Oh no, the office Christmas lunch

Money_Bunny

Just a rant really.

The team Christmas lunch looms. In our tiny team we have:

* The fussy carnivore. Will veto anywhere too vegetable orientated
* The vegetarian (though she is prepared to go anywhere as long as it has some sort of veggie option)
* The thrify pixy. Not more than twenty pounds
* The staunch traditionalist (and also the event organiser) - sit down turkey meal a must.

The negotiations over where to go have now gone on for six long weeks with the above four doing very little work in between googling restaurant websites.

Honestly, it would bother me in the slightest if we didn't have a Christmas lunch but, apparently, we have to go through this ordeal for team bonding!

Tiglath

You have my sympathy - my big team has opted for South African this year. Something there for everyone (even for the South African who didn't want to go):

http://www.shaka-zulu.com/

My small team is also going here:

http://www.chiswellstreetdining.com/

paulineb_2

Ive never had an issue with booking a meal that would suit a vegetarian and someone who is a carnivore, my brother eats meat and I dont, you'll find many restaurants, even at Christmas have turkey on the menu and a vegetarian option. Unless you are planning to go to a vegan or totally veggie restaurant I dont see why the meat eater would be making any kind of fuss.

Id be tempted to say, let them all get on with it, if they cant be bothered, they wont be going anywhere, because people will start booking around now and places will fill up.

Also, what we used to do at an ex workplace of mine, was to order food in and eat it in the workplace.

If someone cant spend more than 20 pounds and the lunch is going to be more than that, well, they are going to have to make a decision about whether they attend or not.

paulineb_2

Take them to wetherspoons. The food is a bit naff in my view, but at this time of year theres a Christmas menu which is around £8 or £9 as long as its not Christmas Day when its dearer. It has a mushroom and pumpkin roast for the veggie, the person who wants to sit down and have turkey can do so, it will suit the thrifty person.

And there will still be change left over for a few drinks. Or you could go to M and S and buy some sandwiches, one with cheese and onion, one with turkey, one with whatever you want and one for the meat eater. Take them all back to the office and wash them down with some grape juice or wine.

Seriously, I wouldnt be calling myself thrifty if I planned to spend £20 on a lunch if you work and you can afford £20, you can afford a bit more. Or you can put aside a bit every month for a year and splash out so that you dont look like a tightwad and can spend a bit more cash.

Im not knocking anyone who is skint, but Id never go on a work meal and say, Im only prepared to spend this amount, particularly at Christmas when prices tend to rise and leave someone else with the headache of planning it all.

ciderwithrosie_2

We do go out for an evening meal, most people turn up, some never do. I agree, it is a bit tricky finding somewhere, within everyone's budget, that everyone can get to, and a menu that appeals to all tastes.

So for those that can't make the evening one, we have a party in the office too, over lunchtime. Everyone brings something to eat or drink (fruit juice) and we give out the secret santa presents.

The other option is to have the Christmas meal in the staff restaurant, but we haven't done that for a few years now as it's a bit basic and the portions a bit small.

Money_Bunny

I should say that I gave up making helpful suggestions about three weeks ago - having my head bitten off is not a lot of fun (I thought tapas was a good suggestion)

Money_Bunny

Ciderwithrosie - aah the heady days of having a staff restaurant. The cuts hit that along with the nursery and the cleaning staff. You can't imagine how disgusting an office carpet can get if its only hoovered once a week.

paulineb_2

Well my advice is, leave them to it. If they cant book a simple lunch that suits everyone, as I said, they may very well end up with no lunch.

DigForVictory

+1 for Wetherspoons! You can get a very heart feed with change from a tenner, & if there's a rampant carnivore to placate go on a Tuesday. Or if you like a simple curry, Thursday. Leaves enough in the kitty to afford a few rounds (or more presents, or the rest of the week's food budget) according to individual taste/circumstances.

Eager_Elephant

I am the office Xmas Meal organiser and I have the same problems - I ask people for their views and then go with the majority.

The problem is that I am vegetarian and I am always disappointed with the food wherever we have been and feel like I have wasted my money so this year ...................

we are going Bowling:rotfl:

2 games of bowling, burger/sausage and chips, 1 free drink, mince pies and crackers - all for £15 pp:money:

kelpie35

As a laugh I would say, "I do have to work with you lot, but I certainly don't have to socialize with you"

Good luck