AFP, Moscow :
Forget corporate holiday bashes where glitterati are treated to fine champagne and French delicacies: Russia’s economic crisis has taken the glow off the holiday season this year.
Many companies are now forced to scrimp on once lavish New Year’s parties or celebrate the country’s most beloved holiday in the office-with simple snacks on offer and employees bringing their own drinks.
On a recent afternoon servers were arranging Chianti bottles on white tablecloths for a holiday party for 500 employees of an international firm in Roll Hall, a venue just south of the Moscow city centre.
Yelena Vetrova, deputy director of the entertainment and shopping complex, said that business was mostly good although some clients waited until the last minute to book their parties, while others scaled theirs down.
“For the first time ever this year we were taking reservations in December,” said Vetrova, noting that clients used to make bookings as early as May.
She added that some clients had cancelled, while others toned down the festivities: the average price tag this year is 25 to 30 percent lower than last December.
“People don’t go away hungry but they don’t eat foie gras,” she said with a wry smile.”Many firms ask us whether they can bring their own alcohol, and we agree.”
Forget corporate holiday bashes where glitterati are treated to fine champagne and French delicacies: Russia’s economic crisis has taken the glow off the holiday season this year.
Many companies are now forced to scrimp on once lavish New Year’s parties or celebrate the country’s most beloved holiday in the office-with simple snacks on offer and employees bringing their own drinks.
On a recent afternoon servers were arranging Chianti bottles on white tablecloths for a holiday party for 500 employees of an international firm in Roll Hall, a venue just south of the Moscow city centre.
Yelena Vetrova, deputy director of the entertainment and shopping complex, said that business was mostly good although some clients waited until the last minute to book their parties, while others scaled theirs down.
“For the first time ever this year we were taking reservations in December,” said Vetrova, noting that clients used to make bookings as early as May.
She added that some clients had cancelled, while others toned down the festivities: the average price tag this year is 25 to 30 percent lower than last December.
“People don’t go away hungry but they don’t eat foie gras,” she said with a wry smile.”Many firms ask us whether they can bring their own alcohol, and we agree.”
