To book our staff Christmas dinner on a Saturday

[Ricekrispie22]

Every year it’s always been on a weekday, but I’m exhausted when I get home from work and haven’t enjoyed them very much. This year, it’s my turn to book and organise it. I’d like to choose a Saturday evening, but not sure whether other staff would rather not do work events at the weekend.

I wouldn't do a Saturday, and I enjoy ours. Just too busy a time of year. But people being tired and hungover at work the next day is kind of expected. Not sure I'd want to teach children though! Friday after work seems like a good compromise.

I try and avoid works dos at the best of times, as I don't have the money and I find wrangling pissed up staff is guaranteed to ruin my month, as I only have to deal with them sober because I'm being paid to be in the same building as them - stealing my weekend for somebody else to expect me to pay towards their fillet steak, black truffle chips and three bottles of overpriced wine is a step so far beyond acceptable that I'd really have to practice saying a polite no thank you, for fear of 'like fuck am I doing that' coming out.

(The do that turned from £25 to £165 a head because two people conveniently left ten minutes before the bill came - we found that they'd ordered multiple bottles of champagne and taken them straight from the bar into the bogs so we didn't see it happen - is a significant factor here.

They both left within a month after that - and spent that month skulking around in the shadows so as not to provoke the wrath of the people on just above NMW who had to pick up their bill)

If you have to book one, do it early in the week, as at least then people will be able to either put up with losing a bit of sleep or will be sensible and not add stupid amounts of alcohol to the bill because they have to go to work the next day.

Oh. I've just seen you're teachers. That settles it. Definitely a work night - half of them will be shitfaced by 5pm (usually NQTs and the Mums who don't usually get to go out) and support staff can't afford to subsidise people on a minimum of three times their salary.

Booking a weekend will definitely reduce how many people will go in my experience, especially a weekend in December.

I'd probably not be going. Our December weekends are always pretty booked up, and I'd prioritise family and friends meet ups over work socials.

Both mine and dh's work Christmas did (or ANY work event/social) are always on a work day, normally a Friday evening.

This years Christmas party is already being discussed at work and the venue we had last year can't do a Saturday again, so it's being considered for a week day. No thanks. I'd rather a Saturday, really could not be arsed after a day at work.

Not a hells chance I will go on a saturday! I dislike these forced work xmas parties anyway. But to give up my own personal time to do it???? No fucking way.

I would not put it on a weekend.

Ours was always on a week night but attendance was getting so low, we decided to make it a lunch instead. This was a huge hit. Staff get the rest of the day off, except for a small group to answer phones etc (usually the sr. Managers).

The switch was great for morale. People today juggle so many things and really value family time.

Sorry, I see lunch would not work. DH is a retired teacher. They used to have an after school thing on a day when there was early dismissal.

In the school where I volunteer, school closes at 12:15 on the final day of term, and they book the Christmas lunch for 2 o'clock on that day. Most schools round where I live finish at the same time. I'm guessing that yours doesn't, in which case I would have it from 4pm on the final day - lots of drinks followed by dinner.
I wouldn't go if it was on a Saturday, especially a Saturday in December.

We used to do ours on a Friday night. Bit more of a happy medium.

I’d only go to a Saturday do if the company were paying for somewhere really great: Le Gavroche or front row at Strictly Live Tour or something. I’m assuming that this is not the case at your school OP (there probably are a couple of schools that would do this, but it’s statistically negligible).

Normally I love Thursday Xmas parties because the shared bacon roll and hangover experience on Friday is all part of the fun - much better than being hungover on your own time. Not a lot gets done but we bond in adversity, and mock the latest arrivals.

However that only really works in an office situation - I can’t see it working for teachers or A&E staff.

Could you not tack it on to the end of the last day of term? A Saturday night wouldn't bother me particularly but probably not during the day.

Why not Friday?!

What about doing it Friday? You can have a lie in on Saturday then

Nooooooooooooo

OP you haven't come back, but definitely doodlepoll. Easy and free to do with a few questions eg Friday or Saturday or never ... cakes and tea after work with secret santa or drinks and meal.

You've told us you're a teacher. It does differ if there are loads of you all living within a taxi/bus/tube area or you all commute in and it's difficult for some.

Another one for no Saturdays. I went to DH's company dinners for 5 years on December Saturdays and then drew the line. My own shift work job and childcare and the loss of time was just a no. I'd even refuse Fridays.

Thanks for your opinions. I see that Saturday is very unpopular! It’s always been done on a Thursday in the past so I think I’ll keep it that way.

No, no & no - and, yes, Thursday is good!