THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 28, 1994 TAG: 9412240111
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
If your company's holiday party features peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, dinosaur-shaped pieces of chicken, magicians, jugglers and animal balloons, you have not walked into the wrong room.
You are in on the latest, and safest, trend in holiday soirees.
``Many companies are interested in this type of party for the holidays,'' said Ann Christie, vice president of A Touch of Class Inc. She and her husband, Gordon, know parties. Grand Affairs, their catering business on Pleasure House Road, put on 128 parties and served 17,000 people between Dec. 2 and 22. December is their busiest month.
The hectic holiday season leads many companies to call upon the Christies. Ann Christie is recommending children's parties for businesses this season for a plethora of reasons.
``They are family-oriented. One children's party we're giving has 400 people attending and 200 of them are kids,'' said Christie. ``They're safe, non-alcoholic events, an important consideration this time of year. We serve punch.
``Traditionally someone in the company gets selected to plan the Christmas party,'' she said. ``In addition to doing their regular job, they also have to take care of the details of a party for hundreds of people - not the easiest task, to say the least.
``These companies are finding out it's easier to call us. They just call and tell us how many people and we'll do the rest. It's stress free.''
Christie also pointed out the burgeoning numbers of working women, often married with children and families of their own to plan for, as a reason for catered affairs for the holidays.
``And another reason, certainly an important one from the companies' standpoint, is that children's parties are less expensive,'' Christie said. ``With budget cutbacks, that's very crucial.
``No alcohol is served, so we have no bartenders. The guest list is cut, if not eliminated, because the family is the center of attention. And hot dogs and pizza cost less than prime rib and lobster.''
Brad Hunt, vice president of the Greenbrier-Lynnhaven Automotive Group, decided to hold the company's party at Grand Affairs this year. The car dealership chose the children's theme party and Hunt was glad they did.
``For about 10 years previously, we had always had what you think of as a more traditional holiday party - a sit-down dinner with a band and drinks,'' said Hunt. ``This year, we decided to try something a little different.
``We'd had picnics during the summer and they went over well, and were one of the highlights of our year.''
Hunt and the automotive group opted for a similar occasion for the holidays.
``It worked out great,'' said Hunt. ``We had more than 500 people there, almost 200 kids. Santa Claus was there and the kids had pictures made with him.
``Every kid that came got a present. We served soft drinks. No alcohol.''
Hunt called the party a ``joyous affair. Even some of the adults went up to have their pictures taken with Santa.
``I haven't heard of a single negative comment. The employees really liked bringing the kids along.''
Hunt said that, although it was the first time for the children's Christmas party, it likely won't be the last.
``Let's face it, it's better not having to worry about people driving home after one of these parties.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Executive Chef Steve Latham, left, and Grand Affairs owners Ann and
Gordon Christie with a kids-theme party.
by CNB