So as Christmas draws near companies are starting to host their Christmas parties. This past week I attended two.
The first was my girlfriend’s work. It was at a swanky hotel with a full gourmet buffet….mmm, my mouth is watering thinking back to it. Since she was in charge of organizing it, I was stuck helping out with the setup and handing out gift bags. The bright side of that…no drink ticket limits 
Considering they were trying to charge $10 for beer, it was a nice score.
Then on Wednesday my employer hosted their Christmas party. Since it’s a much smaller company, it was dinner and drinks at a decent restaurant. The smaller size actually made it a lot more enjoyable. Plus it helped that my girlfriend wasn’t stressed with trying to organize things. Well then there was the lack of a drink ticket system. So all in all, it was a fun night.
I do have a personal finance blogger confession to make. The day before my girlfriend’s party, I splurged on an expensive winter jacket to wear to events like that. It was that or wear my sporty winter jacket with my dressy clothes underneath, making me stick out like a sore thumb. I could’ve gone with a cheaper jacket, but this one really suited me and I figure it’s something I can use for many years to come. So hopefully it was a solid investment. At least I look good in it lol.
Also, make sure you enter the 2 big giveaway contests I’m involved in. Better yet, help me out by sharing those posts on social media or linking to them from your blogs. You know I’ll return the favor. Here they are:
Modest Money Around The Web
Thanks to the recent contests, this has been an awesome week for mentions from other blogs. Balancing that out is the fact that I didn’t get around to submitting to carnivals until Saturday. So I missed out on some extra mentions there. A big thank you to everyone who has been so generous.
Frugal Friday: Posts That Ruled This Week, Christmas is in Two Weeks Edition! on Frugal Rules
The VIP Club Roundup – 12th Edition on Club Thrifty
Weekly Personal Finance Blog RoundUp – 12/7/2012 on Debt RoundUp
Friday recap, home alone and seven new friends! on Reach Financial Independence
Friday Link Love, Running Barefoot & Debt on My Alternate Life
The Round Table – December 7, 2012 on Money Smart Guides
Weekend Links – Check out the Zoo! on Vix Money
December Deals & Steals and a Blog Link Round-Up on Your Personal Finance Pro
Personal Finance Week in Review #41 on Work Save Live
Updates: December 2 – 8 on The Outlier Model
Can’t Take My Eyes Off These Blogs #17-Game Of Life Edition on Eyes On The Dollar
Weekly Link Love: Running Around Like a Crazy Cat Edition on Mo Money Mo Houses
Friends of the Family: Setting Goals Edition on The Family Finances
Personal Finance Week in Review for December 8 – Snow Finally Arrives on One Smart Dollar
Weekly Wrap-Up, Mentions and Good Reads #23 on iHeart Budgets
Places I’ve Been: Week Ending 12/8 on Edward Antrobus
Blue Collar Roundup — Christmas Lights Edition on Blue Collar Workman
Save For Retirement or Pay Off Debt? on Debt RoundUp
Personal Finance Links – Wishy Washy Edition on Tight Fister Miser
Come one, come all – check out Modest Money’s awesome money giveaway! on My Canuck Buck
Brrr. Some Holly Jolly Winter Giveaways on Broke-Ass Mommy
Free Shipping Day Is December 17 on Debt RoundUp
Fearless Men’s Weekly Round-Up | December 13th, 2012 on Fearless Men
Weekend Reading – Passive investing video, giveaways and great blogs on My Own Advisor
How Credit Cards Work Rewards Into Their Marketing Strategy on Pay Off Credit Card
What’s Cool Around The Web on Green Panda Treehouse
Yakezie Carnival – Bringing Personal Finance Excellence to Thriftability! on Thriftability
What I read this week – Episode #2 on Grown Up And Stuff
Flying tots, buying toys and lying to the boss on Brighter Life
AME Blog Carnival: Tips and Tricks for Writers and Authors December 10, 2012 on Author Marketing Experts
Weekly Favorites, Gratitude, and Giveaways #92 on Budgeting In The Fun Stuff
The Gift of Food on Unique Gifter
Festival #366 on Festival of Frugality
“On a Roll” Top 10 Personal Finance Blogs You Need to Check Out Today on 7 Min Entrepreneur
Random Thoughts, Personal Finance Round Up and Carnivals #33 on Money Life and More
SavvyScot does the Yakezie Carnival | Savvy Scot on Savvy Scot
Mr.CBB’s Blog Post Picks December 7, 2012-Almost Christmas on Canadian Budget Binder
The Saturday Weekend Review #8 December on Canadian Budget Binder
Weekend Edition: Nexen & Progress Takeovers Approved on Beating The Index
Follow Schwarzenegger’s Advice to Put Fuel on the Fire on Fix Em Rent Em Out
Have any of you been to any Christmas parties this season? What about buying Christmas ‘presents’ for yourself, anyone else guilty of this?
