The Company Christmas party is back with a bang this year as over half of British workers (55%) are attending on average two festive work do's this December.
In the three weeks running up to Christmas, British workers will be splashing out £4bn on partying and looking good at their annual work's bash. These findings have been revealed today in a new study commissioned by Travelodge.
The budget hotel chain surveyed 2,000 British workers to investigate their plans for the forthcoming Christmas office party season.
Key findings revealed the decades-old tradition of holding the Company Christmas party actually in the office is dead. This year, just six per cent of employees are having an old-style festive bash in their workplace.
The majority of employees (46%) are celebrating their year-end by having a civilised three-course evening dinner in a restaurant, followed by drinks in a bar, and the hard-core party animals will go on to paint the town red.
One in ten workers will be going to their local pub for their Christmas do, whilst 14% are having a festive lunch, and 'Bar Humbug' strikes 15% of workers, who are not doing anything with their co-workers this Christmas.
The research also revealed that in today's uncertain climate, seven out of ten (70%) British workers' will be paying for their annual festive work's bash, with the average spend being £55. However, looking good to impress colleagues at the work's Christmas do is a priority and adults are forking out on average £71 on their appearance. Collectively British employees are spending £4 billion on their Christmas work do this year.
Women are the most 'glam'-conscious when it comes to getting Christmas party-ready, spending on average £80 and the most popular purchases being a blow dry, eyebrow threading, eyelash extensions and a sparkly item of clothing.
In contrast, men spend £65 on sprucing themselves up with sunbed sessions, tinted moisturisers and a trip to the barbers.
The report also revealed that London workers are the most extravagant and will be spending £100 on going out with colleagues and £85 on looking good. Workers in Worcester are the second-most spendthrift, spending a whopping £90 on their night out and £80 impressing their colleagues by looking good. Whilst glam-loving Scouse workers come in third place and will be forking out £90 on their hair, make up and outfit and £64 on a well-earned night out with work colleagues.
Workers in Belfast are willing to dig deep to get the Christmas party started, splashing out £150, while Glaswegians show a similar commitment to workplace camaraderie by spending a substantial £145 on festive team fun. Workers in Wrexham will be spending the least this festive season, spending a total of £46: £22 on a meal out and £24 on getting glam.
(source: Travelodge), (image: www.freeimages.co.uk)