Department Xmas Do

I wouldn't be bothered about any of those OP and would probably decline gracefully.

Unless it's all expenses paid by the company of course - then it would be rude not to attend

I definitely wouldn’t go for either panto or bowling, I’ve tried both once, never again.

Do you like your colleagues? If so go - even if it's not your favourite activity. It's about spending some time with them coming up to Xmas and getting on with them. It'll probably be helpful at work.

If you don't like them, work primarily by yourself or don't give a shit - then miss it.

It depends if you like your colleagues.

Panto, you're probably a bit late to book / it's bloody expensive if you're not in the Gods.
Crazy golf or bowling might be a bit teenage-date but they're a way to have a laugh together, no alcohol required, you can eat before you go etc.
We're doing a bring and share and a game of skittles. Is it my number one choice of fun? No. Am I happy to do it to spend time with people I like? Yes.

I love my colleagues. I would cheerfully attend almost any evening event with them.

Previous employer I declined each and every event without any explanation beyond No thank you as I loathed the place.

I’m with you OP. I would hate this! Happy to go out for a meal but does sound more like something planned for children.

I would rather make an excuse not to go rather than suffer it😀.

We did a bowling evening one Christmas

It was really fun mainly because it got you chatting to people who don't normally chat to. Normally you go to a meal and you naturally sit next to your work buddy and and near 2/4 other people and that's it for the evening

Excuse me, knocking on 50 and me and friends and colleagues love a night clubbing. Honestly the ageism!

Whilst I don't love the work Christmas do, I go along and make a good effort for a couple of hours, and usually leave at the natural break where people are discussing moving on somewhere. We are mostly WFH so I don't see my colleagues all that often in person.

Unless you’re about to leave the job then you should go.

I don’t think people need to be available for constant office socializing, but showing up to major things like a department Christmas party is in your best interest.

People who have worked in industries where they’re distinct outsiders who have historically not been allowed in (women, people of color, Jewish people, etc) recognize the importance of workplace socialization for career success and advancement. It’s why a lack of inclusion in those areas can be extremely impactful discrimination.

I'd be more likely to go if it was one of those options rather than a meal.

I would just prefer a voucher if the company are paying!

Really depends on whether you like your team or not and want to spend an evening with them. I've worked at places where I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than go to the Christmas do and made my excuses. I've also worked at places where even if the 'activity' isn't my thing, I'll go because we have a fun night. I'm not a huge fan of organised fun and prefer drinks and/or a meal, but if everyone gets in the spirit and you like your colleagues, they can make for a good evening.

Honestly, it's really difficult to find a meal or activity that suits everyone

In the interests of good department relations, I probably would go, even if not my favourite activity. It's once a year

Agreed. I'd prefer all of those options over a dull Christmas meal out and some drinks.

If you don't want to go then say so but it's literally one night and I don't see the problem in them suggesting something other than the standard (often crap) meal out.

Since when is a pantomime, bowling and crazy golf "childish" anyway?

I would have loved that instead of the boring Christmas meal/drinks at a pub that was done in my old job.
Sounds brilliant fun.

Exactly. Sounds fun to me!

I would enjoy the bowling and the crazy golf if the team were a laugh.

Glassblowing a bauble/afternoon tea sounds great and suitable for all ages.

Work Xmas events are always grim, doesn't matter what they are. Why would I want to spend my leisure time with people I see every day at work, either eating horrible mass-produced food or doing some childish (I agree) activity? So just say no, and give the whole thing a miss.

@Printedword why wouldn't someone over 45 want to go to a glass blowing workshop, make their own bauble and then have a nice Christmas afternoon tea in the cafe? Not sure that has a particular age limit to it.
The venue also has 18+ pottery painting BYOB evening events if people wanted that but they opted for a daytime event. We work fully Flexi and can take upto 2 hours for lunch so easy to fit it into the work day for those with child or elderly care challenges.

I presume it’s an attempt to be inclusive and not alcohol focused. Food is a mindfield with allergies/vegan/halal.
It’s a thankless task arranging a Christmas do.
I’d go even if activity isn’t exactly your cup of tea.

So nothing suitable for anyone over 45 then, sounds terrible. Clubbing especially

I like my work colleagues but not enough to associate with them all when I'm not paid to.

If you're of the same mind just say you're booked up December weekend evenings, it's not an unbelievable position