Department Xmas Do

[ItsAllAboutTheBass7]

It's a small departmentmental Christmas do, around 10 in total. Looking it's either a Pantomime, Crazy Golf or Bowling at the minute.
I feel like I'd enjoy these ideas if I was 12, but as I'm not, I'm reluctant to waste an evening of my life
Would you make the effort and go?? Or find an excuse??

It’s always difficult to find something which appeals to everyone, and the alternative then ends up being a meal - which also generates complaints about not having suitable food / finding a place which suits those with dietary restrictions or who don’t want to be around alcohol / price being a rip off because Christmas.

It depends if you like your colleagues. I’d go and join in an activity - but I like my colleagues and I’m not afraid to look a bit daft doing something. YMMV. If you’re a small team then you presumably know each other quite well and you can just say “sorry, really not my thing I’m afraid, if you’re going for a drink before / after I might join you for that though.”

I'd go, it's just a bit of fun.

You old Grinch. I would go even if the activity wasn't my favourite

I hate bowling however have done it twice on work things and it was really fun!

I'd go to Crazy Golf or Bowling, I hate pantomimes so I wouldn't go to that, also it's not very social, is it?

It's one night.

I would not go. You don't get paid for this do you?

Is it a grown up place? Or would you be doing it next to a 10th birthday party? We have a bar that has mini golf, axe throwing etc and that's quite a good night out.

Our work has two work do's, a quiet one at a glass blowing workshop so you make your own bauble and then have afternoon tea in the cafe and then a meal out / clubbing night for those that prefer that.

I don't mind a fun night at bingo as a work night out, I won £50 last time and a colleague won £900, the food is shockingly bad and soggy beige buffet but it was the right combo of chatting, focus on activity and christmas sparkle.

Every year, I just so happen to have a pre arrange event on the night of the Christmas Party. What a coincidence!

All those sound like activities for primary school kids. What's wrong with a meal and drinks? With a few games thrown in, a quiz? Faux award ceremony? Secret Santa? You can do all those after the meal at the same venue.
I personally would prefer something like that.

The options are inclusive non alcohol focused and leisure based 🤷‍♀️

Can’t they just organise a Christmas lunch/dinner like most people do? I’d feel a bit cheated if it was bowling, golf or even a panto

No I wouldn't go to any of those. What's the point of the pantomime, it's not exactly social. I hate bowling and crazy golf.

I like my work colleagues but not enough to associate with them all when I'm not paid to.

If you're of the same mind just say you're booked up December weekend evenings, it's not an unbelievable position

So nothing suitable for anyone over 45 then, sounds terrible. Clubbing especially

I presume it’s an attempt to be inclusive and not alcohol focused. Food is a mindfield with allergies/vegan/halal.
It’s a thankless task arranging a Christmas do.
I’d go even if activity isn’t exactly your cup of tea.

@Printedword why wouldn't someone over 45 want to go to a glass blowing workshop, make their own bauble and then have a nice Christmas afternoon tea in the cafe? Not sure that has a particular age limit to it.
The venue also has 18+ pottery painting BYOB evening events if people wanted that but they opted for a daytime event. We work fully Flexi and can take upto 2 hours for lunch so easy to fit it into the work day for those with child or elderly care challenges.

Work Xmas events are always grim, doesn't matter what they are. Why would I want to spend my leisure time with people I see every day at work, either eating horrible mass-produced food or doing some childish (I agree) activity? So just say no, and give the whole thing a miss.

Glassblowing a bauble/afternoon tea sounds great and suitable for all ages.

I would enjoy the bowling and the crazy golf if the team were a laugh.

Exactly. Sounds fun to me!

I would have loved that instead of the boring Christmas meal/drinks at a pub that was done in my old job.
Sounds brilliant fun.

Since when is a pantomime, bowling and crazy golf "childish" anyway?

Agreed. I'd prefer all of those options over a dull Christmas meal out and some drinks.

If you don't want to go then say so but it's literally one night and I don't see the problem in them suggesting something other than the standard (often crap) meal out.

Honestly, it's really difficult to find a meal or activity that suits everyone

In the interests of good department relations, I probably would go, even if not my favourite activity. It's once a year