Works christmas do - an unnecessary expense?

Laurajo_2

Hi guys,

I wondered what your thoughts are on works christmas dos?

Are they a good chance to catch up with colleagues outside of the work environment?

Or an extra night out that you could really do without?

This year, for the first year ever, our firm haven't organised an 'official' one. We used to get a three course meal and five drink tokens at a hotel with a disco etc, however they decided not to do one as only half the people wanted to go last year.

I always went because I thought that if the firm were being kind enough to pay for it, it would be churlish not to go - that said, it's always been held fairly locally to me, a fiver each way in a taxi so very little actual extra cost. And my husband works for the same firm, so we could go together.

This year there has been one organised - £35 for a three course meal and buy your own drinks. It seems a lot to spend on spending a night with people who, whilst I get on with them well enough, I wouldn't choose to socialise with them. We also have a departmental one, but this costs £10 for a three course meal and the head of department buys the drinks. It also takes place on a lunch time/afternoon. There is also talk of a staff night out...and one of the directors will be retiring so there will maybe be a shindig for that....

What are your thoughts about christmas parties? Do you feel under pressure to attend even if you don't want to?

Bella73

We always go to my hubby's one as we have a great time, his company pay for both of us and drinks included. We normally pay to stay at the hotel approximately £70 for bed and breakfast.

However, for my work it has always been they pay for me but we pay for our partners or you can take a friend which is usually about £25 plus they put some wine on the table but you need to allow for other drinks too and if we stay another £70 for a room.

Taxis would cost around £50 each night anyway (more if we wanted to stay after midnight) or one us can drive but it's just not the same.

We don't always go to my one though as it can be a bit formal and nobody lets their hair down as you just can't in front of our boss, you would do yourself no favours at all.

Beetlemama

I never go, but I don't even do the secret Santa, I'd rather have the money to spend on my family. The work bunch are alright but they're not my friends, they're the people I work with. I hope it doesn't sound too mean but with a budget of less than £100 to do all of Christmas, I just can't spend £50 of it on one night out with the people I see everyday. I don't mind the £2.50 lunchtime office "party" (buffet, we buy food from the supermarket and make up ourselves), I'm not a total loss lol

wdah

I always feel under pressure to attend - it's expected - and I couldn't hate them more. Always leave as soon as it's possible to politely do so.

fatpat

In my previous job I did go as we were given £15 each towards the meal and as a group of staff we got on really well so it was always a really good night. We tried to find somewhere we could go so the £15 covered most of the cost of the meal as many of us didn't have a lot of spare cash and avoided expensive xmas set menus. However in my current job I don't go, the meal on its own is normally £35+ (then drinks on top) and I don't really enjoy socialising with the people I work with. I think a lot of people at work think I'm being anti-social but I don't really have the money to waste on a night I probably won't enjoy.

Jo_F

Our company provide a set amount per employee for the Christmas do, it's upto each branch how they use it.

We are a small, close team and last year we went for a meal and some drinks and had a blast, due to the nature of the hours, it can sometimes be weeks in between seeing some members of staff, so it's nice when we all get together.

sparkles07

my hubby and I both work for the local authority, so nothing is arranged or paid for. I like going as it's a nice time away from the office for a chat and ex-employees are normally invited and things, but if i was strapped for cash one christmas it would be the first thing to go on the budget.

Arwen

I work quite far away from where I live so, I have an excuse not to go.I have been a couple of times and taken the car, but to be honest, I can't be bothered.

Id rather socialise with my friends

MrsGSR

I hate work christmas parties. The main reason being that when I was younger I used to work christmas functions in hotels and it really put me off going to them myself, I find them contrived and forced fun.
I had the option of going to two work ones, one of my reasons for not going was I didn't like the menu so couldn't justify the money and my DH had his work ones on the same dates which he couldn't get out of so I have a good excuse!
That said if it were free I might say yes, if I was able to go to DH's then that would be fine. I just resent paying out money to be with people who I wouldn't choose to socialize with.

sweetilemon

We have more than just christmas, our work do christmas, easter, summer, october, the lot! I try attend a couple a year. Nice enough but mainly do it for team building reasons. Would go to every one if my work paid - never going to happen though.

sax11

I find it an unnecessary expense. I don't socialise outside of work with my colleagues and would rather spend time in doing something constructive.