The 'office' Christmas Party....

skintscotslass

In true MSE style, I'm boycotting. It's £37.50 this year, plus drinks, plus travel. I just cant justify that. A cheaper option has been given, maybe £25, but I'm not doing that one either. Not that I dont like the people I work with, but I'd rather spend the money elsewhere. I meet up with my girlsfriends once a month and spend about £7. So thats 5 months worth of girls nights before I even look at drinks and travel. I dont do Secret Santa either, or send Christmas cards to colleagues. Everyone knows what I'm like and some are even coming round to my way of thinking, well at least with the christmas cards!!

stormCat99

Just had to say that I am shocked that some people are actually expected to pay for their Christmas dos! Surely if your company is on an event as a thank you to staff for their work in the year, they should be expected to pay for it?

I'll be going to mine - but only because it is free! I feel those of you that have to pay are being treated extremely unfairly by your employers.

PasturesNew

I probably won't be working at Xmas.
If I am I will be temping so won't have been invited.

But as a rule I don't go for all the reasons given above. They are usually overpriced, and/or you need to get an outfit/hair done.

And I really don't mix with people/don't enjoy myself in a crowd/where it's loud.

Did you know .... if you work for a private company, they are allowed to claim up to £75 per person to put on a Xmas Do.... but do they? Do they heck as like the tight gits. That is just £1.50/week. And they wouldn't have to spend that much. It's the thought that counts. Only they don't think.

bargainhuntermummy

I'm shocked :eek: I've always worked in an office and have never had to pay for a christmas do! Its always been food and drinks (with the meal, not if we go elsewhere after!) included but you have to pay for your partners which I think is fair enough. Would never pay to go out with the people I work with!

Buffy_the_Vampire_Bat

We have a site wide Christmas party during the day...with a really good buffet, drinks, quizzes, raffles and music, all of which is paid for by the management (including the booze, although staff are encouraged not to drive if they are drinking and plenty of soft drinks are available). As we are a big site with staff spread out all over the place in different departments, the Christmas party is a great opportunity to catch up with people you don't often see. Seating is informal so you don't have to sit with people you don't like, and we enjoy ourselves.

My team (of six) usually goes out for lunch together one day as well, but we all get on really well, so we go because we want to! My department is split in two, with the other half of the department being London based. I have been invited to the London do but it's £40 for a three course meal with an allocation for alcohol - I've been previously and there has been a tendency for those not driving to drink the place dry, which those of us who have been driving have been asked to help pay for - I am certainly not doing that this year! I've already got two works things planned (the big do and the team lunch) so will give it a miss this year.

shazziere

Im a district nurse working for a very busy gp practice.This year the nurses have been left off the list for the free Christmas night out.Theres only 4 of us and we feel very hurt that we have been excluded this year.Still........keep smiling eh.....patients to visit .......sigh.......

frannyann

Same here, we pay full cost to sit around whilst everyone moans how carp it is!!

Redbedhead

Our work event is free and this year partners are invited. You have to pay for drinks that aren't at the table (i.e. not wine but everything else) and get yourself there and back but as I am pregnant and won't be drinking, it shouldn't be too expensive.

The department do was organised by me this year so I will definitely be going. In theory we pay for ourselves but the last few years the two bosses have stumped up for the food and we have covered the drinks between the remaining 7 of us. I picked a nice local restaurant so travelling is hopefully kept low for most people and gave them a choice of set menu so anyone who wanted to keep it cheaper could opt for the cheaper menu. Everyone went for the more expensive option, so they do all know the cost in advance at least!

Katgoddess

When I worked for Morrisons, we all had a free Christmas lunch in the canteen with a raffle and the managers serving us. We all got a free bottle of wine and box of chocolates as a present. There was also a staff xmas do which was subsidised (£2 per ticket) partly by the company but mainly by fund-raising during the year. Bonus ball etc. The money went to the hall hire and food and we'd buy our own drinks. The kids of staff Christmas party was raised by a donation box in the canteen. And a Christmas bonus if we'd been there 2 years.

Now I work for the local government we get nothing! Except a 10% discount if we want our departments xmas do at the council owned golf course! Oh and hopefully all the back pay they owe us!!!!

tudybobs

Our christmas party is completely free - there's a free and hot buffet but I'm desperately trying to think of excuses not to go!! Last year I hated it, I get on well with my colleagues at work but my partner and I ended up sat on our own as it's very cliquey at work and IO just don't fall in with any of them!!