A frugal life is an easy life!

My frugal gene works overtime with christmas approaching, the "fatastic sale" prices have to be negotiated, the triple layer marketing campaigns targeted at us have to be avoided, the common sense approach to present buying has to be applied.
One area where I always try to make an acception, is the work's Christmas party.

Now in my 40th year, I am always aware of the costs involved with a simple night out, wether it be a meal or a night on the lash.
Do I spend £40 for a meal and drinks, knowing that the food is often not fresh and overheads for the company selling me the meal are to buy as cheap as possible ingredients and concoct a variety of sauces to disguise it?
Do I spend £3 per bottle of VK ice, which I know is a low budget drink, which has aquired a high cost price and brings in good profits for the pub/club selling it?

The work's Christmas party is always one exception.
It is guaranteed that my shirt will be of poor style and taste - I will without doubt spill (or have spilt on it) some kind of sauce or gravy - yes I will wear a silly hat that makes me resemble a monkey last seen having it's picture took on Blackpool pleasure beach in 1978 - and finally, once the three pints kick in, I will be up dancing like a right wally!

The reason my frugal piece of brain switches off, is purely because, it is Christmas!
I love this time of year, I get all my family's presents on Christmas Eve afternoon, using the £10 limit) not to just save money, but to get great value, to not overspend and the atmosphere is fantastic.
Wearing a Christmas hat in Christmas week is a pleasure, I love sending out Christmas cards and good wishes, I love giving presents, I love the white hillside around where I live (on the rare occasion we get snow) I love the great food, our friends and visitors and of course, I love all the excitement and buzz the kids get.
The work's Christmas party is the one time of the year where nothing matters, it is simply about having fun and letting what hair I have left, down.

How ever you are celebrating Christmas via your work's party, have a wonderful time.
Don't worry about the pictures that will be taken, just deny all knowledge!