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The death of the Christmas Party?	The death of the Christmas Party?
2009-12-15 09:50:54 UTC	2009-12-15 16:22:07 UTC (about 7 hours later)
Christmas office parties for some used to be lavish affairs, overflowing with cocktail sausages and free beer, but now people are increasingly being asked to pay their own way or face no festive bash. So are we seeing the death of this yuletide tradition?	Christmas office parties for some used to be lavish affairs, overflowing with cocktail sausages and free beer, but now people are increasingly being asked to pay their own way or face no festive bash. So are we seeing the death of this yuletide tradition?
Once it might have been cheap champagne in a venue with a proper disco ball and three different choices of canape at the company's expense.	Once it might have been cheap champagne in a venue with a proper disco ball and three different choices of canape at the company's expense.
Now you'll be lucky to cradle a glass of warm white wine in the corner of the office with a Slade tape playing in the background and cheese and pineapple on a stick.	Now you'll be lucky to cradle a glass of warm white wine in the corner of the office with a Slade tape playing in the background and cheese and pineapple on a stick.
These men could be reminiscing about the halcyon days of 2006	These men could be reminiscing about the halcyon days of 2006
Formerly a staple of the festive season, many firms have sided with Scrooge, cutting or scrapping the funds for office parties as the effects of the global downturn are felt.	Formerly a staple of the festive season, many firms have sided with Scrooge, cutting or scrapping the funds for office parties as the effects of the global downturn are felt.
Even the most cursory glance at Facebook shows that everyone from teachers to lawyers, insurance brokers to journalists, is experiencing austerity on the office party front.	Even the most cursory glance at Facebook shows that everyone from teachers to lawyers, insurance brokers to journalists, is experiencing austerity on the office party front.
In fact, fewer than four in 10 office workers will definitely have a Christmas party this year, research by YouGov suggests. Of those who will be given the chance to drunkenly dance in front of their colleagues, one in six said they would contribute to the budget themselves.	In fact, fewer than four in 10 office workers will definitely have a Christmas party this year, research by YouGov suggests. Of those who will be given the chance to drunkenly dance in front of their colleagues, one in six said they would contribute to the budget themselves.
One worker for whom Christmas is cancelled is Steve, who works for a telecoms company.	One worker for whom Christmas is cancelled is Steve, who works for a telecoms company.
"Officially it was because we made people redundant in November and it would be insensitive, but it was mainly to save cash. In past boom years we have even put everyone up in a hotel for the night," he says.	"Officially it was because we made people redundant in November and it would be insensitive, but it was mainly to save cash. In past boom years we have even put everyone up in a hotel for the night," he says.
There's a perception that spending on events like Christmas parties is somehow wasteful - the point I try to make to people is there's no such thing as good or bad spend Mike KershawConcerto	There's a perception that spending on events like Christmas parties is somehow wasteful - the point I try to make to people is there's no such thing as good or bad spend Mike KershawConcerto
"The end result has been more drinking because people have gone out more to compensate and there have been loads of leaving dos."	"The end result has been more drinking because people have gone out more to compensate and there have been loads of leaving dos."
And it's not just lack of money, but also a question of appearances for many firms.	And it's not just lack of money, but also a question of appearances for many firms.
Car firm Honda is not having a party for the first time, after 1,300 people were made redundant at its Swindon branch. "We decided to show solidarity and save as much money as possible," a spokesman says.	Car firm Honda is not having a party for the first time, after 1,300 people were made redundant at its Swindon branch. "We decided to show solidarity and save as much money as possible," a spokesman says.
At the BBC, "in light of the current climate" the corporation's contribution to staff parties has plummeted from £50 a head to zero in three years.	At the BBC, "in light of the current climate" the corporation's contribution to staff parties has plummeted from £50 a head to zero in three years.
There is particular scrutiny of big banks, with angst over how quickly some have returned to big bonuses. This is especially evident at the banks bailed out with billions of pounds of tax payers' money. Northern Rock has not had a corporate party for three years, while RBS is making a "small contribution".	There is particular scrutiny of big banks, with angst over how quickly some have returned to big bonuses. This is especially evident at the banks bailed out with billions of pounds of tax payers' money. Northern Rock has not had a corporate party for three years, while RBS is making a "small contribution".
No piece about office parties would be complete without this image	No piece about office parties would be complete without this image
"Our staff have worked very hard over the past 12 months. We won't waste bank money but the longstanding tradition of paying a small contribution towards staff parties has been judged appropriate," a spokeswoman said.	"Our staff have worked very hard over the past 12 months. We won't waste bank money but the longstanding tradition of paying a small contribution towards staff parties has been judged appropriate," a spokeswoman said.
If parties are happening at all, it's behind closed doors, as the Lord Mayor of London, Nick Anstee, recently indicated.	If parties are happening at all, it's behind closed doors, as the Lord Mayor of London, Nick Anstee, recently indicated.
"I don't think there is any celebration because that's part and parcel of the city responding to the environment in which we find ourselves.	"I don't think there is any celebration because that's part and parcel of the city responding to the environment in which we find ourselves.
"It would be very, very difficult for photographs or newsreels to be broadcast showing city workers revelling over what they've got when the rest of the country is suffering."	"It would be very, very difficult for photographs or newsreels to be broadcast showing city workers revelling over what they've got when the rest of the country is suffering."
