To have work Christmas party on the Saturday before Christmas in the afternoon.

[Hop27]

At work I'm responsible for our team, my role is focused around them and had planned our Christmas party months ago as a team only (no partners) event on a Friday afternoon in December. All agreed, numbers confirmed etc.
My boss has now decided he doesn't want to do this anymore and wants us to have a family gathering in the office on the Saturday before Christmas. Just drinks and nibbles, with everyone's partners/kids invited, with the main reason for this change being given as we are now finishing on the 17th of December, gifting people extra leave so we cannot justify giving people another half day off.
AIBU to think this is a ridiculous plan, most people will have plans that Saturday nor will people want to spend a Saturday in an office when they clocked off for the year on the Friday?
I've suggested the Friday from 4pm, but apparently that makes it too hard for partners/family to attend.
I have plans on the Saturday before Christmas, so raised it with my boss that I could attend but not from start to finish. His response was it his expectation as a senior person I'd be there for the team. AIBU or would you attend such an event on a Saturday afternoon?

No. Way.

But I’d like the after work idea.

He’s crazy. But you know that.

Suggest a poll of the office with the date change…

I agree, people won’t want to attend.

It will end up causing bad vibes as the ones that don’t go (because they have plans) are leaving the couple left that do.

Just make sure everyone knows where the change of plan came from....

Oh yes, I would keep my original plans too. Why should you change to suit him!!

No way, that will be very unpopular. People have better things to be doing on a Saturday, especially a week before Christmas! People have probably already booked Santa visits, trips to see family etc.

And no one wants family at the work Christmas do. Your original plan is much better.

He can jog on

After 'clocking off' on the Friday, why on earth would anyone want to return on the Saturday? And with family?! Of course everyone is busy.
I'd be more annoyed that it had all been sorted - numbers, etc. To have someone throw a spanner in the works would annoy me massively.

Nope. We are pretty much always away that weekend visiting family because we spend Christmas at home. Not a chance either of us would go to a work do.

I'm past entertaining idiots like this. Just say yes you'll arrange it if that's what he wants however you won't be able to attend at all as you have plans with your family. Doesn't matter your seniority if it's out of working hours its not compulsory.

It doesn't sound much fun.

I can’t see that being popular at all. People will already have plans or just general Christmas prep/shopping.

I wouldn't attend, work is work and I have no interest in dragging my whole family to a work event a few days before Christmas

I wouldn't go.

I think he'll get a lot of non-shows. Work is finished on the Friday. No-one will want to return on the Saturday.

Absolutely no way i would do anything work related on a Saturday in December.

He is daft to think he can change plans like that and get people to attend. If he is that bothered then finish a working day later than 17th

Coming into work on a Saturday to have to make polite conversation with people I've never met and with over-excited children? No way would I attend.

I doubt many would attend. People like myself with family abroad are flying out that weekend because tickets are much cheaper than waiting for 22/23 when the schools break up.

We are not social butterflies by any stretch of the imagination and we already have plans for that Saturday. I assume a lot of people will because of where Christmas falls this year. Plus, my colleagues are okay but I have no desire to spend more time with them than I have to and even less desire to meet their partners/children.

Bet this bloke is not the person doing the majority of the Christmas prep in his household!

How has it gone down with everyone else?

That’s insane! work is work, and I wouldn’t want my family at a work Xmas party. How tedious.
I wouldn’t want to have the do that close to Xmas on a weekend anyway - we have a ton of drinks, catching up to do with friends and family, shopping, organising etc
My kids have stuff on themselves, they won’t want to come to a work so.
And there WILL be people travelling that day - we are.
You’ll get a load of no’s, no shows, or people feeling they really have to come but leaving as soon as they are politely able to.

I would think it’s too late to change plans tbh. Many people have their weekends booked up well in advance for December. The schools here all finish at lunchtime on the 17th and I know of many people planning on heading away for Xmas celebrations with one half of the family that weekend, especially if they don’t have to go to work the following week.
I am about as antisocial as it gets and I’ve already got plans for that weekend, booked tickets so not something I can change. Certainly not for corporate jollification. I wouldn’t bother.
If boss gets shitty, I think maybe you’re coughing a bit on the 16th perhaps? Feeling a bit rubbish? Needing to get a test…
No way would I change everything because he’s decided he can’t afford a half day for staff at the last minute.

No chance,

Also a “family gathering” as opposed to a team members only event is a bit hard on those who do not have a partner or children.