Calgarians, companies scaling back on holiday parties this year
Posted Dec 17, 2024 3:28 pm.
Last Updated Dec 17, 2024 3:56 pm.
Christmas is just over a week away, but have you been to any holiday parties yet?
A Calgary caterer says there has been a noticeable shift in how people are celebrating with more of them taking a dialed back approach to festive gatherings this year.
“The difference this year is companies and individuals are a little bit tighter on budget, watching what they spend,” says Michelle Kuenz-Malec, director of sales and marketing with Great Events Catering. “Maybe going from a dinner to a lunch.”
She says her company has been busy with back-to-back bookings since Remembrance Day, as is consistent with previous years. But the big difference this year is that many of the bookings are on a much smaller scale.
Read more: No-gift Christmas: Some embracing it to avoid stress, overspending
Kuenz-Malec says a popular trend for companies this year is going from a company-wide celebration to something like a department lunch.
She says a lot of corporations have moved away from banquet style events that include dinner and a plus-one.
“Individuals are a little bit tighter on budget, watching what they spend,” she says. “Instead of multiple proteins on a buffet, maybe just scaling back to one.”
Another big change in 2024 is last-minute bookings, says Kuenz-Malec.
Great Events is still booking buffet-style and plated dinner options right up until Christmas Eve.
