Xmas party a class act

Shortland Street's Kimberley Crossman took her family to the Vodafone bash. Photo / Supplied

There were no topless Thai strippers, but Vodafone is still among the headliners when it comes to Christmas partying.

The company's party was held last weekend where about 2000 staff members revelled at Auckland's Logan Campbell Centre in school uniforms.

'School's out for Summer' was the theme so staff turned up as naughty schoolgirls, geeky students and stern principals.

In previous years, Vodafone has been criticised for its risque themes. In 2000 it hosted a One Night in Bangkok party complete with topless Thai strippers, a monkey and an elephant.

TV, radio and music celebrities made an appearance last weekend including Shortland Street's Kimberley Crossman, The Edge radio station's Jay Jay Feeney and Dom Harvey and musicians Dane Rumble, Midnight Youth, Seth Haapu and DJ Sirvere.

Vodafone spokeswoman Michelle Baguley refused to say how much it cost. But, if Vodafone was paying commercial rates, it wouldn't have got much change out of $40,000. Online catering deals hover at around $16 a head so multiply that by the 2000 partygoers, add alcohol and venue hire expenses and Christmas doesn't come cheap.

The inside of the centre was decked out with a maze, gentleman's club, fish and chip shop, tattoo parlour, fairground rides, Mr Whippy truck and fake police who put people in 'jail' for misbehaving.

Crossman, who plays Sophie McKay on the TV2 soap, blogged about the event on her website, saying it was the highlight of her week. She took her parents and friends along.

"Lucky enough I still fit my Ferndale High uniform from Shortland Street and there were a number of spares so, Mark, mum, my stepdad and our friends Jason and Emily all went as students from Ferndale - well played I thought."

Organisers of Christmas parties say most companies are keeping a lid on spending.

Allan Parker, owner of Auckland's Floating Pavilion, said he was happy with the number of bookings he had received: "Last year we had a lot of cancellations, so it's a huge improvement on that."

Telecom's Christmas party was a Kiwi-themed bash at Auckland's Vector Arena.

Spokesman Ian Bonnar said staff were dressed in Jandals and shorts and the kids enjoyed bouncy castles and trampolines. He wouldn't say how much it cost, but it was less than last year.

Westpac CEO George Frazis surprised staff at their Christmas party last month when he whipped off his shirt. Frazis, who earns more than $5 million annually, revealed a red W on his chest - like Superman - to partygoers. Rumour has it, the Rhubarb Lane party was so rowdy noise control had to shut it down by 10.30pm.

TVNZ is having a "modest affair" with a barbecue on the deck at its Auckland building, said spokeswoman Megan Richards: "Any hardened party-people who want to kick on once the company supplies are finished will buy their own drinks," she said.

MediaWorks, which owns TV3, is hosting a Denim on Denim party at Auckland's O'Hagan's Irish Bar.

The Radio Network celebrated with a boat-themed party while Vero is believed to be partying at Vector Arena.