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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:
sleepismyhobby · 16/12/2022 13:22

Me I'm a agency nurse so don't have set work place . I'm happy though , love being at home maybe a wee glass of wine and no fighting for a taxi or hangovers

AclowncalledAlice · 16/12/2022 13:24

Nope. was supposed to be going away this weekend for my birthday celebrations (birthday is actually next Sunday but apparently there's something else going on that day 😃),but due to train strikes* it's not happening, so won't be going out at all this year.

*Fully support the strikes and have filed this weekend under "shit happens, it's not the end of the world"

Merlott · 16/12/2022 13:26

Go out for a nice brunch/lunch where the timing fits around LO's nap schedule!

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TheYummyPatler · 16/12/2022 13:26

Me. I won’t be having one in the foreseeable future either.

I certainly would not be prioritising a work night out over pretty much anything!

WestwardHo1 · 16/12/2022 13:31

Schlaar · 15/12/2022 22:24

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

Show quote history

Er....yes? 🤔

Winterflorals · 16/12/2022 13:34

It hugely depends on the age of the child. My DS is 2 (today, actually!) and if he woke up and DH and I weren’t there he’d be scared. In a couple of years I’m sure he’ll be fine but then his younger brother or sister is arriving in midsummer so we’ll have to wait!

I was supposed to have a night out with friends two weeks ago but DS was ill. It’s my works do next week so should be able to make that.

serenghetti2011 · 16/12/2022 13:37

Me neither op, having a thoroughly miserable time and trying my best to ‘snap’ out of it as I’m bringing everyone else down apparently 😑

just would be nice to do something nice
heyho always someone in a worse situation
my youngest can’t have outside care/baby sitter due to asd my son sometimes babysits but usually too busy going out himself which is fair enough. Need to try and not feel quite so sorry for myself

WaddleAway · 16/12/2022 13:39

Me 👍. Had one evening out with DH planned (first one in over a year due to lack of babysitters) and had to cancel as my severely autistic 3 year old developed a 40 degree temperature earlier in the day.
I haven’t been for a proper night out for nearly 5 years.

MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 16/12/2022 13:47

EvilRingahBitch · 15/12/2022 22:26

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.

Show quote history
Grin
sm40 · 16/12/2022 13:50

I Always used sitters. All very well qualified people. My kids were good sleepers and one babysitter implied she would love to interact more with them. I guess some kids just watch a film with the sitter. You are paying them to look after your kids whatever that may mean.

lurchermummy · 16/12/2022 13:50

Not one.

Drinks with friends tomorrow but at their house and very low key.

To be honest we very rarely go "out out" anyway. We live in quite a rural area, everyone has to drive, and it's too blooming expensive.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 16/12/2022 13:56

IME experience work Christmas do's are loud, overpriced with poor food and colleagues getting drunk to the point of vomiting. I don't miss them at all.

Mommabear20 · 16/12/2022 13:56

🙋‍♀️ I'm on maternity leave so no Christmas do for me again this year (3 years in a row now 😂) and with 3 under 3 at home, DH and I aren't gonna get any time out together either! We're not too fussed though, we knew this would be the reality of having the kids 😂

Ijuststoodonlego · 16/12/2022 14:07

Eatentoomanyroses · 16/12/2022 12:54

@Ijuststoodonlego you sound very positive. You’re right. Lots to be thankful for. We actually did book a festive break with the kids but the kids had a sickness bug so we had to cancel. These things happen with kids I guess!

Ah the dreaded sickness bug. I try to be as positive as possible.

We just about got away with it. I was on paracetamol and ibuprofen (being careful about dosing, just realised that sounded a bit dangerous) and the kids were snuffling but not laid up (still able to go to school), so we thought may as well.

I paid a baby sitter once and it was eye wateringly expensive and she was a bit moody and bossy. So that was that. I could ask my mum but she has enough on and I think I'd like to do things for myself and not take the piss like my sibling does. If we ever get desperate we can pay for a sitter maybe. I think you do need some child free time as a couple, or if youre single, to go out with mates or have time alone x

user1498572889 · 16/12/2022 14:13

I only know one person who has been to a christmas "do".

