Gigging on Christmas Day

shamsteak

Hi All.

Just wanted to get some thoughts on this. As we all know Christmas is generally a very busy period for gigging musicians, and with the exception of a few days the season is more or less a write off from a social or a spending time with family point of view.

So, for the first time I've been asked to play both Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. I wouldn't have to travel too far, same venue both nights, but its a hotel so chances are it will be late. If I do it, I will be sacrificing valuable time at home at Christmas, and breaking a 36 year old tradition, but if I don't do it i'll feel like a total hypocrite as Christmas holds very little meaning for me from a religious standpoint. But despite that, Its still one of my favorite times of year for other reasons, and I always enjoy Christmas day at home.

I'm already hearing people say think about those who have to work every Christmas like nurses, doctors, gardai etc. But this is a musicians forum, and i've never had to consider working it myself before. Luckily enough I would normally get to spend a good bit of time with family the rest of the year, so I'm asking myself, why should these days be any different??

Has anyone else ever been in this situation or does anyone regularly gig on Christmas day?? Just interested to hear.

Cheers Guys..

Rigsby

shamsteak wrote: »

Hi All.
I always enjoy Christmas day at home.

It's a no brainer as far as I am concerned.

Enjoy your Christmas Day with friends and family (you dont have to be religious to do this).

There are 364 other days of the year for gigging.

The Master

^ Exactly

Unless the pay packet is super huge but even then you have to weigh up the cost to your Family Vs benefit of a few quid

shamsteak

Thanks very much for the reply guys, that's more or less what I was expecting to hear anyway. It's funny how cultures and backgrounds differ, I asked a few friends of mine who gig in the U.S.A what they thought and they said the complete opposite.

But I think I'll sit this one out and pass up on it, unless there's a few grand going for the gig

Fandango

I used to work at a petrol station and always worked a few hours on Christmas day (Only 3-4 hours) as it was triple pay. The staff at hotels etc would be on at the very least double if not triple pay also, so for that reason I wouldnt even consider it unless the pay was at least double your usual. The other points made here are more important though. Its the one day a year that I would turn down even for a large payday as its a family day. Few hours at a till is one thing but dont think my mother would forgive me if I disappeared for most of the day

Zcott

I've done it once before and when the pay is good, it's ok if you have plenty of family members together and can slip out for a few hours. I was offered one last year and turned it down, because at this stage in my life family is more important than gigs at Christmas.

shamsteak

Thanks for all the replies and input. It's looking like its a non runner. I've decided not to take the gig, plus there was no extra money involved so a bit pointless on all sides me thinks. Cheers everyone!