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?

I just wouldn't bother anymore LadyoftheCanyon. They sound like an ungrateful, moany lot.

The problem with office parties is that you're dealing with a wide range of age groups and types, so it's difficult to find something that will suit everyone. That's why I think an afternoon meal, followed by a trip to the pub for those who want it, followed by a club for those who want it probably works best.
The type of people who find a meal out boring can skip it and join in at the pub stage. People who don't drink or don't enjoy pubs or can't get a babysitter can head home after the meal. Younger people who want to make a night of it can continue the party in the night club of their choice.