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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think £38 for a Christmas meal is a lot?

65 replies

MrsGinnyPotter · 03/10/2015 21:17

Work have just announced the annual Christmas meal. It's £38!! Shock I know it's not a huge amount in the grand scheme of things but for a Christmas dinner with a cracker and a bit if pudding it just seems a lot!! We usually lay around £25 for the Christmas meal which is fair enough but this just seems a lot.
It's not a huge work place and everyone is unofficially expected to go. I will go as it would create a lot of problems not to but it just seems a lot.

There were cheaper options but this was the most popular!

OP posts:
KatieLatie · 03/10/2015 21:20

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Cliffdiver · 03/10/2015 21:21

What's the meal?

If it's tomato soup, turkey dinner and a mini Xmas pud with no wine on the table then yanbu.

If it's a 4/5 course with wine and coffee in a naice restaurant then yabu.

chanie44 · 03/10/2015 21:28

We have to pay for our own Xmas meal too.

I work in central London and it can be difficult to find something nice for under £50.

I think it's a case of sucking it up and having a nice time. I normally put away a bit of money each month so I'm not taking the hit out of my last pay before Xmas, so it doesn't feel too painful.

ExplodingCarrots · 03/10/2015 21:29

DPs cams do is £30 per person and that includes 3 course dinner , coffee, complimentary drink and mince pies. There's also a live band/ disco following. It's in a very nice hotel so yes, to me £38 is quite a lot.

DP works for a very successful global company but they all got to fund their own xmas parties

ExplodingCarrots · 03/10/2015 21:30

Cams = xmas Blush

MorrisZapp · 03/10/2015 21:30

Totally depends what the meal is, when you're going and where you are.

Cocolepew · 03/10/2015 21:30

Not if you are going out, but if its in your workplace, yes

TidyDancer · 03/10/2015 21:33

I think mine this year is just under £30. We go to a local hotel each year. Then we toddle off to the pub afterwards so I would estimate the whole thing with pub included probably costs £50.

blibblobblub · 03/10/2015 21:34

I agree with you OP, that's too much. I wouldn't be going.

At my work (for our team anyway, there's about 15 of us) we agree a budget before we start looking for a venue. We sometimes get a small contribution from work but they never cover the full amount of the meal. Last year I think it should have been £30 a head but we got a £10 contribution so we paid £20. We had been aiming for nearer £20 a head but left it too late to get in anywhere!

Prettyeyedpiratesmile · 03/10/2015 21:37

My work's Christmas meal is £50 this year. its a rip off.

Grilledaubergines · 03/10/2015 21:38

If it's a bog standard Turkey and Christmas pudding affair then it does seem a little on the high side. Ours is £26 per head (though our company pays for the meal and drinks), so with drinks on top it will probably be around £40 per head. If your price includes a glass of bubbles and a half bottle of wine, it's probably not too bad.

Original poster
MrsGinnyPotter · 03/10/2015 21:40

No free drinks or mince pies! It's just a local pub - no posh restaurant!

OP posts:
Asteria36 · 03/10/2015 21:42

That is about what I charge per person for one of my lower range menu 3 course meals as a private chef (without alcohol). If you are getting a really good meal and alcohol then just make sure you stuff yourself and you won't feel hard done by! Grin

JohnCusacksWife · 03/10/2015 21:45

Think we're paying £35 pounds this year - that seemed to be pretty standard based on the places we looked at. Not sure you'd find anything that much cheaper.

Cocolepew · 03/10/2015 21:45

A pub? Yes its too dear then Grin

JohnCusacksWife · 03/10/2015 21:49

If it's a pub that's different. Really nice Gastropub? OK. Big standard microwaved turkey roll? Not so much. If it's the latter I wouldn't be going. What you do in your own time with your own time is up to you.

lorelei9 · 03/10/2015 21:53

I'm in charge of ours, also in Central London. Work pay for it, so far I've found quite a few options under £30 so I think it's a shame that your colleagues have opted for the most expensive one.

taht said, I no longer go to work dos if they aren't paying. I'm sorry about that cold you're catching that week Grin

celtictoast · 03/10/2015 21:54

YANBU, it's too much.

Topseyt · 03/10/2015 21:56

I think it sounds about right if it is everything and masses of trimmings. Costs do tend to rise when it is a Christmas meal being provided, I'm afraid.

I don't have work Christmas meals and parties to go to, and DH very frequently only goes to one or two of his.

As a family here, we go out to a local hotel (5 minutes walk away) for Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day. We end up paying around what you are each. It is a lot, but it is once a year and given that we rarely go out for meals at other times of the year we just do it anyway.

TheCatsMother99 · 03/10/2015 21:57

Our social committee, who fundraises in various ways throughout the year, pay some of it and then we are asked to pay £25 towards it (half) - but that is all inclusive alcohol. I appreciate it's out if London though so is a bit different. This is the deal we've had for a few years.

Topseyt · 03/10/2015 22:00

Ah, just saw your update.

If it is just a local pub and being done as pub grub with a few trimmings then I would consider it too much and probably would consider not going.

Only you know the pub though, and what it is really like. Is it simply a pub, or a pub with a good restaurant?

LynetteScavo · 03/10/2015 22:04

It is a lot. And It's overpriced - Christmas and weddings always are.

I'm not going on my works Christmas do. I'm not even making excuses, I'm just telling people I can't afford it. It's not that I couldn't find the money for it, but there are loads of things I'd rather spend the money on.

swimmerforlife · 03/10/2015 22:08

YANBU. £38 is far too expensive for your bog standard pub meal.

Ours is about that for a nice hotel meal in Central London, bosses pay for first two drinks and starters. I then probably spend another £15 on more drinks.

Italiangreyhound · 03/10/2015 22:16

It's just a local pub - no posh restaurant! That is way over priced, especially booking so early! Can you all just say to whoever is organising that you will find a cheaper place?

CatMilkMan · 03/10/2015 22:23

If it's a charity thing you should probably go, if it's not....
Don't fucking go, we would never expect staff to cover the cost of a Christmas party or meal unless it's a charitable cost.
Fuck them, not worth it.
Buy a bottle of something cheap and have fun at home.