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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to organise a great big leaving do for someone?

22 replies

SheKnittedHimAJumper · 28/02/2012 20:13

Or, just bloody mad? Its a dear colleague who has been with us for thirty years and is highly thought of. She will have the usual do at work but....... I want to do more.

I was thinking of hiring a room, having food and music. A couple of reliable people have offered to help me and we have seen a fab venue. The problem is, charging people. Some of them at work sign cards and dont even put a pound in but, there are plenty of people from the past who would love to give this person a send off.

We are thinking it will be about £20 each, does that sound OTT?

Should I listen to my mum and step away although she wouldnt appreciate a do when its her turn next year?

OP posts:
ZillionChocolate · 28/02/2012 20:20

£20 sounds like a lot. I would try and slash your costs in order to get more people to commit to it. Do you need to have food? Could you persuade the venue to cut the room hire but up bar prices?

ZillionChocolate · 28/02/2012 20:22

(Lovely idea though, I went to a surprise leaving do last year where we paid £10 each for a buffet in a golf club and the leaver was thrilled).

Original poster
SheKnittedHimAJumper · 28/02/2012 20:22

Its the dj that is going to be expensive, but, you need one dont you?

OP posts:
RitaMorgan · 28/02/2012 20:24

Have an ipod disco instead?

kitbit · 28/02/2012 20:24

No you don't need a dj, get a stereo and an ipod :o

Seriously, £20 is asking quite a lot, would the company contribute?

Original poster
SheKnittedHimAJumper · 28/02/2012 20:26

It will be like getting blood out of a stone getting money out of the company.

Ive never done a ipod dj before. I wouldnt know where to start!! Would welcome any advice.

OP posts:
PurplePidjin · 28/02/2012 20:27

Could you blag her down the pub on her last day but have secretly organized for loads of people to be there? Someone did that for me when I left a job, and it was fab

Avantia · 28/02/2012 20:27

If the colleague has been with you for thirty years and highly respected then the company should pay out for this.

Original poster
SheKnittedHimAJumper · 28/02/2012 20:28

I dont want to out myself incase she reads this lets just say its not a "private" company and that will give you the answer! Smile

OP posts:
EauDeLaPoisson · 28/02/2012 20:35

It's a lovely thought but £20 is far too much IMO

DoMeDon · 28/02/2012 20:39

It's a lovely idea and I would pay £20 if I liked the person and it was convenient to go. Having said that, most of the tight wads people I work with would not pay that or very much at all. Can you cut costs with any of following: find a free venue (like a pub so people can pay for own drinks), do music yourself, get people to bring food??

troisgarcons · 28/02/2012 20:40

£20 - depends where you work and the salary structure. To some that would be the price of a mediocre bottle of house wine, to others it would represent a night out.

TBH - unless you are going ultra formal with speeches and the whole retirement clock caboodle - go to a pub-cum-carvery - people can eat if they want .... and more importantly - people pay for their own food, drinks on the night and can mingle at will.

Sandalwood · 28/02/2012 20:40

Too much. Plus drinks, maybe taxis etc - it's an awful lot for a leaving do.

abbierhodes · 28/02/2012 20:41

I think you should think of something cheaper. No matter how respected she is, £20 is a lot to ask of people. I couldn't afford that for a colleague, I don't always spend that on family occasions.

Another alternative is that those of you that are very close to her pay it between you- if you're the ones who want to host a party then you're the ones that should pay, IMO.

Original poster
SheKnittedHimAJumper · 28/02/2012 20:41

The venue is above a busy pub that will have a live band on that night, will that make a difference? The ipod music sounds good but, what kind of speakers do you connect it to?

OP posts:
Original poster
SheKnittedHimAJumper · 28/02/2012 22:50

The room is £100, the food £14 a head and the dj £50 per hour as its peak season.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 28/02/2012 22:54

you are being ripped off!

If the venue is providing the food, then they shouldnt be charging you for the room as well!

squeakytoy · 28/02/2012 22:54

and £14 per head for a buffet is ridiculously OTT

Original poster
SheKnittedHimAJumper · 28/02/2012 22:57

It jumps from £8 to £14 and the dearer one is much better. My thought is that we could under book the buffet and that will save money? Not by alot but, often you have too much food?

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 28/02/2012 23:00

you should always underbook a buffet, but that is still far too expensive for a leaving do...

normally you pay room hire and provide your own food, or the room hire is included if you are paying the venue to supply the food... especially if it is just a function room above a pub!

Original poster
SheKnittedHimAJumper · 28/02/2012 23:02

Im learning Smile Its peak Holy Communion season. A very popular pub that is always booked up. Oh, Im going to work tomorrow and I may have to suss out the boss.

OP posts:
DeSelby · 29/02/2012 08:47

YABU, £20 a head is too much for a leaving do party. Also, what will you do if the numbers change - charge more or issue refunds?

Why don't you see if people want to go for a meal instead, that way people get more of a choice for their money too.

If you want a party you should pay yourself.

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