Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

DH used to work for NY Life in Massachusetts and it was a mandatory holiday party for about $75 per person and he was encouraged to bring me. Black tie, live band, it was like being at a bad wedding reception where you didn't know anyone. They kept talking about how it was such a wonderful, extravagant event with the live band, top notch food, decor, etc. They even encouraged everyone to get a room at the hotel so they could party hard and not drive home.

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

we have to chip in for our parties also.

Message edited 4/21/2011 5:14:30 PM.

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

thats ALOT of money.......

skip it..... but i'd say you could also make up a conflict of why the date isn't good if your concerned what others think

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

wow $120 is a lot!!!! That's crazy... I would totally skip it! Have your co-workers said anything?

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

That's a lot! My company has always had small Holiday parties catered in the office. This year, they are going all out and having it at the Fox Hollow. And no, we are not asked to pay. The company is covering the cost. If I had to pay, I would not go.

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

Honestly, I wouldn't want to go either. As a pp said, $50 would even be a lot to me to pay during the holiday season.

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

NO way would I go!!! My company pays for a pretty lavish holiday party, but since we're so big, we're not allowed to bring spouses...THAT I would be willing to pay for though, but not $120!

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

I cannot believe that they expect you to pay $120 pp for a holiday party. That is ridic!!! I've never paid for an office holiday party and if I did have to...I would skip it.

What about your coworkers? Has anyone said anything about the cost? I would imagine you are not the only one who finds this to be a lot of money to pay for a holiday party.

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

IMO, that is way too expensive !

We have an in-house holiday party which is paid for by senior staff/upper mgmt and they don't even have to put in that much! Even when we have our party at a place, I don't think it ever cost more than $40pp

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

i agree with everyone else - i wouldn't go.

i wouldn't lie about why though.... if anyone asked why i wasn't going i would say "i wish i did but i don't have that kind of money to spend on a party at christmas time"

maybe if enough people started saying that then they would eventually start paying for it or at least looking into cheaper places!

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

wow thats really asking a lot of people to pay that for a company party.

I wouldnt want to go, but if I am being honest- I would be too nervous to skip it.

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

That sounds pretty outrageous to me.

I agree with the PP who suggested declining due to other family obligations. People are always busy around the holidays, so it won't be scrutinized.

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

Well, my office does this as well. The attorneys (I'm a paralegal) all give about that much and it pays for the party and our christmas gifts (which is usually a gift card).

I will tell you that everyone of them has to chip in even if they can't make it to the party. I don't think it's necessary but it is very nice of them to do it. Some staff say that its nice to feel like they appreaciate all that we do for them everyday.

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

I think you're going to be asked to chip in even if you don't go.

I agree that the company should be paying it. Our company allots a certain amount per employee & if we go above that upper management pays.

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

I wouldn't go. I don't like to spend money to spend time with people that I am forced to see on a daily basis

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

I probably wouldnt go that is a lot of $!

Re: office holiday party - annoyed and need advice

So today I told them I couldn't go due to another obligation. I volunteered to contribute towards the "gift" - I think I'll give $50.

I still don't like the feeling of being *forced* to give a gift (would rather do something of my own choosing for the people I work closely with) but I'd rather pay $50 and not go than pay $120 to go to a party I don't want to be at

Thanks for the advice and support.