Fewer than one in 10 (9%) employees would like a Christmas party, and many (39%) would prefer a voucher or gift card.
Key findings:
- Fewer than one in 10 (9%) employees want a Christmas party this year.
- Instead of a Christmas party, nearly two-fifths (39%) would prefer a voucher or a gift card, and almost one in three (29%) would prefer an extra day off.
- One in four (23%) of those whose workplace is holding a Christmas party plan to skip it citing other plans (36%), the expense (26%) or that they simply don’t wish to attend (39%) as the reason.
- Fewer than one in three (29%) of employees say they are taking part in a workplace Secret Santa, with the remainder saying it is either not an option (53%), they simply don’t want to (25%) or because they can’t spare the money (19%).
What would employees prefer instead of a Christmas party?
With just 9% of employees saying that they wanted a Christmas party this year, we asked them what they would prefer instead. Here’s what they said:
| A voucher or gift card instead of a Christmas party | 39% |
| A day off instead of a Christmas party | 29% |
| A gift from my employer instead of a Christmas party | 21% |
| None of the above (including a Christmas party) | 14% |
| Budget for training instead of a Christmas party | 9% |
| None of the above, I would like a Christmas party | 9% |
The percentage totals more than 100% because respondents could select all the options that applied to them.
Only two-fifths of employers are definitely having a Christmas party
The economic landscape remains tough, which may mean that holding a Christmas party isn’t high on the agenda for many UK businesses – with only two-fifths of employers definitely organising one. Hybrid and remote working may also be influencing employers’ decisions around Christmas social activities.
Even though fewer than one in 10 employees surveyed want a Christmas party, the majority (69%) plan on attending if their employer is holding one.
Just over two in five employers are covering the full cost of their party
Some employees planning on attending their Christmas party will have more to worry about financially, as 14% of workplaces won’t be covering any cost – from travel to alcohol and food.
This may reflect the challenging environment for UK businesses and in turn, increases financial pressure on some employees over the Christmas period.
Here’s what employees told us when we asked whether their employer was covering the cost of the party:
| My employer is covering all the costs, including, for example, travel and other expenses | 41% |
| My employer is not covering costs outside the party, such as travel and other expenses | 28% |
| My employer is covering part of the cost, (e.g. food but no drink) | 13% |
| My employer is not covering any cost (e.g. alcohol or food) | 14% |
| Not sure | 3% |
Is workplace Secret Santa in decline?
Fewer than one in three (29%) employees will definitely be participating in a workplace Secret Santa this year. The majority of those surveyed said they won’t be taking part, with almost one in five (19%) saying they can’t spare the money.
Here’s what employees told us when we asked why they weren’t planning on participating:
| We don’t do Secret Santa | 54% |
| I don’t wish to participate | 25% |
| I can’t spare the money | 19% |
| I don’t celebrate | 8% |
| Other | 4% |
In the tables above, the percentages may not total 100%, because of rounding.
Methodology
A survey was conducted of 1,203 UK employees aged 16 and over during November 2023. It was carried out on behalf of NerdWallet by Censuswide following the Market Research Society Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.
The survey asked respondents about their attitudes towards workplace Christmas parties and celebrations, as well as whether their employers would be paying for these activities.
Image source: Getty Images
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