| OTTAWA
| Nov.
28,
2008 — They
might drink cheap domestic beer and leave the champagne in the fridge,
but that doesn't mean Canadians are going to let a dumpy economy wreck
the company Christmas party.
At least, not entirely.
Butterfield & Robinson, an upscale Toronto travel agency, recently had to
lay off a few employees. Still, they're determined to make the best of a bad
situation.
"It's not going to be a very big party, but we're still having
one," says Caitlin Ryan, who is responsible for planning it.
"It's just getting the staff together with their spouse or significant
other. We've rented a space, and it's just going to be appetizers and
wine and beer, and just have some fun for a few hours."
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| Holiday parties might be smaller this year, but
the alcohol will still be flowing |
A party might cheer people up a little.
"It's probably just like
everywhere else. Everyone's obviously kind of uneasy about the economy,
and knows that it's hitting everyone, but there's nothing we can really
do about it, so we just plug away," Ryan says.
Book sales are suffering too, but the Chapters at the intersection of
Robson and Howe street in Vancouver isn't cutting back on festivities.
Long-time employee Michelle Bischof says although the party details haven't
been pinned down yet, the budget this year is the same as it was last
year, and the year before that.
Cotillion of the century?
On Parliament Hill, MPs aren't going to turn down the chance to cut
loose, either. Conservative spokesman Ryan Sparrow says the Conservatives'
party at the Westin will feature good food, good friends, and good cocktails.
"It's
tough economic times. It's not going to be an extravagant party by any
means. It'll certainly be well-run, and they always are, and obviously
it'll be a lot of fun," he says.
But, he adds, "You're not going to see things like ice sculptures
or anything like that."
No ice sculptures for the Liberals either, but at least there'll be
a band. Roger Cuzner, party whip and party planner explains, "usually,
we're on either side of break even with our Christmas parties, so I don't
anticipate any cutbacks, or reduction in the Christmas spirit." He
figures more than 800 people will show up at the shindig.
Meanwhile, "The Cotillion of the Century" — as NDP MP Peter
Stoffer jokingly calls the "all party party" he organizes each
year — is going to be postponed. Not because of the economy, though.
Stoffer says he just wants to give newly-elected MPs a chance to settle
in. Then, when March rolls around, it'll be Christmas all over again,
with the RCMP Dixieland Band, $3 booze, and prizes galore, all to celebrate
the hardworking people who clean the offices, take the phone calls, and
file the documents for our elected representatives.
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| Political holiday parties won't be watered down |
While MPs plan to party it up in Ottawa, Bay Street will probably be
holding off on the fireworks and caviar. Kim Sutch, a spokeswoman for
the Royal Bank, says each regional office is responsible for planning
its own Christmas bash, but in general, she thinks they'll keep things
low-key. In her region, Ontario North and East, she says they might organize
a luncheon of some kind.
And, of course, not every Christmas party in the country has survived
the economic guillotine. Media giant Canwest Global recently decided
to kill 560 jobs, and its news service has axed its party plans.
Corus Entertainment Inc., which laid off 53 employees last year, has
put its Christmas celebrations on the chopping block, too.
Spokeswoman Sally Tindal says it's not something the company really
wants to comment on. But, she adds, "of course people will be doing
other things." 
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Holiday party theme ideas 