Businesses lose mood for lavish holiday parties
By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer
Think small, intimate and meaningful.
Christmas parties this year will be toned down versions of the extravagant island bashes of years past. Some companies are even forgoing the celebrations all together, opting instead to give to charity the money that would have been spent on a party.
Fear of the where the economy is headed or how long the war on terrorism will last have had a sobering effect on how businesses and individuals plan to celebrate the holidays. Hotels and catering companies are still getting orders, but they are smaller and less lavish than in previous years.
Bank of Hawaii, one of the companies not having an employee Christmas party this year, is instead sending a group of employees on a $10,000 shopping spree for toys that would be donated to Toys for Tots, said bank spokesman Stafford Kikuchi.
"The bank wants to make this a very special holiday season for Hawai'i's children," Kikuchi said.
More to the point, many local businesses just don't feel like celebrating. In a year that witnessed terrorist attacks on the United States and a war overseas, many feel it is not a good year to party.
"This is not the year to be ostentatious," said Pete Martinez, president of Hawaii Internet Emporium.
Instead, Martinez said, each employee will receive a check that the company is encouraging them to spend in Waikiki. His company has had a good year and he said he wants to encourage his employees to support the local economy during a very tough year. The inspiration for this, he said, came from the Web site sharinghawaii.com.
For businesses that plan to have parties, they will be of a more subdued variety.
"It's not a good idea to overcelebrate this year," said Richie Miao, owner of the trendy hair salon Chop in Restaurant Row. His company's party will be a low-key affair for employees and clients, held in the salon.
Ditto for Reid Fujita and his company, Cinnamon Girl. Instead of a hotel, we'll have a more homespun celebration, Fujita said.
"A nice event, but not as extravagant as in previous years, and more personal," he added.
Recognizing the importance of being together during the holidays, the law firm of Carlsmith Ball LLP is having a party, but with a different focus.
"People want to get back to the old-fashioned values of getting together and sharing with others," said Nancy Connolly, Carlsmith Ball's director of operations.
With that in mind, the firm's employees came up with a creative way to celebrate the holidays: "A Taste of Carlsmith." The event is meant to celebrate the various ethnicities of the firm's employees. A potluck of cuisines, prepared by the employees, will be served in stations on each of the firm's three floors.
Again, like most companies, there will be no grab bags. Donations will be made to Toys for Tots instead.
Emphasizing fun
As many businesses shy away from seemingly showy celebrations, Sharon Serene Creative, a Honolulu advertising firm, is bucking the trend.
In the past, the company has consistently decided against a Christmas party. However this year, "we need a party," said owner Sharon Serene.
"It's a show of moving forward. It's a way to thank everyone for hanging in there during stressful times," Serene said. "This isn't a time to not do anything."
She has booked the back room at Duc's Bistro for a luncheon.
Each employee, she said, has been asked to bring a grab-bag gift that is "something you would play with.
"I want people to laugh and laugh and laugh, and have fun."
Individuals also are busy planning what to do for a party this Christmas season.
Artist Peggy Chun said she is having a hiking party with a group of women friends, as well as a tree-decorating party, which is an annual event for her. "It's fun as usual," she said unapologetically.
Jennifer and Harry Rothschild of Hawai'i Kai are planning a party for friends and neighbors. However, Jennifer Rothschild said, "It's different this year. I have been more subdued in trying to think of a theme. My usual approach is to do something light and fun and frivolous but that is not as appropriate. I'm thinking I'll modify the whole concept."
Meanwhile, Carolyn Berry, of 'Aina Haina, who often entertains during the holiday season, said, "I haven't changed anything that I'm doing."
However, her family is coming to visit from North Carolina. "It will mean a lot more to everyone this year because we are all together and we want to be together more than ever before," she said.
Few Christmas bookings
An economy ravaged by the aftereffects of Sept. 11 has many Hawai'i hotels reeling. Party bookings for most are down except, perhaps, for the Hawaii Prince Hotel. According to marketing manager Liana Mulleitner, business is up.
However, the parties are not the big ballroom bashes of the past. They are small affairs, averaging about a dozen people. The hotel is finding that companies are holding their parties in small-function rooms and then going to the Prince Court's lavish holiday buffet rather than having the hotel cater a separate meal.
It also is tough for caterers.
Normally, by this time, Beau Soleil would be booked every weekend through the end of the year for private parties. They do not have a single booking yet, owner Holly Hadsell-El Hajji said.
The Manoa-based catering company didn't start receiving inquiries about orders until two weeks ago.