Thanks for the mention Jeremy! My wife and I splurged on a new laptop bc I spilled milk on mine, and hers was from the time of Jesus’ birth, we love it!
No parties yet, in-laws soon….
Joe Cassandra recently posted..Have You Been Chosen to be Successful?
Sounds like a pretty practical present for yourself, especially to help run your blog properly. Next time be careful with the milk though. My laptop is getting up there in age, but I just can’t bring myself to replace it. Maybe I should be a little less careful
Thanks for the inclusion Jeremy. Luckily for me, with a very pregnant wife, I get to skip the holiday parties this year. I don’t like going Stag, so I had a good excuse this time.
Grayson @ Debt RoundUp recently posted..Weekly Personal Finance Blog RoundUp – 12/14/2012
lol I guess you’re not a fan of the Christmas parties. Some of them are pretty fun, but it depends on the crowd. The work ones can be a bit awkward as you try to stay on your best behavior. Congrats on the upcoming baby.
Office holiday parties are like a celebration of awkward.
Everyone is trying to be nice to people who they normally can’t stand to be around.
People start to rotate into their clicks and talk about each other with low voices that you can actually hear because of the liquid courage.
Awesome Christmas cheer.
I always look at it like this.
There is so much more to loose than gain.
One stupid comment could cost you your job while there is nothing you can do or say that will get you a promotion.
I actually think employees should be paid to attend company functions. Why are we giving them free time?
Jacko recently posted..What I learned from Steve Scott – Q&A with the Six-Figure Affiliate Blogger
haha that’s a rather cynical view of the situation. I can’t say my employer’s Christmas party was like that. They’re pretty laid back, even more so with some alcohol in the system. So it ended up being more of a bonding experience. I even made some plans to hang out with one of my bosses outside of the office in January.
Have a great weekend! Thank you for the mention.
Holly
Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted..The VIP Club Roundup – 13th Edition
No problem. Have a good weekend too.
No Christmas parties for us this year as we’re on our own now. That’s ok though, I was pretty embarrassed for more than a few people that took FULL advantage of the free open bar at the party my former employer had last year.
I may be having to be making a confession as well with the iPad giveaway. My wife has been wanting one for a while and it did not help that we found out this week that it can be tax deductible for our business. I am trying to stand strong, but fear I may be on the losing end of this.
John S @ Frugal Rules recently posted..Frugal Friday: Posts That Ruled This Week, Where Did the Week Go Edition
I think that’s pretty common when people get access to an open bar. I know one of my coworkers fell asleep during dinner lol.
For sure, an ipad could be a tax deduction. That would make it a lot more tempting gift. I wonder if the IRS would be a little more strict with something like that since it would be more likely to be used for more than just business use.
No parties this year for me…thank god…but my wife being italian it is a big tradition to do the 7 fish the day before christmas…also i splurged on a laptop for christmas/blogging but it is now a business expense and christmas gift for myself…and my wife said i could get it early…woo hooo…only because she wanted the north face jacket i got her early…bribery…lovely thing!!
enjoy your weekend.
Christopher @ This that and the MBA recently posted..Manage Debt Before It Manages You
I’ve never heard of the 7 fish tradition. To me fish and Christmas don’t seem to go together at all. Hopefully you two still have something to celebrate the after giving your gifts to each other so early. I’m sure she appreciated having her jacket early though.
I did go to my work’s Christmas party and it was pretty nice. I always find them awkward though… maybe it is just me.
Lance @ Money Life and More recently posted..Be Wary of Year End Charitable Contribution Calls
It really depends on what your company is like. I found my girlfriend’s party to be a lot more awkward, but that was probably because I didn’t know anyone there and her bosses are a bit more proper.
I don’t ever by myself Christmas gifts, but I did buy the iPhone early and said I’d pay myself back with Christmas cash I receive from family.
We had my company’s Christmas party last night and it was nice. Just a small restaurant (there are only 4 employees that work for us) and a nice Christmas bonus.
We have my wife’s party tomorrow and it sounds like it’ll be similar to the one your gf’s employer had.
Jason @ WorkSaveLive recently posted..How Do You View Your Money?
A Christmas bonus always makes the holiday season better. I kinda think I haven’t been at my job long enough for that, but I can still hope lol. Have fun at your wife’s party tomorrow Jason.
Thanks for the mention! It’s always good to have a jacket like that. I’m in a similar boat but haven’t purcahsed yet.
John recently posted..US Congress | Key Differences between The Senate and House of Representatives
I was a little tired of always being the odd guy out walking around downtown near my office. It seems like everyone down here has a nice jacket. Even just going out to dinner somewhere nice, you need something like that. I shouldn’t always look like I’m about to go skiing.
I just wrote about my wife’s company party the other day. I always have a tough time around this time of year not buying myself stuff. The rest of the year, I could usually care less, but in December while I’m shopping for presents for others, I always have to stop myself from putting that travel mug or car charger in the basket for myself.
