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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:
dontgobaconmyheart · 03/12/2023 13:46

I'm really not a party person and don't have a big family or really any family locally either way so won't be attending anytjing much personally. I'll go to some more low key things which I do enjoy but try to escape formal or dress-up events of I can, they just aren't my bag and I am very happy at home living a slow life or just doing other festive things.

I have a couple of friends who it often seems like they really need everyone to know that they don't have a spare 5 minutes in Decemeber (and the rest of the year) but ultimately each to their own, it sounds like my worst nightmare most of the time. Constant weekends away and Sunday lunches with in-laws that they don't actually even like and so on.

krenhert · 03/12/2023 13:51

I went to loads in my 20s, I had a very busy social life back then. Now I'm 44 with 2 dcs under 6. Most of the parties we go to a commercial paid for parties aimed at children!

Oldraver · 03/12/2023 13:51

I've not done a Christmas party for over 30 odd years, and dont intend to

Comedycook · 03/12/2023 13:53

Don't forget the cooking programmes which are ever so helpful and tell us how we can prep hundreds of easy canapes for when endless friends just drop by

VioletLemon · 03/12/2023 13:57

I realised the difficulties I had before/during parties was due to being an introvert so now I accept it and don't go. I still really like all these people but don't want to be in a 'throng' of ALL of them for hours on end.

TheThingIsYeah · 03/12/2023 14:37

The problem with types of thread is that they attract the Never been to a Xmas party...Couldn't think of anything worse! types. Imagine the thought of speaking to people and possibly having a good time. No, no, this is not the MN way.

OP, I used to go to loads of work events, primarily because I love a freebie and firms were more generous. You'd have a firm wide do, then a dept do, then a do with your direct team, plus drinks with the traders etc. The financial crisis of 2008 gave firms a ready made excuse to cut back on such things.

Londonnight · 03/12/2023 14:40

I've never been to a Christmas party! I am obviously missing out 😀

GoingToBeLessRubbishAtLife · 03/12/2023 14:50

I’ve never been (or been invited to) a Christmas party. My friends are not like that. I guarantee they’ve never been to one either!

I’ll go to a work do if it’s in work time eg afternoon mince pies or whatever, but I dip out of the organised meals etc.

I just don’t live that kind of life 😆.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 03/12/2023 14:55

I had my work do, I have a get together tonight, book club one next week and choir one earlier this week. That's it

OldTinHat · 03/12/2023 15:02

Nope. I'm going to the pub for lunch with a couple of friends on Wednesday but that's it.

Lulu1919 · 03/12/2023 15:07

Just one work Xmas party...which is early evening in a wine bar ..paid for !
But that's it !!!
Husband..nothing

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 03/12/2023 15:07

I will go to my work Christmas party. That's it. I mean... I'm busy over Christmas in that we spend 5 or 6 days doing a combination of hosting and/or staying with extended family, who all live at least a 4hr drive away, but parties? Not really.

Isthisblocked · 03/12/2023 15:09

Yes, I have always had a lot going on in December. So much so that when DS was young I had all decorating , cards and presents done by 01 December because the rest of the month was taken up with socialising. It depends on lifestyle. I was SAHM with DH in business so lots of business stuff. Now widowed, live alone and family 300 miles away. As a result, heavily involved in local stuff and groups of different friends. Each separate strand has a Christmas celebration so there is still a lot going on in December, culminating in final pub lunch on Christmas Eve with group of school friends. We date back to starting school in 1959. As we all age, this may change and December get less social, but it just depends on the people you see throughout the year.

Isthisblocked · 03/12/2023 15:15

PS a lot of the above are the more normal type of celebration, like lunch at the pub, only a couple are proper dress up affairs in the house… but we all seem to dress up anyway for the Christmas event, so it’s all a bit of sequin and velvet and my trusty cashmere jumper trimmed with Maribou comes out every year.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 03/12/2023 15:20

No parties - I have pre Christmas meet ups with old colleagues and friends and DH and I will do a couple of Christmassy activities. Years ago the work do's were always meals at a hotel followed by disco but we just meet at a pub now.

I have low key Christmassy clothing eg sparkly jumper dress or velvet shirt so I'll mix and match these so it all feels a bit special .

Twobigsapphires · 03/12/2023 15:28

Years ago, yes, most weekends in December. Seems to have dwindled post covid. Have one work meal (in work time, on site so no party as such). Feel pretty sad about it to be fair.

MmedeGouge · 03/12/2023 15:51

My elderly mother does.
These days I would rather muck out the stables, and that’s not one of my favourite pastimes either.

kiki50 · 03/12/2023 16:00

one sit down work xmas meal which we all paid for and hardly any drinking as most of us drove there and back!

SnowyMcSnowball · 03/12/2023 16:03

I'm going to a works Christmas lunch (day - perfect!) That's it!

Original poster
MagpiePi · 03/12/2023 16:06

TheThingIsYeah · 03/12/2023 14:37

The problem with types of thread is that they attract the Never been to a Xmas party...Couldn't think of anything worse! types. Imagine the thought of speaking to people and possibly having a good time. No, no, this is not the MN way.

OP, I used to go to loads of work events, primarily because I love a freebie and firms were more generous. You'd have a firm wide do, then a dept do, then a do with your direct team, plus drinks with the traders etc. The financial crisis of 2008 gave firms a ready made excuse to cut back on such things.

I think there’s quite an even mix of people who do nothing and people who do lots, with quite a few in between.

I forgot to add about all the articles instructing introverts how to stop being miserable fun sponges and to get out there and damn well enjoy the parties.
😂

OP posts:
OrderOfTheKookaburra · 03/12/2023 16:08

Work social club do, work do, sisters and cousins catch up at a restaurant, DC' sports club do, and my book club is having a special Christmas edition.

In previous years (many years ago when still in the UK) I've had a fair few drinks and nibbles at neighbours and have hosted at ours.

Doesn't seem to be the same in Australia with home events, they're usually out somewhere.

Sparthan · 03/12/2023 16:09

I’ve never been invited to a Xmas party. I’m autistic so I don’t have any friends who might invite me. When I worked I was never invited to the night out - the other staff booked a meal but I was never invited. Then I had kids and got stuck at home for a while so definitely no parties.

My DH has several. He has a work party and a meal out with his team. He sometimes gets invited to parties held by business partner companies. Then he has a meal out with a group of friends too, and possibly drinks with one or two individual friends.

It makes me feel very sad really. I’d love to buy a nice dress and go to a party. But it’s not just a Christmas thing - it’s all year round. When you’re disabled and have no friends you never get invited anywhere.

BigFatLiar · 03/12/2023 16:10

When we were younger we used to have a couple of works Christmas parties, his where I'd accompany him and mine where he'd accompany me. We also had some friends who liked to organise parties si there'd be a couple of Saturday night parties.
Nowadays, no works parties and many of our friends are no.longer here so this year we have several Christmas lunches arranged with friends and one Christmas dinner just the two of us away for an evening.

Moredarkchocolateplease · 03/12/2023 16:31

In my 20s I worked in the City and there would be a solid fortnight of parties, drinks, lunches and epic hangovers.

Now? I don't have one party!

elliejjtiny · 03/12/2023 16:33

Went to parties when I was younger (pre about 20) I used to go to a few. Went to a family get together just before Christmas 2008 and caught flu. Haven't been to anything since.