AIBU to think £40 ticket for an Xmas work party isn't obscenely expensive?

[Henners7]

My first post on MN having been an avid reader for some time! I genuinely don't know whether I am being unreasonable so would like some other opinions.

I work on a small, close knit team - something like a team of paramedics -and I've been here for a few years now. I organised the Christmas 'do' last year in a local restaurant (£20 not including drinks) and getting people to confirm places, menu choices, deposits etc was such a stressy and thankless nightmare I've refused to do it again.

We have (once again) left the xmas organisation very late this year because although e everyone says they want to do something no one wants to organise it. I'm up for pretty much anything I just think it would be nice to celebrate Christmas together. In the end a lady whose just returned from a long period of leave looked into the options we have left and floated the idea of a local nice hotel offering cocktail,nibbles, three course meal, disco, 'casino' and pre taxi bacon roll for £40.

As we work shifts she wouldn't have got a consensus/thoughts from everyone as quickly as she needed so she asked the hotel to hold 25 spaces for two weeks with the option of booking less spaces if some people didn't want to attend or bring partners.

Many of the team have said that £40 is far too expensive for a works do and we should just go out for a meal instead. However, no one will actually step up and organise this and i think once you've had a meal and a few drinks you're getting torwards £40 anyway. I understand some people just don't like work christmas events and that's fine, but everyone is saying that they definitely do want to do something.

Am I unreasonable to think they are being unrealistic? To get a meal and some entertainment somewhere decent at christmas these days isn't going to be £20. I'm one of the lowest paid of the team and I accept this.

AIBU to think either step up and organise something low cost, make an excuse not to be there or just pay £40? But don't moan at the only person willing to put the effort in and try and book something so late in the year.
How much would you pay for a similar package for a work christmas party?

[AwdBovril]

Once you've had a meal and a few drinks it may cost around £40 - yes. But, some may choose not to drink - working the next day, for health reasons, they may be driving home, they may not have that much money to spend on one night out. I wouldn't.

But YANBU for being annoyed that no-one seems to want to step up and sort it out. We always had the same issue at my workplace. Every year, it was left until the last minute & we got stuck either at some expensive place, or at a ridiculous time or venue that didn't suit half the team.

[BinkyandBunty]

I think the package sounds like reasonable value for what it is.

But I personally wouldn't want to spend that much - I'm on a very tight budget in the lead up to Xmas and don't want to be dropping that kind of money to hang out with workmates. I prefer something where I can control my own spending by ordering food/drinks separately, so I can still participate but keep costs really low if needed.

[CrookedMe]

I can't think of anything I'd want to do less than go to a generic 'party night' with colleagues. No way would I find £40 for it at the most expensive time of the year.

I'd stop trying to organise something. Anything more than a casual meal obviously feels like too much commitment for some.

[SuperSuperSuper]

I agree that it's not expensive. It sounds nice, too. But if most people opt not to come, it won't be much of an "occasion". All this faffing about must be irritating, I feel for the organiser. In her shoes I'd be inclined to leave it.

[treaclesoda]

I think £40 is a realistic figure, but I appreciate that a realistic figure for what something costs isn't necessarily a figure that is easy for everyone to pay.

However, YANBU that if people aren't willing to take part in organising something then they really shouldn't be moaning about the options available.

[Pickledturnip]

I wouldn't want to commit to £40 for a work night out at such an expensive time in honesty. Even though it does sound good value!

[MrsStrowman]

I think that sounds perfectly reasonable, but there will be some who complain whatever is organised, not that they would every organise anything...

[hendal]

I wouldn’t spend £40 on a work Christmas do, sorry OP. But equally Id not be bitching about it and leaving one person to try and sort it. I’d look myself and offer another suggestion or I’d just say I can’t make it.

It’s a pet peeve of mine, people (particularly at work) who only see problems with everything suggested but never offer to help or find alternatives.

[ineedabagformyhippo]

That's far more than I'd be willing to pay for a works do so I wouldn't go. Not because I can't afford it but because a works do is not a priority for me at all spending wise. There must be cheaper options, there's no way a meal and a couple of drinks would costs that much. If no one is stepping up to organise it maybe people just aren't bothered enough?

[dontalltalkatonce]

It's reasonable, but there will be some people who genuinely cannot afford that for a works party at Xmas.

[NoSquirrels]

I think it’s not an unreasonable price for what you’re getting. But equally £40 is more than I’d like to spend on a Christmas do.

Everyone’s circumstances are different - high earner could also have high expenses, remember, so you didn’t really extrapolate that because you’d spend it everyone else should be able too as well.

Moaning whingey non-organisers are the pits though, I agree with you!

Suggest a curry at your local. Job’s a good un.

[ScreamingValenta]

£40 sounds very reasonable for what's on offer. Organising work social events is a thankless task. The people complaining should either drop out completely if it's not their thing, or offer to organise something themselves.

If they want a 'do' I think they should grab this one while it's available - they've left it too late to shop around for other deals.

[LifesABeachCoaster]

Whilst £40 isn't that much, no doubt they will be purchasing drinks on top of this? Plus new clothes for the night perhaps.

I dont think YABU, have you told them to organise an alternative?

I hate our Christmas party, the majority of people can't stand each other and I can't afford to go out so close to xmas. We go to the same restaurant every year and it's always shite

[magoria]

It's not an unreasonable price.

However I wouldn't waste £40 on a meal out with work colleagues.

[Sitranced]

The price seems reasonable for the package but £40 is more than what I would budget for a works christmas meal.

[pigeondujour]

It sounds like a lot of food and not enough drinks to me. I mean, £40 is fine for the package, but it's that plus the cost of drinks, and I can see how that's just far too much for some people. Are there no BYOB buffet places or anything?

[SushiMonster]

£40 seems v good value for the package.

Also, £40 is what 'just' a meal out would cost anyway!

BUT it is impossible to get people to agree to this kind of stuff.

[Solenti]

I must be a super nice boss as I pay for all my staff and their partners at our Christmas meal! I appreciate how hard they all work for me and think it is important to show this. I can't believe some organisations don't even contribute an amount.
IF I really liked my colleagues and enjoyed their company, I would pay £40, but I understand this can be a lot of money for some people around the Christmas period and would understand if they didn't want to spend that much.

[GhoulWithADragonTattoo]

Book a table at the nearest cheap restaurant. Then people can spend as much or as little as they like. It does sound like good value for what you get but that's not the same as wanting to spend £40 on a works do.

[Giantbanger]

£40 is too high for me I couldn't afford it and wouldn't do. I don't drink alcohol so I wouldn't feel it was worth it for me.

[ileclerc]

I wouldn't spend it on a work do.

If thy have expressed interest in having a 'do' though then they need to suck up the cost (assume there is no company input into cost?).

I'd step back and let them sort it!

[BarbaraofSevillle]

But there will be drinks on top of the £40 thing as you only get a cocktail at the beginning of the night so who knows how much extra that will be?

And who on earth wants a bacon roll after a 3 course meal?

Sorry but it is a lot of money for a work do.

But it is late for a 'proper' meal out whether lunch or dinner near Christmas, so you are going to be severely restricted on choice.

Don't know what you can do at this late stage though? Are there any of those huge curry houses near you that is likely to be much cheaper and have space left?

[Giantbanger]

Also I wouldn't want to go to "disco" or casino - I just would only ever do a meal and go home with work colleagues, I don't ever do staying out for party party - so I really wouldn't go to this at all.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Sorry but I don't expect to pay towards a work do at all. Xmas is an extremely expensive time, I have to find the money to socialise with my friends, I'm not spending anything further to hang out with people i work with all day.