren’t.

  “You don't watch TV shows about rocks or trees. You watch TV shows about people... and those are the things we want to remember.”
  — Steve Stockman (16:17)

• Practical Smartphone Settings
  [20:36 – 22:34]

  • Avoid in-camera gimmicks (emojis, filters, weird color modes):

    “There’s no un-clown nose button on your editing program… if that’s the way you shoot it, that’s what you’ve got.”
    — Steve Stockman (20:42)

  • Hold the camera horizontally (widescreen), unless specifically creating for TikTok/Instagram.
  • Experiment and get comfortable with your phone’s capabilities before the main event.

• Better Audio Makes Better Video
  [24:06 – 26:45]

  • Phone mics capture everything—including unwanted background noise.
  • Get close to your subject or invest in an inexpensive external microphone.

  “It’s amazing that people will spend $1,200, $1,500 on a phone but won’t get an external microphone.”
  — Mike Carruthers (26:24)

• Plan Ahead—A Little ‘Pre-Production’
  [27:34 – 28:47]

  • Jot down the moments you want: the tree, the presents, the dinner, reactions.
  • Even five minutes of planning pays off.

• Let People Relax on Camera
  [28:54 – 29:44]

  • Instead of hiding your filming, shoot openly—people will eventually ignore the camera and act naturally.

• Capture Imperfection
  [29:47 – 30:17]

  • Don’t just save the ‘perfect’ moments; record the chaos—like the cat upending the tree. These are the stories you’ll treasure.

  “Unless somebody’s bleeding, shoot what’s going on because you’re gonna remember it later."
  — Steve Stockman (29:49)

3. Quick Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Shopping

[30:51 – End]

• Best Day to Avoid: Despite the hype, December 23rd, not Black Friday, is the busiest shopping day.
• Last-Minute Advantages: Shopping in the last days before Christmas means deeper discounts.
• Parking Hacks: Skip driving—get dropped off or use rideshare to avoid parking headaches.
• Gift Cards are Cool: The stigma is gone—gift cards are now popular and well-received.

“Gift cards...they have a completely different image now. It is cool and acceptable to give gift cards. People like getting them and it is so easy.”
— Mike Carruthers (30:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Value of Office Holiday Parties:
  “You’re participating in a tradition with roots in industrial hardship, Victorian values, and over a century of corporate evolution.”
  — Mike Carruthers (07:36)

• On Smartphone Video Power:
  “You can do things that it took Alfred Hitchcock...100 people and 60 lights to do. And you can do it with that thing in your pocket instantly and beautifully.”
  — Steve Stockman (12:06)

• On People as Video Subjects:
  “The Grand Canyon is gonna look exactly the same in 100 years as it looks today...but what you need is great shots of your kids...in five years, the Grand Canyon will look exactly the same and you will not, and neither will your daughter.”
  — Steve Stockman (15:31)

• On Avoiding Video Gimmicks:
  “There’s no unclown nose button on your editing program...if that’s the way you shoot it, that’s what you’ve got.”
  — Steve Stockman (20:42)

• On Audio Quality:
  “You can get away with a bad shot because it only lasts about 10 seconds. But if the audio in your video is terrible and unintelligible, people are going to turn it off really fast.”
  — Steve Stockman (24:45)

• On Capturing Real Moments:
  “Shoot first and yell later...unless somebody’s bleeding, shoot what’s going on because you’re gonna remember it later.”
  — Steve Stockman (29:47)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment | |------------|----------------------------------------------------| | 04:02–07:57 | History of the Office Christmas Party | | 07:57–30:51 | Steve Stockman on Holiday Video Tips | | 08:08–09:33 | Importance of Short, Intentional Shots in Video | | 12:03–13:10 | Smartphone Cameras vs. Dedicated Video Cameras | | 15:24–17:43 | Focusing on People Rather Than Scenery | | 20:36–22:34 | Disabling Gimmicks and Shooting Horizontal Video | | 24:06–26:45 | Audio Quality and Use of External Microphones | | 27:34–28:47 | Simple Pre-Production Planning | | 28:54–29:44 | Letting People Relax on Camera | | 29:47–30:17 | Embracing Imperfect, Authentic Moments | | 30:51–end | Last-Minute Shopping Tips & Gift Card Etiquette |

Final Thoughts

This festive episode expertly blends history, practical modern advice, and a touch of humor—a reminder that both our office traditions and our family memories are worth celebrating thoughtfully. Whether attending a workplace party or recording your family’s holiday antics, listeners come away armed with useful strategies to make the season brighter and more memorable.