Holiday parties are making a comeback

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - If the number of employers holding holiday parties is any indication our economy is getting stronger.  Whether the invitation is to a bar, a banquet hall, or someone's home it does appear more employers are willing to host holiday parties.

About 7,000 people responded to an online survey by CareerBuilder and results indicate 58% of employers are planning to get people together this season, that's a 6% increase over last year.

Donald Phillips, the president and owner of Mandalay Banquet Center, says things have been very good.  Mandalay is the largest independently-owned banquet hall in the Dayton area.

Phillips told 2 News, "We had a lull right after 9-11 but we've going up steadily each year."  Phillips said this year his business is up 25% over last year.

Our partners at the Dayton Business Journal are taking votes right now to the question "What are your company's holiday party plans?"  On Tuesday at noon these were the results:

59% are having a party, same as every year, 9% are restoring theirs after the recession canceled them out, 23% are again not having a party, and 9% never had one.

But those employers who are hosting parties do seem to be scaling back on certain favors.  Phillips told 2 news there's not as much drinking for instance.   A catering company out of Chicago told a newspaper that it's seen businesses that once spent $50,000 on a party drop to about $15,000.

However, there is business to be gobbled up for those in the party business and when people are spending money on holiday cheer .there's more merriment to go around.  Phillips said he's hired a lot of part time workers this season.