Some companies won’t kill holiday parties

That’s just what the folks over at candy giant Cadbury were thinking when they decided to go ahead with their annual, semi-formal holiday party at a fancy banquet hall. And they are even adding an extra party this year for the children of workers at the company’s North American headquarters in Parsippany, N.J.

“We’re all about making this a great place to work,” says Katharine Beyer, a spokeswoman for the firm. “It’s part of our culture. We’re a candy company; we’re supposed to be fun, especially at holiday times.”

Despite the fact that Cadbury is in cost-cutting mode, the firm is planning on spending the same amount of money on the party this year. About 300 workers and guests are expected to attend the party, which will feature music, dancing and a comedians. “Everyone has the afternoon off to get ready,” she says.

The company is also hosting a party for children, which will include games, crafts and photos with Frosty and Santa Claus. 

And in Nebraska, 25 employees at Kracky McGee's, a restaurant in the Omaha airport, recently were treated to a day of fun at The Amazing Pizza Machine, an entertainment center that includes arcades and bumper cars.

“I guarantee you if we didn’t do a party it would be pretty glum around here,” says co-owner Mickie Wetzel.

Even though sales at Kracky McGee's took a nosedive after fuel prices skyrocketed earlier this year and air travel fell off, the owners have no plans to cut back on this year’s festivities.

“Everyone is working harder, and we know a lot of our workers are struggling, too. They’re looking to grab extra hours,” she says. “At least we all can say, ‘We’re having a Christmas party.’ Everyone is so excited.”

Scaling back the party budget
At Blinds.com, the holiday party is being scaled back to about $8,000, compared to the $20,000 budget they had last year.

Despite the cutbacks, the event will still be quite lavish. It will be held at the Majestic Metro, a converted old movie theater in downtown Houston and include food and alcohol, as well as a videographer.

“We’re bootstrapping the whole thing,” says company CEO Jay Steinfeld, who says they are getting the booze from a wholesaler and using an in-house videographer.

“I’m asking people to work harder,” says Steinfeld about his 80 employees. “We have to recognize and reward success.”

While the company is in the black and outperforming competitors, he says, sales are not as robust as last year. There were no plans to cancel the party because of the economic slowdown, he adds, but bonuses for all the C-level employees at the company have been cut.

For all of you who are feeling a bit jealous right about now because your employer canceled your holiday party, you can always ask your manager to reconsider.

“Try to convince your employer that the holiday party is an opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work,” says career expert Nicole Williams, author of “Earn What You’re Worth.” “With the economy as rough as it is, a potential downsize looming, and budget cuts occurring left and right, it would be blow to morale not to show some love. Couldn’t they at least just arrange for some cupcakes and cocktails and call it a day?”

If your plea falls on deaf ears, Williams suggests organizing a potluck or drinks at a bar with co-workers outside of the workplace.

“The office party is about bonding and celebrating a few much-deserved days off,” she says. “The shindig you throw together out of pure holiday spirit will be less corny and less pressure than the company event, and colleagues will love you for that.”

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