NEVER EVER AGAIN!

Oh yes the dreaded spreadsheet because nobody ever remembers what they ordered.
Sorry Phoenix but the transport thing made me chuckle, so typical of people who are thought less.

Well, we've had the event, and I'm even more determined not to do it next year, or if I do, then not to go to it!

The person that was supposed to be sharing a taxi back with me swanned out of the restaurant throwing a casual " see you at Wetherspoons " over her shoulder!

Oh no you wont! I'm tired and I want to go home, and preferably without having to walk through town to the taxi rank on my own and paying all of the fare!

Fortunately a couple who had travelled together were still there, and offered me a lift.

I thought I'd better make sure that T was ok for a transport, so duly trotted across the road to Wetherspoons to check. There she was holding a very large Scotch and soda and when I asked she blithely told me that she was going to squeeze in with L & C! Just as well that J&N had hung on to wait while I checked.

And I will refrain from mentioning that when I went to settle the bar bill, I'm pretty certain that I ended up paying her share as well as mine grrrrr.

phoenix You definitely have my sympathy - been there many times from organising office parties, to private parties, to parties for the mother-and-toddler-group, etc etc .... and each time have sworn never again!

However, your post has done me the world of good today because I was tempted to arrange a coach outing for my art group to an arts centre 30 miles away but you have reminded me how awful it can be. The last coach outing I arranged, some elderly ladies (by which I mean older than me) wandered off and got lost with their phones switched off, and I had to spend an hour trying to find them in a town I didn't know whilst placating the coach driver and the rest of our group who kept complaining about having to wait.

Having read your tale of woe, I have decided I've done my bit over the years and I will forget my prospective coach trip.

I haven’t organised a Christmas work do, however I was a school chef. Oh my goodness getting the replies in for that still brings me out in a cold sweat ! The meat order had to be by November. In the end you would ask the teachers, oh yes the replies are in my desk? it used to be a nightmare. As cooking for about 400 .

I think Christmas work parties are overrated I found when I organized them everyone was all for them when first mentioned but as the date came closer all kinds of excuses were given for people to drop out I do think in some circumstances people are pushed into saying they will attend for fear of being thought anti social where I work one person does the organising moans how stressful it is then expects a medal for doing it

Your organizational skills are greatly admired much more than your complaining .

At the moment.

And when the evening finally arrives and everyone seated, there’s always the few who don’t remember at all what they or-ordered from the menu so out from your handbag you pull the spreadsheet you’ve had to print off and bring!!

Oh yes, been there done it. I love the ones who decide to go and then complain about the food, the decor, the wine, who they are sitting with, the music etc etc. Very much a sod it, never again job.??

Reminds me of the guests at my son's wedding. One friend of ours wouldn't confirm whether he was coming or not. The day before he said he AND his estranged wife were coming. Well on the day she didn't turn up. My son was juggling where this person could sit, and my husband was insisting he had to sit next to us, but we were on the top table. Husband didn't know about the politics of where people sit!

I used to organise Special Events, and we would always work on the basis that between 15% won't turn up on the day.

These are people who have said they will come, have booked - and in many cases paid.

Even at Village Events, the percentage is similar.

...every year someone would turn up having not replied.

That was us one year. We had paid for so many Christmas lunches with our various activity groups and when we appeared at the last one all dressed up, we found we weren't actually on the list. Fortunately two other people had pulled out at the last minute so we were able to slot into their places.

Seamless, eh!

Tell me about it!! There must be some kind of masochism involved.

Phoenix, perhaps in January you should make it clear that you're never doing this again. And repeat this on a monthly basis, throughout the year.

Presumably you volunteered to do this? A friend of mine once said that a volunteer was somebody who didn't understand the question.

Must you have this do? learn to say "no" it's easy after the first couple of timed.

I feel for you. I used to organise the Christmas party and like you had to chase people up - our Practice paid for staff and partners to come, trying to get people to accept was bad enough but trying to get their choice of menu was painful. Then you always had the odd member of staff complaining for the sake of complaining “I’m doing something else on that night can you change the date”, “I haven’t got a partner so can I bring my 8 year old son”, Think its awful that we have have to pay for our own drinks” (despite wine being provided on the table) and it went on and on.

I occasionally meet up with ex colleagues. One of them will phone me and say 'are we meeting up soon?'
In other words, 'will you arrange the date, venue, etc?' Drives me mad.

And then when they get to the restaurant, having pre-ordered their food and agree the seating plan..................... Oh yes, been there. Even worse if you organise an international conference and they don't turn up for their flights!

Sounds like my place of work Phoenix! This year, they've arranged for the Christmas do to be held in London. Our office is based in N W England. So our office equivalent of you has been running around like a headless chicken since September, trying to sort out who's going, who needs train tickets booking, who needs overnight accommodation, who's taking a partner, dietary requirements etc. I feel genuinely sorry for the person relegate to organising it.
I never attend, even when the event is hosted locally, but this year I'm more relieved than ever that I'm not going!

I wouldn't do it. It all starts off okay when a " do " is mentioned but comes the time it doesn't seem like a good idea afterall as it gets nearer .

The easiest answer is " no " and be done with. These times were great when you were younger but as you get older you can't be bothered but you should be honest about it.

Personally I can't be doing with large gatherings now and would give an immediate refusal rather than dither and throw arrangements into chaos causing the organiser a headache.

Try organising a netball team

You have my sympathy Phoenix I organise the Christmas meal as well, its stressful isn't it. Organise the restaurant and menu, check on vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options
( this is harder in France ). Keep prompting people then there is always the last minute person when you have given the restaurant final numbers.
We should have a separate 'do' for stressed organisers

You have my sympathy. I helped organise members Christmas parties at a local Community club, one for children and another for OAP's. Food had to be bought and prep'd for both, tables laid for OAP do as they were served (children had buffet style) their meals. I used to send out invites, including a yes/no attending slip, to members in early Nov in an attempt to get replies.... every year someone would turn up having not replied. Many others were asked multiple times when they were in the club. We always had a couple spare meals just in case.

Ah yes - herding cats! The bug bear for me is trying to accept or reject requests for gigs from my little choir. This requires that I know who is available on that particular date, which voice part they are (no good going with 5 basses and no sopranos!) etc........

Getting answers is like pulling teeth.

You have all my sympathy phoenix - but I too bet you will do it next year!

I’m with you Phoenix sod the lot of them. ?

I’m driving 4 people to a Christmas Coffee morning on Tuesday, organising where and when I am collecting everyone individually, plus who is doing what and making what, plus preparing a fun quiz I’m quite worn out. So I admire you Phoenix for your organisational skills and stamina.