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Original poster

Anyone else not had a single night out over Christmas ?

101 replies

Eatentoomanyroses · 15/12/2022 22:10

My social media is awash with Christmas parties and nights out. I work from home so no works do, I don’t have any friends, no relatives nearby to babysit so dh and I can go out. Feel a bit fed up. I love clothes, makeup and getting a bit dressed up as shallow as it sounds so this is making me feel a bit fed up. Anyone else?

OP posts:
RejectedCitizenOfMoronia · 15/12/2022 22:14

You're not alone, cant remember the last Christmas doo i went to.

AlwaysFullOfQuestions22 · 15/12/2022 22:17

No but i prefer it. Last xmas do I went to was 11 years ago.

tatertots44 · 15/12/2022 22:17

I've got one but I'm not particularly excited about it. I remember when I was younger I was out every weekend and during the week too. So many meals and nights out. These days in happiest curled up in my pjs. But I get what you mean, it's nice to dress up occasionally.

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Events & celebrations
bloodywhitecat · 15/12/2022 22:18

Me. Even if I'd had an event to go to getting childcare for my little one would be almost impossible so I am staying home but at almost 60 I am often under a fleece on the sofa by 8pm anyways (I am a foster carer hence the little one in the house).

Esssa · 15/12/2022 22:20

I attempted to go to an organised xmas dinner for the first time in 10 years. Didn't get to go as my toddler was poorly. I haven't been out since before covid and definitely not since the toddler was born. Looks like I should just not bother in future. Soda law isn't it.

Original poster
Eatentoomanyroses · 15/12/2022 22:20

Mind you just seen an article about those poor lads in Solihull. Need to have a word with myself. What the families must be going through. I’ve no right to be fed up really

OP posts:
Ontobetterthings · 15/12/2022 22:20

There's still time! Could you get dressed up and go theatre and a meal? Take dh and kids?

Schlaar · 15/12/2022 22:21

I don’t remember the last time I went out. I think it was a disco in Nov 2021. I don’t have any friends so I never get invited anywhere, no family to babysit so DH and I can’t go out together either. No parties last Christmas and none this year either. DH has had a work party both years as well as a few other work functions during the year and I’m super jealous.

Original poster
Eatentoomanyroses · 15/12/2022 22:23

@Ontobetterthings our toddler is at a very tetchy age even taking her out for tea ends in carnage 😂

OP posts:
Schlaar · 15/12/2022 22:23

Ontobetterthings · 15/12/2022 22:20

There's still time! Could you get dressed up and go theatre and a meal? Take dh and kids?

It’s not “going out” if you have to trail the kids along! That’s just more childcare but in a posher place! 😂

cestlavielife · 15/12/2022 22:23

Hire a babysitter

Schlaar · 15/12/2022 22:24

cestlavielife · 15/12/2022 22:23

Hire a babysitter

Do people really just hire randoms to look after their precious children?

Original poster
Eatentoomanyroses · 15/12/2022 22:25

Schlaar · 15/12/2022 22:24

Do people really just hire randoms to look after their precious children?

Show quote history

Yes. I don’t know anybody who uses sitters. I think I’d be worried the whole night.

OP posts:
EvilRingahBitch · 15/12/2022 22:26

Schlaar · 15/12/2022 22:24

Do people really just hire randoms to look after their precious children?

Show quote history

Ah, that's why you've got a problem. My children are just run of the mill kids and not remotely precious, so the neighbourhood teens, or a nursery worker who fancies some extra cash, are fine to look after them.

justasking111 · 15/12/2022 22:26

Schlaar · 15/12/2022 22:24

Do people really just hire randoms to look after their precious children?

Show quote history

Why do you assume that it would be a random.

XenoBitch · 15/12/2022 22:26

Same. I don't work (so no works xmas do), and don't have any sort of social circle where we all meet up.
Tbh, it does make me sad

comical2023 · 15/12/2022 22:27

Schlaar · 15/12/2022 22:24

Do people really just hire randoms to look after their precious children?

Show quote history

No you hire a properly vetted babysitter who you have checked out appropriately just the way you would a nanny or you use staff from nursery, you ask for recommendations or once they are about 8 you look for a teen who wants to earn some extra cash. It’s completely normal

comical2023 · 15/12/2022 22:29

Eatentoomanyroses · 15/12/2022 22:25

Yes. I don’t know anybody who uses sitters. I think I’d be worried the whole night.

Show quote history

And I don’t know anyone who doesn’t or as our kids are older, didn’t. We used sitters from when they were reliably sleepers just as my parents used sitters for us and theirs did for them.

Original poster
Eatentoomanyroses · 15/12/2022 22:30

comical2023 · 15/12/2022 22:29

And I don’t know anyone who doesn’t or as our kids are older, didn’t. We used sitters from when they were reliably sleepers just as my parents used sitters for us and theirs did for them.

Show quote history

That would be the other issue. They’re not reliable sleepers

OP posts:
comical2023 · 15/12/2022 22:32

How old are they? If not babies there’s very little more exciting than having a babysitter to play with. Unreliable toddlers I agree, babysitters can be a challenge if they don’t know them well.

Puppers · 15/12/2022 22:32

I'm not going out. DH has two work do's but other than that he's not going out either.

It's just the life stage we're at. We have young children and it's a faff sorting childcare. Plus it's almost a given that one or more of them will come down with flu/sickness bug/chicken pox on the day and we'll have to cancel.

We're content to be homebodies for now and we find the joy in this chapter. There will be time for nights out again later.

flummingbird · 15/12/2022 22:32

Me. Feeling particularly miserable today as its my birthday, I'm off work with covid, missed the Christmas get together at work. Will also likely miss the Christmas do at the weekend and taking DD to see santa as I can't see this virus clearing before then. Utterly grumpy and feeling sorry for myself. Bah.

mondaytosunday · 15/12/2022 22:34

When I was young and child free I was always amused at how every magazine featured party dresses as if everyone was out several nights a week for a month! Back in the day there would be a work do, maybe a neighbourhood drinks thing and a dinner party. Now none. I'm having a friend around for lunch next week which doesn't require getting dressed up, another will come round for a drink (which is a biweekly thing anyway). Pre covid I used to do an annual Christmas dinner party for ten-12, but I've moved 70 miles away from my friends since then.

EarringsandLipstick · 15/12/2022 22:35

I don't either. I'm ok with it. I do like nights out but can't afford it, and I'm a single parent working full time with 3 active DC & it's just logistically too hard.

I do other social-ish things, like running, going for coffee.

I think in the reasonably near future might be able to have a night out again so I'm ok with that.

Sorry to those of you feeling lonely at the moment. 💐

Almondier · 15/12/2022 22:37

Me. Never get to go out. Even in the day!
Single parent to a child with complex additional needs who can’t attend school. Can’t remember the last time I had a night out, probably 13 years ago before he was born.