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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to dread the staff Christmas do?

102 replies

ProperLavs · 23/10/2017 08:19

Does anybody else avoid theirs?
I am seriously considering just not going.
A trip down the local would suit me fine.

OP posts:
Noodledoodledoo · 23/10/2017 14:28

Oh and I always get a shit secret santa present - the highlight of the last few years a packet of felt tips!!!

Namechangetempissue · 23/10/2017 14:35

Hope none of my lot are dreading our Christmas meal BlushGrin. I'm the boss, so have organised an evening meal in a nice local pub and paid for everyone and their partner. I purposely didn't do the big disco combined with cheap 3 course meal thing as I think they are awful and not suited to everyone. I would rather them all have a relaxed evening with great food of their choice and I appreciate them so wanted to pay as a treat! They are a good bunch and deserve it.

RaeSkywalker · 23/10/2017 14:39

I wish I had the guts to decline the invite to mine! There’s a lot of pressure to attend- if you don’t you’re not a ‘team player’, etc 🙄

Original poster
ProperLavs · 23/10/2017 15:00

Now, if it were being paid for by the boss that would be a different matter. being in the civil service that isn't likely to happen, sadly.

OP posts:
L238 · 23/10/2017 15:03

I’m glad it’s not just me. I hate big social events - nothing against my colleagues, in fact I love them to pieces. Just don’t necessarily want to get drunk and be forced to dance awkwardly with them!

MrSnrubYesThatsIt · 23/10/2017 15:07

I've skipped a few. I'd rather spend my money on something better that close to xmas. when anyone asks, i have a good excuse ready.

whirlyswirly · 23/10/2017 15:10

When dh and I worked near London we had amazing ones. Tussauds, the London dungeon, the eye etc. Now I work at a much smaller company miles away and it's a dinner dance in a 3 star hotel with the grease medley. I always try and get out of it but attendance is expected. I had a whole thread on the horror of this last year under a different name Smile

Cosmic123 · 23/10/2017 15:11

Oh I feel your pain. We have to have one and a "bonding" away day in the summer, both of which are a total cringe fest since hardly any of the staff get on and everyone generally sits in awkward silence. I just eat the free food, make an excuse about child care and get the hell out of there as quickly as I can without being too rude Grin

Original poster
ProperLavs · 23/10/2017 15:12

whirly I would develop d&v this year if i were you.

OP posts:
PinkBuffalo · 23/10/2017 15:24

Ah mrsdv that's sounds like me!
I don't do the formal one, but I love an office buffet where we all bring in something and sit together at lunch. It's the evening thing I hate, as I am not a night owl, and hate eating out. My place normally does both, so I just do the buffet.

MagicFajita · 23/10/2017 15:24

Unfortunately my DP is always on a late shift on the night of the staff Christmas party and I'm unable to find a sitterSmile

I do like my colleagues , but they are colleagues so I never feel that it's appropriate to drink and dance in front of them. Plus you always end up talking about work.

Oh and I have no desire to have my face in a group picture on any kind of social media , most colleagues are obsessed with friendface so there is no escape.

juddyrockingcloggs · 23/10/2017 16:00

*Noodledoodledo
*
On the subject of shite secret Santa presents... years ago I was on the Atkins diet and for my secret Santa present someone got me a packet of bacon, sausage and eggs.

DeadDeadDeadRose · 23/10/2017 16:03

I enjoy our team christmas meal but no way would I go to the "do". Luckily very few of the marrieds with children go, it's mostly the younger ones, so there's no pressure to go.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 23/10/2017 19:32

One memorable year some bright spark thought it'd be fun to have a karaoke xmas get together in the canteen at 4pm!

Can you imagine anything worse than leaving your desk at 4, meeting up in canteen, sober and singing ..... my toes are curling reminiscing

DailyMailReadersAreThick · 23/10/2017 19:44

Ours is shit. I'm not going.

Jb291 · 23/10/2017 19:49

Grim....definitely something I avoid like the plague. Crowded restaurants and their overpriced"festive" menus.

Original poster
ProperLavs · 23/10/2017 20:01

Ours is shit. I'm not going.
That’s made my evening!

OP posts:
Sweetnessishere · 23/10/2017 20:17

Previous work place didn't have a Christmas do, but on Christmas Eve the directors laid on a naff buffet at lunchtime that you had to attend unless you booked the whole day off, then after the food had been eaten we were allowed to leave around 2pm. Unfortunately I developed a migraine and had to leave at 12 just as the food was being laid out.

Current company the directors decided to book a party night at the local 5 star hotel for a Saturday. Strangely there were not many takers despite the meal being paid for. Maybe the fact that it's in the middle of nowhere, the room rate and bar tarried is high and most staff live a decent drive away. I think we are on plan B now which is the directors provide us with a lunch on the last but one Friday, we do no work all afternoon then stumble into the pub for the evening for a few or manY drinks

switswoo81 · 23/10/2017 20:33

I love ours , 8 staff in whole school, just pick a different restaurant every year for a nice dinner. We tend to go out every six weeks or so for a bite or a drink. Genuinely lovely people like going with friends. Some of yours sound horrid though. Would not blame you for staying at home!

TDHManchester · 23/10/2017 20:37

You are lucky,i work for a major uk company that makes millions of pounds profit. They are as mean as sh&t and would never dream of having a christmas "do".

dementedma · 23/10/2017 20:42

Just moved to a new job. The Christmas do is dinner, party games and disco. £35 for the privilege of an evening I would hate. I just said I had other plans.

FloControl · 23/10/2017 20:44

Interesting to hear phrases like 'expected to go' and 'attendance is non-negotiable'. I wonder if these apply to people who don't actually celebrate Christmas (people like me) ? It's the best reason I can think of for not going to the Christmas party.

Original poster
ProperLavs · 24/10/2017 11:29

Another reason why this upstairs at pubs Buffett followed by dancing do’s are a nightmare for me is that I have tinnitus and (ironically, although if has made me deaf it has also made what hearing I do have hyper sensitive) I cannot stand load music as it literally hurts my ears. So I would have to put in ear plugs and then couldn’t talk to anyone anyway. I have to wear ear plugs to the cinema.

OP posts:
TDHManchester · 25/10/2017 08:25

Its always a good chance for some Christmas romance. Many years ago at a company "do" ,a manager was discovered in flagrante with another managers wife in the photocopying room delivering a full colour enlargement

mehimthem · 25/10/2017 08:44

I work in an office with another branch in the same area so its a combined "do" with lots of people I dont know that well - my DH hates coming to work stuff so its just me & all night it feels like a battle to either sit in the corner :) by myself - just kidding - or keep mingling & making 'polite conversations', when I'd rather be home. I tend to only go every other year say - & this year its a definite No from me as theyve decided to make it fancy dress & have competitions with teams. No, no, no. And, usualy, if a bus is put on from our area usually I'm one of the last off - just for where I live & the bus stop - so still have to drive about 10 mins home, so its pretty much a dry night too with not much drinking happening either - so not to be drink driving later on.

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