Christmas Eve-how important is it to you?

[Boredofthinkingofaname]

Sorry to be bringing up the C word this early.

I live abroad with Dp and toddler. Due to covid etc, we won’t be returning to the U.K. for Xmas, didn’t last year either.
Dp’s workplace last year worked until 1 on Christmas eve and then went for Christmas lunch etc and ended up getting home around 6 pm.
Christmas eve is my favourite time and v exciting for our Dd. Last year, we waited for him to get home to eat and it was all a bit rushed and really not special at all.
His boss is older with no children
Aibu in thinking the workplace could finish the day before and have their special lunch then, even if it meant coming back to work a day earlier after Xmas (they take two weeks off)
It’s not a profession that *Has to work on Xmas eve for any reason at all

@Yourstupidityexhaustsme Me too.

None of them do, apart from the boss by the looks of it!

@HelloDulling Yes, I think it does make a difference us having Dd now. But he even suggested to Dp that I come and pick him up (was a long drive too) with Dd and join then for an hour, so I’m guessing he sees it as a nice thing. But not for me on Christmas Eve 🤷🏻‍♀️🙈really don’t want to drive ages and spend the afternoon with his boss and it’s boring for Dd in a restaurant too

@Missmissmiiiiiiiiisss Completely, I’ve never heard of it before

@Dogegg33 I’m not sure? He has his fiancée so surely would like to spend a nice day with her? Even if they did it the day before

@dryasaboner Then he’s got them by the balls, hasn’t he? Unless he asks for the day as part of holidays, but I’m guessing that won’t go down well to miss the big meal

@ilovesooty True, but he’d have to be a bit of a bloody Scrooge wouldn’t he!

@Mommabear20 Same

@MadeOfStarStuff I find it so weird too! That he wouldn’t consider that people might not want to be there and would rather be with family

We have our main Christmas dinner in Christmas Eve so this wouldn't fly in our household!
Also, the kids will be excited and I don't think it's fair that he has to miss that in order to eat with colleagues.

@Lightisnotwhite He did leave around 5, got home around 6, we then had dinner, put the things out for Santa and bed, Dd was tired and it wasn’t the same

@Worldwide2 Yes I think he should say that and be back at lunch at home

@fluffi I make it a magical day for Dd, there’s lots of work yes (which also all falls to me as he’s not here) but I make the best of it

I don't really do much prep for Christmas Day. Its just that to me Christmas Day is the day you spend with wider family and Christmas Eve you can spend with your own family and relax a bit.

It's OK to have to work but it really is unusual now to make it a day for work socialising. But I take the point that the boss is paying them to be at work.

@Liverbird77 The country we live in eat their main meal Xmas eve too, so a few of his colleagues are in this situation. I think they all need to put this to him, even if they work an extra day another time

@PermanentTemporary But by paying them it’s almost paying for their time to go for a meal when they all don’t want to. Why can’t he think that they’d prefer to be at home and book a normal dinner or lunch another day like other workplaces, baffles me

I would just tell DH what you and your DC are planning to get up to, and if he's back in time for it that's great, if not, he misses out.

I wouldn't waste another Christmas Eve sitting around waiting for the Big Cheese to deign to make an entrance. Totally different if he was actually working, but not if he's just enjoying a few more drinks.

[quote Boredofthinkingofaname]@PermanentTemporary But by paying them it’s almost paying for their time to go for a meal when they all don’t want to. Why can’t he think that they’d prefer to be at home and book a normal dinner or lunch another day like other workplaces, baffles me[/quote]
But the alternative is making them do actual work- do you work because you seem quite confused at the concept a boss who pays employees actually can dictate their time at work

[quote Boredofthinkingofaname]@Liverbird77 The country we live in eat their main meal Xmas eve too, so a few of his colleagues are in this situation. I think they all need to put this to him, even if they work an extra day another time[/quote]
I think off the back of all you’ve said, it would genuinely be a good idea to speak to the boss. He may just not realise…

Ah Christmas Eve

1992 - Worked until 1pm, went on a pub crawl in the afternoon with colleagues and then DP, blagged a lift home with someone we didn't know 🤷‍♀️, then cooked the turkey upside down accidentally (was beautifully moist!). Had a mini fire when some of the fat tipped onto the gas oven burners. Happy days.

Another Christmas Eve - in Poland therefore a huge deal and hospitality overload. 300courses all involving poppy seeds and tea that tasted like dishwater strained through a pair of tights. Vodka got us through it.

Christmas Eve is important and should be spent with loved ones!

@dryasaboner 🙄Of course I know the role of the boss and employees, I’ve worked all my life. I just think he’s being a Scrooge to do all that on Christmas Eve

Only on Mumsnet is a paid for meal and no actual work deemed hideous

The pub features heavily for DP on Xmas eve. DD & I start with some Xmas day food prep & listen to the mistletoe babes. DP will come back drunk usually with a takeaway! He will then start wrapping my presents and making a huge commotion. I always read The Night Before Christmas. It used to be before bed but these days I'll be in bed way before them! My kids are seriously to old for this nonsense now but we just can't let it go!

I love Christmas Eve but I work it every year. I'm in retail so it's one of our busiest days. I go to work and have a lovely day, everyone is happy and jolly. Then finish early and join my husband and daughter for hot chocolate and cake. Then we head home to start Christmas prep.

I don't think you need a full day of Christmas Eve prep. Before being in retail I worked until lunch time on Christmas Day. I don't think I would want dp to go out for a boozy Christmas lunch with his works colleagues though. Can he skip that bit, or just go for w short time.

@dryasaboner It is on Christmas Eve when people would rather be with their children and families.

So people have a choice- book a days annual leave. Find a job where you aren't required to work Christmas Eve ever. The bottom line is he's being paid by his boss to work that day and his boss decides that day they will go for dinner and he will be paid to do so as though he was at work. Like said before would you rather his boss didn't treat them to dinner/drinks and made them man the phones / sweep up for their money?