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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIB A Scrooge?

26 replies

TreeSack · 10/12/2015 16:51

I'm feeling a wee bit stressed at the minute .

It's December and there's lots going on for everyone .

The problem is I'm getting a bit annoyed with extra unnecessary demands on my money and time [anger]

Our project manager has decided he wants us to produce a nativity scene to decorate our office - a huge stable back drop with cardboard cut outs . We are all expected to contribute to making it and buying materials . Our work is seasonal so our actual projects are quiet , but we will also be expected to take the nativity work home Hmm

It was then decided we should also have a Christmas cake sale.

Our last day in the office before Christmas closure is Saturday - it has been decided we will all bring in a dish for a nice lunch . I was told our project manager will let me know what I am to contribute - I declined and said I'd bring my own lunch.

Now I look like a Scrooge but I don't feel I should care . Unbeknownst to my colleagues , I have a health problem which means I'm on a very strict diet so I wouldn't eat their dishes anyway .

The main issue though is that I have DC who need new Christmas party attire , nativity costumes , bake sale items , Christmas fete donations , activities and the associated Christmas stuff to go with that .

I feel like I'm rushing through December.

Money is tight . I don't have the time or the cash for all this extra stuff I'm feeling pressured in to .

AIB a Scrooge or am I well within my rights to just say no thank you ?

OP posts:
KeepOnMoving1 · 10/12/2015 16:54

Yanbu, is he expecting you all to fund this nativity scene yourselvesShock definitely you should decline if you want.

Motherinferior78 · 10/12/2015 16:56

Oh God how tedious - this is why I find Christmas so hard - all these bloody jobs!! Sounds like unnecessary extra work to make the project manager look good. You should all say no!

BathtimeFunkster · 10/12/2015 16:56

No way would I pay for a nativity scene at work.

How bizarre:

TwoSmellyDogs · 10/12/2015 16:58

Seriously - Christmas is for at home with family not for at work to amuse some bored David Brent type! If I were you I might be tempted to develop a sudden and temporary change of culture to one that doesn't celebrate Christmas.

Original poster
TreeSack · 10/12/2015 17:00

There are only 6 of us in our office - I am the only one "kicking up a stink " Blush

The rest of my colleagues are really in to it Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
TreeSack · 10/12/2015 17:02

Yes we're expected to pay for the scene .

The project manager came in this morning with a doll swaddled in clothes for the baby Jesus Confused

OP posts:
MoreGilmoreGirls · 10/12/2015 17:20

I don't get why anyone wants a nativity scene in an office... what kind of place do you work in? YANBU just tell them you have enough on already.

thebestfurchinchilla · 10/12/2015 17:29

Yabu about the lunch. That's just being anti-social. It's nice to share food together and relax a bit if your work is quiet.It's quite common to do a shared lunch in lots of work places. But the nativity scene thing is plain weird!

thebestfurchinchilla · 10/12/2015 17:31

Explain to your boss about your food/diet issues and suggest a dish that you CAN eat.

Loftsequin · 10/12/2015 17:33

I know exactly what you mean. I have had to look Scrooge-like on a few occasions now as I just can't afford it! I hate it as I like to be sociable but even though it's 'only' £5 that adds up to a LOT!

So YANBU.

LumpySpacedPrincess · 10/12/2015 17:39

Who is the scene for exactly? Is it for clients to look at?

Original poster
TreeSack · 10/12/2015 17:40

I don't want to disclose my health problem for the sake of a Christmas lunch Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
TreeSack · 10/12/2015 17:41

Yes it's for clients - apparently it will brighten up the room .

OP posts:
thebestfurchinchilla · 10/12/2015 17:45

Ok just bring what you can eat and make an excuse as to why you haven't brought what the boss specified. I.e Tescos had run out of quiche!??

WipsGlitter · 10/12/2015 17:49

Do all your clients believe in God? Seems a bit random.

I know what it's like lots of demands on time and money coming up to Christmas.

I'd bring a dish for the lunch - mince pies? Cake, trifle? And bring your own lunch as well.

Original poster
TreeSack · 10/12/2015 17:59

My issue with the lunch is not only my diet , I have plans for the week . I've had two days notice .

I won't get a chance to go anywhere to buy something and I don't have the ingredients to bake .

In between sewing DC costumes , work and home life , I don't have the motivation to drive to the nearest supermarket to pick something up for a lunch I don't want to do .

I don't have time . I'm feeling bad now though .

OP posts:
Andylion · 10/12/2015 18:10

Yes it's for clients - apparently it will brighten up the room .

If it's for clients then work should pay for it and you should be given time during your work hours to complete any Nativity-related tasks.

The lunch is trickier, but you shouldn't have to discuss health issues because of it.

No, you are not a Scrooge. Xmas Smile

DragonRojo · 10/12/2015 18:37

Are the clients all Christian? I would find it very strange to go into a professional environment and find such an open religious symbol.

DragonRojo · 10/12/2015 18:41

And not, you are not a scrooge!

mommy2ash · 10/12/2015 18:43

It's the same in my job so far they have organised 3 Christmas jumper days with a charity donation a Christmas party a Christmas dinner a secret Santa with 20 budget a present for our manager and a present for a child in need. I'm all for charity but on a minimum wage job at the most expensive time of year it's getting a bit much

CruCru · 10/12/2015 18:52

Are there prizes for the team with the best decoration?

I had something similar years ago. We had someone who decided our section would be The Best and had a load of people in the team making Christmas decorations (everything had to be white and handmade) - I refused on the grounds that I had a lot of client chargeable work to do.

When the woman judging came round, she was horrified at how much time it had clearly taken and how many chargeable hours were lost.

I ended up being given a few of the decorations to take home and I gave them to my mum. I told her to be very careful with them as they were each worth hundreds of pounds, having been made by actuaries.

Original poster
TreeSack · 10/12/2015 19:41

Nope, no prizes . It's just for show Hmm

mommy you're right it's just too much .

OP posts:
thebestfurchinchilla · 11/12/2015 14:44

I know what you mean OP, but it's like that for most of us, work christmas stuff, children's school stuff plus planning christmas is very stressful at times. However, the reason I suggest contributing through gritted teeth to the lunch is that you have to work with these people after christmas and you don't want to alienate yourself. How long does it take to stop at an express supermarket on your way home or whatever and just pick up a bit of party food??

rookiemere · 11/12/2015 14:55

YANBU Op but you need to play this carefully.
I'd have conveniently forgotten about the bake day so sorry slipped your mind.
For the nativity just don't volunteer to buy anything. Do a bit of paper mache or whatever loudly and enthusiastically on work time then sigh and say much as you'd love to finish it at home you've still got your children's presents to wrap, cards to write, elderly relatives to visit .......
Passive resistance that's the way to go

wasonthelist · 11/12/2015 14:58

Yanbu your workplace sounds like a special hell.

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