If you were to walk up to the help desk in the 2290 building last Friday, you probably would have been a bit confused, and if you're one of those people who never know what day it is, like myself then you might have checked your calender just to make sure it's not December.

Heaven decided that she was in the mood for Christmas carols, so she declared Christmas All Day day, and blasted her favorite holiday tunes and moved a few holiday items into the help desk area, just to make it a bit more believable.

Oh Heaven, you always know just what to do in order to make our spirits bright.

Around Christmas 2008, we had this story come through our Customer Loyalty Department.

Jeanette called on December 22 to order some Ugg boots for her close friend, who had just lost all of her and her family's belongings in a house fire. She had explained to the Customer Loyalty Representative that she was very happy she found these boots in stock, as it was the one thing her friend's child really wanted for Christmas. She was really floored when the rep offered to upgrade the shipping free of charge so the boots would get there overnight. Her friend called her the next day and was very happy with the gift.

Jeanette then left to go to Florida. Once there, she received a call from her friend who was in complete shock because of an additional Zappos Box that showed up on her doorstep.

Inside was a culture book signed by the call center, Zappos t-shirts, bags, a Zappos monopoly game and a gift card for shoes. Her friend's children were thrilled.

So, Jeanette decided to make this video to show her appreciation.

Zappos would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday from everyone here in Nevada and all of our team members in Kentucky. Thanks for making 2008 a success for our company, and, from the Zappos family to yours, we want to wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Our marketing department decided that they would like to try their hands at building the Gingerbread houses of their dreams, and the results were quite breathtaking, I must say.

The contest was very competitive, and they had some special rules that allowed for the creativity to flow free. Darrin S, marketing genius, volunteered his garage as a spare parts warehouse, and each gingerbread house had to have a piece of junk used in a creative way. In true Las Vegas fashion, the winning entry was a gingerbread slot-machine, created by Holly and Darrin, with the runner up being a Gingerbread Picasso, from Mig and Christa.

Good job, you marketing geniuses! I was going to get a quote from the winner, but Darrin is actually at home with he and his wife's brand new baby boy! Congrats, Darrin!

At Zappos.com, many traditions have stayed with us through the years, and the one big Christmas tradition has been the admiration that we all have for ugly Christmas sweaters. Or lack of admiration, not sure which is more accurate. It started many a year ago with a party in which everyone was expected to attend wearing the ugliest Christmas sweater that their local thrift shop had on the racks. And over the years, man, there have been some bad ones. This year is no exception.

Take a look below.

Continuing on with our December drive for the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, this past week and on Monday were were selling stuffed reindeer grams at the front desk of the 2280 and 2290 buildings.

The stuffed reindeer and grams were sold for $2 each or 3 for $5 and will be delivered on Tuesday 12/23 to very lucky Zapponians. Hurry…..while supplies last. All proceeds will go to the NCCF.

In the spirit of giving that this season brings to life, Zappos sold raffle tickets to employees, which dropped their name into the running for winning prizes donated by vendors and our Merchandising Department all through this December. All proceeds were donated to the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. But, some prizes were so special, that they needed to be given away in a silent auction.

There were many fine items up for auction, and here are some highlights of the items sold:

• Performance Gamer Chair-donated by the electronics department
• Two Umbrellas, Autographed and Donated by Rhianna herself
• 1 Night Stay At The Wyndham
• 1 Autographed Wilson Football Signed By Eric Wright Of The San Francisco 49ers

Thank you to anyone who participated in the auction, donated items and bought raffle tickets for this wonderful cause!

Every year in December, all Zapponians, regardless of their department, are asked to put their Customer Loyalty Training to good use and help out on the phones for the busy holiday season.

Every Zappos employee, regardless of what position they were hired for, goes through an intense, four-week program that trains them on the art of Customer Loyalty at Zappos, and in December of every year, those skills are put to use! This is the busiest month for those kings and queens of the phones in CLT, and they can always use a little help.

Employees in every department are asked to volunteer for two hour blocks to help out, and the schedule is filling up fast. Thanks for helping out Zapponians....Zapponians!

It's beginning to look a tiny bit like Christmas (man, that's catchy, sounds like a song title) and Help Desk is prepared, like usual!

On Thanksgiving Eve, the help deskers began what is to be a mission of great importance; the front lobby of Zappos will be transformed into something new and wonderful. Just walking into Zappos you will feel like you're walking in a Winter Wonderplace (hmm...sounds like another good song title)

I don't want to let the cat out of the Help Desk bag just yet, but they have some very creative plans for the Dance Dance Revolution machine that resides in the front lobby. It too will be engulfed in the holiday spirit. Ros, Renna, Andrea and Jo are hard at work today.....their work will be the envy of every front lobby in the city, I promise you this. Oh yes, i promise you this.

Stay tuned, this is only the beginning! I'll be dreaming of a white winter season – another song title. Wow, I'm good.