Event planners and cab drivers in Ottawa say fewer office Christmas parties have put a damper on business during the holiday season.

Taxi drivers say business is down about 30 per cent compared to last Christmas.

"There would be like every night four or five parties at every hotel and hall. But this year no," said Khalid Azear at Blue Line Taxi. Aliza Gauzas said companies have been looking to cut costs this season. (Ashley Burke/CBC)

Azear said he isn't seeing party goers as often this year, and that this year there are typically only one or two busy nights a week.

"It makes a lot of difference for us because after Christmas the business goes down big time because people spend their money," he said.

Office parties downscaling

A year of rising costs, economic uncertainty and the spectre of future cuts in the public sector have led employers to scale back on the luxury of a holiday party, said Aliza Gauzas who has been planning corporate parties for twenty years.

She said companies are looking at ways to save and going with more low-key celebrations.

"They’re just not spending the money whatsoever and expecting that staff are going to plan something in-house and just do a simple coffee party," said Gauzas.

Gauzas said companies are now calling her for creative ideas on how to save, opting for potluck parties instead of catered affairs or iPods and DJs instead of live bands.

"Cost of housing, cost of food, everything has gone up," said Gauzas. "There have been a lot of layoffs in the community. It's tough."