Works christmas do - an unnecessary expense?

mrsdee

I dont go anymore - dont really want to spend my precious leisure time with a bunch of people I see every day anyway who are nice enough, but are not friends. I usually wait until the date is announced and then quickly respond with "I cant make it but hope you have lovely time". That's all you need to do and dont bother creating an excuse or lie! I'd rather have a night in with hubby and have a glass of wine and cook a nice dinner than spend a load of money on a night out, taxi home etc and regret the expense after.

his_missus

I go to our Work's Xmas Party (and any other social events) because a) the company pay and b) Hubby works for the same company so it's essentially a night out together with colleagues tagging along

I never went to any of the get togethers at my previous job because a) I didn't like most of the people enough to want to socialise with them and b) I didn't want to have to pay for the privilege of point a!

notanewuser

Laurajo wrote: »

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

One of our clients is having theirs this weekend - 450 miles away. DH is flying up. I'm not going. We went last year when they organised it closer (just 120 miles away) and it was completely sh1te. They're rarely any good, to be honest.

redmike123

Ours is employees only, its in a nice hotel, its 3 course meal and I'm not sure about whp pays for drinks. I really don't think I'll be going, enforced jollity, !!!!ed colleagues who finally find the guts to tell me whats wrong with the business, and me trying to stay sober enough not to tell my bosses what !!!!! they are.

house_of_cards

Due to the nature of the business (retail) our company holds it's Christmas party in January so I never go as it just doesn't feel right. By the time New Years Day comes round I've usually had enough of Christmas!


I have usually gone to the department one though which is usually a meal out locally which everyone pays for. No partners though, just colleagues and that one is a good chance for a gossip and catch up (without senior managers around). Unfortunately I can't make it this year as we're away visiting friends for the weekend that it's been arranged for. A bit sad that I'm not going as I shall feel out of the loop but on the plus side it's saved me some money!

Sharon87

I enjoy work Christmas parties usually. I've been to nearly all the parties (inc non xmas ones) I've been invited to, unless I've had other plans.

My industry is all about networking so the parties are a good way of doing that.

When I worked in retail when I was a teenager we had good office parties that involved a lot of free booze and food and was just like a big night club by the end!

Another one was at a cinema, they hooked up guitar hero to the projector in one of the screens and we played that after having free booze and nandos. That was a fun night.

I wish I had a Christmas party to go to this year...

Gettingtherequickly

I generally go, but venue depends on success of evening. Went to 5* hotel one year and we all had to get something to eat on way home, food there was dire.

Best office party I was at was actually in the office! We had moved offices, grown massively so end of first year had a party. Company supplied food & drink and stipulation that we had to wear something with company colours. As we worked in an easily commutable area, most travelled by public transport so the party time was supposed to be from after work until about 9. Huge crisis at 4 as the drink hadn't arrived, so there was a mad dash to get some, but we had a ball, so much so that the 3 of us who had taken responsibility for ensuring everyone was ok and got to leave safely, left at 2:30 the following morning. We had to keep apologising to security, just as well we got on well with the guys! In early the next morning to have some semblence of cleanliness before we allowed the cleaners in, got the photos developed and then sorted for a slide show of the evidence of fun and chaos. The slide show was sent by email on the Monday afternoon and we knew when everyone opened the email! Best office party ever!!

jackomdj

One of my friends got together with her now husband at a works Christmas party.

I sometimes go, depends on OH as he is often working away which means I have to rely on daytime babysitters. Looking forward to this years.

Netwizard

Working for the NHS, we get !!!!!! all. If we want an xmas party, we have to organise it ourselves and pay for it ourselves.

I never go. Its horrific. Sat with the same idiots I see day in, day out, talking about the same old office politics and gossip, only this time with alcohol involved!

I'd rather sit at home on my own with a Chinese and a bottle of Bud :beer:

scmp

I worked in a hotel for years and we got stuff all!
We occasionaly whent for nights out - drinks but i didn't go very often. I was the receptionist and it was the young 20 year olds who arranged going out so i felt a bit awkward but partners were invited.

This year I have an office job and they are [paying for a 3 course meal and drinks. I don't really know the people as I don't get to see many of the workers here. It's free and everybody else seems to be going but partners are not invited, i understand that about the cost but i guess if they had the option for us to pay for partners that would be nice but afterall it is their business and their party so you can't be ungrateful! It is my first Christmas so I will go and see what it is all about! Its actually really nice to be given a christmas staff meal, it's my first ever work do!
Oh also it is on the last friday before we brake up for Christmas and they are cloding the office early so that we can have the dinner at 1.30