When Elvis came to the office Chrissie party

A Beach, complete with sand, a caravan trailer park, burning cars and oil drums, passionfruit martini and a Little White Chapel. It must be Christmas.

Christmas parties may not have regained the halcyon days of the late 80s, but some firms still shun the snarlers on the barbecue and go a bit further.

Vodafone's staff party in the Logan Campbell Centre last weekend was an "Only in America" themed event, complete with a Venice Beach with real sand and free spray tanning; and a Bronx area, with caravan trailer park, flaming oil drums and a burning car. There was even a Little White Chapel where Elvis was on hand to marry party-goers.

Runner up award goes to the Clemenger BBDO ad agency in Wellington, which has also harked back to the 80s for inspiration with its upcoming "Shadez of Miami" themed do. It put its creatives to good use on the invitations that went to 500 people, and set up a website (www.shadez.co.nz) for RSVPs.

The details are under wraps, but include several local DJs, surprise gifts, and a "well-known Wellington act".

At the other end of the scale, the TVNZ staff are treated to tea and scones in the staff cafeteria. We kid you not. Okay, we kid you a little bit.

The company chucks in a six pack or two and the dregs of any wine left in Bill Ralston's fridge.

"It is appropriate for a state-owned company," one publicist notes.

"Tragic in the extreme," one past staffer recalls. "They chuck a bit of tinsel on the ceiling, get in a DJ and a bit of a buffet, pour the wine and OJ and the smokers stand out on the balcony. It ain't pretty."

TV3's is a catered family picnic in a marquee at a Christmas in the Park event. Prime's is a bit more intimate - 100 sharing tapas and wines.

"Swanky" was the tone. Prime publicist Martine Buchter denied Paul Holmes would sing songs from his CD.

The Radio Network - owners of Newstalk ZB, ZM, Classic Hits, and Viva - had an oompa loompa deliver its invitations to staff for its Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory themed party. But amid the glamour and extras, there are a few reminders that it's the company you're in that counts. And at Christmas, the company that counts is Santa.

The Starship Foundation puts on an annual Christmas party for patients on the first Wednesday in December.

CEO Andrew Young said, "We bring in Santa, TV celebrities, sporting heroes, food, and we sing songs. Then children are asked to go back to wards and we spend the afternoon handing out Christmas presents, which are collected by our volunteers throughout the year."