More business are letting the good times roll this holiday season. According to a survey from business consultants Challenger, Gray and Christmas, 68 percent of business plan to hold holiday parties this year. That's up from 62 percent in 2009. Read more here.
Across the country, caterers say companies are booking more special event venues and spending more on parties. Locally, Bella Domani Catering and Banquets has seen more parties booked this year, but clients are spending less. Right now, they are catering about 50 holiday parties, 95 percent are corporate clients. That's an increase from last year, when they catered only 35 to 40 parties, co-owner Maxine Lang told CNY Central by phone today. She says while they are caterning more parties, the ones they're throwing are on a smaller scale. More parties with fewer partiers, perhaps she says due to layoffs. Some are scaling back on open bars, others are bringing in their own desserts.
Many local businesses we contacted say their holiday parties are about the same as last year, no major changes.
"Instead of throwing a party, just spread some cash around. That's what my company did - stopped doing the party, but issued all employees "holiday gifts" of cash," one person wrote online.
"They can afford to with all the people they axed in November," another said.
"People need to party more in recessions. It helps them get out of the gloom and doom," another reader wrote about holiday parties.
Is your company hosting a holiday party this year? Would you prefer a cash gift instead of a party? Do you think holiday parties boost morale? Leave your thoughts below.
