BOOOOOOOOOO

Last night I asked Phillip when his company Christmas party was scheduled so I could plan OUR holiday extravaganza. (One year we dashed to the company Christmas party and ran home to host our own. Can you say insane?)

"Oh!" said Phillip. "There's not going to BE a Christmas party this year."

This is where the BOOOOOO comes in.

Phillip used to work for an accounting firm. He wore button down shirts and ties and rode the elevator to one of the tippy top floors of a skyscraper. Accountants, if you were not aware, throw the most boring parties on earth. I hated those parties. One year the party was at the aquarium and you know what the entertainment was? Watching the staff feed the seals. There was not enough wine at that party, let me tell you.

But now he works for a software company and they wouldn't bat an eye if he showed up in sweatpants and stubble and a trucker hat. (Not like Phillip would go anywhere wearing sweatpants. As if.) Anyway, the Christmas party obligation went from Can I Stay Home Sick to How Much Can I Spend On My Dress? We're talking catered dinner, open bar and dancing. Fun!

This year, however, the company is Hunkering Down and Making Sacrifices. I call it Punishing The Employees, but whatever. Something about the economy, blah blah blah. No sparkly dress for me this year. They're going to have a POTLUCK. During the DAY. And yes, one of his coworkers already asked, there will be no open bar at the potluck. BOOOOOOOOOO.

You are saved from further griping by Molly, The Girl Who Wakes Up As Soon As Her Mother Puts Her Down. If you need to kill some more time at the office, I'm sharing a few more details about my husband at Parenting today. Between writing about his JOB and writing about his utter lack of understanding re: sorting laundry, I'm going to have to make a tasty dinner tonight...

Comments

[Jenn]

My husband works for a major sporting goods company and his Christmas party is ALWAYS during the day, no spouses invited. The first year he went, he told me about all the fantastic food and I was all, "I had cheerios for lunch." BAH FOR NO SPOUSES.

[Jen]

I've only gotten to go to one company party so far. And it was lame. On a high note, at that part, I got to see the Head of HR (the party organizer) give her husband a lap dance. It was charming.

[lindsay]

Christmas is practically here already. I am soooo excited. You mos def should host your own party since Phillip's is totally weak this year.

[Kate P]

I know what that's like. At my former work, pre-merger it was dinner with spouses and booze; after merger, luncheon and then, "Get back to work, you bums." BOOOOOO, indeed.

[Sarah in Ottawa]

Dave also works for accountants. One of the big firms, but in research. Their parties are ok, but not thrilling. One drink per person, and often not enough food - woot! When he worked in the Toronto office, we would drink with some of his co-workers beforehand, to liven up the festivities. Here in Ottawa, they have a party at a swanky hotel, so at least the food is good. This year, I will be 8 months pregnant so Dave will get TWO free drinks.

The worst - during the last recession (2001), the firm didn't have a holiday party. Instead, they gave everyone a crystal paperweight/votive candle holder.

The absolute worst? I work for the government. No taxpayer money is wasted, though we do have the party during a tiny part of the work day. So we do lunch or bowling or somesuch, and we pay for it ourselves.