Firms up for festive parties

The festive season is upon us and work Christmas parties are all glitter and go in Wanganui.
Hotel and restaurant staff say bookings throughout December are ringing out the Christmas chimes strong and clear.
At the Kingsgate Hotel is a yuletide party on Saturday which will be a combined celebration of small local businesses.
Kingsgate spokeswoman Margaret Russell said Saturday was a buffet meal with all the Christmas trimmings, festive drinks and a DJ.
A hundred people were booked in from several small businesses throughout the city, such as smaller accounting firms or lawyers, she said.
The two function rooms were pretty much booked out till Christmas with end-of-year parties. "Work Christmas parties are still very popular."
On Christmas Day is a buffet from midday to 2pm, with only a few places left.
Work Christmas "dos" are also big at the Rutland Hotel this year. Manager Stu Belk said Christmas business was rolling in: "People love their work Christmas parties."
At the Grand Hotel, the Christmas party bookings had dropped off a little.
Administration manager Sue Cole said a few were booked in but it was nothing like previous years.
The hotel was open Christmas Day from 4pm for meals, she said.
"But no real midday Christmas dinner, because we are booked out with people staying for the Cemetery motorcycle racing circuit on Boxing Day."
At Stellar Bar and Restaurant, the work Christmas parties were happening thick and fast but with a difference.
"They don't want meals any more, just finger food ... but nothing's changed when it comes to drinks. They are here to party and they do ... it's Christmas."