What the Pros Know
Throwing a Holiday Party for Your Business
The holidays are approaching and you’re contemplating
doing something nice for your employees by throwing
a company party. You are in good company; according
to a national survey, over 70% of business owners
indicated that they were planning some sort of holiday
party. Holiday parties have changed over the years, but
that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have one or that they
can’t be fun.
A Little History
It wasn’t that long ago when nearly every available
venue was booked solid on weekends in December
hosting large scale business holiday parties. In fact,
demand was so high that parties began
spilling into January just to have more choices and
to free up the busy December social calendar. Major
employers, ranging from construction companies
to auto dealers to department stores hosted fairly
lavish holiday parties, many that offered a full dinner
and open bar followed by a live band. Today many
have scaled back or even eliminated their parties all
together.
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What Happened?
Nothing in particular caused the change. Much has
happened going back to the 1980’s that has affected
liability including liquor liability and dram shop
insurance laws. Changes in legal drinking ages and
limits for alcohol consumption for operating a vehicle
are some other factors, and taking employees out of the
workplace and into a “party atmosphere” with alcohol
79% of business owners plan
some kind of year end bash
for their employees.
consumption can incur other problems with sexual
harassment law suits. Additionally, rough economic
times in the late 70’s and early 80’s contributed to these
expenditures being trimmed from company budgets.
Many parties discontinued and were never revived.