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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Christmas is just a money pit with some things?

42 replies

NCFORWORKMOAN · 08/12/2021 09:04

NC for this one...

Just that really, I'm looking forward to Christmas this year but have felt in the last couple of weeks a little bit financially pressured about some expectations surrounding Christmas at work. It's a relatively new job, I'm 7 months in.

Some examples... there's a Christmas gift pot for our boss and it's a specific amount that's been stated everyone has to put in, the Secret Santa amount was £10 but has been discussed with some colleagues now wanting to increase it to £15-20 saying not much can be bought for a tenner.

I was also told that in the whole of December we have to wear Christmassy themed clothes to work to get into the spirit and bring a smile to the customers faces. We have to wear Christmas jumpers/t-shirts/dresses to work each day. So this means purchasing new items as I work 5 days, don't have anything suitable and if I buy just one item I'd need to wash it nightly and hope it's dry for the next days work.

Am I a moaning grinch? I don't need solutions as I need to just suck it all up but I wanted to have a financially comfortable Christmas with my family and friends, not be moaning about money I am spending on work. 🙄 My next wage is the 17th December and approx £80 is going towards these items. And before anyone asks, no I wasn't aware of the boss lift, or the December Christmas clothing rule. The SS yes but assumed it was £10.

What are your opinions on Christmas spending at work?

OP posts:
ReeseWitherfork · 08/12/2021 09:07

Crikey that all seems very OTT. I hate other people dictating how I should spend my money. I'd be grumpy about it too!

mdh2020 · 08/12/2021 09:08

I think if they want you to wear specific clothing at work then they should pay for it. Personally I would go to Primark and charity shops but that’s not the point. I don’t understand why anyone has to give their boss a gift - I’ve never heard of that in any job. There are lots of gifts for £10 and under so again, I think it’s enough.

Original poster
NCFORWORKMOAN · 08/12/2021 09:09

Yeah, my DH is cracking up re the clothes thing because I need a couple of t shirts at least but would like to be nice for work so wanted a dress type thing. I've bought one t shirt and I have an old Christmas jumper I've been rotating but I feel a bit underdressed.

OP posts:
TheScenicWay · 08/12/2021 09:10

That sounds ridiculous.
Buy a red and green cardigan and some tinsel then wear them over your normal clothes.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 08/12/2021 09:11

Christmas scarf to wear with a plain dress?

Thegreencup · 08/12/2021 09:13

Let me guess, does everyone else wanting to spend more not have kids?

I think your work are a bit OTT. If they want you to wear something specific, they should pay for it. You can opt out if the ridiculous dress code you know.

I work with a bunch of miserable gits who didn't even want to have a proper Christmas do. There is a middle ground somewhere between my workplace and yours OP.

Strugglingtodomybest · 08/12/2021 09:13

That would annoy the shit out of me. Particularly being told to wear Christmassy clothes. Yanbu.

DaphneDeloresMoorhead · 08/12/2021 09:16

I'd just say "I don't do secret Santa and I can't afford to put money into the bosses present"

In fact I think I'd just tell them you're a Jehovah's Witness and don't celebrate Christmas so can have no part in any of it. That will shut them down.

Marmite27 · 08/12/2021 09:16

It is ridiculous!

Would it help you to know I got 3 different short sleeve Christmas T-shirt’s from Primark for £2.50 each?

MistyGreenAndBlue · 08/12/2021 09:16

@TheScenicWay

That sounds ridiculous. Buy a red and green cardigan and some tinsel then wear them over your normal clothes.
I was thinking a festive waistcoat but yes this. Maybe a hat. Xmas Grin
Original poster
NCFORWORKMOAN · 08/12/2021 09:16

@TheScenicWay

That sounds ridiculous. Buy a red and green cardigan and some tinsel then wear them over your normal clothes.
I was going to do the tinsel in hair and around my neck like a choker type that's a great idea xx
OP posts:
Original poster
NCFORWORKMOAN · 08/12/2021 09:17

@Marmite27

It is ridiculous!

Would it help you to know I got 3 different short sleeve Christmas T-shirt’s from Primark for £2.50 each?

Yes! Thank you so much xx
OP posts:
DaphneDeloresMoorhead · 08/12/2021 09:17

And I don't do any of it, Christmas jumper, secret Santa, work buffet. I sound like a right grinch but I hate all of it.