Gasmyarse · 16/12/2022 14:16

I don't think I have ever been to an Xmas get together/night out.

What does make me eye roll a little is when people I know say they have not Been out for months . No money or childcare or no time to do it. And then I'm thinking there's pictures of you in the pub, or out to lunch with your friend or date night ect. When i say I have not been out socially for months that's what it actually means.

clpsmum · 16/12/2022 14:24

I haven't and would love to tbh

xogossipgirlxo · 16/12/2022 14:43

Me neither, I was feeling to unwell (early pregnancy) to go to Christmas do this year. It's not like I'm big fan of Christmas parties anyway. Everywhere is too crowded and too laud for me. Now I am feeling too nauseous and tired to bother going to Christmas market. Driving makes me sick. I made some plans to go out with couple of friends in February, so still plenty of time😂I don't even know if I manage to do Christmas shopping or I will take the risk and will send husband on his own. I was planning to do some cooking, not sure if it's gonna happen. We have to drive 3h on Christmas eve to my FIL and I am feeling sick just thinking of it. It's just like non stop motion sickness for me right now. I fall asleep on the sofa at 9PM every day. I honestly don't know how I pull through this. FIL already started preparations etc., so obviously we won't cancel on him, plus he's really looking forward to it. I have to manage somehow and hope that I'll be feeling good.

Last year my work cancelled Xmas do due to many Covid+ cases in office. In 2020 WFH. So that was my 3rd year with no party. Next year maternity leave, so I can get drunk with baby formula I guess 😬

xogossipgirlxo · 16/12/2022 14:43

*loud, sorry

crimbocountdown · 16/12/2022 14:55

Not here either

Recent single parent to twins +1. No babysitters will have them. I'm
Not too fussed - I think gin and recent separation would just lead to crying in a corner of the bar 😂

Dorsetdingle77 · 16/12/2022 15:00

Me either. Social life has completely dried up post covid. I dont mind really, I cant afford it and I'm happy at home but I do like getting dressed up, I just live in my onsie!

MissBPotter · 16/12/2022 15:13

Me too, not been on one for years and I do love going out. But now we have three kids, my parents are old/don’t want to help and dh’s mum lives too far away. I don’t know anyone who would look after my kids, don’t understand how ppl get anyone to do it, no-one I know has offered…. I do have maybe one or two friends but barely see them. I’m a teacher so always working or with my own kids…. My work do is the same day as one of my kids nativity plays….. would struggle to afford to
go out as well, which is quite annoying. Me and dh were saying the other day maybe we can go out together in about 8 years when the oldest is 16 and might be old enough to look after the other two! That was actually quite depressing tbh.
So I am similar to you op, I’d love a night out! But won’t be going on one for ages probably, maybe never.

Computersaysno123 · 16/12/2022 15:16

LOL at the no randoms babysitting. We have no support nearby and I am not going to be one of these people who moan about never going anywhere when there are solutions. So I'll hire a god damn random and enjoy some time out as adults should do

Computersaysno123 · 16/12/2022 15:18

MissBPotter · 16/12/2022 15:13

Me too, not been on one for years and I do love going out. But now we have three kids, my parents are old/don’t want to help and dh’s mum lives too far away. I don’t know anyone who would look after my kids, don’t understand how ppl get anyone to do it, no-one I know has offered…. I do have maybe one or two friends but barely see them. I’m a teacher so always working or with my own kids…. My work do is the same day as one of my kids nativity plays….. would struggle to afford to
go out as well, which is quite annoying. Me and dh were saying the other day maybe we can go out together in about 8 years when the oldest is 16 and might be old enough to look after the other two! That was actually quite depressing tbh.
So I am similar to you op, I’d love a night out! But won’t be going on one for ages probably, maybe never.

You pay for someone 🤔

MissBPotter · 16/12/2022 15:22

I don’t know anyone to pay, I guess I could go on childcare but that sounds a bit risky. Plus even though we both work full time in professional jobs paying someone would be a real stretch at the moment on top of the actual night out. Maybe I will do that in a few years if we get a bit more disposable income as childcare fees reduce.