to not go to the Christmas party?

[tweettwooo]

Christmas party this year is 8pm on a Friday. The problem is, I finish work at 5:30pm and live an hour's commute away from the office (party is at a venue near the office), so it's going to be a really annoying hassle for me as I'll have to bring all my party stuff to work, change after work, hang around for 2 and half hours, and carry my work clothes round at the party after a long day.

I've asked if I can work at home that day and come after work, boss said no. I'm thinking the whole thing will be more hassle than it's worth, and maybe I just shouldn't go? But others say the Christmas party is one thing you have to do to have good relations with colleagues.

AIBU to not go?

We sometimes do the same as Upsy as in have a meal at lunchtime and then afternoon off for drinks afterwards for as long as you like, some people stay all night, some go home after the meal, and everything in between really, but we have to take the afternoon off out of our holiday allowance and pay for our own meal.

I've never worked anywhere where the employer pays for the Christmas do and taxis and hotels would be unthinkable.

We pay for our staff to have a slap up Christmas lunch and close the office from 12 noon and pay for food wine and taxis home :-)

Like others I've said I really dislike the "not a team player" criticism if you don't attend work social functions.
There are many reasons why people don't or can't, and what makes a team player is what you do every day for the rest of the year, not on a few arbitrary evening outs.
I can see why this is a pain for OP, and I don't think they should feel obliged or judged about going

what makes a team player is what you do every day for the rest of the year, not on a few arbitrary evening outs

Exactly.