Edward Antrobus recently posted..Bad Behaviors at a Company Holiday Party
I bet lots of people have that problem, especially if they are the type to normally avoid the malls. I think I heard a stat about 95% of Black Friday shoppers just buying things for themselves. Be sure the stuff you buy isn’t anything you might’ve hinted for anyone else to buy for you.
My company is cheap and too big to invite all 1,000+ employees to a party. Sounds like you’ve got it made!
Also, on the new jacket, pics or it didn’t happen 
Jacob @ iheartbudgets recently posted..What Does $1 Mean To You?
Wow that’s a big company. That would make for one super expensive party. lol about the jacket photo. Maybe I could make that happen since I don’t really include photos of myself in posts, just on the about page.
It’s totally Christmas season! We had two work parties last week, and two this weekend. Craziness!
Mrs. Pop @ Planting Our Pennies recently posted..Life’s A Marathon – Where Are You At?
4 in 2 weeks?! Someone’s popular! That or you’re working too many jobs if those are all work parties.
Thanks for the mention mate!!! Holidays are just around the corner.. cram time! Cheers
Canadianbudgetbinder recently posted..The Celebrate Like Scrooge Christmas Gift Exchange
For once I don’t need to do any rushing this time of year. There’s one small thing to take care of and then I’m all ready. Enjoy the holidays Mr CBB.
I have a party tonight and am hosting one tomorrow. I was scheduled to go on a business trip to Washington DC a few years ago, and like you, I only had my down sporty coat, so I bought a dressy one. Then the trip got cancelled. I’ll have that coat forever though.
KIm@Eyesonthedollar recently posted..Is There Ever a Reason to Blow Your Christmas Budget?
Yeah a big down coat probably isn’t too suitable matched with a nice dress. It is one of those necessary purchases if you’re going anywhere nice in cold weather. Take care of it and it will last forever. If it wasn’t for that, I doubt I’d spend as much as I did.
Seriously enjoying all your wonderful information on the website!
My favourite post is the one about your Mustang. I see you have great taste in autos. New car buys are a bummer, but here is what I did on my last car:
Bought 2003 Tahoe in 2005 with 20,000 miles on it. Original buyer wanted a truck instead. I had cash to buy it. I now (14 Dec 12) have only 94,000 miles on it. I have been “anal” on maintenance with it. I change oil each 3K miles. I do every recommended book maintenance. I have had NO troubles. Two sets tires after the OE ones, and one battery. That’s it. I tell you this Tahoe looks brand new, drives and rides brand new. I get great comments all the time. Some people ask me if it IS new? I took it in for a brake job. Nope, don’t need it. Tried to get a new muffler. Told to come back when it needed one. Music to my ears. The only problem is the KBB value of this car. $7,550. I looked at buying another new car just to do it. I like mine better. I don’t think at age 68 I will wear it out. A car is how you take care of it. Not book prices, etc.
Cheers
Thanks for the kind words. You’re completely right that a vehicle can be worth so much more than the book value if you take good care of it. I’ve taken good care of my car and haven’t put on many miles. So I likely wouldn’t be worth selling it for the price I’d get. Instead I’ll probably hold onto it until it’s no longer practical. For example, trying to fit a baby seat in the backseat probably wouldn’t work out too well.
Nothing better than a Xmas party with unlimited booze dude
! Have a great weekend
Savvy Scot recently posted..Change Your Life – Step 9 Find Yourself
Booze on someone else’s tab is a beautiful thing. If only there wasn’t the pressure of not making an ass of yourself in front of your boss and coworkers. Then you could really enjoy that perk.
Both my husband and I are self-employed but we’ve been invited to attend Christmas parties for a company that I contract for (I used to be an employee there) and a couple on his side as well which was very nice of them! We’ll be attending one of them next Saturday. That’ll be fun as it’s being held in a really swanky place in midtown Manhattan!
K.K. @ Living Debt Free Rocks! recently posted..My Weekly T.G.I.F.
That is nice of them to still invite you two to those parties despite not being full time in-house employees for those companies. The swanky place in Manhattan sounds pretty sweet. Have fun KK.
Your readership is rocking…well done.
Sounds like you had a great week, a couple of parties and a kick ass winter coat. That’s a great week. Make it a great weekend, especially is the Mayan calendar is right
Thanks for the mention!
Mark
My Own Advisor recently posted..Weekend Reading – Passive investing video, giveaways and great blogs
lol good point. It might be the last weekend before a “major shift”. Time to party it up. It was a pretty good week and I’ll have to make the most of next week. Thanks for the reminder Mark.
Thanks for the mention Jeremy. Sounds like you had quite the partying week!
Cat recently posted..Cheaper to make from scratch or buy from the store?
Yup it was a week of partying. Now a week of recovery before drinking with family lol.