Fading Fetes : Many Companies Scale Back or Eliminate Christmas Parties
The 30-foot Christmas tree was sparkling. A deejay played a rock ‘n’ roll Christmas song. The bar in the corner was open.
Guests at the Investors Title Co. office Christmas party were relieved.
“I was surprised we were having a party this year,” said Kevin Olsen, an Eagle Rock title officer. “There seems to be a trend for companies to cut them out.
“The place I used to work for is just having egg nog and punch after work this year. Spouses aren’t even invited.”
The traditional office holiday party is the latest casualty of the recession at many Los Angeles firms. If the blowout has not been canceled outright this year, chances are it has been scaled back.
Instead of tenderloin, some are ordering chicken, said Sara Cameron, catering director at the Biltmore Hotel, where ballrooms are booked for the month.
“It’s a different kind of celebration. It’s more of a party for good luck next year. Everybody is praying next year will be better.”
Cameron was serving a buffet dinner the other evening to 320 Investors Title employees and their spouses. The hotel’s ornate Gold Room was conservatively decorated with poinsettia table centerpieces. There were no strolling Santas or costumed toy soldiers carrying trays of fancy hors d’oeuvres through the crowd.
That was just fine with Michelle Godinez, an accounting assistant from East Los Angeles.
“We’re like a family at work,” Godinez said, snapping photos of fellow employees. “We look forward to this all year.”
Personnel manager Marcee Mackey, who is recovering from a ski injury, hobbled into the ballroom on crutches decorated with Christmas tinsel.
“The annual Christmas party is very important,” the Marina del Rey resident said. “It gives employees a sense that the company cares about them.”
Company President Bob Snell of Redondo Beach said his Wilshire Boulevard firm never considered canceling the eighth annual Christmas party. He set aside money each month to pay the $30,000 cost.
Still, a few workers asked if they could have the money instead of a party, said party organizer Barbara Funk of West Hills.
Funk is no Scrooge. But she had to say no.
