Holiday parties: Fewer calling birds, French hens or golden rings

To party or not to party? That is the question facing northern Nevada companies this holiday season in a cold economic climate.

Like last year, holiday party plans are not what they were when the economy was booming. But while some parties are eliminated, most will go on as usual or be scaled down.

"We're still seeing quite a few parties generally," said Ben McDonald of the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. "But the larger parties, the larger organizations, 600 to 800 people, have fallen off drastically that's last year and this year.

"Most of the parties are smaller groups, smaller businesses. So there are still companies who are holding their holiday parties, but they're spending less money and they're on a much smaller scale.

As Liz McNamara figured it, the holiday party business declined by about 30 percent last year, and it looks to be about the same this holiday season.

"I know companies are definitely cutting back," said McNamara, who owns High Sierra Concierge with husband, Steve. "Usually people wait until the last minute to book anyway, but from what I've been hearing across the board ... people (caterers) are doing holiday specials and things like that, trying to round up some business."

In some instances, discounts are being offered to companies that book a holiday party before a certain date.

"I didn't see that last year, but I am seeing it this year," McNamara said. "I think last year everybody was still in a state of shock."

Debbie Branby, president of The Cheese Board, says she is "cautiously optimistic" that her holiday party business can maintain the numbers from a year ago.

To help minimize costs for businesses planning a party, Branby created affordable packages at her American Bistro and catering company in Reno. Still, she said company owners need to do what they need to do.

"I do remember hearing the word potluck last year. A company that we generally would do their holiday party, they ended up doing an employee potluck," Branby said.

"We have a line, 'There's always something to celebrate,' and I really believe that. Even a small little celebration is the way to say thank you. I do think that the over-the-top parties definitely will not be happening this year."

That's true at International Game Technology in Reno. It typically holds an elaborate holiday affair with dinner and entertainment at a local casino. But not this year.

Because of the economy, IGT will not be sponsoring any holiday events this season, according to Julie Brown, IGT director of marketing.

"When determining the best use of allotted budget dollars for employee events in the fiscal year 2010, the decision was made to provide employee events that benefit employees and their families as opposed to just employees and one guest," Brown said.

Last year IGT held a holiday party at the Grand Sierra, where an employee paid part of their ticket and a donation was made to Helping Hands. This summer, an event such as a family picnic will be planned instead.

The staffing agency Hire Dynamics usually rents a banquet room and provides dancing and music in a formal setting. This year, the employees were asked what they wanted to do and opted for a less-expensive affair at Washoe Flats Steakhouse.

"It was a great surprise," said Emily Ellison, regional manager of Hire Dynamics of Reno and Carson City. "We were prepared to do what we normally do because we feel Christmas parties are a really great way to cut loose and thank everyone for their hard work throughout the year."

Going to restaurants is "just not us," KPS|3 marketing president Stephanie Kruse said. So her company plans a gift exchange and dinner at one of the staff members' houses, following the practice of past years.

"Last year, the holidays were so close to when the economy fell off the cliff that we didn't do anything too terribly crazy," Kruse said. "We went out for a fun lunch together and went to a silly, fun, laugh-out-loud movie because the economy was pressing on everybody's mind so much that we thought we needed a good laugh."

Colliers International in Reno plans to do what it did last year a bowling event with pizza and appetizers. The only difference, managing partner Tim Ruffin said, is no open bar this year.

IQ Systems in Reno will stick to its tradition of chartering a bus to Louis' Basque Corner Restaurant for dinner and cocktails, followed by a bus ride to the University of Nevada, Reno, to watch a basketball game.

"Our business is doing well despite the economy," said Aaron Boigon, partner and vice-president of IQ Systems. "People still need IT services and what we do, so things have been fine for us."