The end of extravagance means the hospitality industry could be facing the quietest festive season since the 1990s.	The end of extravagance means the hospitality industry could be facing the quietest festive season since the 1990s.
"Despite the descent into technical recession, this time last year many corporate Christmas lunches had already been booked, deposits taken, and to cancel would have meant letting staff down," says Stephen Broome, director of hospitality and leisure at PricewaterhouseCoopers.	"Despite the descent into technical recession, this time last year many corporate Christmas lunches had already been booked, deposits taken, and to cancel would have meant letting staff down," says Stephen Broome, director of hospitality and leisure at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
We haven't had an ~~officer~~ party in years as we are busy working all Xmas and new year in essential services to keep you all safe on a 24/7 basis with very little reward - still I retire next year so may even get a Xmas after 30 years of shifts SteveWest Midlands	We haven't had an office party in years as we are busy working all Xmas and new year in essential services to keep you all safe on a 24/7 basis with very little reward - still I retire next year so may even get a Xmas after 30 years of shifts SteveWest Midlands
"But faced with the economic realities of this recession company bosses have now had nine months to refine policies and prepare staff for more restrained celebrations this Christmas."	"But faced with the economic realities of this recession company bosses have now had nine months to refine policies and prepare staff for more restrained celebrations this Christmas."
Concerto, a major events organiser, says bookings are down 20% and firms are spending less money.	Concerto, a major events organiser, says bookings are down 20% and firms are spending less money.
"This is a £1bn-a-year business, and there's significant money not being spent. With small businesses the knock-on effect could be quite bad," chairman Mike Kershaw says.	"This is a £1bn-a-year business, and there's significant money not being spent. With small businesses the knock-on effect could be quite bad," chairman Mike Kershaw says.
He believes it's happened because the media suggests it is inappropriate for companies to throw parties, using terms like "squander".	He believes it's happened because the media suggests it is inappropriate for companies to throw parties, using terms like "squander".
"There's a perception that spending on events like Christmas parties is somehow wasteful. The point I try to make to people is there's no such thing as good or bad spend, there's just spend in the economy from one part to another. I find this distinction bizarre," he says.	"There's a perception that spending on events like Christmas parties is somehow wasteful. The point I try to make to people is there's no such thing as good or bad spend, there's just spend in the economy from one part to another. I find this distinction bizarre," he says.
We have had to knock our Xmas jollies on the head this year as it did not seem right to have a shindig when so may colleagues have been laid off this year - we have to be slim and lean to be ready for when the inevitable upturn in fortunes make themselves felt Mark, Buxton	We have had to knock our Xmas jollies on the head this year as it did not seem right to have a shindig when so may colleagues have been laid off this year - we have to be slim and lean to be ready for when the inevitable upturn in fortunes make themselves felt Mark, Buxton
A "drastic" drop in bookings, 50% since last year, has also been felt by Infusion Events.	A "drastic" drop in bookings, 50% since last year, has also been felt by Infusion Events.
One of its contracts is with a narrow boat party venue, once popular with blue chip companies like HSBC and British Airways. Last year the boat had 25 bookings. This year it has five, director Rachid Radi says.	One of its contracts is with a narrow boat party venue, once popular with blue chip companies like HSBC and British Airways. Last year the boat had 25 bookings. This year it has five, director Rachid Radi says.
The change in climate is striking and catering firms worth £4m have gone under in 2009 because the trade from the City has dropped away, he says.	The change in climate is striking and catering firms worth £4m have gone under in 2009 because the trade from the City has dropped away, he says.
"Whereas before you'd say to clients 'you're going to have this, this and this' and they'd just agree, now you put it down on paper and they are cutting it down to the bare minimum."	"Whereas before you'd say to clients 'you're going to have this, this and this' and they'd just agree, now you put it down on paper and they are cutting it down to the bare minimum."
They are also ordering cheaper foods like chicken, rather than lamb, and supplying their own alcohol.	They are also ordering cheaper foods like chicken, rather than lamb, and supplying their own alcohol.
These people are, in tabloid language, 'revellers'	These people are, in tabloid language, 'revellers'
While it may mean fewer red faces the next day as drunken memories flood back, firms are warned that sacrificing festivities could have a destructive effect on business.	While it may mean fewer red faces the next day as drunken memories flood back, firms are warned that sacrificing festivities could have a destructive effect on business.
The Chartered Management Institute has told employers not to use the recession as an excuse for failing to acknowledge the efforts of their employees. It commissioned a survey which found two-thirds of managers believe Christmas parties are important in helping to improve "employee engagement".	The Chartered Management Institute has told employers not to use the recession as an excuse for failing to acknowledge the efforts of their employees. It commissioned a survey which found two-thirds of managers believe Christmas parties are important in helping to improve "employee engagement".
"Particularly this year, people have been working twice as hard just to stand still, it's important to show staff their efforts have not gone unnoticed. If they feel they are going unnoticed they will feel 'why do I bother'," says chief executive Ruth Spellman.	"Particularly this year, people have been working twice as hard just to stand still, it's important to show staff their efforts have not gone unnoticed. If they feel they are going unnoticed they will feel 'why do I bother'," says chief executive Ruth Spellman.