Shrewd Santa pares party costs

BNZ spent $40,000 at its Cibo Christmas party two years ago. Photo / Michael Craig

Big corporates are cutting costs on their Christmas parties this month, serving cheaper booze and shutting the bar early.

Mel Gimblett, of Auckland event management firm Soiree, said she had noticed a trend towards cheaper alcohol: "Lindauer rather than Moet."

She said while most employers were still paying for drinks, it was often over a shorter period and there was not as much on offer.

Most big corporates that put on food and drinks at a venue with entertainment would spend about $100 for each person there.

Gimblett said many parties were themed so those going provided the party's entertainment themselves. "There's always some latent thespians who want to dress up.

"Now, instead of dinner, they are doing drinks and canapes then kicking everyone out at 9," Gimblett said.

This year's TVNZ Christmas party, held at the company's cafeteria, offered subsidised drinks only between 4.30pm and 8pm and after that it became a cash bar.

One TVNZ employee said of the system: "It was a bit unpopular last year but I didn't hear as many complaints this time around." Partners were not invited to the 1987-themed event. Spokeswoman Megan Richards said some subsidised drink was available "and after that runs out, that's it". The Christmas party budget the same as for the previous two years.

At the Auckland Council, teams organised their own small get-togethers. Spokesman Glyn Walters said departments were allowed to spend $25 a head for food but alcohol was not provided.

Vodafone spokeswoman Michelle Baguley said dress-up parties were always very popular and staff went to a lot of effort. Vodafone's annual party was held in November at the Viaduct Events Centre, where Midnight Youth and a Vodafone band played.

Drinks were provided using a voucher system. Baguley said it was fair to say that adjustments had been made to the Christmas party spend in line with adjustments to the rest of the business.

Georgina Otto, of Clemenger BBDO in Wellington, said there was an expectation that,as it was a creative company, the Christmas party would be special. She and a team of 10 staff have been working on it for the past three months, to bring together an "enchanted toy store-themed event". It was for staff and clients, not partners, and was a dress-up event with free drinks. Otto said quite a lot was spent on the party because it was the one big event of the year for clients.

"Before the recession we would have spent more. We are now more conservative."

The budget for this year was about the same as for Christmas last year.

Gimblett said big corporates felt they had a responsibility to ensure their staff felt valued.

The demographic of many workforces was changing, and that was prompting a move towards parties where children were invited.

"We suggest it when we know that the staff and culture would really respond to it. Otherwise the partner is sitting at home, hearing stories about dodgy Christmas parties."

Parties with kids were cheaper for the employer, too, as people tended not to drink so much and entertainment could be face painting and bouncy castles.

Telecom has offered family-friendly Christmas events for the past two years. Spokesman Mark Watts said the company wanted to reward its staff after a difficult year. The company put on a picnic at Auckland's Mt Smart stadium last weekend, and one at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington this weekend. Watts said there was face-painting, slides, and live music.

It was in recognition of the tough year many people had been through, with the earthquake in Christchurch and a restructure of the company.

He said Telecom spent an "appropriate amount". "We wanted a large number of people to attend and for them to be fed and watered."

Air New Zealand also put on a family-friendly event.

The company hired Alexandra Park, erected a bouncy koru-monogrammed 747 for the kids, and had Guy Sebastian, Supergroove and The Feelers playing. MC was Jesse Mulligan. A spokeswoman said there was a picnic every year for staff, featuring bands that were regular customers of the airline.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for staff to get together and celebrate the festive season with colleagues from across the airline." The budget was in line with previous years.

BNZ spokeswoman Erica Lloyd said there was no big bash this year but there would be smaller functions around the country. "Trivial pursuit evenings, secret Santa and BBQs - we've got 180 stores and some teams are hosting Christmas parties at their homes, too. We're keeping [it] low-key and family-focused. It's been a hard year."