If you usually go on a work Christmas party - are you still going this year?

[hollisatze]

As the title says.

I am usually all up for the social of the year with work. WFH and feeling a bit burnt out has left me feeling like I just don't want to go this year and already planning an early escape.

I realise this is the reality for a lot of people most years, but I'm asking about the people that actually tend to be up for and enjoy these events. Are you still up for it this year or am I in company of others that feel they've ran out of steam?

Heck yeah, I love mine! But I'm very lucky. I get travel to London, two nights in ye olde Premier Inn, and a Dickensian feast followed by paid bar.

And the omicron variant but even that was worth it 🥳

Yes, I'll be going, though will probably not drink (someone has to be sensible enough to pay the bill at the end of the night!).

We did have a Christmas party last year, but it was a last minute change of plans as the restaurant we were going to cancelled on us due to a Covid outbreak. We had a party in the office instead, but I said never again as there was so much mess!

This year we're going back to the same restaurant we'd booked for last year and the company pays for it all. We're on a hybrid working system now, so it will be good to get everyone together as it rarely happens nowadays.

I usually prefer to be sat at home in my PJs on a Friday night, but I genuinely work with a great bunch of people, so spending time in their company is good fun.

We went at the weekend and it was brilliant being able to do it properly again, with partners, nice meal, dancing till midnight (last year we just had a pub lunch with no partners). None of us WFH so we do see each other all the time but it was great to catch up with all the partners after a couple of years of not being able to.

Yes last Friday, meal and a few drinks. Very nice but not a mad night out. 9 out of a team of 12

I was quite relieved to see that ours is a buffet rather than a sit down meal. I am the only person in my team who works in my office, and would have to gatecrash another team's table if it was a proper meal. With a buffet I can move between groups more easily and when I make an early exit people are less likely to notice 😉

Nah. It was last week and I couldn’t be arsed. Heavy cold, burnt out from overworking. I absolutely did not feel like it.

This will be my first Christmas "bunfight" in three years.

I'm going. But we do a lunch so I'm driving and the going home once the meal is over and then going out with my actual friends for dinner!!

DH has to pay, and he is not going. He mentioned in his job interview he does not do socials 😁 The seem to respect that

Me, I love them. Get a lovely free meal, drinks and a bit of gossip and banter with colleagues

I am, 5 hour train journey to the head office tomorrow, we are all remote. Then an hour of fun in the office, get ready and meal and drinks then train back on Thursday 😁all paid for by the company

We do two nights out and a lunch/afternoon thing and we pay for them all! And have to use Flexi for the lunch. Public sector...

Ours has been cancelled because of the train strikes. A real shame, I love a Christmas party.

Yes. Free lunch and drinks. I like most of my colleagues.

Are people really still worried about Covid?

Absolutely, very excited! Nearly got cancelled for strikes () but happily we're managing to push ahead though of course lots of people will miss it.

Free drinks, slap up meal, party, entertainment etc. what's not to love?

I'd sooner shoot myself in the foot.

Well, as I'm actually planning our company do, yes, I'm going! Free dinner, drinks, dancing and taxi home (or hotel) - just you try and stop me!

Luckily, it's not affected by the train strike....about 40 of us are going along, and it will be nice to see everyone. There are always one or two colleagues that I would rather not spend the evening with, but I'm doing the table plan. <evil snigger>

I hate massive work dos.
By changing jobs in early October, I've managed to avoid being invited to any. I am delighted.

I never go

I work from home so yes am going and looking forward to seeing people in real life!

No I’m not bothering.

I feel fat and frumpy and wondering what to wear is causing me too much stress. I’d rather just stay away this year.

really not myself this year!

Yes! Last year I couldn't go as had a small baby, the year before it was virtual, and the year before that was online too becasue of covid!
I'm here for it!
This year I'm pregnant again but that's not a bad thing really as the train strikes mean I need to drive there anyway so wouldn't be getting trashed!

I'd like to go but it looks very likely to be cancelled due to the rail strikes. 😡

Very much so. One colleague has promised to do a special German dance for us, and another is bringing her newish boyfriend (who we have all heard about in forensic detail) to be assessed by the team. Other partners will not be attending - I'm not sure how she's going to explain that to him. Two directors who "can't go" have promised to each buy a round of Christmas themed cocktails in absentia, and this will all be taking place on a Friday afternoon. I don't even work Fridays and I will still go.

Not really up for mine this year. Things feel different at work these days.