Ideas for Christmas Office lunch

maggiesoup1

Sorry to mention the C word so early but...... I'm sure boss will proudly announce that she's booked yet another "Party" afternoon at a city centre 4-star hotel (costing £40 per person!) in December.

We are a fairly small office, about 10 of us, ages range from 21 to 62. You might guess, I fall into the latter age group, and can't handle the thought of another noisy 3 "hours of fun" with music blaring out (even during the meal) and then the disco starts for 2 hours, I usually disappear at this point, which is such a shame as I'd like to chat to my colleagues as I'm a rep and not in the office very often.

I truly appreciate that she's spending a small fortune on one Christmas Party but I secretly think at least half the office can't be bothered with it either. I'd like to propose something of an alternative but unsure what's out there. Has anyone done anything different as an office outing at Christmastime?

Thanks

greenface

Anywhere in the world ?

duchy

Some of the best Christmas dos I saw were at a bowling alley some even did a proper Christmas dinner, others just a basket meal but an all ages thing , bar available, music and the bowling itself.

Around here quite a few restaurants have a meal with a tribute band Abba etc which seems to please everyone. Years ago there were two nice Italian restaurants who each had an Elvis impersonator in a local town who always booked solid for Christmas parties

Not sure if your budget would handle it but how about a medevil banquet ?

All of these you can book a large table at so would work for a smaller office.

Otherwise go the other way completely if you can close the office for an afternoon and get another department to cover the phones and go for a posh afternoon tea with fizz .

maggiesoup1

greenface wrote: »

Anywhere in the world ?

I wish..... no it has to be in Edinburgh!

spadoosh

OH went on a christmas party that was on a canal boat.

Drinks food and a little journey down the canal. Wasnt that expensive i know the budgets are £25 per head from the company but not sure how much it cost.

PARTY BOAT!!!

Kynthia

Not for Christmas but my team hired a private room in a bowling alley. We had free drinks, unlimited bowling, nice basket meals and a karaoke machine for the afternoon and it was good fun. We've also done tge medieval banquet and it's nice to have entertainment. For a retirement we did an afternoon tea river cruise and had a lovely time. You could consider a theatre trip and drinks after. So there are some different options around.

sheramber

What about Christmas lunch at Edinburgh Zoo or a Jacobite lunch at the castle

http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/whatson/festive

Runningfast

In my office we have tried numerous things from the hotel meals with disco afterwards, themed party nights, the trip down the canal (unbelievably boring as the boats are too small for a group to move around plus those around 21 will probably secretly hate the idea).

We have now just settled on a meal early afternoon (last 4 years) and then who wants to go out drinking can, those who want to go somewhere quieter and talk can do that, those who want to go home can do that etc. Our party groups generally have around 35-60 people each year. I would say 90% just head out to party after the meal. Depends on your definition of talking but in our office once at the meal we have a no work talk motto and anyone who mentions the office is royally booed by everyone it is a laugh. I have fallen foul of the rule once before...never again!!!

Our age range is 25 - 60+. So far 54 have paid the deposit for this years meal.

maggiesoup1

This sounds the most sensible idea TBH. Hopefully boss will agree to put it out to the vote and we'll see how it goes!