Brighteyedtriangle · 08/12/2021 09:17

The boss pot is mad, was this the bosses idea. Cant imagine it making them very popular infact its quite poor taste.
The christmas clothes thing id just wear your own thing most days and put some tinsel in your hair or get one of them 2 pound headbands to save some cash

Original poster
NCFORWORKMOAN · 08/12/2021 09:18

@Thegreencup

Let me guess, does everyone else wanting to spend more not have kids?

I think your work are a bit OTT. If they want you to wear something specific, they should pay for it. You can opt out if the ridiculous dress code you know.

I work with a bunch of miserable gits who didn't even want to have a proper Christmas do. There is a middle ground somewhere between my workplace and yours OP.

Some middle ground would be fab wouldn't it. It's mega draining singing songs all day and I swear they are all on Christmas E numbers such as 5 bags of skittles for breakfast xx
OP posts:
JaceLancs · 08/12/2021 09:18

Wear your own clothes with a Xmas brooch or earrings or necklace - even if you make your own eg safety pin with bauble n tinsel
I convert cheap tree decorations into brooches
I refuse to wear even a Xmas jumper

Blinkingheckythump · 08/12/2021 09:19

This sort of thing really irks me. No one should be worried about being able to manage financially because of expectations at work that require money. And as a plus sized woman I can't simply pick up stuff in charity shops just to begin with, never mind that even that can be unaffordable for some

Original poster
NCFORWORKMOAN · 08/12/2021 09:21

@Brighteyedtriangle

The boss pot is mad, was this the bosses idea. Cant imagine it making them very popular infact its quite poor taste. The christmas clothes thing id just wear your own thing most days and put some tinsel in your hair or get one of them 2 pound headbands to save some cash
They've always done it apparently, I've never had it in any other workplace. They say it's to thank the boss for them being amazing all year. The boss also gets each staff member a gift each up to the cost of what a litre of alcohol would be if they don't drink alcohol. I find this uncomfortable too I don't expect anything at work 😐
OP posts:
CloudyStorms · 08/12/2021 09:22

That's a bit much! I'd just say you can't afford it. They can't really argue with that.

Original poster
NCFORWORKMOAN · 08/12/2021 09:26

@CloudyStorms

That's a bit much! I'd just say you can't afford it. They can't really argue with that.
I've stupidly agreed re the pot etc I felt a wee bit put on the spot with everyone around when I was asked/told about it. X
OP posts:
50ShadesOfCatholic · 08/12/2021 09:26

It rather saps the joy from Christmas and turns it into a big stress about money and meeting other people's expectations.

Christmas is meant to be about people, about spending time with people you care about.

Somewhere along the line this turned into a spending frenzy which has served to make a lot of people very miserable and resentful. Someone's got to say no, that doesn't work for me..

Aderyn21 · 08/12/2021 09:27

Going to work shouldn't cost you money! I'd buy a Santa hat from Poundland and just wear that with normal clothes - maybe Christmas earrings as well.
I think you can get a decent secret Santa gift for £10. I bought an LED scented candle from M&S on sale for £7.50. You can get chocolate or Baileys for £10. I'd be happy with any of those.
Someone has to be brave and be the first to opt out and say 'sorry guys, this is getting a bit too speedy for me and I have plenty of obligations at home'.

DockOTheBay · 08/12/2021 09:29

The whole staff gift thing seems pointless. "A litre of alcohol or the same value" is not a thoughtful or personal gift so why bother? They give you £15 and then you put £15 in for the boss.

DrSbaitso · 08/12/2021 09:30

This sounds like an office culture problem. You really shouldn't be obliged to spend all that from your own pocket and contributions to a gift pot should be private.

Original poster
NCFORWORKMOAN · 08/12/2021 09:30

@50ShadesOfCatholic

It rather saps the joy from Christmas and turns it into a big stress about money and meeting other people's expectations.

Christmas is meant to be about people, about spending time with people you care about.

Somewhere along the line this turned into a spending frenzy which has served to make a lot of people very miserable and resentful. Someone's got to say no, that doesn't work for me..

I agree, I won't be doing it next year for sure. I'll contribute re the pot but only what I want and I'll opt out of SS I think. We have our decs down and there's good ideas for adding bits on clothing and I'll nip to Primark at the weekend when I'm off too.

This is the first year we've felt comfortable financially with no stress re gifts, dinners and taking older family out for treats so I don't want it wasted. I do like my job but as a job 😂 as in I have a life to fund.

OP posts:
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