Christmas party plans not dented by recession

September 22, 2009

The recession hasn't put many firms off throwing their usual office party this Christmas – and some are even lining up a bigger bash than previous years.

Out of 1,100 human resources professionals surveyed by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), only a fifth said they would be cancelling this year's Christmas party.

More than a third revealed their festive office party is going ahead as normal, while nearly a quarter said their Christmas party will be on a larger scale than last year.

Charles Cotton, the CIPD's adviser on reward and employment conditions, commented that most employers recognise 2009 to have been "a tough year" for staff in terms of pay freezes and job cuts.

"They're using the Christmas party, albeit on a reduced scale, to thank them for helping them through the past 12 months and believe that the future looks brighter," he added to People Management, the CIPD's official magazine.

Recession-conscious Christmas party planners in Northamptonshire recently unveiled details of a special 1p offer for cash-strapped revellers.

Bosses at the Holiday Inn in Corby described the economical three-course meal and entertainment package as "the Christmas present of the year".