2009 Xmas Prediction

There were a lot of canceled corporate holiday parties this year (December 2008.) Companies would cancel even if it meant they would lose their deposits on musicians, catering and banquet rooms. Other companies, who usually plan late in the year, didn't book at all. In the past, bad economic times meant a cheaper party, not a canceled party, but this year, for many companies, el-zippo.

I think some of them are regretting this now. I think an e-mail message I just received from a regular client is the tip of the iceberg. Normally they book the same band two months in advance. This year they waited until December, asking for pricing (which hadn't changed) and then decided on no party at all. Then yesterday, January 12, they asked me if the band is available for Xmas 2009.

I think a lot of companies are now saying, "What were we, crazy?" The canceled parties probably gave the employees the impression that the company was going under, which was bad for morale, as well as the rumor mill. The companies are probably saying, "Why did we panic? We could have afforded that!" and "If we get in serious trouble, the amount we saved by canceling the party won't help."

My husband thinks that companies will plan holiday parties again this year because it's widely predicted that things will be better by next December, but I think they'll have them anyway. You can't spend every waking moment being a Gloomy Gus, and no one likes Eeyore at Christmas.