A new survey of more than 2,000 employees from online job board TipTopJobs has revealed that over 55% of UK workplaces have sacrificed the traditional office Christmas party this year due to the recession.

Despite this statistic, however, it seems that employees are not willing to lose their Christmas cheer so easily. Around 64% of the workforce state that they would like a ‘budget office party’in light of the economic climate.

The survey also showed that 42% of the offices that are proceeding with their Christmas party have had to make significant cuts to budget due to the recession. The swanky restaurant has been substituted for the office meeting room; the elaborate canapés now a humble cocktail sausage.

These low-cost festivities seem to sit well with the workforce, however. Employees have a fondness of the traditional Christmas party and do not want to sacrifice it due to budget constraints. Perhaps this is due to the 43% of employees who admitted to their boss having embarrassed themselves at their previous functions.