Are spouses invited to your office Christmas party?

[ZPT1022]

I'm a SAHM so I suppose DH could be invited if I want him there

DH's company used to throw a party onsite and everyone was invited- spouses, kids, whoever you wanted to bring, and it was fun. This year they decided to switch things up and have it at a fancy restaurant which is nice and all, but they wanted the spouses to pay if they wanted to go. Worse than that, they wanted a deposit from each employee. What the heck is that? This year it is his gift from not only his branch but from the company as a whole too (usually they are separate things). Last year my little kids were sick so DH wound up attending with oldest DD. This year he could not get anyone to give him any info about what was on the menu (I needed to know, I'm vegetarian and have food allergies), and he decided that between being offended at having to put a deposit for himself and having to pay for me and it might not have been something I could even partake in, he decided the money was better spent on the kids for Christmas.

 

[kaw1218]

Dh's party is during his workday, so no spouses.
And I honestly don't know if spouses were invited to mine.
I'm not going, so I really didn't pay attention.

 

[kaw1218]

I'm a SAHM so I suppose DH could be invited if I want him there

DH's company used to throw a party onsite and everyone was invited- spouses, kids, whoever you wanted to bring, and it was fun. This year they decided to switch things up and have it at a fancy restaurant which is nice and all, but they wanted the spouses to pay if they wanted to go. Worse than that, they wanted a deposit from each employee. What the heck is that? This year it is his gift from not only his branch but from the company as a whole too (usually they are separate things). Last year my little kids were sick so DH wound up attending with oldest DD. This year he could not get anyone to give him any info about what was on the menu (I needed to know, I'm vegetarian and have food allergies), and he decided that between being offended at having to put a deposit for himself and having to pay for me and it might not have been something I could even partake in, he decided the money was better spent on the kids for Christmas.

I bet that's what our store did too. And I'm mad they got rid of the 20% coupon do do the bigger party this year

 

[bluefairy13]

DH's company has one and spouses are not invited and I am so glad I don't have to! If I were invited I'd be trying to find a way to get out of it.

Mine doesn't even have one.

 

[golfgal]

Dh's old company was a large lending institution and spouses were always invited to the Christmas parties, and families to the summer picnic. Heck, spouses were even invited to the sales meetings, 100% on the company dime. His new company is only 20 people but spouses are still invited to the Holiday party. I have to say Holiday because one of his partners is Jewish. In my office there are only 2 of us so we are going out for dinner for our "party" with our spouses.

 

[MushyMushy]

The company he's working for now, we're invited. They're doing something out of town, so if we go we kind of need to stay in a hotel. I'm really torn! The company is footing the bill for the hotel, but we'd have to leave way early in the morning to be back in time for DH to do his Christmas program with the choir.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Spouses were always invited to my dhs Christmas party at a local Dinner Theatre and were also invited to a big summer picnic.

 

[Mermaid02]

My office Christmas Party was last night and spouses are invited (no kids- but we are a Pediatric Office and frankly, I like the break from kids) BUT we all had to pay our own way. It was a nice dinner and dh and I rarely go out so I really didn't mind.

 

[frndshpcptn]

I work for a large firm in NYC and we don't have spouses at ours. It's after work on a weeknight - usually at a trendy restuarant or club in the city.

 

[Talking Hands]

Not invited but I still get to go as we work together both as temporary teachers and as realtor associates.

 

[ZPT1022]

I bet that's what our store did too. And I'm mad they got rid of the 20% coupon do do the bigger party this year

Yep, instead of the coupons they just sent money to the store and his store decided to use it to have the party at a restaurant. I remember when probably 3-4 years ago they gave everyone gift cards (to the store of course ) but hey, that was okay. Then one year it switched to a coupon which we couldn't even use because who that works there has extra money this time of year? We gave that one to my aunt & uncle, so at least it got used. Last year was better with the 20% being usable through April- we used it to get a new washer, a freezer, etc..... so that worked out well for us. Now it's this stupid party thing, whatever, we're not going. Is yours doing the fancy party too?

Oh, and do you get sick of everyone asking to go shopping with you because they assume that you get a discount? Discount-

 

[disney4us2002]

We don't have an office party per se. We are employed by the state govt. so no parties and no bonuses either. However, we (the workers) host our own holiday luncheon where we all bring a dish and an ornament to exchange. Since it's during lunchtime, no spouses are invited.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

DH2B and I just went to my work party last night. you were allowed to invite your SO or a friend if you wanted to.

the zoo thing is really strange. why wouldn't you invite an employee's spouse or kids to that?!

 

[dreamin in pa]

At DH's last company (he quit 2 months ago for, hopefully, someplace better), we used to be invited. When he started there, they had a wonderful Christmas party at a local hotel with discounted rooms and also a big summer picnic for everyone's family. They used to do alot of things for their employees but slowly took everything away. And they weren't hitting financial hardships because of the economy. They would send out newletters of the company profits and how they are ranked #1 in the country in their field. Company was making money...too bad the employees never saw any of it.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Our party was today. We were all allowed to bring one adult guest. Only about 1/2 brought someone. I was surprised about some of the people that came alone, many of them have spouses or significant others. Dh's company doesnt have a party. The employees are spread all over the country.

My company has a picnic in the summer and invites spouses and children.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

I was invited to my husband's parties but always declined.

I would rather get waxed than go to a boring company Christmas party.

 

[kaw1218]

Yep, instead of the coupons they just sent money to the store and his store decided to use it to have the party at a restaurant. I remember when probably 3-4 years ago they gave everyone gift cards (to the store of course ) but hey, that was okay. Then one year it switched to a coupon which we couldn't even use because who that works there has extra money this time of year? We gave that one to my aunt & uncle, so at least it got used. Last year was better with the 20% being usable through April- we used it to get a new washer, a freezer, etc..... so that worked out well for us. Now it's this stupid party thing, whatever, we're not going. Is yours doing the fancy party too?

Oh, and do you get sick of everyone asking to go shopping with you because they assume that you get a discount? Discount-

Yeah....most people don't believe me when I say no discount. I miss the friends and family coupons too.