There may be fewer Christmas work parties but those employers who are funding festive bashes are allowing more partners of employees to attend, according to events organisers.

One in six  events booked through Elysium Global Events in London is allowing partners this year, compared to one in 13 in 2009.

Over half of the events booked at Venturi’s Table Corporate Cookery Centre in London have invited partners, compared to 20% last year.

Anna Venturi, Venturi’s MD, said: "The atmosphere is definitely different when other halves are involved. They tend to be more civilised affairs with people spending more time talking and less time drinking."

Both companies also reported that daytime events are becoming more popular.