Planning ahead - C*******s lunch in Edinburgh

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Elegran, what time is lunch at ROSL on Dec 5?

I've added oldgoat's name to the list - she enjoyed meeting us so much that she is coming in December.

Good luck then Katek. Hope it all goes well.

jane10 - I don't mind sorting out any distribution required afterwards. It was my idea in the first place so I'm happy to see it through. Not just saying that, I really don't mind. Hope that helps.

I'm so looking forward to a delicious nosh up, chatting to like minded people, a wee drink of the red vino and "rolling" as sung by Tina Turner

To quote dear Rabbie.

The best laid plans o mice and men gang aft agley.

I cannot add more to this, as I dont attend such occasions. Been bitten before in a totally different occasion to GN.

Hope all enjoy, is C*** that close!

Elegran nice suggestion but it doesn't address the practicalities of it all. The secret Santa idea was to simplify the organisation of everyone leaving with a little something and with nothing left for the organiser to deal with. This way, potentially, the organiser will be left with a pile of wrapped presents which may or may not be suitable for children, and the task of locating appropriate recipients and actually distributing these gifts and/or cash in envelopes.
Yes I'm being nit picky but doing it this way may make individuals feel better but adds to the work for others. Volunteers may wish to come forward for this?

Lol Marelli! Think it would be to protect the public!

Happy with that, Elegran

'Flashing all the way from Waverley' may just get you locked up, Katek.... !

Beatific smile. Easily solved.

Brilliant solution Elegran! I'm all for it. Let's all enjoy the season and also remember those less fortunate. I shall wear my ever so tacky light up holly earrings and flash my way from Waverley!

( also smiling beatifically Marmight!)

Perfect, Elegran. I'm very happy with that idea (was happy already, though.... )

How about two sacks/boxes - labelled "Secret Santa" and "Gifts for disadvantaged children and/or refugees" (we have plenty of both in Edinburgh) People can put a small gift in either or both, and if any of the secret santa gifts are unclaimed they can go into the other sack/box.

Does that satisfy everyone?

Perhaps, to keep everyone on side, those who wish to participate in a Secret Santa can do so and those who do not, need not participate i.e stand back while the presents are 'chosen'. What a pity it would be if some of us were absent from what is meant to be a jollification/seasonal celebration/meet up
/let yer hair doon occasion, purely because we had fallen out over the question of a small gift. Long time to go so hopefully this is just a wee blip and the air will be clear again by December. {beatific }

Sorry. Posted before I read your post Elegran. I'm happy either way with the secret Santa, just wanted to remove any tension by suggesting we revert to original plan. If tensions settled then I'm off to raid present box!

I should like to comment as the gift exchange was initially my idea.. It had only ever been my intention to have a little additional fun at our event without anyone having to break the bank, but it appears that sometimes the most innocent of ideas can go awry. As it's causing some angst can I suggest that we keep things simple and revert to the original plan of lunch with hats and crackers provided by the ROSL.

Ah well, it's probably just as well I can't leave DH on his own any more to get away, I wouldn't want to cause any embarrassment.
Back to the worms. ?

No need for anyone to be upset. My suggestion that we want to avoid virtue signalling is no more an accusation on you, Daphne, than your comment that you found taking gifts to someone up a smelly close more satisfying than all the "Ho ho ho" was a criticism of Jane's Ho ho ho post.

So we can all subside and get back to planning our Christmas lunch - where I hope we will see Jane10 as well as all our other friends. *JaneAinsworth can opt out of the secret santa if she doesn't want to participate - that is OK.

Jane10 I hope you will come to the lunch.
You asked what people thought, so I said what I thought.
I didn't mean to upset you or anyone else.

I am really upset that a genuine and innocent suggestion is being designated "virtue signalling" Elegran and Jane10 I thought you knew me better than that. I clearly got the wrong impression, but nowhere did I suggest that people do NOT give to charity anyway, I only made my suggestion as it seemed that there was some discussion as to whether to do a Secret Santa or not.
I think ro take the huff is a bit of an over reaction, Jane, I hope you will change your mind and that you will enjoy your lunch.
And I will keep my nose out of it in future. How odd to feel an "outsider" among other Scots

Daphne I'm a bit surprised that it hasn't occurred to you that, like me, people already support various charities and not just at Christmas. All Katek and I wanted to do was add in a little extra fun. I'm now so fed up about it that I don't think that I'll bother attending. I can add the money I'll save from the lunch to my other Christmas donations.
I'm sorry I even suggested a Secret Santa Elegran.

Also - who says that people are NOT giving to those who won't have a good Christmas as well as to their friends who will? We don't want to get into "virtue signalling", do we?

Could do both, of course - a secret santa AND a charity lucky dip. Christmas feel-good AND a little present as a reminder of the lunch. A very little one - it would stop anyone feeling that they have to buy presents for any friends.