As America's C.E.O.'s prepare to deck the halls, they're looking forward to a happier New Year.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 1994--According to the boss, it should be a very merry Christmas for most this year, complete with year-end bonuses, office parties and a very optimistic business outlook for 1995.

That's the upbeat forecast from the first annual Cuvee Dom Perignon Holiday C.E.O. Survey of over 500 high-powered executives who have a lot to say about how many of the rest of us will enjoy the holidays. Among the key findings in the survey are:

- Joy to the World - As they prepare to celebrate the season, 70% of the executives say they're more optimistic about the nation's business outlook than they were a year ago. Twenty-three percent feel about the same and just 7% report they are less optimistic as they look ahead to the coming year.

- They Need a Little Christmas - 72% of the C.E.O.'s plan to have office parties for their employees this season; 24% don't and 4% weren't sure as of this survey. Sixty-seven percent will give year-end bonuses; 26% won't and 7% were uncertain.

- Jingle Bell Rock - America's C.E.O.'s are a partying crowd around the holidays: 53% say they'll be attending five to nine holiday parties; 22% will attend 10 or more and the same number (22%) will attend three or four parties. Just 3% will have a relatively quiet holiday season, attending one or two parties. When asked about parties they'll be hosting, 84% said they plan to serve champagne.

- Santa Claus is Coming - When it comes to their personal gift-giving, three-quarters of the executives say they plan to spend "about the same" as they did last year on holiday gifts. Twenty-one percent will spend more and just 4% say they're going to spend less.

- I (Won't) Be Home For Christmas - Sixty-three percent of the business executives say they'll be travelling during the holiday season. The top destinations they'll visits include Florida (29%), the Caribbean (13%), Colorado (10%), California (8%), Europe (7%) and Arizona (6%).

- 'Tis the Season - When asked about their own holiday traditions, 61% named parties with friends and family from ice-skating and tree-trimming to opening gifts on Christmas Eve accompanied by toasts of Dom Perignon.

- All I Want for Christmas - When asked for the one thing they'd really like to have this Christmas, 18% of the C.E.O.'s asked for "good health and happiness for my family." Another 9% just want their families to be together.

The top three executive gifts of a materialistic nature requested by the C.E.O.'s include: golf lessons, equipment or trips for 8%; jewelry, primarily new watches or gold cufflinks, for 7%; and cars, "a Jaguar, Mercedes, Lexus or perhaps a red Porsche convertible," for 6%.

Computer equipment, especially "a new laptop," was requested by 4%. An altruistic wish, "Peace on Earth," is tied with "a little peace and quiet," requested by 3% apiece. Rounding out the top twelve are flyfishing equipment, new yachts, "good business in the coming year," and grandchildren at 2% each.

Will their hearts receive what they desire? Fifty-one percent said "yes," while 21% said "no" and 28% responded "maybe." Among those who were least hopeful was the C.E.O. who only wants a "size 46 suit." He says he's unlikely to receive such a gift because he'll probably still be wearing a size 50!"

Another C.E.O.'s wish has already come true: he asked for a Republican Congress!

The Cuvee Dom Perignon C.E.O. Survey was conducted by mail among chief executive officers of America's top 2,000 corporations in October 1994. A total of 510 written responses were received.

CONTACT: Dunwoodie Communications Inc.

Mona Finston/Leslee Borger, 212/686-5300