What is with all the charity functions? Is this another layer on top of my work social obligations, my spouse's work social obligations, my volunteer board of director social event, and then the family obligations? Added to the term papers and exams I mark? If someone started telling me I now have to go to charity functions as well, I'd get Scrooged  on their backside PDQ. Had to lay down the law to a sister in law who would retreat to her cabin for Christmas, and so insisted we give up a Sunday to have a second Christmas to accommodate her. Now I just tell everyone to get their stockings stuffed, and hole up at Banff Springs until NewYear.