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Original poster

Does anyone else not go to multiple Christmas parties?

122 replies

MagpiePi · 03/12/2023 10:26

If you believed the newspapers and SM, December is a frantic whirl of Christmas parties and gatherings, and we are all frazzled at picking the next fabulous outfit and needing tips on how to not over indulge at the buffets and meals every night, not to mention how to deal with the hangover and lack of sleep, and drag ourselves into work the next day.

I might go to the pub with some mates, or we might gather at someone’s house for a coffee and a mince pie, but that’s about it.

Does anyone, apart from journalists and celebs, actually live this life?

OP posts:
Cheeesus · 03/12/2023 10:30

Sometimes. Sometimes not. 😊

Some years I might have a work thing, a school mum thing and a neighbour thing. When I was younger there would be whole work, smaller team, group A friends, group B friends, hobby thing.

But now some years I’ve had nothing.

Toseland · 03/12/2023 10:56

I did that when I was working in London my early 20's - now we just go to friends and family only.

fishfingersandchipsagain · 03/12/2023 11:02

I had 3 different work things last week, and have 2 more next week (different teams), then a mum thing after that, then 2 family things. I already had to turn down 2 other work things because they clash, and also move one to January. These are all 20+ people dos so not just a mince pie with friends.

I’m an introvert in the true sense, so I do enjoy it but it is utterly exhausting!

I think it probably varies hugely depending on what kind of job you have, and your friend groups.

Titicacacandle · 03/12/2023 11:03

I've got four work Christmas events, one xmas night out with one friend, an out out night with another group of friends and a xmas curry with another group!

Lioney · 03/12/2023 11:04

I have never been to a Christmas party.

Single parent, SAHM and carer.

I rarely socialise and Christmas is no different.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 03/12/2023 11:04

I work in the public sector so no work things, but my friend who works in a big oil company has three separate work dos plus a Christmas lunch in the workplace restaurant, all on the company’s dime.

ANightingale · 03/12/2023 11:07

No. Generally, my life is so far removed from what the media seems to say is normal that I might as well be living on a different planet.

ssd · 03/12/2023 11:08

I can't be bothered this year

LlynTegid · 03/12/2023 11:08

I don't, partly because I am selective about which events I go to, not just at Christmas.

RaininSummer · 03/12/2023 11:09

Just an evening Christmas meal with colleagues here which we pay for ourselves.

TheChosenTwo · 03/12/2023 11:10

No! I’ve got a mandatory work one (the meal will be during the work day but finishes early and we’ll all go to the pub afterwards) and then smaller teams organise their own ones - I’m not going to mine, clash of dates with something else otherwise I would have.
Then I’ve got a night out with some of my girl friends and just before Christmas we’ve got all of dh’s family coming over for a party.
So three party-ish events spread over 3 weeks.
Essentially one a week.
i go out at least once a week anyway so not really any difference for me, I don’t dress up in glitzy evening sparkles, I’ll just be wearing regular clothes from my wardrobe.
the media is about creating a hype and the need for consumerism.

Octavia64 · 03/12/2023 11:11

I used to when I was younger, so in my 20s and pre kids.

Not now, and a lot of stuff I went to pre-Covid hasn't really started up again,

Actually quite happy I have one this year!

SunnieShine · 03/12/2023 11:12

No, and I wouldn't want to. I've got a few things lined up and that's enough for me. Being at home is better.

QueSyrahSyrah · 03/12/2023 11:13

When I was younger yes. There'd be the big work Christmas do and generally several smaller festive events we'd be invited to by business partners, plus usually a night out / dinner or two with different groups of friends. Definitely at least one event per week.

This year I have a small business partner event, our office do (these days it's a lunch not a dinner so much lower key) and an afternoon tea with friends. I pregnant though so not up for yelling along to Wham on the dance floor anyway.

nancy75 · 03/12/2023 11:13

2 work things & a school mum lunch. None of which require a silver sequin skirt or similar attire !

Hibernatalie · 03/12/2023 11:14

I do feel like Christmas is busy with events, but I don't actually go to much as it's cold and I'm a bit lazy these days! I have a work thing which I will probably skip in favour of a quick drink after work on the last day (teacher) and a school mum thing which I will probably make the effort for because I never do. Local Christmas market with a friend, that's about it xx

OdeToBarney · 03/12/2023 11:18

Normally I would have a work Christmas party (evening do), possibly a work lunch, a night out with my best friend and that would usually be it. This year, I've just started an entirely remote job, so no work do AFAIK, but I've got one with some of my colleagues who left our last firm at the same time. That's it for parties, then we also have the santa trip, Christmas light trail, etc. But no more parties! I will, however, eat my way through December 🤣 nowhere near the amount of alcohol as previous years, though, as I have a toddler.

GreenMarigold · 03/12/2023 11:19

I’ve got my work do and an evening of drinks organised for school parents. I have a small family and few friends. I don’t think I’ve ever been invited to a Christmas party outside of work!

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 03/12/2023 11:19

I drive my kids to loads of Christmas parties.

Does that count? 😂

SiennaMillar · 03/12/2023 11:20

No parties for us. No one in my circle does parties before Xmas. We obviously have a right good knees up on Xmas day though!

SquirrelFan · 03/12/2023 11:24

No only one work thing.

ExpensiveDecorations · 03/12/2023 11:25

Some years the only thing I have been to is the work Christmas party and maybe DH’s too. In fact many, many years of that, even pre DCs. But now my DCs are older and independent and so are those of nearly everyone I know we are all throwing ourselves back into it and have acquired some new friendship groups along the way, from hobbies, other school parents, volunteer roles etc that we didn’t have when we were younger. Not so much the really late nights and hangovers, more often a pub meal or similar, or a few friends round to someone’s house. I’ve got about 9 meet-ups in the calendar this year (well, several are done already).

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 03/12/2023 11:26

Yes - in my 20s. In my 50s now probably make more of an effort to go out for casual drinks with friends.

LeggyLegsEleven · 03/12/2023 11:27

I’ve never been to a Xmas party. I have a friend of a friend who hosts one every year, but it’s honestly the only one I’ve ever heard of. I have been to lots of work dos and my friendship circle before it went tits up went out for a meal. Parties though, nope.

Giraffescarf · 03/12/2023 11:29

Three works parties, family party, close friends dinner parties, networking black tie thingy, dh family party. Markets with friends- December is going to be busy. That said, we have a frenetic two weeks where we do it all, followed by a week of nothing at all. Which we will need!