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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:

GuitarGeorgina · 03/12/2023 16:34

I’ve got a few lunches with friends and colleagues, but no parties of the type you see in magazines or Sunday supplements. Nothing where I would have need of a sparkly dress.

PersephonePomegranate23 · 03/12/2023 16:39

I used to, not any more though! I'd have two or three work things, then at least three friends nights out with different groups.

Now it's a Bailey's and a trashy Christmas film in the evening and maybe two or three gatherings.

BitOutOfPractice · 03/12/2023 16:43

I have two work dos this year (which after working by myself for 20+ years, I’m very excited about). Meeting up with a couple of different friend groups for dinner and drinks.

but op I know what you mean. I don’t recognise the life that they write about in the Sunday supplements

DinosApple · 03/12/2023 16:52

I have one friends from work lunch, one evening meal out with mum friends (both same day of course).
One whole work gathering from 3-6pm. And an optional pub after that.

Itslookinggood · 03/12/2023 17:01

No parties here. Single parent to two teens in a setting where everyone else seems to be married and have loads of couple parties, get togethers. Self employed and wfh, so no work dos.

but no pity party either. Now 53 and give far fewer fucks than I did before. Now it’s catch ups with friends on a one to one basis, going to a carol concert, a pre-xmas spa day with a mate.

haven’t got to the wearing a sparkly sequin skirt to the supermarket stage yet, but that might come 😁

hattie43 · 03/12/2023 18:22

This year yes . I havent got had a weekend free in December at all and some weeks I have weekday meals planned . I think I've overspread myself tbh and I'm slightly regretting all the invites . Not all parties though , meals out , Xmas markets and meals , Xmas light trails , drinks gatherings etc

Tiiredofthiss · 03/12/2023 18:45

We have 4-5 Christmas parties/events, invited to a couple of others but couldn't go as they were all on the same date.
The of course NYE too.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 03/12/2023 18:55

That's really sad @Sparthan

It's fine not going anywhere if you are happy not to - but sad if you would like to go out occasionally . Especially when your workmates didn't invite you . Would you maybe able to go out sometime to one of the events that your DH goes to - or possibly with one of his friends and their partner?

AlltheFs · 03/12/2023 19:08

No.

I’m an unsociable old bint at the best of times. I usually have 2 or 3 daytime
work lunches (with either no booze or perhaps 1 glass fizz) that we have to
pay for.

We go to a couple of local kids things as a family and the theatre.

Then we see family Xmas Day, Boxing Day and that’s it.

I suspect when DD is at school there will be a few more things but definitely no boozy nights out. I did plenty of those when young though in London.

Silkiefloof · 04/12/2023 07:17

Sorry you don't get asked out @Sparthan Can you not go to one of your DHs events as he seems to go out a lot. My husband and I go to quite a few together. Hotels etc also often do Christmas parties / meals with disco which maybe you and your DH could go to if can afford that. Here everyone in the street has a party and one person invites people to their house. You could start one then hopefully get invited back. I think a lot of people don't get invited as such, they just go to work and work has them, or a hobby is having one or an old university or they go to an event. Its definitely more difficult when not working and disabled.

spottygymbag · 04/12/2023 07:23

I have had to pick and choose this year because so many are on the same day or back to back. I have DS daycare party for parents and dc, DD's year group party (parents expected to stay and socialise), running group party, school mums long lunch, our own small party for close friends, work party for whole company, and the team lunch. I love a good party but it's too much all in the space of a couple of weeks.

Sparthan · 04/12/2023 07:29

Sorry you don't get asked out @Sparthan Can you not go to one of your DHs events as he seems to go out a lot
No, not really. Obviously I can’t go to his work events. His friend events tend to be “no spouses invited” too. I can’t tag along if it’s all guys. I don’t think he wants me to go either. There have been a couple of cases where someone’s partner went but he didn’t invite me.

RampantIvy · 04/12/2023 07:33

No. I have a three meals out in pubs with hobby groups and a work fuddle.

We have no family nearby and none of them are party animals. I have never made a canapé in my life.

BorryMum · 04/12/2023 07:52

Nothing, found out yesterday I haven't been invited to the one Xmas meal that I could have gone to. All other friends too busy with parties to meet up. Makes me sad

ManAboutTown · 04/12/2023 08:00

I skipped the office party - but there's two or three really good things in the offing. Reunion drinks from my last job, Xmas do with work mates from 25 years ago

Just prefer to do things I like these days rather than listen to some diversity lecture from a braindead head of HR

jobono · 04/12/2023 08:16

I work alone as I am self employed and so have no colleagues to go out with! I will meet up with a friend and go round the good Christmas Market in a picturesque town later this month followed by a nice meal and my DH is taking me to the Ballet and to Dinner so I can get dressed up a bit for that. I am not keen on parties, never really have been so the above suits me. DH has a works Christmas night out which is usually a meal followed by an activity like bowling and he is usually home by 9pm these days.

I prefer a night in mostly with good food, a movie, a book or even a board game, I have a festive jigsaw that DH and I will get into in the run up to Christmas while listening to some festive music and drinking hot chocolate, its just too damn comfy at home these days!

Taytocrisps · 04/12/2023 08:19

I had dinner out one night (book club) and a couple of lunches with friends/work friends. Lunches are great because you're home early and less chance of a hangover . But no parties. We ditched the work Christmas party years ago because there were less and less people going every year. I'm more of a black trousers and nice top person than a sparkly dress person. Also, I hate wearing tights - they irritate my legs.

I also plan to have a few nights on the sofa in my dressing gown and slipper socks, indulging in Baileys coffees.

gotomomo · 04/12/2023 08:31

Not going to any, this one s far more normal!

pacora · 04/12/2023 08:32

NO, thank goodness. Always hated them and did everything I could not to go to any.

RampantIvy · 04/12/2023 08:38

If it is Bath Christmas market @jobono I can heartily recommend it. It isn't full of fake expensive German tat, but has loads of local producers and artisan stalls. Probably the best Christmas market I have been to.

CMOTDibbler · 04/12/2023 08:42

I won't be invited to/ go to anything Christmassy at all - not even family. To the extent that on Friday I put on my sparkly skirt and sat in the kitchen and had a canned cocktail and party food with ds so I'd done something

familyissues12345 · 04/12/2023 08:43

I've got one work do and dinner out with a group of friends - that's it

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